FB | Oregon Spoils Kelly’s Return with a 42-21 Victory over UCLA

Oregon football returned to Autzen Stadium after two consecutive road losses and emerged victorious over the visiting UCLA Bruins 42-21. Saturday’s win for Oregon clinched bowl eligibility for the 13th time in the past 14 seasons, as Oregon compiled 492 yards on offense. Despite being in concussion protocol for much of the week, quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns, marking his 24th consecutive game with a touchdown pass. Also a game-time decision due to a concussion, Dillon Mitchell continued his tear through Pac-12 play, accounting for 156 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions. Oregon also proved to be productive in the run game, gaining 200 yards on the ground on 42 carries. Oregon’s big night, however, was kicked off with an explosive play on special teams, as Ugo Amadi returned a punt 56 yards to the end zone – Oregon’s first since 2015. Oregon would push the lead in the first half as high as 21-0 on a Justin Herbert four-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Mitchell. In the second half, Oregon enjoyed a pair of touchdowns from their non-featured backs. Cyrus Habibi-Likio scored from a yard out for his seventh touchdown on the season, pushing Oregon’s lead to 28-7. Tony Brooks-James capped off the game’s scoring with a 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth to push the lead to 42-21 in favor of Oregon. Saturday marked Chip Kelly’s return to Autzen Stadium. Kelly, who in four years as Oregon’s Head Coach led Oregon to a 46-7 record and their first ever national championship appearance, matched his total losses at Oregon with his seventh loss at UCLA this year. The 2-7 Bruins continue their road trip to Tempe, Arizona, where they will face the Arizona St. Sun Devils. Oregon, now at 6-3 on the season, will travel to Utah to face the No. 15 Utah Utes.

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Oregon Showcases Special Teams in Chip Kelly’s Return to Eugene (by Bill Braker)