Oregon’s players zipped and zoomed past slower Stanford defenders, proving to be the best team in the Pac-12.  Suddenly, the Ducks are back in the BCS title picture.  In the most important game in Stanford Stadium history, the No. 7 Ducks utilized their speed, toughness and moxie to dispose of fourth-ranked Stanford, 53-30, in a game with Rose Bowl and possible national title implications.  Read more after the jump.
Oregon (9-1, 7-0) is back in the conversation to play for the championship. The Ducks used a stifling defense and their lightning-quick offense to convincingly beat Stanford (9-1, 7-1).
“This was our best performance of any game this season,†senior defensive end Terrell Turner said. “Next week it should be better.â€
The game was controlled by the Ducks throughout as they capitalized off numerous Cardinal turnovers.
Stanford, winners of 17 straight, had the home-field advantage, the sellout crowd of 50,360, Heisman Trophy frontrunner Andrew Luck, and payback on its mind after blowing a 21-3 lead last year to the Ducks.
This loss was worse.
Luck threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. His Heisman chances took a serious whack, and it’s unlikely Stanford will play for the Pac-12 championship. Oregon, which has games against USC and Oregon State remaining, has the inside track there.
Luck threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns (two to senior receiver Griff Whalen). But he was regularly second-guessing throws and was sacked three times. College football’s best? Against Oregon’s defense Luck looked competent but hardly the dominant player he has been.
Linebacker Boseko Lokombo’s 40-yard interception return for a touchdown with 4:28 sealed it. The well-traveled Oregon fans chanted “BCS,†“Overrated†and provided other salty jabs at an emptying stadium. The Cardinal, who rarely lose control, let it all slip away with five turnovers.
“Not good enough to win,†Luck said. “Worst game of the year I guess.â€
Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti said: “We do what we do and we do it fast and we do it hard and we finish. … Tonight those kids were magical.â€
So was Oregon’s offense, the dominance becoming almost expected. The Ducks made Stanford’s defense – which allowed about 16 points per game coming into Saturday – look pedestrian.
Junior running back LaMichael James had 146 rushing yards and three touchdowns, one a 58-yard score. Quarterback Darron Thomas was poised and efficient throwing three touchdown passes to three different players.
“Everyone contributed,†Oregon coach Chip Kelly said.
Freshman running back De’Anthony Thomas scored on a 41-yard screen pass after he fumbled on the previous possession in the second quarter.
With Stanford and Boise State stumbling (the Broncos were upset by TCU earlier Saturday) Oregon will move up at least two spots in the BCS rankings. Oklahoma still plays Oklahoma State so another foe could be surpassed.
Next week Oregon plays host to the Trojans. After fumbling twice against No. 1 LSU in the season-opening loss, Thomas said he’d love to get another chance against the Tigers.
“I feel like if we get another shot at them it would be a better game,†Thomas said. “We’re the real deal.â€
