By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, November 12, 2016

AP photo: Oregon Ducks linebacker Jimmie Swain (18) attempts to tackle Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) as he runs up field at Autzen Stadium on Saturday in Pac 12 action

Keller Chryst continues to improve as Stanford’s starting quarterback.

Chryst, who took over as the signal caller three games ago, tossed three touchdown passes for Stanford as the Cardinal routed Oregon 52-27 in Pac-12 football at Eugene, Ore.

The Cardinal (7-3 overall, 5-3 Pac-12) are 3-0 with Christ at the helm. The junior QB was 19 of 26 for 258 yards and didn’t throw an interception.

Heisman candidate Christian McCaffrey ran for 135 yards and scored three touchdowns for Stanford. McCaffrey’s 61-yard TD gave the Cardinal an early lead. After a Ducks fumble, McCaffrey scored on a 5-yard fun, and he had a 14-yard TD run in the first half.

Going into the game, McCaffrey needed only 20 rushing yards to reach the 1,000-yard plateau for the second straight season McCaffrey also caught five passes for 52 yards.

Bryce Love added 82 rushing yards on five carries for Stanford, with Cameron Scarlett running for 68 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.

JJ Arcega-Whiteside caught four passes for 106 yards and a touchdown. Michael Rector and Dalton Schultz also caught four passes for Stanford.

Defensive leaders for Stanford were Joey Alfieri with two interceptions, and safety Justin Reid made 10 solo tackles.

Oregon (3-7 overall, 1-6 Pac-12) is assured of a losing season for the first time since 2004. The loss also all but knocked the Ducks out of contention for any bowl game with two games remaining,

One bright spot for the Ducks was the 111-yard effort from Royce Freeman. He also scored a touchdown.

It was the first time since 2008 that the two school met without either being ranked.

Next week, the Cardinal visit California in Berkeley for the Big Game. In two weeks, Stanford finishes the regular season by hosting Rice.