Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) gets a pass away under pressure from the Cal Bears linebacker Xavier Carlton (right) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Sat Nov 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It was a tough afternoon for the California Bears up in Oregon as they got trounced by the Ducks to the tune of 63-19 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. They hung in the game for the opening quarter but going into the second quarter the Ducks turned it on and never looked back.

Saturday afternoon the California Bears (3-5) traveled up north to take on the Oregon Ducks (7-1). The two teams took the field amid threat of precipitation as the Bears faced not only inclement weather but dealing with an offensive giant in the Ducks.

The Ducks got a quick start in the opening quarter scoring two touchdowns taking a 14-0 lead. Oregon’s first strike was a 48 yard pass from quarterback Bo Nix to Tez Johnson. Minutes later the Ducks struck again when Nix took the ball into the end zone for one yard and the second score of the day for Oregon.

The Bears answered with a field goal with 1:39 left in the first quarter. Mateen Bhaghani sent a 48 yard kick through the uprights. On the very next Oregon possession the Ducks fumbled and the ball was recovered by Cal’s Nohl Williams for a sixteen yard romp into the end zone for six. Cal had made a nice comeback trailing by the score of 14-10 and were within striking distance.

Cal would draw even closer when they kicked a second field goal in the early minutes of the second quarter. Bhaghani kicked a 27 yard field goal and California trailed by a single point 14-13. The rest of the second quarter was all Oregon.

The sleeping giant woke up with a vengeance scoring three touchdowns in the quarter. Bo Nix rushed for his second touchdown of the game at 5:21. Nix went on to hit Tez Johnson for his second touchdown of the game, this one for 14 yards at 1:39 left before the half.

With six seconds left in the quarter Nix went to work again thanks to a Bears fumble hitting Troy Franklin for 7 yards extending their lead to 35-13 at halftime.

Cal made up some ground to start the third quarter scoring a 20 yard Jayden Ott rushing touchdown. The Bears went for the two point conversion which failed and California trialed 35-19. The Ducks would add to their lead mid-way through the quarter. Bucky Irving rushed for 6 yards extending the Oregon lead to 42-19.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Ducks as they continued to pile on the points scoring three touchdowns in the quarter. Bo Nix threw his fourth touchdown pass in the early minutes of the fourth quarter, a four yard strike to Terrance Ferguson.

Jordan James would rush for 16 yards and another Oregon touchdown. With the score 56-19 Oregon quarterback Bo Nix was finished for the day. He threw for 386 yards and was 29 of 38 passes with four touchdowns.

Ty Thompson took over under center and finished off the game with yet another Oregon touchdown, a six yard pass to Traeshon Holden for the final score of 63-19.

California quarterback finished with 177 yards and was 18 of 34 with no touchdowns and one interception. Cal had 109 rushing yards with Jayden Ott finishing the game with 93 yards.

Next Saturday the Bears will take on the Washington State Cougars at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.