The Oregon Ducks are far from perfect and the best the Pac-12's got
The Oregon Ducks are far from perfect and the best the Pac-12's got
After a 44-point win over Cal, the scary thing is the Ducks might just be getting going.
EUGENE — The Oregon Ducks make mistakes.
Oh, do they ever.
They’ve missed field goals and they’ve failed to convert some fourth downs and, if you ask defensive tackle Casey Rogers, left multiple strip sacks on the table in what appeared to be a perfect 35-6 thumping of Utah last week.
They struggled at times in a road win against Texas Tech back in September. They lost to Washington on Montlake. Those penalties keep rearing their ugly head from time to time.
And on Saturday in what could be the final game against longtime Pac-12 Conference colleague Cal, it took all of one offensive play before Oregon fans could put their heads in their hands.
Bo Nix’s first pass was intended for Tez Johnson.
It went to Tez Johnson.
It touched Tez Johnson.
Then it bounced off and into the hands of an awaiting Cal defender. The Bears had first-and-10 from Oregon’s 38. Some of the darkest skies we’ve seen this season swirled above Autzen Stadium as the No. 6 Ducks’ playoff hopes appeared to be facing, at least, an unexpected test.
But here’s the thing about Oregon and mistakes: They don’t duck them. In fact, Oregon has oddly thrived every time this season has thrown them a curve. After Texas Tech, Oregon morphed into one of the best offenses in the country. After Washington, they’ve looked like one of the best teams period.