Oregon vs Cal Review

Oregon vs Nevada
Originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

Oregon’s victory over Cal last Thursday was in many ways a typical Oregon game versus a Pac 12 opponent. Cal’s defense came out tough early and their offense was able to put some points on the board and make it a competitive game at half time only to see Oregon run away with things in the second half. For Oregon LaMichael James was dominant the entire game however the offense only really started to roll when Darron Thomas was able to make downfield connections with Josh Huff and DeAnthony Thomas in the passing game. Once the receivers became a threat Cal couldn’t key on James and this led to Oregon rolling on 3 straight scoring drives in the third quarter which put the game away. Keenan Allen for Cal is showing himself to a complete beast at wideout but his brother (thanks for reminding us Jesse . . .) Zach Maynard doesn’t appear to have the needed accuracy to be a true dual threat qb capable of beating at team at Oregon’s level. Cal has the looks of team that will be fighting to get to six wins and if they are not bowl eligible for the second consecutive year you have to wonder if some pressure will start to mount on Tedford. I don’t see him getting fired this year but a 5-7 in 2011 followed up by another 5-7 in 2012 could do him in. I think Cal is lucky to have him as coach as they were a tire fire before he got there but it may be time for a change of scenery for both of them. With a new stadium finally in place for 2012 and a nice recruiting base I see Cal as being a pretty plum job. Well back to the game, in particular the play that made many Oregon fan’s throw up in their mouths: the LaMichael James elbow injury. I seriously felt like I was reliving the 1988 Bill Musgrave injury, the 1998 Reuben Droughns injury and the 2007 Dennis Dixon injury all in one setting. Elbows are not made to do that. To find out later that LMJ (do we even know if he is human?) popped his dislocated elbow back in by himself on the field was pretty amazing. James was on pace to break the Oregon rushing record for the second straight game and had played himself right back in to the Heisman race. No running back at the FBS level has put up three straight two hundred yard games since Matt Forte in 2007 for Tulane. Talk is now that LMJ could actually play against ASU. If he does and play effectively it will have to conjure up memories Emmitt Smith versus the Eagles on MNF those many years back . . . helmet stickers to LaMichael James and DeAnthony Thomas for Oregon and Keenan Allen for Cal. Special kudos to Colt Lyerla on his great downfield block on Kenjon Barner’s scoring running. It was a thing of beauty. Back to Autzen next week for ASU and I will be there in person, missed the Cal and Mizzou State games so excited to see Oregon in person again.