Oregon Gets A Second Chance Following Rivalry Victory

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November 24, 2023

EUGENE, OR – The No. 6 ranked Oregon Ducks secured a chance to play for the Pac-12 Championship Friday after they defeated in-state rival and No. 16 ranked Oregon State 31-7.

Oregon controlled the game for all four quarters, rebounding from last year’s heartbreaking loss against Oregon State where they let the Beavers mount a fourth quarter comeback in Corvallis.

The Ducks ran the ball on 10 of 15 plays during their first possession, converted a 4^th down attempt, and managed to eat up 8:41 of clock before Bo Nix connected with Bucky Irving on a 14-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the night.

Defensively, the Ducks wasted no time setting the tone for the game either, forcing a turnover on downs that set the Ducks up with good field position, allowing Bo Nix to move the ball down field and run for a 16-yard touchdown that extended their lead to 14.

Momentum started to shift late in the second quarter after the Ducks missed a 34-yard field goal from Camden Lewis, and Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei responded with a 15-play scoring drive of 80 yards. Uiagalelei found Silas Bolden for a 9-yard touchdown, bringing the score to 14-7 with only 54 seconds left in the half.

With Oregon State set to receive the ball at the start of the second half, Bo Nix and the Ducks offense worked quickly, and Nix eventually found a wide-open Troy Franklin for a 40-yard touchdown. Franklin would finish the night with 9 receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown. The Ducks quick touchdown brought the score to 21-7 at halftime, deflating the Beavers hopes of making the contest competitive.

In more ways than one, it was the end of an era for the Ducks Friday. Heisman favorite quarterback Bo Nix played his last game at Autzen Stadium, and the in-state rivalry between Oregon and Oregon State that in 1894, is not currently scheduled moving forward.

Nix posted another stellar game to his resume in his last home game, completing 33/40 for 367 yards, 2 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown. Nix reflected on his last game at Autzen Stadium saying “[It was] surreal. That place has been really good to me, it’s been really good to my family… I’ll forever hold a special place in my heart for it”.

In a rematch against the Washington Huskies, the Oregon Ducks will get a chance to right their only loss on the year next week in Las Vegas as they play for the final Pac-12 Championship and a chance to play in the 2023 College Football Playoff. The Ducks look like a different team from what they were the first time they played Washington, and after the game head coach Dan Lanning stated “I’ve said it since the beginning of the season that we want to be playing our best football at the end of the season, and we are right now. We’ve got a really good team”.

Dak gets a Turkey leg

By

Christopher Floch

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November 24, 2023

NFL: Los Angeles Rams vs. Dallas Cowboys — ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Cowboys Chauncey Golston (99) and DeMarcus Lawernce (90) watch on as Micah Parsons (11) celebrates after a second quarter sack of Matthew Stafford (not shown) from Dallas' 43-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jeff Dahlia)

DALLAS, TX– Happy Gobble Day everyone, the Dallas Cowboys continued feasting on inferior competition, demolishing their historic rival the Washington Commanders 45-10 on Thursday, November 23 from AT&T Stadium.

Thanksgiving and football go hand in hand. Earlier in the day, the Detroit Lions were upset by the Green Bay Packers 29-22. In the night cap, the San Francisco 49ers knocked off the Seattle Seahawks 31-13.

The Dallas Cowboys never had to worry about a shocking loss, it was, “Americas Team” from the kickoff.

Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott threw four more touchdown passes and completed passes to 10 different players. The defense forced three fourth-down stops in the second half. Brandon Aubrey made his 22nd straight field goal try of the season.

Prescott has emerged as a candidate for NFL MVP.

Natinal Treasure Dolly Parton gave a dazzling halftime performance. Typically, icons of her stature dont perform on Thanksgiving. Yet, there she was in a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders outfit. Singing classics such as “Jolene.”

She also sang “9 to 5” and did a rendition of Queen’s “We Are the Champions,” a possible tribute to the Texas Rangers, who won the World Series in November. it was an incredible performance and a joy to see the crowds reaction.

To cap it off, DaRon Bland set an NFL record with his fifth pick-six of the season and second in five days, returning a Sam Howell pass 63 yards.

Its apparent the Dallas Cowboys are good: but how good? The wins against teams below .500 are excpected. However, the Boys were blown out by the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium, and a gut wrenching loss to the Eagles.

Are the Dallas Cowboys a legitamate Super Bowl contender? We are about to find out.

This is where the fun begins, In their next five games they play the Seattle Seahawks, Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions.

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving for Dallas Cowboys fans everywhere. The Salvation Army buckets were filled with Turkey legs and great holiday cheer.

Rams Edge Seahawks 17-16

By

Christopher Floch

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November 21, 2023

INGLEWOOD, CA – Trailing 16-7 in the 4th quarter to division foe the Seattle Seahawks, the Los Angeles Rams and Quarterback Matthew Stafford engineered a thrilling 17-16 victory at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, November 19. Lucas Havrisik made a 22-yard field goal 1:31 to play, and Jason Myers missed a 55-yard attempt for the Seahawks with 3 seconds left in Los Angeles’ crucial one point victory over Seattle on Sunday.

Matthew ‘Stupendous’ Stafford left the field hunched in pain after a disastrous flea-flicker ended with Stafford taking a massive hit to the chest while throwing an interception with his Los Angeles Rams already trailing by nine points in the fourth quarter. Rather than exiting the field and either heading to the locker room-or the hospital- this warrior comes out on the next possession and leads the Rams to victory.

Matthew Stafford about to throw. (Photo by Jevone Moore)

Stafford passed for 190 yards in his return from a one-game injury absence and led two late scoring drives by the Rams (4-6), who snapped their three-game losing streak with their second win over the Seahawks (6-4) this season. Stafford was outstanding on the Rams’ final two drives after responding with determination to the crushing hit by Mario Edwards Jr.

Had the Rams fallen to (3-7), the season would have effectively been over, now the Rams still have a glimmer of hope of reaching the NFL playoffs as a Wild Card.

“I don’t know if I need to take that level of a shot every week to get going,” said a grinning Stafford, who played with a brace on his sprained thumb.

“I know that late in the game, fourth quarter, we’re within a score, I want the ball,” he added. “It just so happened that I had my chest run through the drive before. I don’t know if that’s the thing that gets me going, but sometimes it’s late in the game, you could be playing as poor a game as you want to play, (but) you play one great quarter, you’ve got a chance to win that thing.”

Unfortunately, Wide Receiver Cooper Kupp didn’t return after injuring his right ankle in the second quarter. McVay had no postgame update on his Super Bowl MVP.

Seattle appeared to be cruising toward its fourth victory in five games until Smith, who passed for 233 yards, was sidelined by a hit late in the third quarter from Aaron Donald, whose left arm made hard contact with Smith’s throwing arm.

Stafford looked sharp on a series of impressive late throws, none better than a picturesque 32-yard fling to rookie Puka Nacua.

“I thought (Stafford’s) toughness was on display,” coach Sean McVay said. “Maybe we should punch him in the gut right before the games, huh?”

On Sunday, November 26 the Rams will face Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.

Oregon speeds past the Sun Devils

By

Jevone Moore

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November 18, 2023

TFLO5083 — Oregon vs Arizona St (Photo by Troy Flowers)

Tempe, AZ – Oregon comes down to the desert and smothers the Arizona St with a 49-13. Quarterback Bo Nix shinned bright with 6 touchdowns.

Nix had his way against the Sun Devils defense carving them up for 404 yards on 24-29 attempts. Five different receivers caught touchdowns this game. Troy Franklin (11) led the Ducks with eight catches, two touchdowns for 128 yards.

Oregon vs Arizona St (Photo by Troy Flowers)

“He’s incredible,” Oregon quarterback Bo Nix said of Franklin. “His approach to the game — he’s just so hard to guard and he moves around all game. He’s inside and outside. His routes are really good. He’s so smart and he just makes plays. He’s consistent. He’s just always there. He’s always there when you need him.”

The most impressive state is all this happened in the first half of play with score being 42-0 at the half. Arizona still came out fighting in the second half at least putting 13 points on the board with a 4^th quarter touchdown on 15 yards run by Melquan Stovall (7).

Sun Devils signal caller Trenton Bourguet (16) through for 142 yards passing with no touchdowns. Running Back Cameron Skattebo (4) only had eight carries for 49 yards and threw 2/6 pass for 45 yards and an interception.

“You are what you do consistently,” said Oregon coach Dan Lanning, “We take care of the ball we are a pretty dangerous team.”

They just didn’t have an answer for the speed and barrage of offensive power that was unleashed.

Now the Ducks will get ready for the “Civil War” Friday night with the Oregon State back at Autzen Stadium 5:30pm.

UCLA routs USC in the crosstown showdown

By

Eric Ramos

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November 18, 2023

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 11 UCLA at USC — LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 11: UCLA Bruins and USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins against the USC Trojans on November 11, 2023, at United Airlines Field at The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)

Los Angeles, CA – UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers threw three touchdown passes and running back TJ Harden rushed for a career-high 142 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-20 win over crosstown rival USC on Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

“Today was one of the better days of my life,” Garbers said. “I’ve had some dreams like this as a little kid. Great to see, great to get the win and great to get home.”

UCLA Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) looks to throw the ball.(Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)

Caleb Williams passed for 384 yards and one touchdown. Brenden Rice finished with eight receptions for a season-high 147 yards and a touchdown. USC finished the season 7-5 and lost five of six.

“Very, very disappointing, no other way to put it,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said. “I told the guys in the locker room. I’ve clearly not done a good enough job here in the second half of the season getting this team ready to go.”

USC turned the ball over on downs on its first possession after not converted a fourth-and-one. On the ensuing drive, UCLA drove down the field and scored on a 1-yard run from TJ Harden to take an early 7-0 lead.

USC Trojans wide receiver Brenden Rice (2) catches the ball for a gain. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)

UCLA stripped Zachariah Branch and recovered the fumble. The Bruin’s capitalized on the turnover with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Garbers to tight end Hudson Habermehl and UCLA took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Trojans opened the second quarter with a 74-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Brenden Rice. USC cut the Bruins lead 14-7.

USC got a field goal from Denis Lynch and trailed 14-10 heading into into halftime. USC had 270 yards of total yards in the first half but only gained one yard on the ground.

USC Trojans wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane (89) catches the ball for a gain and gets tackled by UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Carl Jones Jr. (4).(Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360 News)

On the opening drive of the third quarter, UCLA took a 21-10 lead after Garbers hit Harden for a 7-yard touchdown. USC was looking to get the running game going but MarShawn Lloyd fumbled on the ensuing drive and UCLA’s Alex Johnson scored on the scoop and score yo give the Bruins a 28-10 lead.

UCLA added to their lead with a Habermehl 15-yard touchdown reception. Habermehl’s second touchdown of the game gave UCLA a 38-14 lead with 9:06 left in the fourth quarter. USC added a touchdown from Austin Jones in the fourth quarter.

USC will await its fate and see which bowl game they will play in. UCLA will host California on Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Rose Bowl.

USC drops one to UCI

By

Gabriel Duarte

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November 14, 2023

Los Angeles, CA – Coming into Tuesday night’s game, the USC Trojans (2-1) played up to their No. 16 rank in the country. Wins over Kansas State and Cal State Bakersfield, the Trojans rightfully earned their rank.

It all came crashing down after the UC Irvine Anteaters (2-1) stormed into the Galen Center and defeated the Trojans, 70-60.

It was a rough night for the USC offense as the Trojans shot 28.8% from the field and an abysmal 19% from three.

USC head coach Andy Enfield was blunt about his team’s performance .

“You can’t shoot 28 percent from the field and expect to beat a good team,” he said.

Trojans freshman star Isaiah Collier had a team high of 23 points but paired it with seven turnovers, the most in his young career so far. Collier took full responsibility for his play and attributed his rough night to “freshman mistakes”.

“It’s about knowing when to make the plays and I take the blame for that,” he said firmly.

Justin Hohn lit up the scorebook for UCI as he finished with a career high and a game high in points with 25. Bent Leuchten was the only other Anteater to finish in double-digits as he had 19.

USC was missing two important players as Boogie Ellis was out with a right ankle sprain and Kobe Johnson was out with left knee soreness. Enfield said postgame that both players are day-to-day.

DJ Rodman and Oziyah Sellers both struggled to find their shots. The two Trojan starters combined for four points and shot 1-19 from the field.

Despite coming into the game as a big underdog, the Anteaters’ experience got the best of a short-handed USC team. This is the second consecutive year, where UCI has upset a Pac 12 team in the non-conference portion of their schedule. Last year, they went on the road to upset then No. 21 Oregon.

For the Trojans, they have a handful of days to get healthy as Ivy League foe Brown comes into the Galen on Sunday Nov. 19.

Bo Nix Delivers A ‘Heisman-Worthy Performance’ Against USC

By

Bryce Viglione

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November 11, 2023

EUGENE, OR – Two of college football’s most exciting quarterbacks met under the lights Saturday night, where Oregon’s Heisman hopeful Bo Nix defeated reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams 36-27.

Following a terrible defensive performance from USC that largely contributed to the firing of their defensive coordinator, Alex Grinch, expectations for Oregon’s run game were extremely high headed into Saturday’s matchup. Last week, the Trojans allowed 316 yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground to Washington but only allowed 140 yards and 1 touchdown to Oregon.

Instead, it was Bo Nix who delivered what head coach Dan Lanning referred to as a “Heisman-worthy performance”, completing 23/31 for 412 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Ducks attacked USC’s vulnerable secondary immediately, where Nix connected with Tez Johnson for a 77-yard touchdown on their first possession and Troy Franklin for an 84-yard touchdown on their second.

Oregon’s defense was phenomenal, holding a Williams-led offense that averaged 40.7 points a game to only 27. The Ducks were consistently able to apply pressure on Williams, sacking him a total of three times and forcing a pivotal fumble late in the third quarter that was recovered by Evan Williams. The Ducks looked to be on the verge of another blowout victory as the fumble recovery set up a 19-yard rushing touchdown from Bucky Irving on the first play of the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 22 at a score of 36-14.

However, Irving’s touchdown would be Oregon’s last score of the game, and Williams found a way to keep the Trojans alive as he miraculously avoided pressure and extended plays with his legs. USC scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, but ultimately ran out of time before they could officially mount a comeback. Williams finished the night 19/34 for 291 yards and 2 total touchdowns.

“Our defense played really well… I felt like we put the defense in a bad spot at the end… In the fourth quarter, you look up and it’s 11 minutes left, and we didn’t do a whole lot” Nix stated after the game. Nix and the Ducks will certainly leave Saturday happy with a win against a dangerous USC team but will need to finish games and clean up penalties if they hope to reach the College Football Playoff this season.

Oregon will head to the desert next weekend to face the Arizona State Sun Devils (3-7).

UCLA drop second game in a row as Arizona State rise to occasion in upset win

By

Gabriel Duarte

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November 11, 2023

1RT13526 — Photo by Jevone Moore / fi360 News

Pasadena, CA- There haven’t been a lot of positives during Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham’s first season in Tempe. Despite that, the Sun Devils walked out of the Rose Bowl Saturday night to chants of “ASU,” and an upset win over UCLA, 17-7.

Going into this week, Dillingham said to expect some trickery as the Sun Devils were going to be down their top two quarterbacks with their third quarterback, Trenton Bourguet, not completely healthy.

“I saw those fire-breathing dragons on the edge and I said holy cow,” Dillingham said.

UCLA, a top 15 defense in total yards allowed, held Arizona State to just 250 total yards.

However, the gimmicky formations were getting to the Bruins as they were on their toes the whole night.

Three different Sun Devil players each took a significant amount of snaps as Trenton Bourguet didn’t even start the game. Jalin Conyers, a quarterback in high school turned tight end, opened the game up for the Sun Devils in what proved to be one of the most unique wins in recent memory for Arizona State.

Collin Schlee got his first start as a Bruin, and it was a rough one as he took a beating from the Sun Devil front seven. Schlee ran the ball a team-high of 14 carries and threw for 117 yards and a touchdown.

UCLA head coach Chip Kelly was proud of the way Schlee played.

“He did a good job with a lot of that run stuff tonight. He took some shots,” Kelly put.

Cam Skattebo, a Sacramento State transfer, was like a swiss-army knife as he did it all for the Sun Devils. He accounted for both touchdowns scored as he threw and rushed for one each, and added three receptions.

Skattebo said it took a team effort to pull the win off.

“It took everything from everybody, but we got that win,” he said.

The Bruins dropped their second consecutive game after losing to Arizona last week. Next week, the Crosstown Rivalry gears up and Kelly knows what the game against USC means.

“We’ve got nothing to lose. We’ve got nothing to hold back. Just go into next week and let it all hang out. Just let loose,” he put bluntly.

Another close match, ending with Colorado loss as time expires

By

Devon Martinez

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November 11, 2023

Boulder, CU – With no time remaining and a tied game, the Arizona Wildcats secured their win against the Colorado Buffaloes 34-31 with a 24-yard field goal Saturday at a sold-out Folsom Field for the final home game this season.

“We could have won the darn game. I like that we should have won. I’m tired of we could’ve won,” coach Deion Sander said.

Colorado’s Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) attempts to hurdle over Arizona’s Genesis Smith (12) in the second quarter at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday November 11, 2023. Arizona won 34 to 31. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

And he’s right, they should have won. The drive prior to the final game winning field goal, Colorado kicker Alejandro Mata missed a 44-yard field goal to the right with 4:57 remaining. The team was also in the lead until the final snap.

The last four loses have been by a total of 25 points.

After two back-to-back punts, Colorado took the lead Saturday as Sanders finished a three-play drive with a 16-yard run. The Wildcats replied with a touchdown, tying the match 7-7.

Arizona’s Noah Fifita (11) looks for his running back to make the hand off in the fourth quarter at Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday November 11, 2023. Arizona won 34 to 31. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

But Colorado replied again with another touchdown, this time a 20-yard pass from Sanders to wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.

Shedeur Sanders ended the match with two passing touchdowns and a run; he also finished with 262 yards passing to go over the 10,000-yard mark for his career. And despite the losing season, Sanders is close to breaking some program records at Colorado as he is 56 passing yards away from the single season passing yard record of 3,2000 set by Sefo Liufau in 2014.

Colorado went into the second half with another touchdown and field goal, leading 24-17.

Arizona’s Tanner McLachlan (84) makes a fourth quarter sideline reception while Colorado’s Jordan Domineck (44) closes in to make the tackle at Folsom Field in Boulder, CO on Saturday November 11, 2023. Arizona won 34 to 31. (Photo by Laura Domingue/fi360 News)

The Wildcats scored early in the 3^rd, attempting a comeback, and tying the match 24-24 after a 2-yard pass.

However, Shedeur Sanders’ seven-yard touchdown pass to tight end Michael Harrison late in the third put Colorado up 31-24. On the same play, Arizona defensive end Taylor Upshaw was called for a roughing call; Upshaw briefly joined Colorado before transferring to Arizona in the Spring.

Two-way stand out Travis Hunter ended with no touchdowns this week, but still had 5 receptions for 74 yards on offense and a pass breakup and six tackles on defense.

The lead soon became a tie as the Wildcats scored with 14:55 left in the fourth, not scoring again until no time remained.

However, Shedeur Sanders chooses to not let this loss and the season bring down his confidence and belief in himself.

“You can’t go in a dark tunnel if you have a season like this,” he said after. “Nothing will ever be perfect.”

The Buffaloes ended the season 2-4 home this season, and 4-6 overall.

Colorado is heading to Washington State on Friday, Nov. 17. With two games left, Colorado won’t be playing in any bowl games, but can end the season even if they win both games.

Oregon Dismantles Cal Despite Early Struggles

By

Bryce Viglione

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November 4, 2023

EUGENE, OR – Despite wet conditions and early mistakes, the No. 6 Ducks dismantled the Golden Bears Saturday, defeating them 63-19 and making another strong claim for consideration in the 2023 College Football Playoff.

Following an impressive win last week against Utah, the Ducks showed signs that they were falling into a textbook trap game against Cal in the first quarter as they held onto a 1-point lead at 14-13.

Bo Nix’s first play of the game resulted in a Cal interception by Patrick McMorris after Nix’s pass went through the hands of wide receiver Tez Johnson. Later in the quarter, a miss-timed snap hit Johnson’s thigh while in motion, which resulted in a fumble recovery and touchdown by Nohl Williams.

Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning addressed the early struggles in his opening statement after the game stating “There are moments in that game that I certainly wish we could have back and execute a little bit better. I think we put ourselves in some tough positions at times, didn’t play to our standard of play, certainly in the first half”.

The Ducks went on to score three touchdowns in the second quarter, and Cal was never able to match Oregon’s electric offense. Tez Johnson finished the day with a career-best 12 catches for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Bo Nix’s Heisman hopes are very much alive following another impressive performance where he finished the day 29/38 for 386 yards and 6 total touchdowns. “I thought we did great – 63 points is hard to do in a conference game” Nix stated after the game.

A weight of heaviness fell on Autzen Stadium in the second half as Cal running back Jaivian Thomas suffered what appeared to be a serious head injury when he fumbled on the Oregon 1-yard line. Thomas was met by both teams on the field and loud applause from the crowd as he showed signs of consciousness while being carted off the field.

With the large lead, backup quarterback and former 5-star recruit, Ty Thompson was able to play nearly the entire fourth quarter. Thompson finished the day 6/7 with 58 yards and 1 touchdown.

Oregon is poised for the National spotlight again next Saturday, where they will host reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and USC.