SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 11, 2012
No. 2 Oregon 59, California 17: Marcus Mariota passed for 377 yards and matched a school-record with six touchdown passes, three to Josh Huff, as Oregon posted its 14th consecutive road victory by downing California in Pac-12 Conference play.
Colt Lyerla caught two touchdown passes and Byron Marshall rushed for a score as the Ducks (10-0, 7-0 Pac-12 North) won their 13th straight game, the nation’s longest winning streak after top-ranked Alabama lost to Texas A&M earlier Saturday.
The Golden Bears (3-8, 2-6) lost their fourth consecutive contest but were still in the game in the middle of the third quarter despite the absence of starting quarterback Zach Maynard and standout receiver Keenan Allen, both out with knee injuries.
Oregon Heisman Trophy candidate Kenyon Barner injured his right wrist early in the contest and had only 65 yards on 20 carries. Mariota picked up the slack with two touchdown passes as the Ducks built a 24-10 halftime lead.
Isi Sofele, who rushed for 134 yards, scored on a 4-yard run with 10:07 left in the third quarter to pull the Golden Bears within seven. Mariota then connected with Huff on scoring passes of 35 and 39 yards in the third quarter, and threw touchdown strikes of 14 yards to Lyerla and 7 yards to Will Murphy to make it 52-17 with 11:43 remaining.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Oregon safety Avery Patterson injured his left knee in the first half and was sporting crutches on the sideline in the second half. … Golden Bears quarterback Allan Bridgford completed 9 of 21 passes for 113 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. … The Ducks topped 30 points for the 23rd consecutive game to set an NCAA record, and broke another mark by scoring 42 or more points for the 13th straight game.