Defensive stops carry No. 6 California past No. 12 Oregon

30.09.2007 00:00 Sport and Travel - Source: USA Today

The Golden Bears (5-0, 2-0 Pacific-10 Conference) snapped a seven-game losing streak at Autzen Stadium — they hadn't won there since 1987 — and needed a close call to go their way to hang on to the victory.

With 22 seconds to go, Oregon's Dennis Dixon hit receiver Cameron Colvin, who fumbled trying to reach the ball into the end zone when he was hit by Marcus Ezeff. The loose ball went through the end zone and was ruled a touchback and possession for Cal. The play was reviewed, the call stood and time ran out for Oregon (4-1, 1-1).

Nate Longshore completed 28 of 43 passes for 285 yards and two scores for the Golden Bears.

Oregon's Dennis Dixon, who was the only Pac-10 quarterback who had not thrown an interception, threw a pair of picks late in the game. Dixon was 31-of-44 for 306 yards and a touchdown.

It was billed in advance as a high-scoring, offense-driven game, but both teams had trouble getting into the end zone through the first three quarters.

With the game tied at 10 in the third, Dixon hit Colvin with a 32-yard touchdown pass. Fans in Oregon's student section held up a large yellow sign reading "Dixon for Heisman."

Cal tied it again early in the fourth with Forsett's 1-yard scoring run, then pulled ahead with Longshore's 31-yard touchdown pass to Jackson.

Dixon ran a keeper in for a yard to tie it again at 24 with 7:06 left.

The Golden Bears got a scare late in the game when Longshore was hit hard by linebacker Kwame Agyeman and briefly left the game.

Dixon was picked off by Anthony Felder and Forsett went on to put the Bears ahead again with a 1-yard touchdown run with just more than three minutes to go.

Oregon moved the ball down to the Cal 17 on the ensuing series, but a Dixon pass was tipped by Cal tackle Mika Kane and intercepted by Tyson Alualu.

  Add comment

Name:
E-Mail:
Comment:
Enter code: