Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert threw two incompletions in regulation and he outran Stanford star running back Bryce Love. Gotta be a Ducks win, right?
Nope. Oregon lost to Stanford 38-31 in overtime as a short home underdog thanks to some serious misfortune. The Ducks opened -2.5, but closed around +3.
First, the Ducks had a touchdown overturned when Jaylon Redd hit the pylon while entering the end zone. It was the correct call, as explained below, but a weird rule.
Out of bounds at 1 for Oregon was technically the correct call but it’s an awful, fundamentally broken rule. Theoretically the outcome of a play should be determined as if the pylon is not there, and it’s only function should be as a visual reference for officials #STANvsUOpic.twitter.com/zlLimEd08J
— Zachmerius Tacktheritrix (@thezactus32) September 23, 2018
Oregon couldn't punch it in and two plays later, Stanford's Joey Alfieri returned a botched snap for a touchdown to make it 24-14 midway through the third quarter instead of 30-7. The Ducks were rolling to that point.
Stanford got back into the game in the second half thanks in part to that play, but Oregon appeared to have things wrapped up 31-28 with less than a minute to play.
Then, CJ Verdell fumbled fighting for extra yards with 51 seconds left. Stanford had just one timeout remaining.
Stanford just beat Oregon in OT.
This fumble with less than a minute to play made it possible. pic.twitter.com/c7ELIGmx0K
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 23, 2018
Naturally, Stanford marched down the field and tied it with a field goal.
In overtime, the Cardinal scored on this absurd play and stopped Herbert and the Ducks on their possession to win 38-31.
STANFORD WITH A MIRACLE WIN IN OVERTIME[
The Cardinal come back against Oregon after having their backs against the wall multiple times in Eugene, this was their amazing OT touchdown pic.twitter.com/Z2lgoDs9gY
— The Sports Quotient (@SportsQuotient) September 23, 2018
