Stanford quarterback Ari Patu (11) is sacked by Oregon State defensive linesman Keonte Schad (32) Sat Nov 13, 2021 in Corvallis (AP News photo)
Stanford Loses Fifth In A Row to Oregon 35-14
By Barbara Mason
The Oregon Beavers (6-4) scored in all four quarters beating the Stanford Cardinal (3-7) 35-14 with relative ease becoming bowl eligible with the win.
The Cardinal are still reeling from a devastating loss last week to Utah 52-7. This was Stanford’s worst loss in the last 18 years. Last weekend two coordinators one from Washington and one from Oregon State were fired for poor performances but they did not make any staff changes.
Stanford was on a four-game losing streak and was looking to turn that around when they played Oregon State (6-4) in Oregon this afternoon.
Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee was forced to miss a second week of action. He was seen on the sidelines leaning on a crutch in the Utah game so it was not a surprise when it was announced that he would be unavailable for the Oregon State game. Head Coach David Shaw started freshman quarterback Ari Patu in the game. At 6’3” the dual-threat Patu has a quick release and a strong arm.
Because of the Stanford quarterback injuries as well as struggles on the line of scrimmage, the Cardinal are close to a two-touchdown underdog. This could be another tough game for Stanford.
The Beavers would score at 6:30 in the first quarter taking a 7-0 lead. Quarterback Chance Nolan would rush for four yards and a touchdown. The Everett Hayes kick was good and so Oregon drew first blood. Stanford would come up empty in the first quarter.
Stanford was trying to open up the run game not having much passing success in the second quarter. Trying to force a pass, Patu threw an interception. At 6:24 Stanford quarterback Patu began to heat up completing two passes in a row driving close to Oregon territory. Up to that point Patu was one of six for a mere two yards.
Stanford now had some momentum going with both the running and their passing game. The Cardinal would try a 55 yard field goal that was blocked by Oregon. As the second quarter began to wind down the Beavers would score a second touchdown extending their lead to 14-0 at the half.
Oregon would score again in the third quarter now leading 21-0. Chance Nolan would find Trevon Bradford for 67 yards and the touchdown. At 10:24 the Cardinal would find the end zone via an Ari Patu pass to Benjamin Yurosek for eight yards and their first touchdown of the game. Trailing 21-7, Stanford had a lot of work left to do in this game.
When Oregon went on a fourth down deep in Stanford territory, the Cardinal defense held fast and took over on downs. They had a terrific scoring opportunity that they squandered away when Patu threw another interception. With 14 seconds left in the third Stanford fumbled setting up another Oregon score. The three Stanford turnovers would not win very many football games.
The Beavers would start the fourth quarter with a Nolan pass for five yards to Teagan Quitoriano and Oregon kept racking up those scores now leading 35-7. Mid-way through the final quarter Stanford was again driving deep in Oregon territory. This time the Cardinal cashed in on the opportunity scoring a rushing touchdown. Nathaniel Peat rushed for 18 yards and the Joshua Karty kick was good now trailing 35-14. It was too little too late for Stanford once again scoring late when trailing by a lot.
So it was a story of fumbles, interceptions, missed tackles and missed opportunities for Stanford. This was their fifth loss in a row.
The Big Game is on the horizon for Stanford as they take on their rival, the California Bears Saturday November 20th. Kickoff will be at 4:00 PM.
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