Stanford Football: Pac-12 Titans prove power in late-night thriller

Finishing games is important

It appeared as though Oregon was going to put the Stanford Cardinal away late in the third quarter. The Ducks were up 24-7 and had the ball on the Cardinal four-yard line. Justin Herbert lost his handling of the ball and fumbled. The ball was recovered by Stanford’s Joey Alfieri and taken all the way back for a touchdown.

The Oregon offense was then held to a three and out on their next possession and were forced to punt. After a few mid ranged passes by K. J. Costello, Byrce Love broke a 22-yard touchdown run to bring Stanford within three points of the Ducks.

Where only three possessions ago, Oregon was four yards from going up 21 points, the game was now entering the middle of the fourth quarter and Stanford was within a field goal of tying the game.

After another touchdown from both teams the score read Oregon 31 – Stanford 28. Oregon had the ball inside Stanford territory with 1:54 left on the clock and a first down. Additionally, Stanford had only a single timeout left. The ball is handed off to freshman running back, CJ Verdell, and he gains seven yards. second-and-three with 0:59 left on the clock, the ball is again handed off to Verdell…and he fumbles.

K. J. Costello then took his team down the field to the 15-yard line to set his kicker, Jet Toner, for a game-tying field goal to send the game into overtime.

This game was in Oregon’s hands way back in the middle of the third quarter. All it took was four yards and the game would have been out of reach. The difference between good teams and great teams is the ability to put games away when you have the chance. The Ducks will need to improve on finishing games if they want to get back to being national contenders.