PLAYERS TO WATCH
–WR Dillon Mitchell is coming off one of the greatest receiving games in Oregon history last week, amassing 14 catches for 239 yards. His catches and receiving yards both rank second in Oregon’s single-game history. He provided a spark that the Ducks were desperately lacking in the passing game, and now they need Mitchell more than ever as Cal’s ball-hawking defense awaits.
–RB CJ Verdell will be remembered for one thing against Stanford — the fumble. It was Verdell who coughed up the ball fighting for a first down, eventually leading to the Cardinal’s game-tying field goal. Up to that point, Verdell’s combination of speed and strength was something Stanford couldn’t stop. He finished with a game-high 115 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, outdueling Stanford’s Bryce Love. How does the freshman bounce back from the costly mistake?
–LB Kaulana Apelu had a good showing against Stanford, providing the Ducks with an early spark and setting the tone with some massive hits, despite his diminutive (5-foot-10, 208 pounds) size. Cal quarterback Chase Garbers is a dual-threat type of player, so Apelu’s ability to “spy” on Garbers and prevent him from making plays with his legs will help make Cal one dimensional.
–CB Thomas Graham Jr. has struggled this season; there’s no way around that. He got beat on the inside too often against San Jose State and then struggled with Stanford’s height and physicality last week. The sophomore must show that he hasn’t lost his swagger and confidence that led to him starting as a true freshman last year.
SERIES HISTORY: Cal leads 41-38-2, but the Ducks are 7-1 since the start of the decade. The lone loss was a 52-49 thriller in double overtime two years ago in Berkeley. Oregon exacted revenge with a 45-24 victory last year, a game that will be remembered because quarterback Justin Herbert broke his collarbone rushing for a touchdown.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “You’ve got to understand, this is a business trip. We’re not going there to have family time — we’re not. Going on the road requires a special kind of discipline and focus; having a mindset that puts you in that business mode … it’s got to be that way the entire week.” — Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal, on the Ducks’ first road game of the season.