Coming into Saturday’s game, Oregon’s defense had given up a measly 2.1 yards per rush and 75.5 yards per game to its opponents. But when they faced the Bears, Cal was able to average almost six yards a carry and finished the game with 241 rushing yards.
It was a big performance for the Bears, who had struggled to get much of anything going this season in the run game. And it was an especially big performance for running back Patrick Laird, who, against the Ducks, rushed for an average of 5.1 yards a carry, 92 yards and a touchdown after being limited to less than three yards a carry in Cal’s first three games this season.