Special teams breakdowns led to a three-touchdown deficit, heavily contributing to the Ducks’ 42-21 victory. They also continued a worrisome trend for the Bruins that will undoubtedly increase the heat on special teams coordinator Roy Manning.
The first mishap came when UCLA’s Stefan Flintoft, who earlier this week said he tries to avoid sending his punts between the hash marks, did just that only a few minutes into the game.
Oregon’s Ugochukwu Amadi fielded the punt just inside the left hash mark, picked up a couple of blocks and eluded a diving Flintoft on his way to the end zone on a 56-yard return that gave the Ducks the game’s opening score.