EDITOR'S NOTE: This twice-a-week column will focus on numerical analysis to show statistical factors that win and lose football games.

YARDS PER PASS ATTEMPT

Oregon: 9.9, Stanford: 6.0

One of the most telling hidden stats in football, yards per attempt combines yardage gained and completion percentage into a single barometer of passing effectiveness. Stanford’s air game was plagued by drops and misfires. Between its powerful running game and its up-tempo offense, Oregon's dual-threat quarterback, Dennis Dixon, threw at will to his explosive backs and receivers.

FIRST DOWNS

1st Half Oregon: 8 Stanford: 13,

2nd Half Oregon: 18 Stanford: 6

A resurgent Cardinal ground game sliced up the Oregon defense in the second quarter, leading offensive marches helped along by Oregon mistakes and turnovers. Quarterback T.C. Ostrander capitalized on the Ducks' mistakes and was effective in moving the ball down the field for Stanford. However, the Cardinal didn't move the sticks again until its fourth drive of the second half after the Ducks had turned a 10-point deficit into a 14-point lead.

SCORING STREAKS

Stanford: 28 second-quarter points,

Oregon: Outscored Stanford 31-0 in the second half

Stanford ran off 28 unanswered points, but was later buried by the Ducks 34-point flood after the Cardinal's final touchdown late in the second quarter.