There was something epic about quarterback Kellen Clemens’ effort on Saturday against California.
It was something Oregon hadn’t seen in almost two years, a phenomenon made popular by former miracle worker Joey Harrington.
It was an ability to reach into the depths of the Ducks’ offense, gather up some confidence and lead Oregon to a 21-17 come-from-behind victory over the Golden Bears in front of 57,511 at Autzen Stadium.
“To this team, this means a lot, to overcome that adversity,” Clemens said.
The sophomore led two fourth-quarter scoring drives that vaulted Oregon (6-4 overall, 3-3 Pacific-10 Conference) to the team’s first fourth-quarter comeback this season and also the first since a 31-30 win over UCLA last season. He did it after sitting out two quarters due to starting off the game 1 for 6 passing in the first quarter.
“My confidence didn’t drop as much as people think it did when I went 1 for 6 in the first quarter,” Clemens said.
The Ducks went into two-minute mode after a punt by California’s Tyler Fredrickson that found the Ducks at the Golden Bears’ 43-yard line. Clemens immediately threw to Samie Parker for an 8-yard gain but then threw two straight incompletions.
On 4th-and-2 from California’s 35, Demetrius Williams snared in a Clemens pass along the right sideline and streaked for a 19-yard gain before being pushed out of bounds.
After five more plays and one California illegal substitution penalty, Terrence Whitehead went around left on a pitch and put the Ducks ahead, 21-17, with a 1-yard run.
“I was sitting there next to (linebackers coach Don Pellum) and he looks at me and goes, ‘Hey Kev, this kind of feels like a couple years ago, huh?,’” Oregon linebacker Kevin Mitchell said. “I sat and there and said, ‘It really does.’ It came out that way. We got the offense back the ball and they put it in the end zone. What more can you ask for?”
It took a defensive stand and interception by Keith Lewis with four seconds left to seal the deal. It was a win for the Ducks that means the world.
They’re still alive for a postseason bowl.
“How else can we feel but great?” quarterback Jason Fife said.
The Ducks’ win moves them to magic victory No. 6, which guarantees that Oregon will at least be bowl eligible this season. The win and losses by Washington and UCLA on Saturday pulls Oregon into a tie for fifth place with the Huskies and Golden Bears.
“We did a nice job,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said. “We regrouped in the fourth quarter. We won the fourth quarter and won the game.”
The win was a total team effort, with Oregon’s defense and offense showing up when absolutely needed. The offense was able to put just seven points on the scoreboard and gain 187 yards of total offense through the first three quarters. But by the same token, the Duck defense held the Golden Bears to 10 points and 164 yards.
That included 87 yards of passing in three frames for California (5-6, 3-3) quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had completed 17 passes in 22 attempts for 307 yards last week in the Golden Bears’ 51-23 win over Arizona State.
Overall, Oregon held California to 188 yards passing and 106 yards on the ground.
“I know on the sidelines, watching the defense make those last two or three stands, it definitely did feel like a blast from the past in some respects,” Clemens said.
With the Ducks down 17-7 and 6:35 left in the game, Clemens began a six-play drive that culminated in a 31-yard touchdown strike down the middle to tight end Tim Day.
The score pulled the Ducks within three and helped pave the way for the Oregon defense to stop California after three plays and two minutes of possession.
That’s when Clemens began Oregon’s final drive of the game.
The Burns native ended the game 9 of 18 for 117 yards and one touchdown strike. Fife finished 8 of 16 for 107 yards and one score as well.

Clemens “did a nice job,” Bellotti said. “He started out 1 for 6 and he missed two wide-open people. I think he was a little jazzed, and put a little too much on the football. Jason Fife came in and did some great things. He went 5 for 6 and then got cold. That’s when we decided to make that switch and it worked out for us.”
California threatened to come back with less than a minute left in the game.
A James Bethea kick return found the Golden Bears at their own 25 with 47 seconds left to go. Rodgers completed a 28-yard pass to Garrett Cross to start the drive.
Burl Toler then hauled in a 14-yard pass to the Oregon 33. An incomplete pass to Geoff McArthur gave California a 2nd-and-10 with 21 seconds left. Then came an incompletion to Toler.
On 3rd-and-10, Rodgers was pressured by the Oregon defensive line. Rolling right, he threw a pass to the middle of the field where Lewis stepped in front of the California wide receiver at the Oregon 13 for the interception.
“They threw two guys vertical and max protected,” Mitchell said of the final defensive play. “One guy came across. Keith came over and made a great play.”
That’s a comeback.