Cal falters in Tedford's return.

Byline: Steve Mims The Register-Guard

On his return to Autzen Stadium, Jeff Tedford remained focused on the present rather than the past.

"Just another football game," Tedford said. "There are people on the other side that I know well, but it was just another game. That had no emotional bearing on the game."

The former Oregon offensive coordinator was back on the field where he helped guide the Ducks to a number of come-from-behind victories from 1998 to 2001, but this time Tedford watched as Oregon rallied past his California Bears.

Cal took a 17-7 lead when Aaron Rodgers threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Cross with 10:07 left in the fourth quarter, but then the Ducks scored twice in the final five minutes for a 21-17 victory Saturday evening.

Tedford talked about his team's inability to run the ball down the stretch and tackle on key plays for Cal's demise.

Tackling was an issue on Tim Day's 31-yard touchdown catch that got Oregon within 17-14 with 4:19 left in the game.

"On Day's touchdown, he bounced off a lot of guys," Tedford said.

"We had about four shots to tackle him and did not get it done."

After California committed a pair of penalties before beginning its ensuing drive, the Bears were backed up to their own 5-yard line for a first-and-15. Adimchinobe Echemandu ran three times for 12 yards on that drive before the Bears were forced to punt.

"It came down to wanting to use the clock, we felt we could run to keep the clock moving," Tedford said. "We were not able to capitalize on third down running the football."

On Oregon's final drive, Kellen Clemens converted a fourth-and-two with a 19-yard pass to Demetrius Williams.

Five plays later, Terrence Whitehead scored the game-winning touchdown.

"They hit some short passes and the one that hurt us was the fourth-down pass to Demetrius Williams," Tedford said. "They have some quick receivers and he got separation. Kellen threw a nice ball."

Tedford said the 23-minute power outage in the beginning of the fourth quarter had no impact on his team.

The Bears and Ducks did not meet last year during Tedford's inaugural season at California, so Saturday was the first time he faced off against his former boss, Mike Bellotti, and numerous former players.

"It's a different team," Tedford said.

"They have players now that do things well and they try to capitalize on what they do best. Both their quarterbacks did a nice job."

In addition to the game, California also lost a couple of players due to injuries in the fourth quarter.

Echemandu suffered a severe ankle injury on the final play of the game and had to be helped to the locker room.

Cal officials said after the game that the injury may be serious enough that he will miss the remainder of the season.

Tedford also said cornerback Mike McGrath may have broken his leg.

CAPTION(S):

Oregon players head off the field during a delay after the lights went out on the south side of Autzen Stadium.