Stanford's Stout Defense Stymies Potent Oregon Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) fumbling as he was tackled by Stanford's David Parry, left, A. J. Tarpley and Jarek Lancaster, right. STANFORD, Calif. - Oregon has a knack for bursting into November, a blur of pewter, green or yellow helmets, iridescent uniforms and dizzying speed. Entering Thursday night's showdown against No. 6 Stanford, the second-ranked Ducks and their high-octane offense had not scored fewer than 42 points this season, breezing to an 8-0 record. But Oregon's offense looked unrecognizable as the Ducks trailed, 26-6, in the fourth quarter. Oregon mounted a comeback, scoring two touchdowns, before falling, 26-20, on an autumn evening that changed the makeup of the college football season. The Ducks, national championship contenders, were held scoreless through three quarters by a Stanford defense that harassed quarterback Marcus Mariota, a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, sacking him twice and forcing two turnovers. Mariota was 20 of 34 for 251 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Tyler Gaffney gashed the Ducks" defense for 157 yards on a team-record 45 carries. Oregon had early chances. On the Ducks" second possession of the game, they drove to the Cardinal 4-yard line but passed up a field-goal try. A fourth-down fade pass intended for Bralon Addison fell incomplete. The Cardinal responded with a 12-play, 96-yard drive that culminated in a Gaffney 2-yard touchdown plunge and seemed to set the tone for the game. Down by 14-0 in the second quarter, the Ducks marched to the Cardinal 3, but De'Anthony Thomas fumbled and an official review gave the ball to Stanford. The Cardinal turned that turnover into a field goal as the first half expired after a punishing 20-play, 96-yard drive. A year ago, the Cardinal went to Eugene, Ore., and edged the Ducks in overtime, 17-14. The Ducks had not lost since that game, pledging to avenge the defeat that quashed their national championship hopes. This year, in the latest edition of what has become one of college football's most anticipated matchups outside of the Southeastern Conference, there was no revenge and little drama. Stanford was the bigger, meaner and tougher team, clogging the whirring gears of the Oregon attack in ways once thought unthinkable. After Mariota connected with Daryle Hawkins on a 23-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to end the shutout, Oregon returned a blocked field-goal attempt for a touchdown and then recovered an onside kick. Mariota then threw another touchdown pass to make it a one-possession game. The comeback, though, fizzled. Stanford recovered the ensuing onside kick. Oregon was beaten, its path to a national championship once again narrowed by Stanford.