The sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks move to 9-1 on the season, remaining unbeaten in the PAC-12 as they overcome their Arizona troubles that have haunted them in the recent past. Just last season the Ducks were embarrassed in Tucson 44-15. It was a different story tonight, and it was easy to tell from the jump. In Herbert first throw of the game, the senior quarterback went 73 yards faking out the Wildcat secondary on a pump-fake then finding Johnny Johnson III down the sideline. Explosive plays were the story for Oregon as in the next quarter the Ducks had a double-reverse flea-flicker where Herbert found a streaking Juwan Johnson for a 53 yard touchdown.
Oregon had no rust coming off their second bye and it showed taking a 21-0 lead with five minutes left in the first half. It was smooth sailing after the three-score lead and the defense was the star in the second half as the offense stalled to start the third quarter. Andy Avalos's unit didn't allow a touchdown and got back to their early season ways when the defense went five games giving up single digits. In tonight's contest, it was simply two field goals from Arizona kicker Lucas Havrisik while the pair of Wildcat quarterback's, Khalil Tate and Grant Gunnel, could only muster 132 yards through the air and 12 yards on the ground. Oregon's commanding win wasn't without cost, true freshman receiver Mycah Pittman suffered an apparent arm injury in the first quarter which was enough to keep him out the remainder of the game. Oregon's receiving crew did well in his absence, with eight receivers combining for 322 yards. Justin Hebert had a nearly half of his yards on the aforementioned explosive plays and eventually finished the night with 333 yards, 4 touchdowns, and one interception on 20-28 passing.
Overall a successful night for Oregon but they will presumably remain at sixth in the playoff poll based on the fact that all those in front of them picked up victories throughout the day. Next week Oregon takes on Arizona State at the Sun Devil Stadium, a venue they lost at 37-35 back in 2017.
Audio Story: By Justin Grossweiner
Audio Story: By Cole Rothman
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