STORY: #3 Oregon Football Uses Big Second Half to Handle Washington State, 38-24

Written Story (by Sean MacPherson)

Oregon Football took care of business against Washington State on Saturday, 38-24. After surrendering a 70-yard pass on the second play from scrimmage, Oregon forced a touchback on a run from WSU QB Jayden De Laura. The Ducks used that momentum shift to jump out to a 14-0 lead, but the Cougars followed that up with a 14-0 run of their own to make the halftime score 14-14. Out of halftime, the Ducks struck right away with a big kick return from Mykael Wright that ultimately led to a 5 play, 43-yard scoring drive. The Ducks followed that up with a Camden Lewis FG to go up 24-14. With 10:28 left to play in the fourth quarter, Anthony Brown thought he found his second rushing TD of the day but instead fumbled to keep Washington State alive. Oregon scored on the ensuing drive, and a Bryan Addison interception essentially put the game away. Both teams managed to score once more, but the Ducks wound up with the 38-24 victory.

Oregon had another monster day on the ground, rushing for 306 yards as a team. Anthony Brown was Oregon's leading rusher with 123 yards and a TD on 7 carries. Byron Cardwell had 9 carries for 98 yards and 2 TD, and Travis Dye finished with 88 yards and a TD on 18 carries. In the air, the Ducks threw for just 135 yards and Travis Dye claimed the lone receiving TD. As a whole, the Ducks accounted for 441 total yards.

Oregon's defense held the Cougars to 371 total yards, 280 of which were passing yards. Jayden De Laura went 20-36 for 280 yards, 2 TD, and 2 INT. Those two INTs belonged to Verone McKinley (5th of the year) and Bryan Addison (1st of the year). Travell Harris (8 catches, 109 yards, TD), Calvin Jackson Jr. (4 catches, 87 yards), and De'Zhaun Stribling (5 catches, 51 yards, TD) were the standout skill players for the Cougars. Max Borghi (10 carries, 41 yards) was held in check. Verone McKinley (8 total tackles, INT), Jamal Hill (7 total tackles), and Kayvon Thibodeaux (6 total tackles, 2 sacks) were the top performers on Oregon's defense.

With the victory, #3 Oregon moves to 9-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play. Oregon will travel to #24 Utah next Saturday and then host Oregon State for the final two games of the season.

Game Stories

Audio Story by Justin Grossweiner