The biggest thing that the Ducks did on Saturday night was making a statement. That statement was about who clearly is the best team in the Pac-12 at this point in the season.
September 22, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon ducks huddle before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-US PRESSWIRE
Many people going into Week 4 had some doubts (me being one of them) about whether or not Oregon or USC were the #1 team in the Pac-12 at this point in the season. This was because the Trojans lost to Stanford last week and Oregon was 3-0, but hadn’t played a really tough opponent so far.
The centerpiece on the offensive side for Oregon was Marcus Mariota. He did not have as many touchdowns as he did last week, but he still helped Oregon blow out the Wildcats. He threw for 260 yards and went 20-for-36. He also threw two touchdowns and one interception.
Mariota’s biggest target on the night was Bralon Addison. Addison had three receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown.
However, the centerpiece of the entire game was the Oregon defense, which was led by Michael Clay. Clay was all over the field and record 13 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. He wasn’t the only Duck to show up on defense however as Ifo Ekpre-Olomu had a nice game himself, which was highlighted with an interception that went for a touchdown.
The Ducks showed that they should be the best team in the Pac-12 and that Arizona is not what everyone thinks they are. This does not mean that Oregon is done making statements by any means. The next thing on the Ducks’ list will be winning on the road as that is where they will be next week. They will travel to Washington to play the Washington State Cougars.
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