Oregon Ducks Defense Steps Up In Win Against Arizona State
Oregon has their most complete game of the year against Arizona State
The Oregon Ducks were playing to keep their bowl hopes alive. Arizona State was playing for their sixth win and bowl eligibility. The Sundevils won the toss and were the first to see the ball. Oregon Governor Kate Brown was on hand to toss the coin, which did not go in the Ducks favor.
More from Autzen Zoo
- Oregon football: Ducks and Coach Prime playing it cordial leading up to Saturday
- Oregon Basketball: Non-conference slate features Michigan coming to Eugene
- Oregon football: Ducks find complete game effort in win vs Hawaii
- Oregon Ducks must get run game going against Hawaii
- 8 Pac-12 teams represented in Associated Press Top 25 after Week 2
Arizona State saw punt on their first possession, but Oregon picked up where they left off last week. It took just three plays and a 73 yard run by Pharoah Brown to put the Ducks up 7-0 after the Ducks went for the extra point. Royce Freeman saw the ball for one play on the drive – it was for no gain.
Kalen Ballage would find the endzone on the ground for Arizona State on their second drive of the game to tie the game at 7. The Ducks would work their way down the field in chunks on their next drive.
Running Back Royce Freeman found his legs for 21 yards on the drive as Justin Herbert threw a dart 31 yards to a leaping and open Charles Nelson in the center of the endzone giving Oregon a 14-7 lead over Arizona State. The Ducks next drive would end in an Aiden Schneider Field Goal making it 17-7.
Arizona State pulled off a double pass on one play for a big gain to start their next drive. The Sundevils would score when Sterling-Cole crossed the plane of the endzone from just inside the one yard-line. 17-14 Oregon. The Ducks would see a touchback and begin from their 25.
The First Quarter would come to an end and the Ducks had 180 yards through the air and 221 yards total for the game. Oregon was also limited by just two penalties for 10 yards, a much better start compared to past weeks.
Kani Benoit fumbled and Arizona State cashed it in for a touchdown making the Oregon lead 5 points at 40-35 with just under 7 minutes left in the game, but the Defense was ready to step up ending back to back Arizona State drives with scores. Tyree Robinson and Brendan Schooler had interceptions.
The Running Backs took care of the rest. Tony Brroks-James and Royce Freeman added touchdowns in the final minutes to put away Arizona State 54-35. It was the Ducks first Pac-12 win of the season.
In the post game inteviews Pharoah Brown was happy the team was finally able to sing the fight song after five weeks of losses. Justin Herbert talked about his team mates and the team win and fans took a collective breath knowing that Oregon took a step on Saturday.
The Oregon Ducks now head to Los Angeles next Saturday to meet USC. Game time will be set on Sunday.