Oregon used a power running game and the return of Justin Herbert to pick up a win over Arizona and become bowl eligible.
The Oregon Ducks returned to Autzen Stadium for their final two games. First up, containing Arizona Quarterback Khalil Tate. Oregon got a shot in the arm for the Offense with the return of Justin Herbert to the Starting Lineup after missing the last six weeks. The Ducks again had the chance to be a multi-faceted Offense after being one-dimensional over the last month and a half.
Oregon started the game with the ball. Charles Nelson started the game with a 49-yard kickoff return giving the Ducks good field position early. On the second play of the game from scrimmage, a 10-yard penalty had Oregon Starting 1st and 20. The Ducks made progress to get to 3rd and 1 on the drive before another penalty forced a punt at 4th and 6.
Khalil Tate took Arizona down the field on a drive that ended with a touchdown from Nick Wilson making it 7-0 Wildcats with 7:41 left in the 1st Quarter.
Quarterback Justin Herbert got a big welcome back on the next drive taking the ball 40 yards for a touchdown in a drive that lasted just over two minutes to tie the game at 7. The Oregon Defense made an adjustment for their second series and forced two incomplete passes from Tate. Arizona would punt giving Oregon good field position at the Arizona 46 yard line.
Khalil Tate was intercepted on the next drive by Ugo Amadi giving Oregon the ball at the 32-yard line with just over a minute left in the second quarter. The Oregon Offense saw to penalties on the drive bringing up 1st and 30. The Ducks were complacent to end the first half and took a 28-21 lead into halftime.
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The Wildcats started the second half from their 25. The Oregon Defense forced a 4th and 4 and the Oregon Offense started their first drive of the second half at the 6 yard line. On the drive Running Back Royce Freeman hit the 100 yard mark in the game, the 30th in his career at Oregon.
Oregon added to their lead on their next Offensive Drive. Some inspired running by Tony Brooks-James saw four Arizona Tacklers miss before a holding penalty pushed the ball back to the 12 yard line. Royce Freeman added to the score from there with a score making it 35-21 Ducks.
Arizona came back for a touchdown after Thomas Graham was called for Pass Interference. The ball bounced and the Arizona Wide Receiver was out of bounds. The Wildcats took the ball in from the two yard line for a touchdown pulling within seven, 35-28.
Oregon came back with a 35-yard strike from Herbert to Johnny Johnson setting up a 40-yard Aiden Schneider field goal attempt to start the fourth quarter. Schneider’s kick was good giving the Ducks a 10 point lead.
The Ducks weren’t done. Royce Freeman added a two-yard touchdown after Herbert threw a flea flicker to Johnny Johnson to the Arizona 1 yard line. Justin Herbert gave a huge fist bunp as Freeman crossed into the endzone giving Oregon a 45-28 lead with 13:54 to go.
A field goal by Aiden Scheider ended a big Offensive Day for Oregon. Running Back Royce Freeman had four touchdowns and the Ducks Ground Game racked up over 350 yards on the ground. Even more impressive, Justin Herbert out rushed Khalil Tate for the game.
Oregon is bowl eligible and can add an additional win and some momentum vs Oregon State in the Civil War on Saturday(4 pm PT, ESPN2)