Ducks lead 35-9 at the half, and they’ve made Foles work for his yards, sacking him five times and holding him to 14-28 passing. Arizona has just 21 net yards on the ground, compared to 214 for the Ducks.
Arizona takes the second half kickoff and drives 75 yards for the score. Ducks contest every pass, but can’t get to Foles or gather in a possible interception.
Leading 35-16, the Ducks shoot themselves in the foot with two penalties and have to punt.
Foles picks apart the Oregon defense for another score, and the lead is cut to eleven when Arizona converts for two.
The Ducks mount a drive, LaMichael James breaking a tackle on the left side and shaking loose for a 31-yard gain. Arizona has to burn their second time out as the Ducks close inside the 20.
On 4th and a yard, after Barner scrambles for 9 on 3rd and long, Thomas keeps on the zone read and follows his blockers up the middle for the touchdown, 5 yards, 42-24.
Nick Aliotti and the defense need a stop, and a couple of critical adjustments to what they’re doing. Arizona drives inside the ten, but stalls when Foles is sacked on 4th and goal at the seven.
If the Ducks keep the ball for 5-6 minutes, the Wildcats no longer have enough possessions to come back.
James breaks a 42-yarder, then a stretch play down the right side, and Kenjon Barner punches it in inside the 10 with two tough runs, Oregon 49-24.
The Ducks defense continues to play a soft, Charmin-cushiony pass coverage, and Foles works down methodically for another score, 49-31.
Oregon answers with a drive, Thomas keeping on the zone read for his second touchdown, closing out the scoring at 56-24. For the game, the Ducks have 415 yards on the ground. LaMichael James sets a new Oregon single season rushing record with 288 yards on 23 carries, a 12.5 yard average, 363 all-purpose yards, a relentless, gutty performance by Doak Walker Award winner as he moves up to 5th on the all-time conference rushing list.
The Oregon defense gives up 415 yards and 31 points to Fol.es, however, and continues to be a question mark as Duck fans look ahead to the high-powered offenses around the conference. If they faced Andrew Luck next week, it’s hard to think they’d have an answer. Tonight, they got just enough stops to keep the game out of reach.
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