Trojans outlast Wildcats in Shootout

Robert Woods hauls in one of his 14 receptions against Arizona
(AP Photo/Danny Moloshok)

The Arizona Wildcats have a record setting defense. Unfortunately, they aren't setting the records that they want to be setting. Last week, the allowed LaMichael James to rack up 288 yards on the ground, setting an Oregon rushing record. This week, Arizona fell victim to Matt Barkley's 468 passing yards, good enough to set a school record for USC.

Arizona dug themselves into a hole early, stalling on their first drive and then allowing a 2 play 91 yard touch down drive. Matt Barkley went to Sophomore sensation Robert Woods on both plays, the second an 82 yard reception which would set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. Of Barkley's passing yards 255 of them went to Woods who fell just 5 yards short of breaking the USC receiving mark for a single game. With under a minute in the first, Barkley connected with Marquis Lee for 38 yards and a score and it appeared the rout was on.

Arizona would not go quietly. Nick Foles continued to show his passing prowess as he also threw for over 400 yards. His streak of passes thrown without an interception was broken though when T.J. McDonald got his hands on the ball at the USC 30, stopping a promising drive from the Wildcats. Arizona continued to battle back though and got within a touch down at 34-27 as Ka'Deem Carey showed some signs of life for the previously anemic Wildcat running game. But it was not to be as the squads exchanged touchdowns, the final coming through the air as Foles connected four four yards to Austin Hill to render the final score 48-41 USC.

The Wildcats' skid against FBS foes continues as they have not beat a FBS squad in nearly a year. They have their best shot of the season so far when they go on the road to visit Oregon State who have struggled their way to a 0-4 record but showed some fight against Pac-12 South favorite Arizona State. The secondary for the Beavers looks to be improving and could provide problems for one of the Pac-12's most accurate passers. USC on the other hand have a week and a half to prepare to travel to AT&T park in San Fransisco to face the California Golden Bears. Cal will be playing their second consecutive Thursday night game as they travel to Eugene to play the #9 Oregon Ducks.

Ducks Run Through The Desert, Wildcats

LaMichael James sprints 19 yards for one of his two scores against Arizona.
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Oregon got out to an early lead and rode the efforts of LaMichael James last night in Tucson as the Ducks prevailed 56-31 over the Arizona Wildcats. James lead the rushing attack with a record setting 288 rushing yards, the most since Onterrio Smith set the record against Washington State in 2001. According to James he wasn't even aware how close he was to the record, saying "I was like, 'Oh, hopefully I can stay in the game,'" James also eclipsed former Duck standout Derek Loville's career touchdown mark, scoring his 42nd and 43rd touchdowns on the ground.

Oregon jumped out to a 35-3 lead when Nick Foles started to bring the Wildcats back to make the game competitive at 35-24. "We knew, especially against Nick Foles, that this game never is in hand," Coach Chip Kelly said. "We were aware that we were going to get a great shot from them in the second half, and I thought our offense responded well." With the momentum set on the side of the home team, memories of similar comebacks by Arizona started to well up, mainly 2008 when Oregon jumped out to a 45-17 half time lead, only to hold on 55-45, thanks to a key run by LeGarrette Blount. Darron Thomas calmly lead the Duck offense on a 8 play 75 yard drive that eclipsed a little more than 2 minutes which was capped off by a hard 5 yard run by Thomas himself.

Coach Kelly commented talking about his prolific rushing attack "We're starting to find our rhythm. We've still got some issues up front that we've got to clean up at times, but when our running back's running like that -- it makes us a real tough team to defend from a running standpoint when the quarterback can hit it, Kenjon can hit it, and LaMichael can hit it." The visitors amassed over 400 yards on the ground and when they can move the ball like that, they are very tough to defend.

The Ducks pressured Nick Foles all night who still managed to throw for 398 yards and 3 scores. It was a testament to the caliber of quarterback Foles is, who received little help from a green offensive line and an anemic running game. Late in the game, under duress Foles appeared to be wrapped up for a sack but switched the ball to his off hand and flipped the ball to Keola Antolin who rambled for a big first down. Despite Foles passing numbers, the Wildcats were held under 100 yards on the ground, an issue that has plagued the team all season. Despite his efforts, Arizona has lost 8 of the last 9, all losses to FBS opponents, the only win against Northern Arizona to start the season. The road doesn't get any easier as they have to travel to Los Angeles to play against a USC team who lost their last game against ASU 43-22 and likely looking for retribution. If Mike Stoops doesn't turn this season around he could begin to feel his seat as coach starting to get warmer as the season progresses. Oregon goes into their bye week with a week and a half to prepare for California coming to town. Last season, the Ducks got their biggest test of the regular season scoring only 15 points in Berkley last year.

Preview: #10 Oregon at Arizona

Keola Antolin (2) will have to get it going to keep the Duck defense honest.
Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

Last season, Arizona looked to have Oregon on the ropes early, going into the half the Wildcats lead 19-14 after an errant snap went through the end zone and an Alex Zendejas field goal to end the half. The mood in Autzen Stadium was nervous as the Wildcats received the second half kick off, looking to go up by two scores on the top ranked team in the country. Oregon forced a three and out on the opening drive of the half and Arizona was forced to punt.

Backed up on their own 15 on 2nd and 10, Darron Thomas ran a speed option to the left and Josh Huff made a great individual effort to catch an errant pitch and turn the ball up field for a game changing 85 yard touch down run. Arizona never recovered momentum and Oregon went on to win 48-29.

That brings us to this week. Arizona was amidst a losing streak to FBS opponents that continues up to this week. Currently the Wildcats have lost 7 consecutive games against the FBS, the only win during that span, a 41-10 romp over Northern Arizona. Another loss this week with another road test against #23 next week could be the thing to put coach Mike Stoops on the hot seat in Tucson. Meanwhile, the Ducks have won their last two, against non conference opponents, averaging 62.5 points a game, albeit against the likes of Nevada and Missouri State.

On offense, Arizona has been living and dying by the pass, and they have just the quarter back for it. Nick Foles is a very talented and intelligent player and has a deep, experienced set of wide receivers head lined by star Juron Criner. Criner returned last week against Stanford to catch 6 passes for 48 yards and a score. If Arizona gets in a tight spot, look for Foles to try and find #82 down the field. It will be an interesting match up with the experience of Foles and Co. against the youth and talent of the Oregon secondary. Arizona likes to throw the ball. A lot. It will be interesting if the Ducks can contain the explosive passing attack to see where Arizona goes to move the ball down the field.

As good as Arizona has been through the air, averaging 364 yards per game; they have performed equally as poorly on the ground, mustering only 55.7 yards a game. A lot of this comes because Arizona has four new starting offensive linemen who are still gelling and have been thrown to the wolves early. Oregon is going to be the third consecutive top 10 opponent the 'cats have faced and through that they have not been able to get things going with RB Keola Antolin, he is an electric talent that if provided with a seam can make big plays in a hurry.

On defense, Arizona is also having to re tune their line, losing standout lineman Ricky Elmore among others. He was a major force on the line that is going to have to deal with the pace and speed of the Oregon offense which just now seems to be getting rolling. Through the first three games, Oregon has not really gotten the push expected to give Junior RB LaMichael James the lanes he often uses to get up field and do damage. If Oregon can push Arizona back off the ball, it could be a long day for the Arizona defense who gave up almost 389 yards on the ground last year.

Darron Thomas has appeared to improve as a passer from the first week of the season to now, becoming incredibly accurate even in limited time playing against Nevada and Missouri St. Oregon hopes to show that they are on par with Stanford who pasted the Wildcats 37-10. The secondary which has been decimated by injuries over the off season was shredded by the precision passing of Andrew Luck.

Arizona appeared to have challenges dealing with misdirection from Stanford and getting lateral to stop the plays going to the outside. That could be a recipe for disaster against an Oregon squad which loves to get to the corners and make plays down the sideline. If the Wildcats can't win the edges they are going to have a huge challenge slowing down the Duck offense.

Arizona will win if:                              Oregon will win if:
Foles gets comfortable                       Oregon wins the turnover battle
Antolin rushes for 100 yards               More than 300 rush yards
Arizona wins field position battle         Defense pressures Foles