Oregon football’s 61-55 triple overtime slugfest against Arizona State provided many memorable moments last Thursday, though perhaps none more so than Ducks receiver Dwayne Stanford’s game-tying snag in the dying moments of the fourth quarter.
Stanford went up for the seven-yard catch after quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was able to maintain composure amidst a collapsing pocket to sling the ball up with a hope and prayer on fourth down.
Stanford was able to shake free from the Sun Devils defense and haul it in despite running into teammate Johnny Mundt, sending Oregon in to overtime and the eventual victory.
Stanford ended the game with four catches for 35 yards and two touchdowns. He spoke with Emerald Tuesday about the catch and the importance of the Ducks’ win heading into their game against Cal this week.
How important was it for the team to pick up the win against Arizona State?
It was really important. We had been in a couple of close ones before, and they didn’t go our way. The Michigan State game if we had made one more play, I feel we could have won that. Washington State, we make one more play we could have won that. So to be able to make those plays from a bunch of different guys was really good for us.
You yourself had a big play with the fourth quarter touchdown, what happened on that play?
Once Vernon threw it I just wanted to get my hands on it. I knew I would get hit, but I just wanted to get my hands on it and pull it in as tight as I could. Try and come down inbounds.
Did you have any idea it was going to be Johnny doing the hitting?
I didn’t even know it was Johnny, because Darren (Carrington) started the play over there so after the play I went to him like ‘why you hit me so hard?’ He was like ‘that wasn’t even me man,’ so finally I knew it was Johnny.
Was Johnny just trying to make a play?
Yeah, that’s what he said. He says all he saw was the ball and not me.
What does that game do for your guys’ confidence?
It gives us tremendous confidence knowing we can win those close ones and that we’ve got a bunch of different guys who can make those plays. Any time we can bust a big play and score.
How does your mentality change with Vernon?
Really just try to stay alive. Once you run the initial route, you get your head back to Vernon and see what’s going on. You work after that, try to find open spaces and get away from the defender.
What’s the mentality of the receiving corps right now, playing through some adversity early and starting to click now?
Really just continue to make plays, that’s something we pride ourselves on. As a group we just try to be playmakers out there. Whenever the ball is in the air we try to catch it and gain yards after that.
Follow Christopher Keizur on Twitter @chriskeizur
Take a knee: Dwayne Stanford on his fourth quarter touchdown and beating ASU
Christopher Keizur
November 2, 2015
Cole Elsasser
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dwayne Stanford (88) celebrates after his touchdown reception in the first overtime. The unranked Oregon Ducks head south to take on the Arizona St. in Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona on Oct. 29, 2015. (Cole Elsasser/Emerald)
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