The Oregon Ducks were glad to be back in Eugene.
One bye week and two road games since playing Oklahoma on Sept. 16, the Ducks scored on their first three drives and hung on for a 30-20 win Saturday against the UCLA Bruins in front of the fourth-largest crowd ever at Autzen Stadium, 58,618.
“We got a fast start on both sides of the ball in both halves, which I think is very important,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. “We played better from the line of scrimmage, but I still think we’re capable of playing even better.”
No. 16 Oregon, reestablished the running game with 256 yards on the ground after rushing for just 70 last week against California. Jonathan Stewart ran for 127 yards and Jeremiah Johnson gained 66 yards on 12 carries. Even quarterback Dennis Dixon joined in with a career-high 69 yards rushing.
Dixon was the leading rusher against the Bears last week with 45 yards rushing. Stewart was held to 25 yards.
The passing game flowed smoothly from the opening possession when Dixon, bouncing back from a rough outing against California, completed his first four passes en route to a 10 for 17 afternoon. He tossed for 144 yards and two touchdowns.
“I always have confidence in my targets,” Dixon said. “It’s all about getting the ball to them.”
Dixon gave Oregon coaches and fans a scare on the Ducks’ first offensive series of the third quarter when Dixon went out of the game after a 34-yard run. Then, after completing a 33-yard pass to Brian Paysinger, Dixon took a shot on the play and again went to the sideline briefly. Backup Brady Leaf finished the game 1-of-5 passing for four yards, one interception and one touchdown.
Dixon later described the injury as a hyperextended knee.
Defensively, the Ducks defense consistently pressured UCLA’s offense operated by first-time starter Patrick Cowan.
“Playing at home, first-time quarterbacks don’t really have a good time coming here with the crowd and such,” J.D. Nelson said. “When we get a situation like that, we tend to disguise a little bit more, throw a little bit more at them. (Saturday) I feel like it worked. We brought a lot of pressure and it got to him a whole lot.”
Oregon’s defense survived the night without a major injury – a rarity this season. Already thinned, the defense suited up only three cornerbacks Saturday, and all three were freshman including starters Jairus Byrd and Walter Thurmond.
“We’ve got two freshman cornerbacks playing like All-Americans to me,” said rover Patrick Chung, who recorded Oregon’s only interception of the game.
Blair Phillips led the defense with nine tackles, Byrd had eight and Nelson had seven, including one sack. Sanders made two tackles for a loss of 10 yards to go with one sack.
“We always feel like they should never score, even though sometimes they get the ball in tough spots for us, inside the 50, inside the 20, stuff like that,” Nelson said. “We always try to keep a positive attitude on the field and stay excited out there.”
Two of Oregon’s next three games are in Autzen – the next one on Oct. 28 against Portland State. The Ducks’ immediate focus shifts to Washington State and a visit to Pullman, Wash. next Saturday.
Washington State (4-3 overall, 2-2 Pac-10) withered under California’s offensive attack in a 21-3 loss Saturday afternoon at home. Bears running back Marshawn Lynch ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns on a sore ankle.
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