The No. 5 Oregon defense came up big every time it needed to in the Ducks’ 24-17 victory over No. 9 USC, forcing three turnovers and stealing the spotlight from the vaunted Duck offense and Trojan defense in front of an Autzen Stadium-record crowd of 59,277 Saturday.
The win results in a Bowl Championship Series matchup of No. 5 Oregon versus No. 4 Arizona State this Saturday at 3:45 p.m., when the Sun Devils visit Autzen Stadium.
“I’m very proud of our team, especially our defense,” said Oregon coach Mike Bellotti. “This was a defensive victory.”
But the defense didn’t win the game by shutting down the Trojan offense completely – only when it mattered most. Oregon (7-1, 4-1 Pacific-10 Conference) gave up 378 yards to the Trojans (6-2, 3-2 Pac-10), but kept them off the board in several key situations and forced turnovers at critical moments in the game.
Thanks to a firm red-zone resolve by the defense, Oregon’s two fumbles on special teams resulted in only three USC points.
On the opening kickoff sophomore Andre Crenshaw fumbled, giving the Trojans the ball on the Oregon 21-yard line. Three plays later it was fourth and one on the Ducks’ 12-yard line and USC coach Pete Carroll decided to go for it rather than kick a field goal. Oregon junior middle linebacker John Bacon stuffed USC running back Joe McKnight for a one-yard loss and Oregon had the ball back.
The other Oregon turnover came on a USC punt that took a strange bounce and glanced off the foot of senior wide receiver Garren Strong, giving the Trojans the ball on the Oregon 33 yard line. The Trojans managed to move the ball down to the Oregon nine-yard line for a first and goal, but went backwards from there on two quarterback hurries by sophomore defensive end Will Tukuafu that resulted in incomplete passes and sophomore linebacker Kevin Garrett’s tackle of McKnight for a four-yard loss. The Trojans were forced to settle for a 30-yard field goal.
“We had the mindset that we were just going to show how much heart we have,” said Bacon, who had five tackles and a pass break-up in the game. “We’re stubborn in the red zone. We always believe we can stop them.”
Senior free safety Matt Harper had Oregon’s two interceptions on the day and returns of 27 and 34 yards. The first came late in the third quarter, deep in Oregon territory, ending a USC scoring chance and sparking a 10-play, 58-yard drive that ended in a one-yard Jonathan Stewart touchdown run to put the Ducks up 24-10.
Harper’s second interception came with 11 seconds left in the game and USC driving down the field to try for a game-tying score. USC had driven 85 yards in five plays to pull to within one score and, after an Oregon punt, moved 50 yards in less than three minutes to set up the second and 10 on the Ducks’ 33 yard line. That’s when Harper made his move, and one of the biggest plays in recent memory for Oregon football, stepping in front of Trojan tight end Fred Davis at the Oregon 16-yard line to make the interception.
“I acted like I was going to play the (outside) receiver, then went inside and just made the play,” said Harper.
Rover Patrick Chung paced the Duck defense with 13 tackles and cornerback Walter Thurmond III added 12, including three for a loss.
“Our defense doesn’t get too much props, but I think we will after today,” Harper said.
[email protected]