Arizona State’s Andrew Walter and Derek Hagan were supposed to
be
the main event in Saturday’s matchup with Oregon, but third-string
running
back Hakim Hill stole the show as the Ducks fell to the No. 21 Sun
Devils 28-
13.
Hill rushed for a career-high 134 yards and one touchdown as
Arizona
State defeated Oregon for the third consecutive year.
For the Ducks, it was a combination of sloppy special teams that gave
the
Sun Devils good field position and an inconsistent offense that is
trying to
find ways to score touchdowns in the red zone.
“We’re inconsistent in our kicking game and I’m probably more
disappointed
in that (than anything),” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said.
“Were not as
good (at kicking) as we need to be to help this team.”
Bellotti also believes his team needs to improve on their red-zone
offense
quickly.
“Also, we were not where we need to be in terms of finishing off
drives
offensively,” Bellotti added. “We’re waiting for somebody to
step up.”
Oregon twice got inside Arizona State’s 20-yard line in the first
half, but
couldn’t convert and cashed in with field goals from kicker Jared
Siegel
“We were moving the ball, we just didn’t execute as well as we
needed to and
that’s been a constant problem so far,” Oregon offensive tackle Adam
Snyder said. “We need to fix that and we will.”
Bellotti believes protection of the quarterback may also be an issue.
“If your timing is off … you don’t get to set your feet and
throw the ball,”
Bellotti said. “I thought Kellen (Clemens) made some great plays
on the
run and some plays I wish we could have back.”
Oregon quarterback Kellen Clemens believes, despite being sacked
six
times, that his inaccuracy, not a lack of protection, is a problem.
“The offensive line did fine today — I just missed some
recievers,” Clemens
said.

While the Oregon passing offense may have struggled at times, the
ground
game was once again in good hands with Terrence Whitehead.
The junior running back ran for 98 yards on 23 carries and also led
the team
in receiving with five receptions for 45 yards and Oregon’s lone
touchdown.
“Terrence Whitehead is becoming a better and better back,”
Bellotti said.
“I was so pleased with his effort and abilities and we need to
support him.”
Whitehead also feels he carries the burden on the Ducks’ inability
to score
touchdowns in the red zone.
“I feel like that’s kind of on me,” Whitehead said. “When we get
into the red
zone, we’re supposed to be able to punch it in with the running game,
so I
just feel like we need to work a little bit harder.”
The Arizona State offense didn’t quite have the same trouble putting
the ball
in the endzone, as they scored on all four opportunities despite
Walter’s
sub-par performance.
The Oregon defense stepped up to the challenge time after time, but
with the
offense not moving the ball and Arizona State getting great field
position
after a good return or a short punt, the task proved to be very
daunting for
the Duck defense.
“Our defense played a whale of a game in the first half,”
Bellotti said.
The Duck defense limited Walter to three completions for 52 yards in
the first
half, but unfortunately for the Ducks, two were for touchdowns.
“I thought our defense played very, very well, but there were
breakdowns in
coverage,” Bellotti said.
All three touchdown passes for the Sun Devils came on play-action
fakes
where it appeared linebackers bit for the fake, leaving the receiver
open for
the score. The three touchdown passes moved Walter in a tie for fourth
on
the Pac-10 career touchdown list with 70.
Arizona State’s 5-0 start is their best since 1996 when they went
11-0 and
played in the Rose Bowl.
“I think you can say we’re for real,” Arizona State head coach
Dirk Koetter
said.
Despite the 1-3 record, Whitehead keeps focused and positive.
“I believe we still have a good team,” Whitehead said. “We need
to get
everybody on the same page.”

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