When two ranked teams – each averaging more than 35 points per game – met in Tempe, Ariz., Saturday night, it wasn’t run defense that people were focused on. But, as the 62,789 fans in attendance filed out of the stadium, it was all they could talk about.
The Ducks allowed only 53 net rushing yards to the Sun Devils. In fact, the stingy defense gave up only nine rushing yards in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth.
“A lot of it was some great, great, great coverage by our secondary and the rest was some nice stunts, good calls from our defensive coordinator,” Oregon cornerback Justin Phinisee said.
Prior to the game, the Sun Devils ranked fourth in the Pacific-10 Conference in rushing offense, averaging 170.4 yards per game. Coming into the night, the Ducks ranked fourth in the conference in rush defense, surrendering 117 yards per game on the ground.
On the flip side, the Ducks rushed for 234 yards, the most this season. Running back Terrence Whitehead keyed the attack with 122 rushing yards and one touchdown.
“Rushing is an emphasis every week,” said Whitehead, who also caught nine passes for 100 yards and one touchdown. “We might not get it done every week, but today we got it done.”
Kicked out
Oregon’s starting placekicker was sidelined with a quadriceps injury. No problem.
Matt Evensen, whose primary duty has been kickoffs this season, filled in by kicking three field goals of more than 40 yards.
“Everybody helped out … it was always a good snap, a good hold,” Evensen said.
Entering the season, the placekicking position was one of the most uncertain areas of the team. The questions were answered in the first two weeks as Martinez connected on 11 field goals, including a school-record six during a 47-14 victory over Montana in the home opener.
Martinez aggravated his quad during last week’s win against Stanford and the game-time decision was that he was unable to play.
“About 10 minutes before the game,” Evensen said.
Evensen logged two long distance first-half field goals. He got the Ducks on the scoreboard with a 42-yard field goal at the 11:52 mark in the second quarter and booted a 51-yard kick to close the half, giving Oregon a 13-10 lead. He connected on another 42-yarder on Oregon’s first possession of the second half.
The night didn’t begin well for Evensen, whose first collegiate field goal attempt – from 55 yards – was blocked by Arizona State defensive tackle DeWayne Hollyfield to end Oregon’s first possession of the game. Evensen missed a 47-yard field goal to the right in the third quarter.
Avoiding self-sabotage
Oregon escaped its fair share of destructive behavior.
Quarterback Kellen Clemens threw his second interception of the season to the Sun Devils’ Jamar Williams on the Ducks’ second drive. Williams returned the ball to the Oregon eight-yard line. Arizona State was forced to kick a 34-yard field goal to put the Sun Devils up 10-0 midway through first quarter.
On the Ducks’ next series, running back Jonathan Stewart fumbled the ball in the red zone. Oregon had driven from its six-yard line in 10 plays and converted three third-downs before the turnover.
Arizona State safety Zach Catanese picked off Clemens in the third quarter at the
Oregon 40-yard line. However, Oregon’s Justin Phinisee returned the favor two plays later with an interception returned to the Arizona State 33-yard line.
“That was huge,” Clemens said. “We had each other’s back today. That’s what great teams do.”
Oregon was flagged for 36 penalty yards in the first quarter alone. They finished with six penalties for 71 yards.
On a positive note, Kyle Weatherspoon recovered a fumble by Phinisee on a punt return early in the third quarter. The ball deflected upfield off Phinisee’s chest, where Weatherspoon pounced on it at the 32-yard line between two Arizona State defenders.
Luck struck more than once for the Ducks as Max Unger recovered a fumble by Cameron Colvin on a reverse late in the third quarter.