If the Autzen Stadium field measured only 80 yards in length, the Oregon offense would have been in good shape against Arizona State on Saturday.
As it is, NCAA football fields are 100 yards long and the Ducks’ inability to capitalize in the red zone cost them dearly in a 28-13 loss to the 21st-ranked Sun Devils.
It was a familiar sight for the Ducks, who have struggled to score touchdowns after moving the ball inside an opponent’s 20 yard line all season. Oregon drove deep into Arizona State territory on four occasions, coming away with two field goals and only one touchdown.
Oregon’s fourth possession of the game set the tone for an evening of frustration. The Ducks controlled the ball for six minutes and 33 seconds, moving 64 yards in 15 plays, only to come away with a 22-yard field goal by Jared Siegel.
On Oregon’s next possession, the Ducks had to settle for a 34-yard field goal from Siegel after an 11-play, 57-yard drive stalled when quarterback Kellen Clemens took a sack on third down.
“We need to execute better, especially in the red zone,” Oregon left tackle Adam Snyder said. “That’s where you have to score points. You can’t walk away with field goals against the No. 21 team in the nation.”
Running back Terrence Whitehead, who finished with 98 yards on 23 carries, said he feels responsible for the Ducks’ lack of red zone production. The junior had four carries for six yards inside the 20-yard line, but scored the Ducks’ lone touchdown on a 9-yard shovel pass.
“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.”
To make things even worse for Oregon, Arizona State answered each of the Ducks’ long, hard-earned field goal drives with quick, demoralizing touchdowns.
After Oregon’s first field goal, Arizona State capped a 5-play, 80-yard drive when quarterback Andrew Walter found a wide-open Jamaal Lewis in the back of the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown pass and a 7-3 lead.
Two possessions later, Arizona State took a 14-6 lead on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Walter to Terry Richardson. The Sun Devils moved 39 yards on two plays, taking
advantage of a short field provided by a poor punt by Oregon punter David Dittman.
Arizona State’s ability to cash in on scoring opportunities was enough to overcome a mediocre day from Walter. The senior passed for only 164 yards, but threw three timely touchdown passes, moving him into a tie for fourth on the Pacific-10 Conference career list with 70.
The Ducks actually outgained the Sun Devils, 311-283, but came up short where it mattered most: the end zone.
The Sun Devils drove inside or near the Oregon 20-yard line four times throughout the game and came away with four touchdowns.
“We didn’t stop them when they were in the red zone and we didn’t capitalize in the red zone when we were on offense,” Oregon linebacker Jerry Matson said. “You don’t really feel like you lose when you beat them that bad statistically. They just ended up in the end zone more than we did.”
While Oregon’s offensive red zone woes were typical, its problems on defense were a bit surprising. Arizona State scored its first two touchdowns via the play action pass, fooling the Oregon defense on both occasions.
Reserve Arizona State running back Hakim Hill had a big day on the ground as well, rushing for 134 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. The Sun Devils were able to pound the ball into the end zone for their third touchdown, a 1-yard run by Hill early in the third quarter.
“It’s real frustrating knowing that a lot of the stuff they got, we gave them,” Oregon safety J.D. Nelson said. “They came out, they played hard, but some of the stuff wasn’t exactly earned. We gave up a lot of stuff on blown coverages and not communicating, so that’s stuff we’ve got to get tightened up before next week.”

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