There would be no magic at the ZonaZoo this time around.
Oregon (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12) opened up the Pac-12 season with a 56-31 victory over Arizona (1-3, 1-2), pummeling the Wildcats on the ground with 415 rushing yards.
The Ducks seized control of the game early, taking a 14-0 lead on consecutive touchdown runs from running backs LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. With the Wildcats sputtering on offense, the Ducks continued to pile on, and with 2:45 left in the first half Oregon led 35-3.
Arizona finally managed to find the end zone just before halftime, and it was 35-9 after a blocked extra point. An onside kick recovery gave the Wildcats one more shot before the intermission, but two straight sacks from defensive ends Dion Jordan and Terrell Turner put an end to those hopes.
Despite the 26-point halftime deficit, quarterback Nick Foles and the Wildcats came out with a purpose in the third quarter, scoring on consecutive drives to pull within eleven. The Arizona faithful began to stir in Tucson, but the Ducks responded with consecutive scoring drives of their own, effectively sealing the victory.
James was the undisputed star of the game, rushing for 288 yards (a school record) and two touchdowns. Returning to the field for the first time since the season opener against LSU, Barner added three touchdowns of his own, while quarterback Darron Thomas threw for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
Foles put together a 398-yard, three touchdown outing, but it was not enough to match Oregon’s attack. The Wildcats were outrushed 415-82, while also committing nine penalties for 91 yards.