Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said it best.
“It wasn’t pretty at times, but every win is a great win.”
That sums up the Ducks’ outlook after escaping from Tuscon, Ariz., with a seven-point victory over the one-win Arizona Wildcats Saturday.
Oregon committed three turnovers, nine penalties, missed three field goals and gained only 307 yards of total offense – 180 yards less than its season average.
“We knew the whole time we were going to come out with the win,” Oregon defensive end Devan Long said.
Despite the confidence, both teams, as well as the officiating crew, spent most of the first quarter shooting themselves in the foot. Each team missed a field goal and threw an interception; meanwhile the Ducks lost two forced turnovers. One was due to a questionable call by an official, the other because of a pass interference that wasn’t necessary.
The second quarter featured three consecutive three-and-outs for the Oregon offense, which managed only 16 yards. The Ducks were also flagged twice for 10 yards in the quarter.
The third quarter hurt Oregon most, as it turned the ball over twice, missed a field goal to the right and had two quarterbacks knocked out of the game.
Oregon placekicker Matt Evensen was wide right on a 42-yard field goal attempt less than four minutes into the second half. However, that was the least of Oregon’s worries.
Kellen Clemens left with just less than eight minutes remaining in the third quarter with an ankle injury that will likely end the senior’s Oregon career. Reserve quarterback Dennis Dixon suffered a concussion on the next series, forcing third-string quarterback Brady Leaf into action for the entire fourth quarter of a tied game.
Evensen missed a 36-yard field goal after cornerback Justin Phinisee returned an interception to the Arizona 26-yard line near the end of the third quarter.
Mistake after mistake plagued the Ducks, but with the game tied and a third-string quarterback at the helm, the Oregon defense took over the fourth quarter.
Arizona running back Mike Bell, who rushed for 158 yards with one touchdown on 20 carries, was shut down in the final 15 minutes. On three carries, he gained only 6 yards and fumbled the ball twice.
Oregon linebacker Brent Haberly returned the first fumble 34 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 12:14 remaining in the game. Strong safety Anthony Trucks forced the second fumble into the hands of Blair Phillips with 4:43 to play at the Oregon 33-yard line.
“Certainly Arizona helped us and didn’t help themselves in that situation,” Bellotti said. “Our kids were in the right place and made plays happen and the defense bowed their back and said ‘We aren’t going to let them get any.’”
Arizona wasn’t without chances as it failed on a fourth and five from the Oregon 29-yard line with 7:58 in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats also had the ball in Oregon territory on their final two possessions of the game.

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