What no one expected after 11 demonstrations of offensive firepower was a replay of their 15-13 regular season clunker win over Cal. But the Fiesta Bowl game featured more of a game saving Oregon defense than offensive machine.
Oregon's high speed offense showed a bit of rust against Arkansas, as the Razorbacks stayed close to the Ducks early. After a scoreless first quarter, the Ducks were on the board first with a Rob Beard 26 yard field goal in the opening minutes of the second quarter, to give Oregon a 3-0 lead. Arkansas tied the game on a Zach Hocker 47 yarder. Oregon roared, or maybe sternly quacked, back with a 4 play, 93 yard, 1:02 drive, or maybe blitz, to score on a Darron Thomas 8 yard pass to LaMichael James. A fake extra point attempt lead to kicker Beard rushing it in, and Oregon appeared to gain control 11-3. But Arkansas kept it close, and posted two more Hocker field goals to stay within 11-9 at halftime.
The game remained this way through third quarter, but a fourth quarter TD and two point conversion gave the Ducks a 19-9 lead. Arkansas added a field goal, but never came close to finding a way to tie it up, and the game ended 19-12. Oregon moves onto the St. Petersburg Semi-Finals to take on Orange Bowl winner Ohio State.
No comments:
Post a Comment