Arizona pulls the plug on Oregon’s BCS title hopes

By T Erickson  |   Friday, November 16, 2007  |  Comments( 1 )

College Football
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Dennis Dixon ripped off a 39-yard touchdown run two minutes into Oregon's game against Arizona in Tucson, but six minutes later he left the gridiron with a knee injury and the Ducks were never the same. Without Dixon at the helm, the Wildcats mounted a 31-14 halftime lead.

Oregon fought valiantly throughout the second half to get back in the game, pulling as close as seven points (24-31) with 8:15 remaining in the fourth quarter. However, Arizona responded with a 41-yard drive capped by a 46-yard field goal off the foot of Jason Bondzio on their next possession to certify the final score 34-24.

Brady Leaf went 22 of 46 for 162 yards and 2 interceptions in a back-up effort after Dixon went down with his knee injury. Jonathan Stewart carried the ball 28 times and picked up 132 yards on the ground for the Ducks in the losing effort.

Arizona cornerback Antoine Cason led the Wildcats with two huge second quarter touchdowns that broke the game open. The first TD came on a 42-yard interception return, and the second on a 56-yard punt return.

Commentary: Dixon's worth to the Ducks was proven in his absence from the game. Count him as a valid Heisman candidate if he manages to make it back for Oregon's final two games of the regular season. Ironically, Arizona's win over Oregon puts their arch-rival Arizona State in the driver's seat to play in the Rose Bowl Game on January 1. That will happen if ASU can prevail over USC and Arizona in their final two games.
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