#15 Oregon overcomes injuries to squeak past Arizona

By John Onan  |   Sunday, October 23, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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After jumping out in front on Arizona on Saturday night, #15 Oregon needed a big fourth quarter defensive play from linebacker Brent Haberly to hold on to the victory 28-21. Haberly's play, a 34-yard fumble return to the end zone, couldn't have come at a better time for the Ducks, who lost starting quarterback Kellen Clemens and backup Dennis Dixon to injury on consecutive drives in the third quarter.

Before Clemens was forced out of the game, he was 10-of-18 passing for 187 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Oregon's third quarterback, sophomore Brady Leaf led the team in the fourth quarter, but was unable to lead the team into scoring position.

A four-yard Jonathan Stewart run put Oregon up 21-0 in the first quarter, but the Wildcats refused to give up. Led by running back Mike Bell, who gained 158 yards on the ground on 20 carries, Arizona slowly crept back into the game. Bell scored on a 50-yard run to cut the lead to 21-14, and then freshman quarterback Willie Tuitama hooked up with Michael Thomas on a 17-yard pas to tie the game at 21-21.

Tuitama was supposed to be redshirted for the year, but coach Mike Stoops has been so disappointed with the position, that he decided to let him play this season. He went 18-of-34 for 182 yards and two touchdowns.

Oregon moved to 7-1 (4-1) with the win, their only loss being to powerhouse USC, while Arizona fell to1-6 (0-4) with the loss.
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