Ducks Upend Utah 31-24
Rick Morgan
John Boyett's interception with 2:46 remaining in the game sealed Oregon's 31-24 victory over Utah Saturday afternoon at Autzen Stadium.
That the late heroics came on the defensive side of the ball is not a surprise, defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti's group has been the core strength of the team from day one. As the offense has sputtered - completely against Boise State, not as badly last week against Purdue and plagued by turnovers Saturday against the Utes, the defense has contributed points, field position and leadership.
It was once again Walter Thurmond III who set the tone, turning Oregon's first touch into a 78-yard touchdown punt return.
Utah got a hand on Jackson Rice's punt after the Duck's first offensive possession and took over on the Oregon 19. On their first snap, Utah quarterback Terrence Cain threaded through the defense on a keeper to tie the game at seven.
After an exchange of possessions, Oregon's offense seemed to hit its stride. From his own 34, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli found Jeffrey Maehl free in the Utah secondary, hitting him in stride for 58 yards and Oregon was first and goal from the eight.
An offside penalty gave them half the distance, two carries LaMichael James gave them a 14-7 lead with just more than a minute left in the opening quarter.
James enjoyed a solid day; 152 yards on 27 carries and the score. The running game as a whole and James in particular offered evidence that after three games Oregon's offense is beginning to show traction. Masoli added 47 yards on a dozen carries and found the end zone twice on keepers.
The aerial portion of Oregon's offense remains absent, Masoli completed four passes in sixteen attempts (1 INT) for 95 yards. The quarterback also lost two fumbles, the second of which opened the door for Utah after the Ducks seemingly had the game in hand.
Before that would happen, he would engineer a three play, 61 yard drive capped by a 22-yard scamper around right end to give the Ducks a 21-7 lead.
Utah threatened to narrow the margin as the first half was drawing to a close. With two seconds on the clock Utah faced a fourth and goal on the Oregon two. Electing to forego the field goal, Utah quarterback Terrence Cain's pass attempt was incomplete and the Ducks took the fourteen point margin into the break.
The first of Masoli's fumbles came on the opening snap of Oregon's first possession of the second half. Taking over at the Oregon 20, Utah's offense was forced to settle for a field goal by the Duck defense.
A steady dose of LaMicheal James - including a 45 yard burst - moved Oregon to the Utah four, setting the table for Masoli's second touchdown and a 28-10 lead for the Ducks.
Just as quickly Utah came back. Cain drove the Utes 71 yards in 10 plays, finding pay dirt with a 22-yard completion to Jereme Brooks.
Momentum shifted clearly in Utah's favor when Masoli's second fumble was scooped up at the Oregon 28 and taken in for a Utah score 17 seconds later. The extra point cut the Duck lead to 28-24.
But the Oregon defense had the Utes exactly where they wanted them. The Ducks held for two straight three and outs then an interception by linebacker Eddie Pleasant was converted into a Morgan flint 31-yard field goal and a 31-24 margin.
Boyett's theft in the game's last minutes kept Utah at bay, ending their nation's best 16 game winning streak.
"I thought our defense played unbelievable today," said Oregon head coach Chip Kelly. "We need to clean up what we are doing on offense, but if our defense continues to play with that effort, I'm excited about where we're going."
Where the Ducks are going is headlong into the suddenly wide wide open Pac-10 conference race beginning with a match-up against 8th ranked California next Saturday at Autzen.
