Marcus Mariota and No. 2 Oregon Ducks escape with victory against Washington State
Updated: Jan. 10, 2019, 1:38 a.m. | Published: Sep. 21, 2014, 2:12 a.m.
Oregon vs WSU football
Gallery: Oregon vs WSU football
By Andrew Greif | The Oregonian/OregonLive
No. 2 OREGON 38, WASHINGTON STATE 31: Game at a glance
Top performance:
completed 21-of-25 passes for 329 yards and five touchdowns and rushed 13 times for 58 -- though many of those rushes were unintentional because of constant pressure from Washington State's defense. He was so efficient in the first half that Oregon's first two touchdown drives lasted a combined four plays, 153 yards and 1 minute, 3 seconds.
Key contributors:
Two of
Devon Allen
's first four receptions went for long touchdowns and he finished with seven catches for 142 yards. He started with an 80-yard touchdown from Mariota with 3:38 remaining in the first quarter. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner forced a third-quarter fumble that was recovered by Arik Armstead.
Key play:
On third-and-18 in the second quarter, an unknown Duck was called for a face mask on a short completion to Gerald Wicks that wouldn't have reached the first-down line. The drive completed despite confusion about the penalty -- where did it happen and who caused it? -- and WSU scored 10 plays later on a six-yard pass from Connor Halliday to Rickey Galvin for a 21-21 tie.
It was over when:
Tony Washington sacked Connor Halliday for a loss of six yards with 3:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, on fourth down. The Cougars trailed 38-31 and had been driving on the Ducks to the 38-yard line but stalled.
Tweet of the game:
"Face a little adversity and no one has faith. We are just getting started #believer #GoDucks" -- Oregon injured lineman Jake Fisher
Oregon had two receivers with 100 yards for the first time since Oct. 12, 2013. Allen finished with 142 yards and
Keanon Lowe
had a career-high 104.
Of note:
Matt Wogan handled kickoffs from midway through the first quarter after starter Aidan Schneider was apparently injured and couldn't kick. ... Matt Pierson, who started at right tackle for the first time in his career, was replaced by Cameron Hunt in the second half at times. ... Freshman running back Royce Freeman earned his first career start and finished with 75 yards on 20 carries.
-- Andrew Greif |
@andrewgreif