Oregon Defense Stifles Arizona In Pac-10 Opener

Saladin McCullough returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a score and Oregon’s surprising defense held mistake-prone Arizona without a touchdown until the last 14 seconds as the Ducks opened the season with a 16-9 Pac-10 victory over the Wildcats on Thursday night.

Oregon, ninth in the Pac-10 last year in defense by allowing 437 yards and 32 points per game, shut out Arizona in the first half in taking a 16-0 lead, then held on.

Akili Smith, who started for Oregon but shared quarterback duties with Jason Maas, threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Blake Spence for Oregon’s other TD. Maas directed a short drive that resulted in Joshua Smith’s 19-yard field goal as the Ducks beat Arizona for the fourth consecutive time.

Oregon 16, Arizona 9

Arizona 0 0 3 6 - 9

Oregon 7 9 0 0 - 16

Ore-McCullough 93 kickoff return (J.Smith kick), 14:43. Ore-Spence 1 pass from A.Smith (kick failed), 12:40.

Ore-FG J.Smith 19, 9:01. Ari-FG Rodriguez 33, 6:44.

Ari-Brennan 20 pass from Batten (kick failed), :14.

A-38,035.

Ari Ore First downs 18 8 Rushes-yards 37-92 33-71 Passing 220 112 Comp-Att-Int 21-41-0 11-21-1 Return Yards 50 48 Punts-Avg. 10-34.2 11-40.5 Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0 Penalties-Yards 3-32 6-42 Time of Possession 33:00 27:00

RUSHING-Arizona, Canidate 17-73, Eafon 5-27, Batten 1-5, Myles 1-1, Williams 1-(minus 4), K.Smith 12-(minus 10). Oregon, McCullough 21-63, A.Smith 8-12, Maas 4-(minus 4).

PASSING-Arizona, K.Smith 12-21-0-116, Batten 9-19-0-104, Williams 0-1-0-0. Oregon, A.Smith 4-9-1-28, Maas 6-11-0-52, McCullough 1-1-0-32.

RECEIVING-Arizona, Northcutt 8-74, Williams 7-80, Brennan 4-64, Canidate 1-6, Lucky 1-(minus 4). Oregon, Johnson 4-63, Haynes 2-22, Hartley 2-18, Collins 1-5, Winn 1-3, Spence 1-1.