Trick play lifts Ducks

Sun., Sept. 10, 2006

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

FRESNO, Calif. – Kicker Paul Martinez scored on a 4-yard run on a fake field goal with 4 minutes, 55 seconds left and No. 20 Oregon avoided becoming Fresno State’s latest upset victim by using big special teams plays to beat the Bulldogs 31-24 Saturday.

The Ducks (2-0) return home next week with a showdown against No. 15 Oklahoma.

With the score tied at 24 late in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs (1-1) appeared to stop the Ducks on third-and-goal from the 4.

Holder Brady Leaf then took the snap for the field goal and ran to his left, drawing two defenders before tossing the ball to Martinez on an option play. Martinez stumbled in from the 4 for the tiebreaking score.

Oregon’s previous TD was also set up on a key play from a field goal after FSU tied it at 17 on Dwayne Wright’s 1-yard run on the second half’s opening drive.

FSU appeared to seize the momentum when Bear Pascoe blocked Martinez’s 36-yard field-goal attempt. But instead of letting the ball roll dead and taking possession, an FSU player tried to recover the ball. The ball squirted loose and Matt Toeaina recovered at the 5 for the Ducks. Jeremiah Johnson ran it in on the next play to make it 24-17.

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Trick play lifts Ducks

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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