Ducks Can't Hold Late Lead, Lose to WSU In Double OT
10/11/15 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
EUGENE, Ore. — Washington State scored in double overtime and picked off an Oregon pass to end the game, completing a comeback from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 45-38 before 57,775 in Autzen Stadium on Saturday.
How It Happened: The Ducks (3-3, 1-2 Pac-12) led 31-21 midway through the fourth quarter, and had the ball with 7:28 but couldn't finish it out. The Cougars (3-2, 1-1) got within a touchdown with a field goal with 3:53 to play, and after holding the Ducks with a three-and-out they drove to the game-tying touchdown with 1 second to play.
Oregon scored quickly in the first overtime, on a 16-yard run by Royce Freeman and a nine-yard TD pass from Jeff Lockie to Bralon Addison. But the Cougars answered with a touchdown, two plays after converting a fourth down to keep the game alive, then won it in double overtime.
Washington State's vaunted pass offense was as advertised early, as the Cougars drove to a quick touchdown to open the game. Oregon answered with a field goal, and on the next drive Taylor Alie replaced Lockie at quarterback in the red zone and immediately rushed for a go-ahead touchdown.
Freeman's first rushing touchdown of the day made it 17-7, but WSU got within three on a touchdown just before halftime, then went ahead 21-17 early in the third quarter. Oregon's defense clamped down from there, however, and Freeman briefly took over. He took a swing pass 17 yards for a go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter, and rushed for another score in the fourth to give Oregon its 31-21 lead.
Who Stood Out: Freeman rushed for a career-high 246 yards with two touchdowns on 27 carries. Defensively, Charles Nelson thrived in his first career start at safety, leading the Ducks with 12 tackles. Torrodney Prevot added nine tackles, two for lost yardage with one sack. Overall the Ducks had seven sacks among their 13 tackles for loss, and forced two turnovers. Washington State quarterback Luke Falk finished 50-of-74 passing for 505 yards with five touchdowns.
What It Means: The Ducks continue to struggle in the absence of quarterback Vernon Adams, but they had their chances Saturday and couldn't finish it off. This is the earliest Oregon has lost three games since 2004, its last losing season, and the first time the Ducks lost consecutive home games since 2002.
Quotable:
Mark Helfrich, UO coach
“We have to learn to finish. Have to learn to grab it by the throat and finish.”
Royce Freeman, UO running back
“You have two choices: You can go downhill from now and give up or you can refocus. We'll see what this team has Monday.”
Notable: Nelson started in place of Reggie Daniels, who did not suit up. Nelson also played a few snaps on offense. … The Ducks had runs of 42, 35, 39, 43 and 49 yards from Freeman and backup Taj Griffin. … The crowd, which endured wind and rain in the third quarter, was the 107th straight sellout of Autzen Stadium.
Up Next: The Ducks play at Washington next Saturday (7:30 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2)
