Washington State Cougars Shock Oregon Ducks In Autzen Stadium

Washington State Cougars Shock Oregon Ducks In Autzen Stadium

Eugene, Oregon – After a disappointing loss to the CAL Bears a week ago, Washington State achieved a much needed win against the Oregon Ducks on the road. The record puts WSU with a 3-2 overall record and 1-1 in PAC-12 play.

Heading into half time WSU was down 17-14. After a defensive stop opening the 3^rd quarter, Oregon punted the ball away. The Cougars answered with a touchdown, taking a 21-17 lead. The battle between the two northwest teams would result in several lead changes, setting up for a wild finish.

Oregon had a 10-point lead with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. Momentum appeared in the Ducks’ favor, following a WSU fumble by freshmen running back Keith Harrington. Not to be denied WSU marched into Oregon’s territory and settled with a field goal, making it 31-24 Ducks. WSU’s defense made a big stop, making Oregon punt the ball away, giving the Cougar offense a chance to tie up the game.

WSU quarterback (QB), Luke Falk engineered a stellar drive in the final minutes of regulation. The WSU offense drove down the field with passing precision and an effective running attack by Gerard Wicks and Jamal Morrow propelling the Cougs into Oregon territory. Falk nailed in the drive finding WR, Dom Williams in the end zone. With the extra point good, WSU launched the game into overtime with a 31-31 score.

At the end of regulation, Oregon opened OT with a passing touchdown, via QB Jeff Lockie to WR Bralon Addison, resulting in a 38-31 Oregon lead. WSU answered right back with a QB scrabble by Falk into the end zone, leading the game into a second OT. The Cougars opened with a passing touchdown that may have stopped the heart rate of all Cougar fans including myself. 1^st and goal, Falk threw a pass to WR, River Cracraft. Catching on the one-yard-line, Cracraft stretched himself into the end zone. As he fell on his knee, an Oregon defender ripped the ball out. WR Robert Lewis; secured the ball for a 45-38 Cougar lead. The game would end in double OT after Oregon was denied a touchdown by a stout Cougar defense. Lockie’s pass was intercepted by Safety, Shalom Luani, sealing a wild come-from-behind victory.

WSU Stat pack – Luke Falk may have had the best game of his collegiate career, completing 50 of 74 passes for 505 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions.

Running game report – WSU ran the ball 30 times for 136 yds.

Passing report – In an Air-Raid offense, the ball is thrown all over the field. Falk threw to 10 different receivers, honorable mention include, Gabe Marks, 8 receptions, 111 yards and 2 TD’s, River Cracraft, 9 receptions, 85 yards and Dom Williams, 7 receptions, 82 yards.

Oregon Stat pack – Third string QB, Jeff Lockie got the start and deserves his due, he did all that was expected of him, to keep Oregon in the game; 13 of 22 completed passes for 123 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Running game report – Typically when a team runs the ball successfully your chances of winning are high because a great running game opens up the passing lanes. Oregon did that and then some with 410 rushing yards, highlighted by Royce Freeman’s performance, 27 carries, 256 yards and 2 TD’s. However, Lockie threw a modest 123 yards, relying too much on the running game. Freeman carried the team on his back, but came up just short.

Passing report – With a third string QB starting the game, a tremendous amount of pressure is put on the running game. This is exactly what unfolded in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon receivers accounted for 123 yards.

Why WSU won this game:

1.     WSU ran the ball effectively: As I stated earlier, an Air-Raid offense relies heavily on passing. After all Falk threw the ball 74 times with zero interceptions. How did Falk not throw a single interception you may ask? WSU kept the Oregon defense off balance with 136 rushing yards. A key to a masterful Air-Raid offense is to throw the ball successfully and threaten the defense with a big running play every so often. WSU successfully accomplished this.

2.     WSU made defensive stops when it mattered most: Let me be honest, when the opposing team puts up 38 points on your defense, this would be hardly considered a victory on the defensive side. They denied Oregon touchdowns and held them to field goals in crunch time. In the fourth quarter with eight minutes left, Oregon held a 10-point lead. WSU answered back with a field goal to chip away at the Ducks’ lead. After a stout defensive performance, Oregon punted the ball away (a field goal would have ended it), allowing WSU a chance to tie the game with their best formula, lots of passing and a couple of big running plays.

3.     Game time decision: After Falk orchestrated a last second touchdown; one of the assistant WSU coaches’ screamed at WSU head coach, Mike Leach, to go for two. There was no hesitation by Leach to settle for one. Although he did not explain why he opted for the extra kick, my guess is because he trusted his defensive to make another crucial stop down the stretch and they certainly did in double overtime.

Why Oregon lost the game:

1.     When a third string QB starts the game it puts your team at a severe disadvantage by relying too much on the running game. However, Lockie deserves some credit for putting together a decent performance, by keeping his team in the game. The WSU defense warrants credit for holding Oregon to one rushing touchdown in the second half.

2.     A severe stat disadvantage: WSU ran the ball for more yards (136 yards) then Oregon passed the ball (123 yards).

3.     Play calling mistakes – As I stated earlier, Lockie kept Oregon in the game and delivered when called upon. In the first OT, he found Addison in the end zone for a touchdown. In the second OT, Oregon head coach; Mark Helfrich stuck to the passing game as suppose to giving the ball to his dynamic running back, Royce Freeman. Oregon’s ground attack is what enabled them to stay in the game and should have been the offensive play calling for the Ducks in second OT, thereby giving Oregon the best opportunity to win the game.

Looking ahead:

WSU will host the Oregon State Beavers at home next Saturday. WSU is 3-2 overall with a 1-1 record in PAC-12 play. Oregon State is 2-3 overall with a 0-2 record in PAC-12 play. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. on the PAC-12 Networks.

Oregon will look to bounce back in Seattle against Washington. Oregon is 3-3 overall with a 1-2 record in PAC-12 play. Washington is 3-2 overall with a 1-1 record in PAC-12 play. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.