Game preview
continued from page 1B
as we stay on top of the Pac-10, every
body’s going to be gunning for us. ”
The significance of this upcoming
game is paramount. At the start of the
season, conference analysts labeled
Oregon’s first three games against
UCLA, Washington and Southern
California as the make-or-break por
tion of its schedule. Nobody antici
pated Arizona coming into Eugene
with a share of the Pac-10 lead.
We have everything to
lose in this game, and
everything to gain as well.
Joey Harrington
quarterback
Oregon Ducks
But here come the Wildcats, hun
gry for a win and in the thick of the
Rose Bowl race.
“This is the biggest game we’ve
played this year, by far,” Oregon
head coach Mike Bellotti said. “This
is the only other undefeated team in
the conference. That, in and of itself,
is great motivation. ”
Arizona is riding high after beating
a surging Washington State team in
triple overtime on Saturday. Howev
er, Wildcat head coach Dick Tomey is
well aware of the challenge that
awaits his team in Eugene.
“They'll have to be better at Ore
gon,” Tomey said. “I don't think
we’ve seen a defensive line like Ore
gon's yet. Oregon is terrific, better
than last year because of its defense. ”
The Ducks’ fate may rest on the
arm of Harrington, who had the best
game of his career last Saturday
against the Trojans, connecting 28
of 42 passes for 382 yards and four
touchdowns. Harrington and the
Oregon receivers were off-and-on
through the first five games of the
season.
Establishing the passing game
early should be a priority for the
Ducks, as Arizona has the best rush
ing defense in the conference. In six
games, the Wildcats have held op
ponents to an average of 70.5 yards
on the ground per outing.
In fact, Arizona’s defense is fifth
best in the nation when defending
the run. The Wildcats’ overall de
fense ranks first nationally with 25
forced turnovers, has the third-best
turnover ratio at +2.17 average and
has recorded a whopping 22 sacks.
Arizona comerback Michael Jo
livette, a freshman, ranks third na
tionally in interceptions with five
picks this season. A pair of senior
defensive ends — Joe Tafoya and
Idris Haroon—have taken turns be
ing Pac-10 Players of the Week this
season, as has Jolivette.
“We have to prepare for a differ
ent defense,” Bellotti said. “They’re
a very unconventional, non-tradi
tional defense and offense in terms
of the formations and the schemes
that they use.”
Speaking of defense, Oregon
played well enough against USC to
preserve its No. 1 Pac-10 ranking,
despite 152 yards rushing by Trojan
tailback Sultan McCollough. On the
road, the Ducks have let opponents
slip some big plays through its ‘D.’
Wisconsin and USC rushed for a
combined total of 531 yards.
At Autzen, however, Oregon’s de
fensive line is seemingly impenetra
ble, giving up just 218 total rushing
yards to four opponents.
“We haven’t put together a com
plete game yet,” defensive end Ja
son Nikolao said. “We haven’t
blown anybody out yet, as far as I’m
concerned.
“Watch this game on Saturday.
Don’t miss it. You’re going to see a
pumped-up, angry Oregon team.”
Dan Brunei! Emerald
The Ducks are pumped up to face the Arizona Wildcats this weekend, as the winner will take sole control of the Pac-10 Conference.
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