It took just one play from scrimmage for one of the nation’s most impressive streaks to end. The play also served as an omen for how the first half would play out.
To open the game, Troy Hill returned the ball 40 yards to the Arizona 45-yard line. The next play, Marcus Mariota threw a short pass to Bralon Addison toward the Arizona sideline. Addison got both hands on the ball but couldn’t reel it in. The dropped pass appeared to be heading out of bounds but Wildcats cornerback Shaquille Richardson made a tremendous diving play, tossing the ball back in play with his right hand to teammate Scooby Wright, who caught it and returned it 13 yards.
Mariota had gone 353 pass attempts without an interception, his last one coming against Stanford last season on Nov. 17, 2012.
After the crazy interception, Arizona marched down the field and scored a touchdown on a 6-yard run by Ka’Deem Carey, his 13th rushing touchdown of the season.
The Ducks couldn’t bounce back on the next drive, going three-and-out after gaining just one yard. The drive ended on a dropped pass by De’Anthony Thomas after a perfect pass by Mariota down the middle of the field. The pass would’ve gone for at least 20 yards and a first down for the Ducks.
The Wildcats took advantage of Oregon’s missed opportunity, scoring a touchdown the following drive. On a third-and-one play at the Oregon 12, Oregon linebacker Rahim Cassell was called for an encroachment penalty, giving Arizona a first down. The Wildcats would score their touchdown two plays later on a 9-yard pass from B.J. Denker to Nate Phillips.
The Ducks finally got something going on the next drive, going from their own 20-yard line to the Arizona six. But yet again, mistakes hurt Oregon.
Mariota waltzed in for a touchdown on a 3rd-and-6, but the score was negated by a holding penalty from Pharaoh Brown with 2:58 left in 1st quarter. The Ducks would have to settle for a 33-yard field goal by Matt Wogan.
The next drive, Arizona scored another TD on a 5-yard pass from Denker to receiver Terrence Miller, putting them up 21-3. Denker had a huge first half, passing for 142 yards on 13-of-15 passing and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 41 yards. Carey rushed for 95 yards on 24 carries (4.0 yards per carry) and two touchdowns, while Miller had 86 passing yards.
With 7:39 left in the half, the Ducks finally got on the board, but it took a close throw-and-catch to do so. On 4th-and-goal from the one, Mariota threw one up to Brown in the middle of the end zone for a bobbled catch. The Ducks went for two the next play but couldn’t convert.
The Ducks are actually neck-in-neck with Arizona in total yards but their two turnovers, an interception form Mariota and a fumble by Thomas Tyner with 5:20 left in the half, cost them. The Wildcats also had two punts (one by Denker) to pin Oregon deep in their territory.
Arizona’s final touchdown came with 18 seconds to go in the half. Carey rushed the ball up the gut for a 1-yard score.
Mariota went 12-for-18 for 130 yards and one touchdown, rushing for 29 more yards on 4 carries. Thomas contributed 121 total yards (65 rushing, 56 receiving), as well.
Oregon running back Byron Marshall was ruled out for the game with a injury to his ankle. He rushed for four yards on three carries
What to watch for in the second half:
Can Oregon’s defense contain Denker?
Can they stop Carey, who will surely get the bulk of the carry load in the second half?
Can Oregon force some turnovers?
Can Oregon find a rhythm in the rushing game?
Can Oregon make some big plays?
Follow Victor Flores on Twitter @vflores415