Jordan McCloud did a lot of good things in his first UA start. But it’s hard to get past five interceptions, including two in the red zone and a pick-six. In general, he operated the offense well and was instrumental in the Wildcats converting a season-high seven third downs (they had nine conversions in three games entering Saturday) and going 4 for 4 on fourth down. McCloud got in trouble at times when he tried to do too much. He rarely threatened the Ducks downfield. His legs were a genuine asset (64 yards on nine carries).
This was by far Arizona’s best rushing performance of the season. Drake Anderson, who had a team-high 67 yards and the Wildcats’ first rushing touchdown of the season, credited the offensive line. UA coach Jedd Fisch praised the backs’ discipline when it came to reading and pressing holes and picking spots to bounce outside. Michael Wiley complemented Anderson with 63 yards. Jalen John and Stevie Rocker Jr. contributed as pass catchers, combining for three receptions that gained 39 yards.
McCloud spread the wealth among multiple targets, but Stanley Berryhill III again led the way. He finished with a game-high five catches for 75 yards and did a nice job of coming back for the ball when necessary. Boobie Curry continued his recent surge, catching 4-49 and providing an outlet for McCloud on third down. Tayvian Cunningham (2-9) was quiet, and it’ll be interesting to see if McCloud can capitalize on his speed downfield. TE Bryce Wolma caught an 11-yard TD pass that Berryhill’s blocking helped facilitate. Fellow TE Alex Lines had a 19-yard reception but got hurt on the play.
Vast improvement from this unit, which had struggled through the first three games. Even Fisch was skeptical that Arizona could simply line up and run the ball at Oregon’s physical front, but the Wildcats did just that, churning out a season-best 202 yards. McCloud was sacked only once, and most of the pressure he faced came on bootlegs when he was outside the pocket. Guard Josh Donovan was flagged twice for false starts, but a handful of those are to be expected at Autzen Stadium.
A mixed bag here. Oregon averaged a robust 6.0 yards per carry, with most of that damage being done on runs right up the gut. Arizona had a season-low three tackles for losses, but two of those were sacks – and one produced a safety. The defensive line collapsed the pocket on Anthony Brown in the third quarter, and DE Mo Diallo dragged him down in the end zone. Diallo had three total tackles in one half of work after sitting out the first two quarters because of a targeting suspension. MLB Treshaun Hayward had a team-high eight tackles.
A pattern has developed regarding Arizona’s secondary. Opponents are creating matchups against the Wildcats’ safeties and taking advantage of them. Gunner Maldonado had good – but not good enough – coverage on TE Terrance Ferguson’s 9-yard TD catch in the second quarter. Maldonado also missed a tackle on Jaylon Redd’s 63-yard TD reception on the opening drive. Christian Young bit hard on an out-and-up in the fourth quarter, leaving Spencer Webb wide open for an 18-yard TD. Arizona did limit Oregon’s quarterbacks to 10-of-24 passing.
The kickoff-return unit had several opportunities to create good field position but couldn’t come through. Arizona averaged just 18.9 yards on eight returns and started five of those possessions inside the 25-yard line (where the ball would be placed on a touchback or fair catch). The biggest blunder came when Jamarye Joiner’s attempted lateral to Wiley was thrown forward, negating a huge gain in what was a one-possession game at the time. Fisch elected to kick a field goal late in the fourth quarter simply to give that unit another game rep, and Lucas Havrisik missed the try from 40 yards. He finished 1 of 2.
Fisch and his staff deserve credit for helping the players maintain their composure after a brutal opening sequence (touchdown on the third play; interception on the first offensive play) that had the home crowd roaring. Fisch finally and wisely committed to the running game (season-high 53 attempts) despite Arizona trailing throughout. He also rediscovered his aggressiveness when it was appropriate (four fourth-down attempts). Don Brown’s defense adjusted against Oregon’s rushing attack; more than half the Ducks’ 187 rushing yards came in the first quarter. The trick play on special teams would have worked with better execution.
