Mistakes, turnovers doom Arizona Football at No. 3 Oregon

EUGENE, OR – A week after losing to NAU at home, Arizona Football put forth a competitive effort against No. 3 Oregon, but lost 41-19. 

On a cool, crisp evening in Eugene, Arizona Football threw for 233 yards and ran 202 yards, scoring 19 points against the No. 3 Oregon Ducks, however, turnovers and penalties doomed the Wildcats in this one.

Turning to Jordan McCloud for the start, the Wildcats were looking for more consistency at quarterback, and an ability to lead the offense. On Saturday, we didn’t quite get all of that, but the Cats certainly showed glimpses.

On the first Arizona offensive play of the game, McCloud threw his first of five interceptions. A few series later, he would throw another. And in the second half, he would throw three more, one of which went for six points.

While McCloud’s performance on Saturday evening will mostly be marred by his five interceptions, however, lost in his performance was that he still led the Wildcats on a few impressive drives and even threw for a touchdown, an 11-yard strike to tight end Bryce Wolma.

Trailing just 24-19 after three quarters, costly turnovers would doom Arizona Football in the fourth quarter.

Coming into this one, Arizona needed a more competitive showing, after seemingly regressing the three previous weeks. However, the task would be a daunting one as the Cats took on the No. 3 team in the country.

Well on Saturday, for three quarters, Arizona looked competitive and the complete opposite of the team that showed up against Northern Arizona last weekend.

Playing the Ducks close and even pulling within five points late in the third quarter, the Wildcats showed the same confidence that we saw against BYU. But ultimately, the Wildcats just didn’t have enough to pull off the upset against No. 3 Oregon.

A couple of scores and a pick-six would put this one out of reach as the Ducks ran away with the 41-19 victory.

However, while the score doesn’t necessarily indicate it, this was a better and more competitive showing by the Wildcats. The hope is that Arizona can build from here, and continue to put more competent and competitive showings moving forward.

Listen to coach Fisch following the teams’ loss…