Led by junior running back Ka’Deem Carey, the Arizona Wildcats upset the No. 5 Oregon Ducks 42-16 at home.
Arizona (7-4, 4-4 Pac-12) scored late in the third quarter off a 70-yard drive, concluding with Carey’s 9-yard rushing touchdown, his third of the game. Carey set a school record for career rushing yards after a 20-yard carry on the third play of the drive.
The Wildcat defense held Oregon scoreless in the third quarter, as time expired with Arizona leading 35-9.
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota opened the fourth quarter with a 2-yard completion to wide receiver Josh Huff.
Carey responded with his 49th career touchdown, breaking another school record, with 8:59 left in the game. The 1-yard touchdown was Carey’s 42nd rush of the game and extended the Wildcats’ lead to 42-16.
Shaquille Richardson intercepted Mariota’s pass at Arizona’s 3-yard line with 5:40 left. The Wildcats held the ball to end the game.
Arizona didn’t miss a beat the entire game. On the opening play, Mariota’s pass was tipped by Richardson to teammate linebacker Scooby Wright for an interception. The Wildcats capitalized on Wright’s interception with a 6-yard carry by Carey for a touchdown three minutes into the game.
The UA scored again on its second possession off quarterback B.J. Denker’s 9-yard pass to wide receiver Nate Phillips, eating up 3:52 and going 59 yards.
Oregon was held to a 33-yard field goal by Matt Wogan on its third drive of the game after a series of penalties, including a holding call against the Ducks that negated Mariota’s rushing touchdown.
At the end of the first quarter, Oregon trailed Arizona 14-3.
Wide receiver Terrence Miller caught a 5-yard pass from Denker for a touchdown to open the second quarter. Kicker Jake Smith connected on his third extra point of the game to put Arizona up 21-3 after the 83-yard drive.
Oregon responded to the Wildcats with a touchdown by tight end Pharaoh Brown off a 1-yard pass from Mariota. The Ducks attempted a two-point conversion, but kicker Wogan fell short of the goal line.
Carey closed out the half with a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 18 seconds left. The Wildcats drove for 59 yards on 6 plays in 42 seconds after Oregon was stopped on fourth down.
The Wildcats forced three turnovers in the game, the second coming from a forced fumble by spur Tra’Mayne Bondurant that was recovered by free safety Jourdon Grandon late in the second quarter.
Carey also broke his record of carries in one game, rushing for 206 yards for four touchdowns on 48 attempts. Denker finished 19-for-22 passing with 178 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Jake Fisher recorded 14 tackles, eight of which were solo.
—Follow Nicole Cousins @cousinnicole
