Arizona scored 14 third-quarter points but couldn’t erase a 21-point halftime deficit, and the Wildcats fell 37-27 at Oregon State on Saturday.
Arizona snagged momentum on the third play of the game when sophomore cornerback Shaq Richardson intercepted a Sean Mannion pass, giving the Wildcats the ball at the Oregon State 28-yard line.
But Arizona (1-5, 0-2 Pac-12) went three-and-out and struggling kicker Alex Zendejas missed a 38-yard field goal.
Oregon State got the scoring started in the second quarter with a Jovan Stevenson one-yard run that capped off a 17-play, 92-yard drive that took 11:38 off the clock.
Arizona was forced to punt again on its next possession, and the Beavers’ Clayton York blocked Kyle Dugandzic’s punt and returned it 41 yards for another Oregon State (1-5, 1-2) score.
The Wildcats started to claw back when quarterback Nick Foles found Dan Buckner on a 28-yard touchdown strike, but Zendejas missed the extra point, making the score 14-6.
After Arizona got the ball following an OSU field goal, Foles had a pass intercepted after it was tipped at the line of scrimmage. The Beavers marched 39 yards in six plays, scoring their third touchdown when Mannion found tight end Joe Halahuni for a three-yard completion with just 16 seconds remaining in the half.
Arizona tackle Jack Baucus then muffed the Oregon State kickoff — which was squibbed down the middle of the field — and the Beavers recovered at the Arizona 36-yard line.
OSU kicker Trevor Romaine connected on a 40-yard field goal to end the half with the Beavers leading, 27-6.
Mannion finished the game with 267 yards on 32-of-41 passing, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Arizona turned the ball over on its first two second-half possessions, but scored two touchdowns in a 20-second span after a 13-yard Keola Antolin rush, followed by a Shaq Richardson interception return for a touchdown.
The Wildcats had the ball at their own 5-yard line with a chance to tie the game or take the lead, but went three-and-out. Oregon State scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive to take a 37-27 lead.
Arizona opted to go for a fourth-down conversion on 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line, trailing by 10. Foles’ pass was dropped by Buckner, and OSU took over on downs.
Buckner finished the game with eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown. Arizona mustered only 53 yards on the ground.
Foles threw for354 yards and a score on 29-of-39 passing, but threw two interceptions.
Arizona next plays on Oct. 20 against UCLA.
