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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend October 15, 2006 Ducks pound Bruins with ground attack By SHAWN MILLER for the Mail Tribune EUGENE — Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart said he checked out UCLA's defensive stats prior to Saturday's matchup at Autzen Stadium. The Bruins ranked first in the Pacific-10 Conference in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense as well as second in the nation in rushing defense and total defense. "You have to respect that," Stewart said. And yet the Ducks ran all over the Bruins during a 30-20 win in front of 58,618, the fourth-largest crowd in stadium history. Stewart rushed for 121 yards and the Oregon offense finished with 256 rushing yards, more than five times the average rushing yards per game UCLA was allowing. Advertisement "UCLA has a great defense. You can't take nothing away from them," Oregon center Enoka Lucas said. "But today we were just a better team." Prior to the game, the Bruins allowed 50 rushing yards per game, while the Ducks averaged 197 rushing yards per game. Both ranked in the top of the conference, but on Oregon's second possession it was clear which team would be dominant. The Ducks surpassed the 50-yard mark rushing — on just their eighth attempt — midway through the first quarter. On the next play, Jeremiah Johnson scored on a 7-yard run to give the Ducks a 13-0 lead. Three Ducks rushed for at least 65 yards as quarterback Dennis Dixon and Johnson gained 69 and 66 yards on the ground, respectively. "The more we ran the ball, the more they got tired," Lucas said. "When you can run the ball and it's first-and-10 and you run for a first down, that just takes a blow off the defense." FOLLOWING OREGON'S FIRST touchdown — an 11-yard pass from Dixon to Dante Rosario — the Ducks missed the extra point for the first time of the season. UCLA's Justin Hickman was credited with the block and kicker Paul Martinez, who has been battling a groin injury, did not attempt a kick for the rest of the game. "He's still recovering a little bit," said Matt Evensen, who made Oregon's final three extra points and added a 22-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Evensen had a 45-yard field goal attempt blocked by Will Peddie in the fourth quarter. "They had a good push up through the middle," Evensen said. "It could have been a low kick, but they were definitely coming through and getting their hands up." Late in the fourth quarter, Johnson muffed a punt, which UCLA recovered at the Oregon 19-yard line. The Bruins scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by Kahlil Bell — his second of the game — to close the gap to 30-20 with two minutes remaining. Oregon's Ryan Keeling recovered the onside kick attempt moments later to seal the victory. The Ducks also recovered an onside kick in the third quarter. As Oregon ran to kick off as normal, Evensen knocked the ball to his left like a soccer player and Jordan Kent jumped on the loose ball at the Oregon 47-yard line. "That was picture perfect, I'd say," Evensen said. "We've been doing that all week because we had three guys on their one, so we knew it would be open. That was definitely the best one I've done. "It's real tricky because I come on and I have to slow down. It's more of a chip shot. I'm used to that in soccer. I kind of hit it on the flat side of my foot so it just pops it up." Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com