Arizona State Beats Oregon 31-28 As Ducks Playoff Hopes Crumble

A packed house at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, saw their hometown Arizona State Sun Devils defeat the number six-ranked Oregon Ducks in a close 31-28 victory. Unranked Arizona State (6-5) pulled off a stunning upset over Oregon (9-2) killing Oregon’s playoff chances and turning out to be a tough night for the Pac-12. Number seven Utah (10-1) defeated Arizona (4-7) by a score of 35-7 on Saturday. But the Utes needed a playoff contender to validate a Pac-12 title game. That playoff contender was Oregon who will face Utah on December 6. So, with an Oregon loss, Utah peripherally loses, putting them, and the Pac-12, at risk.

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Oregon senior quarterback Justin Herbert had the worst passing sequence of his college career with two consecutive interception pass plays in the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Ducks offense had a tough time all game, averaging just 17 yards in the second quarter alone. Scoreless for two consecutive quarters, Oregon put up 21 points in the fourth, with Arizona State almost matching with 18. However, two field goals by the Sun Devils in the second and third quarters respectively seemed to be pivotal in a well fought victory. Herbert, who began to make quite the name for himself, seemed to have lost some allure with his defeat to a first-year quarterback.

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Arizona State’s freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels had quite an impressive game, throwing for 408 yards with three touchdowns. Receiver Brandon Aiyuk had 161 yards with seven catches. A huge 81-yard touchdown reception in the fourth put the game just out of arms’ reach for the mighty Oregon Ducks. Junior Eno Benjamin ran for 114 yards on 31 carries, proving an impressive team effort all around for the Sun Devils.

The Oregon Ducks (9-2) will host Oregon State (5-6) on November 30 at home, while Arizona State (6-5) takes on Arizona (4-7) next on November 30 at home as well.