The Pac-10 : Arizona Reduces Cougars’ RPMs, 12-7

Max Zendejas kicked four field goals, and Arizona’s defense stymied Washington State’s RPM offense for a 12-7 victory Saturday night at Tucson, Ariz.

The win improved Arizona’s record to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play while the Cougars fell to 1-2, all in conference.

Zendejas kicked a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter, a 52-yarder in the third and then put Arizona ahead to stay, 9-7, with a 30-yarder on the first play of the fourth period.

The decisive field goal came after a 28-yard touchdown run by Wildcat tailback David Adams was nullified by a clipping penalty.

Zendejas added his fourth field goal from 45 yards out with 4:53 remaining in the game. He missed a 53-yard try in the first quarter, but his 4-for-5 effort tied a school record.

Washington State took a 7-0 lead as quarterback Mark Rypien went to Rueben Mayes for 45 yards in 10 carries for 45 yards before running back Kerry Porter capped the 80-yard drive with a one-yard scoring run.

However, the Wildcats stiffened and allowed the Cougars just 197 total yards--69 rushing--in the game. Arizona rolled up 263 yards in total offense, 185 on the ground.

Rypien completed 13 of 22 passes for 128 yards. He was intercepted twice and sacked four times. Mayes had 94 yards in 22 carries while Porter managed just six yards in nine carries.

Oregon State 23, California 20--Jim Nielsen kicked a 20-yard field goal as time expired to give the Beavers a conference victory over the Bears at Portland.

Oregon State (2-0), off to its best start in 18 years, had a 20-13 lead after three quarters, but Cal tied the score on a one-yard run by Todd Powers with 13:10 to play.

Wilhelm, who threw four first-half interceptions, connected with Bynum for two touchdowns, the last a 66-yard pass play that put the Beavers on top, 20-13, with 5:10 left in the third quarter.

Wilhelm also had a 22-yard touchdown pass to Dave Montagne to give Oregon State a 13-10 lead with 22 seconds left in the first half.

Cal (1-2) scored its first touchdown on a bizarre play early in the second quarter when Leland Rix, attempting a field goal, got a bad snap and shuffled the ball to Don Noble for two yards and the score.

Rix kicked field goals of 42 and 30 yards.

Colorado 21, Oregon 17--Quarterback Mark Hatcher’s 22-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run lifted the Buffaloes to a nonconference victory over the Ducks at Boulder, Colo.

Colorado (2-0) took a 14-0 first-quarter lead, scoring on its first two possessions on runs of 10 yards by Anthony Weatherspoon and three yards by Hatcher.

The Ducks rallied, taking advantage of three of four Colorado turnovers to take a 17-14 lead.

Matt McCleod kicked a 47-yard field goal after the first of three Buffalo fumbles. Five minutes later, Tony Cherry converted a Colorado fumble into a score with a two-yard run.

Oregon took advantage of a third-quarter interception to grab a 17-14 lead on a five-yard touchdown pass from Chris Miller to Bobby DeBisschop.

The Ducks threatened twice late in the game, but David Tate intercepted Miller’s pass at the Colorado 10-yard line, and Mickey Pruitt sacked Miller at the 10 on fourth down as time ran out.