Davis and Defense Lead Cougars, 21-7 : Pacific 10: Injuries, 10 sacks hamper Ducks, who are held to 27 rushing yards in 41 carries.

Coach Mike Price could only ponder the irony of quarterback Chad Davis winning a game with his feet.

“Chad Davis transfers from Oklahoma because he doesn’t like the option, and so he runs the option for a touchdown,” Price said Saturday after No. 22 Washington State wore down Oregon, 21-7, to remain unbeaten in Pacific 10 play.

The Cougars sacked Duck quarterbacks 10 times and kept the pressure on in the first half so Davis and his teammates could win it in the second.

Oregon was hampered by injuries to its starting quarterback and a standout receiver.

After a defensive battle in the first half, Davis came back in the second to run 27 yards for a touchdown and hit Eric Moore on a three-yard scoring pass.

“We scored two touchdowns and we put together a real nice drive” in the fourth quarter, Price said. “We did try to force the ball deep a little more than we have, but we got back to what the defense gave us in the second half.”

Washington State, 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Pac-10, held Oregon (3-3, 1-1) to 70 yards passing and allowed only 27 yards rushing in 41 carries.

Washington State gained 279 yards, including 165 from Davis, who completed 13 of 29 passes.

“I think their defense is very good,” Oregon Coach Rich Brooks said. “It got a real assist with our injuries in the offensive line and injuries to our best receiver (Cristin McLemore) . . . and the quarterback who had taken all the snaps.”

Oregon senior quarterback Danny O’Neil, the starter until sidelined for two games by an infection on his passing hand, was pressed into action when his replacement, Tony Graziani, sprained his left ankle in the first quarter.

Davis put the Cougars ahead for good at the end of the third quarter, running 27 yards for a score after converting a third-and-17 situation.