Unbeaten Cougars Get Defensive

So much for the Great Northwest Shootout.

What was expected a high-scoring game by two explosive offenses turned into a defensive struggle Saturday with just enough big Washington State plays to give the undefeated, 15th-ranked Cougars a 24-13 victory over Oregon.

“You read the papers and everybody said it was going to be an offensive shootout, so we took it kind of personal,” said Washington State defensive tackle Gary Holmes, who intercepted a pass, deflected another for an interception and blocked a field goal.

Michael Black, who rushed for 114 yards in 24 carries, scored two touchdowns and Rian Lindell kicked a game-clinching 28-yard field goal with 3 1/2 minutes left for Washington State, 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Pacific 10.

“One thing about being 5-0 is that three of them were on the road and two were against pretty good teams in USC and Oregon,” Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf said. “We’ve got six games left and five them are in the state of Washington.”

Washington State had a surprisingly tough time moving the ball against an Oregon defense that had given up 98 points and 1,050 yards in its two previous games.

“Their defense was a lot better than they looked on film,” Leaf said.

The Ducks (3-2, 1-2) squandered numerous scoring opportunities because of penalties and dropped passes on a windy and, in the second half, wet afternoon.

Oregon had a 415-351 advantage in yards and ran 26 more plays than Washington State. The Ducks drove inside the Washington State 20 six times, but had just two field goals and one touchdown to show for it.

“I tend to think that we stopped ourselves more than they stopped us,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said.

Holding penalties ruined two of the drives, and Holmes blocked Joshua Smith’s 35-yard field goal try to thwart another threat. Holmes also had one of three first-half interceptions for the Cougars.

* NEXT FOR UCLA

WHO: Oregon

WHERE: Autzen Stadium

WHEN: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

TV: FX

RADIO: AM 1150