Wildcats suffer first loss

The Associated Press Arizona Daily Wildcat Oregon running back Saladin McCullough gets past Arizona's Jimmy Sprotte (42) and David Fipp (23) during their Pac-10 opener last night in Eugene, Ore. Oregon defeated Arizona 16-9.

Oregon's senior tailback Saladin McCullough took the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown - tied for fifth longest in school history - and a surprising Oregon defense took over from there as the Ducks beat the Wildcats 16-9 in front of 38, 035 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

Arizona had several attempts to get back in the game in the second half, but it seemed as though every time the Wildcat offense got things going, something would go wrong.

"This was a very disappointing night for us," UA head coach Dick Tomey said. "Give our guys credit, they hung in there and played well the second half."

Arizona had a chance to get back into the game on the possession following McCullough's kickoff return.

Arizona drove 57 yards to the Oregon 8-yard-line before Keith Smith fumbled the ball on a run off the right side, killing the drive.

"I've got to take care of the ball better," Smith said. "If I don't fumble on that play, I probably score and that could've changed the whole game. That's just football."

The Arizona defense stood its ground and held Oregon on its next three possessions before a 23 yard scamper by McCullough to the Arizona 2-yard-line led to a touchdown pass from Duck quarterback Akili Smith to tight end Blake Spence - the extra point attempt failed and Oregon led 13-0.

McCullough worked some more of his magic on the Ducks' next drive, as he took the halfback option and connected on a 32-yard pass to Duck wideout Pat Johnson. Four plays later, kicker Joshua Smith connected on a field goal from 19 yards out to put Oregon on top 16-0.

Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti could not say enough about having the luxury of both McCullough and Johnson in his arsenal.

"With (McCullough) and Johnson back there, they'll get many opportunities to touch the ball," he said. "When they get it they can be explosive."

Arizona's offense could not get on track all night, although the statistics tell a different story.

The Wildcats outgained Oregon 312 yards to 183 yards in total offense, including 220 yards through the air between Smith and reserve quarterback Brady Batten.

Smith completed 12 of 21 passes for 116 yards, while Batten converted nine of his 19 attempts for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Batten's touchdown pass came with 21 seconds to go in the game as Brad Brennan came up with the ball after it was tipped by Rodney Williams, who collided with an Oregon defender.

T.J. Rodriquez's point after was no-good, however it was pushed back 15 yards due to an unsportsmanlike penalty on the Wildcats after the score.

Wildcat Chris McAlister seemed to recover the onside kick with 11 seconds remaining but a line referee ruled the ball was touched before the ball traveled the required 10 yards.

Oregon took over possession and ran out the clock.

Tomey said he couldn't remember starting a season on a note like this.

"That kickoff return hurt," he said. "I can not think of a time when we have started a season on that kind of play."

Despite the 16-0 deficit at halftime, Arizona's defense responded with outstanding play. Senior Chester Burnett led the Wildcats with his eight tackles and senior defensive end Mike Szlauko recorded three sacks and two other tackles for a loss.

"We felt better prepared for this," Tomey said. "We just need to get some internal confidence back and we'll be fine. This team still has a chance to be a great team"