Duck Hunting

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior tailback Trung Canidate (30) runs through an opening in NLU's defensive line last Saturday at Arizona Stadium. Canidate leads Arizona in rushing with 494 yards.

But having the top-rated defense might chase those demons away.

No. 12-ranked Oregon (6-1 overall, 3-1 Pacific 10 Conference) and its high-powered offense will slam into No. 13 Arizona's (7-1, 3-1) speed-laden defense tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 in Arizona Stadium.

"It seems like it's been one every week," Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said in regard to the importance of the game. "But I'm very pleased with where we're at right now."

Bellotti has the Ducks tied for second place in the Pac-10 and leading the conference in offense, spitting out an average of 504.4 yards per game this season, while also throwing in 44 points per game.

Last week's 17-13 win over Southern Cal was Oregon's lowest scoring output of the year, but UA head coach Dick Tomey said that doesn't have the Wildcats thinking that the Ducks are slowing down.

Instead, he said the Oregon defense was what really stood out last week.

"They held USC to 13 points, completely shut down (wide receiver) R. Jay Soward," Tomey said. "They completely shut down USC's return game."

Oregon's defense was at the top of the Pac-10 before they went to Pasadena to play UCLA, a game they lost in overtime 41-38.

Now, Arizona's defense has regained its traditional position of being the Pac-10's best, giving up an average of only 315.5 yards per game.

"Arizona's always been known to have a strong defense," junior inside linebacker Scooter Sprotte said. "It's because we always have some of the best defensive coaches in the nation."

The Wildcats are coming off back-to-back dominating defensive performances, shutting down Oregon State 28-7 and slamming Northeast Louisiana last week 45-7.

Arizona's defense is led up front by senior defensive tackle Daniel Greer, who had three sacks against the Indians and leads the team with 4.5 sacks on the year.

It will be the job of Greer and his mates on the line to put the pressure on Oregon senior quarterback Akili Smith (103 of 185 passing, 1,870 yards, 19 TD, 5 INT) and to stuff a banged up Duck ground game.

"He's doing great," Sprotte said of Smith. "He's really carried their offense this year. It was impressive especially when they lost (running back Reuben) Droughns."

With Droughns out for the season, the bulk of the running game has fallen on Smith and junior tailback Derien Latimer. Smith has 167 yards on 41 carries and two rushing touchdowns, while Latimer has 188 yards on 50 carries and two touchdowns.

As to whether or not Oregon has any less of a running game, Tomey said, "You wouldn't have know that in the second half last week.

"They took the ball against USC and shoved it down their throats. I think the reason for their running game being successful has more to do with the guys up front than the guys running the ball."

The Ducks' passing game, though, is not being overlooked. Arizona's secondary, led by senior cornerback Chris McAlister (11 passes broken up, 2 INT), has the task of stopping Smith from getting the ball to his receivers.

"He is the best," Smith said of McAlister. "A real solid, good corner. He is a great athlete."

Last weekend McAlister was matched up on NLU's top receiver, Marty Booker, for most of the game. As to whether or not he'll be put on Oregon's Damon Griffin (642 yards, 5 TD) in the same fashion is something McAlister said he does not yet know.

"He's a great athlete, though, so maybe," McAlister said.

Griffin, like Arizona's Jeremy McDaniel, sat out last season because of an injury.

"When you sit out for a year you take tremendous advantage of the opportunity to play," Bellotti said.

While the Ducks' offense has been the centerpiece of their attack, their defense has held most of their opponents in check.

"I like their whole front," Tomey said. "They play really hard. I'd hate to name one guy. They change up their coverage really well. I think our two defenses are both like that up front."

Defensive end Terry Miller leads the team with four sacks, but Oregon's real strength comes from its trio of linebackers.

Middle linebacker Aaron Cheuvront leads the team with 55 tackles, followed by inside linebacker Chris Vandiver with 54 and outside linebacker Dietrich Moore with 52. Each of them has a sack as well.

All will be trying to stop a resurgent Arizona running game, led by junior Trung Canidate (494 yards, 3 TD).

"We need to have a good running game if we're going to win," he said.

Canidate said he is feeling "100 percent" right now, but he expects to reach 110 percent soon.

"I haven't peaked yet," he said. "You usually don't peak till later in the season, but I'm almost there."

While Canidate keeps Oregon busy on the ground, the Ducks' secondary will face two of the most talented receivers in the Pac-10 in senior McDaniel (614 yards, 8 TD) and junior Dennis Northcutt (759 yards, 6 TD).

Passing to them will be Arizona's quarterback duo, junior Keith Smith (80 of 117 passing, 1,117 yards, 9 TD, 5 INT) and sophomore Ortege Jenkins (56 of 111, 825 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT).

"I think the combination of Keith Smith and Ortege Jenkins is very formidable," Bellotti said. "They have (the) same capabilities put together that Akili has on his own."

Arizona's Smith said the Wildcats have no illusions about the importance of this game.

"This game is huge. This is going to be a bowl game in itself," he said. "It's going to be a UCLA-Oregon type of battle that goes down to the wire."

Chris Jackson can be reached via e-mail at Chris.Jackson@wildcat.arizona.edu.