EUGENE — Oregon had its most interceptions since 1999, including a pick-six, that led to 17 points in its win over Arizona.
Bennett Williams had two interceptions, including a 68-yard return for touchdown that sealed a 41-19 win, as the No. 3 Ducks racked up five interceptions against the Wildcats on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.
It’s the most interceptions in a game for Oregon since it had six against Cal on Nov. 13, 1999.
“As a defense, that’s the best feeling, getting those takeaways,” Williams said. “We want three every game, so five feels pretty good. It’s so much fun and it fuels the whole team, not just the defense.”
After Oregon scored on its opening drive, Williams intercepted Jordan McCloud’s first pass of the game to give the Ducks the ball back at Arizona’s 25-yard line. The offense stalled and settled for a 21-yard field goal that made it 10-0 at 10:51 of the first quarter.
“Had my eyes on the (running) back and I think our D-line forced the overthrow and was just fortunate enough to be there for it,” Williams said. “I dove for it and I’m like, dang, I could’ve taken that one (to the end zone) if I stayed on my feet.”
Mykael Wright intercepted McCloud in the end zone early in the second quarter and Oregon drove 80 yards on eight plays to take a 24-7 lead.
Verone McKinley III intercepted McCloud on the opening drive of the third quarter to give Oregon the ball back at its own 2-yard line, but Anthony Brown Jr. was sacked in the end zone for a safety.
It was the fourth interception of the season for McKinley, who has interceptions in three straight games, and back-to-back weeks for Williams.
“They’re spending a lot of time in the film room,” Oregon coach Mario Cristobal said. “(Safeties coach Marcel) Yates has done an unbelievable job with those guys and they’re hungry to be great. They know that we can be an excellent defense. They understand the game so well. They have such a positive effect on others. They’re ballhawks; on top of that, too, they’re physical. They get downhill in a hurry and they get guys on the ground. They’re really good tacklers.”
With Oregon leading 34-19 in the fourth, Arizona drove into UO territory when Williams snagged his second interception, which he returned for a touchdown and the final score of the game.
“Caught it and ran towards the middle of the field, I’m like, I probably shouldn’t be in the middle of the field with all these big linemen, let me go back to the sideline, back to the numbers where I’m supposed to,” Williams said. “All my blockers are there, they did a great job, and saw the end zone and felt like it was taking me forever to get there and had to score that one, so that felt good.
“After I broke that second tackle, as I was cutting back, I saw nothing but green grass and green jerseys in front of me. I have to score, I can’t leave another one on the table.”
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