EUGENE, Ore. (9/1/12) – Arkansas State
senior quarterback Ryan Aplin became ASU's all-time leader in total offense and
career passing yards, while senior wide out Josh Jarboe tied the school record
with 13 pass receptions, but the Oregon Ducks countered with 605 yards of total
offense and defeated the Red Wolves 57-34 at Autzen Stadium in the season opener
for both teams.
Aplin passed Corey Leonard to become
ASU's all-time leader in total offense with 9,075 yards. Aplin also passed Cleo
Lemon to become A-State's all-time leader in passing yards with 7,721 yards. He
finished the night 29-of-44 for 304 yards and three touchdown passes, while
Jarboe had 66 yards receiving and a touchdown.
“Our guys came out in the second half
and they really kept fighting,” ASU head coach Guz Malzahn said. “I was very
encouraged that they did because a lot of teams would have shut it down and
they didn't. We challenged them and that is something we can build on for the
rest of the season.”
Oregon put up 417 yards of total
offense in the first half and scored touchdowns on its first seven possessions.
The Ducks jumped out to 29-0 lead before Arkansas State got on the board when
junior kicker Brian Davis connected on a 43-yard field goal with 13:57 left in
the first half.
A-State scored its first touchdown of the night on when
Aplin connected with wide out Julian Jones on a 72-yard pitch-and-catch to make
the score 50-10 and Davis added a 29-yard field goal on A-State's first drive
in the second to close the gap to 50-13.
Aplin connected with Jarboe with 1:53 left in the third
quarter on a 6-yard touchdown pass to trim the Oregon advantage to 50-20, but
the Ducks answered with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Bryan Bennett to pas
Rahsaan Vaughan to push the lead to 57-20.
Carlos McCants hauled in his first career-touchdown pass
with 8:48 left in the game on a 38-yard pass from Aplin on the next drive.
ASU's final score of the night was a 1-yard run from Aplin with 4:30 left in
the game to set the final at 57-34.
David Oku rushed for 81 yards in his debut for ASU,
while Frankie Jackson added 72 yards on seven attempts. Jones finished with two
receptions for a career-high 80 yards, while McCants had one reception for 38
yards and a touchdown.
Andrew Tryon, Nathan Herrold and Qushaun Lee led the Red
Wolves with six tackles. The total was a career-high for Tryon. Chaz Scales had
an interception for the second straight game.
Arkansas State will open its home slate Sept. 8 against
Memphis at 6 p.m.
