Oregon Shines at the End as Usual

EL PASO —  Oregon had a double edge over Minnesota--in bowl game experience and close calls.

Both came in handy Friday when the unranked Ducks upset the No. 12 Golden Gophers, 24-20, in the Sun Bowl on Keenan Howry’s sliding catch of a 10-yard pass from Joey Harrington with 1:32 left.

“We’ve done that so many times this year,” Harrington said. “I don’t want to say it’s becoming old hat, but . . . we just have a feeling in the huddle. No one is nervous. No one is fidgety. Everyone just knows we’re going to come down and get the job done.”

The Ducks (9-3) were 4-1 this season in games decided on the final possession and improved to 20-7 in games decided by a touchdown or less in Mike Bellotti’s five years as coach.

Howry’s touchdown reception capped an 87-yard drive that was highlighted by Tony Hartley’s 23-yard catch over the middle on fourth and 11 from the Gopher 44 with three minutes left.

“It’s supposed to work real well,” Harrington said. “And it did.”

Former Anaheim High standout Reuben Droughns gained 95 yards on 21 carries for Oregon. He sat out much of the second half because of cramps but returned on the Ducks’ final drive, gaining 11 yards on a run that set up Howry’s winning score.

The Ducks’ sixth straight victory made Bellotti the first Oregon coach to post two nine-victory seasons and also denied the Golden Gophers (8-4) their first nine-victory season since 1905.

It also provided a measure of comfort for the Pacific 10 Conference, whose teams were 0-3 in bowls after the league endured a spotty regular season.

The Gophers, in their first bowl game since 1986, drove to the Ducks’ 39 after Howry’s touchdown but linebacker Dietrich Moore sacked game MVP Billy Cockerham, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Oregon defensive end Saul Patu.

Cockerham threw three touchdown passes, two to Ron Johnson, including a seven-yard pass on the first play of the fourth quarter that gave the Gophers a 20-17 lead. Cockerham also had three turnovers, including two interceptions.

The run-oriented Gophers abandoned their rushing game in the second half when it became obvious their offensive line was being overpowered. At one point, Cockerham dropped back 12 straight times.

Cockerham and Arland Bruce connected on a 38-yard scoring play to open the second half, but freshman Dan Nystrom’s second miss in 42 extra-point attempts left the Golden Gophers ahead, 13-7. And it proved crucial in the closing minutes when Minnesota needed a touchdown and not just a tying field goal.

Harrington’s sneak on fourth and inches on the next possession tied it and Nathan Villegas’ extra point gave Oregon its first lead, at 14-13, in the third quarter.

The Ducks, in their seventh bowl game of the 1990s, increased their lead to 17-13 on a 37-yard field goal by Villegas, playing despite a torn knee ligament in his kicking leg.