College football landscape shaken by Oregon's loss to Arizona

EUGENE, Ore. -- Arizona upset Oregon again.

For the second year in a row, the Wildcats stunned the Ducks, with Arizona recording a 31-24 win over the nation's second-ranked team Thursday night at Autzen Stadium.

One year after posting a 42-16 win over the fifth-ranked Ducks at home, the Wildcats (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) went on the road to beat Oregon (4-1, 1-1).

Last year it was really heartwarming because it was the seniors' last home game and it was improbable, of course, Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said. This one, I don't know if anybody picked us. I don't know how many people were talking about us, but I bet you most of them weren't thinking this was going to happen, not on the road.

Arizona running back Terris Jones-Grigsby scored the winning touchdown a 1-yard run with 2:54 remaining to break a 24-24 tie. Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota fumbled at the Ducks' 34-yard line with 2:11 to play, and the Wildcats ran out the clock.

Coach always talks about the best feeling is a winning locker room, and he's right, Jones-Grigsby said.

Arizona freshman quarterback Anu Solomon finished 20-for-31 for 287 yards and a touchdown. Jones-Grigsby gained 115 yards on 27 carries, and running back Nick Wilson added 92 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Wilson also caught a touchdown pass.

Mariota, the Heisman Trophy favorite entering the game, was 20-for-32 for 276 yards and two touchdown passes, and he made a touchdown reception. Freshman wide receiver Devon Allen had five receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown, and running back Royce Freeman gained 85 yards on 19 carries.

First and foremost, give Arizona credit, they played well, Oregon coach Mark Helfrich said. They got hot in the second half, and we did not make enough plays to win. We made a lot of uncharacteristic errors.

The Ducks looked like a strong contender to reach the College Football Playoff after an impressive nonconference win over Michigan State last month, but a loss to the unranked Wildcats will hurt their case. A trip to undefeated UCLA is up next.

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College football landscape shaken by Oregon's loss to Arizona