Ducks Top Nevada, Lose Qb

Cougars’ next opponent: at Pullman vs. Oregon, Sept. 22

Oregon won the game but lost its leader.

Tony Graziani, the Ducks’ left-handed senior quarterback, went down with a knee injury Saturday as Oregon beat Nevada 44-30 in an offensive shootout.

The Ducks (2-0) lost both Graziani and star defensive back Kenny Wheaton in the second quarter.

But backup quarterback Ryan Perry-Smith and tailbacks Jerry Brown and Saladin McCullough kept the offense moving against the Wolf Pack, the Big West team playing its first Pac-10 opponent since 1947.

Nevada (0-1) drove to the Oregon 8- and 5-yard lines on its final two possessions, but failed to score.

“We had a chance to win the game all through the game,” said Jeff Tisdel, the former Wolf Pack offensive coordinator in his first game as head coach. “We had a chance to beat a Rose Bowl and Cotton Bowl team. I’m real proud of this team.”

Graziani, who finished eighth nationally in total offense last season, tore a ligament in his right knee with just 6 seconds left in the first half and will be out 4-6 weeks, Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said.

Graziani, who insists he will be back in two to three weeks, was writhing in pain after he was hit just after letting go of a pass.

“I heard it pop,” he said. “It hurts. It kind of throbs. It’s not like a sprained ankle.”

Wheaton has a strained tendon in his lower left leg, but could be back next week. He was being treated just before halftime when Graziani came in.

The Ducks struggled on defense for the second consecutive week under the radical scheme installed by new coordinator Rich Stubler.

Oregon 44, Nevada 30

Nevada 3 14 10 3 -30

Oregon 10 13 14 7 -44

Ore-FG Smith 34, 2:55.

Ore-Winn 6 run (Smith kick), 8:12.

Nev-FG Shea 30, 14:12.

Ore-McCullough 12 run (Smith kick), 4:41.

Nev-Wilkins 29 pass from Dutton (Shea kick), 7:07.

Nev-Crawford 20 fumble return (Shea kick), 7:54.

Ore-FG Smith 23, 11:51.

Ore-FG Smith 21, 15:00 Nev-FG Shea 32, 8:17.

Ore-Brown 5 run (Smith kick), 8:40.

Nev-Lemon 1 run (Shea kick), 11:49.

Ore-McCullough 1 run (Smith kick), 14:05.

Nev-FG Shea 23, 3:32.

Ore-McCullough 5 run (Smith kick), 4:33.

A-41,606.

Nev Ore First downs 28 26 Rushes-yards 39-89 37-145 Passing 434 360 Comp-Att-Int 31-50-1 22-39-0 Return Yards 28 16 Punts-Avg. 3-47.3 3-46.3 Fumbles-Lost 3-0 1-1 Penalties-Yards 12-94 8-80 Time of Possession 32:18 27:42 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHINGNevada 28-76, Lemon 2-11, Bennett 5-9, Wilkins 1-1, Dutton 3-(minus 3), Simms 0-(minus 5). Oregon, Brown 15-97, McCullough 11-55, Winn 3-13, Graziani 4-8, Perry-Smith, 2-(minus 4), Ricketts 2-(minus 24).

PASSINGNevada, Bennett 16-28-1-238, Dutton 15-22-0-196. Oregon, Graziani 16-29-0-227, Perry-Smith 6-10-0-133.

RECEIVINGNevada, Noisy 12-162, Wilkins 9-117, Insley 6-119, Wilson 3-21, Simms 1-15. Oregon, Hodge 8-150, Hartley 3-60, McCullough 4-45, Collins 3-15, Ricketts 1-44, Wilcox 1-37, Spence 1-15, Graziani 1-11, Brown 1-(minus 6).