EUGENE, Ore. — Heading into the game, the ASU football team’s conference-leading run defense squaring off against No. 11 Oregon’s top-ranked run offense seemed like an even matchup — at least on paper.

But when the Ducks took their first four runs 22, 19, 4 and 51 yards en route to a 14-0 lead in ASU’s 44-21 loss on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium, Sun Devil defenders collectively understood why coach Dennis Erickson called the Duck’s offense a “machine” during the week.

“They were so explosive,” Erickson said.  “When they’re working on all cylinders like they were in that first half, they’re difficult to stop as everybody knows.  We came out in the second half and were better.”

The Ducks (8-2, 6-1 Pac-10) ran for 268 yards in the game and had 31 points at halftime.   

After ASU (4-6, 2-4) found some rhythm in the second half to cut the lead to 31-21, the UO offense struck again, scoring a touchdown and two field goals to ice the contest.

Sun Devil defenders, and even the television cameras, had difficulties following the Duck’s misdirection.

“That offensive team is as good as I’ve seen in a long time,” Erickson said.

Freshman LaMichael James ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns while junior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli threw for two touchdowns and added 70 yards rushing, mostly on the Duck’s zone-read play.

While the Sun Devils dropped their fourth straight game, greatly diminishing their chances at a bowl berth, they also suffered a slew of injuries.

True freshman quarterback Brock Osweiler, making his first career start, was knocked out in the second quarter with a shoulder injury.  
Osweiler threw for only 14 yards on 10 attempts and was intercepted. 

Sophomore tight end Dan Knapp may have torn an ACL for the second time in his collegiate career.  Both senior tight end Jovon Williams and sophomore right tackle Matt Hustad also suffered knee injuries, while senior middle linebacker Gerald Munns dislocated his elbow and numerous other players, including sophomore defensive tackle Lawrence Guy, limped off the field throughout the contest.

“It was a pretty physical game,” Erickson said.       
  
The mounting injury problem, which could leave the Sun Devils with one healthy experienced quarterback in sophomore Samson Szackacsy next week, did not help an ASU team that has made self-abuse a weekly ritual.

The Sun Devils committed nine penalties for 82 yards, the fifth straight contest in which the team has been flagged at least nine times.

ASU is the most penalized team per yards penalized out of the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision schools in the country.

There was some sunshine however on what was a dark, cold evening in Eugene. 

Szackacsy threw for 113 yards and led ASU to two touchdown drives in the third quarter, showing the nation his top-notch agility and on-the-run throwing ability.  

After trailing 31-7, the Sun Devils forced three punts.

True freshman middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict had six tackles and forced a fumble.

Senior running back Dimitri Nance had 87 yards on the ground on 26 carries, much of which came in the first half before the Ducks seemed to figure out the Sun Devils’ blocking scheme.  

ASU’s offensive line displayed short stints of dominance on the edges, and senior left tackle Shawn Lauvao helped push multiple Duck defenders and Nance to an 11-yard scrum run in the first quarter. 

Reach the reporter at nick.ruland@asu.edu.