Oregon players are 'aware' of program's struggles at Arizona

Oregon is set to battle Arizona in Arizona Stadium for the first time since 2018 this weekend, which is a venue the Ducks haven’t won at since 2011.

The Pac-12 opponents haven’t played each other every season since, but the Wildcats have taken home the last two meetings in Tucson in 2013 and 2018, respectively. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said Wednesday that its’ about time that streak comes to an end.

“I think our players are aware of the history there, in this game,” Lanning said. “Anytime you go on the road in this conference is going to be a challenge. We’re expecting Arizona’s absolute best, but just like we’ve kind of said every week we’re not playing Arizona. We’re playing Oregon. That’s our focus right now. We got to be the best version of us.”

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While Oregon’s track record on the road against Arizona favors the Wildcats, the Ducks have dominated the series historically. Since 2011, Oregon has won six of the nine total meetings, including the 2014 Pac-12 Championship game – two months following Arizona’s regular season victory over the Ducks in Eugene.

In fact, Arizona has only won six games against Oregon in the last 26 matchups (since 1994) between the schools. Four of those wins came at home, but the Ducks hold a 28-17 all-time record over the ‘Cats including the last two matchups. Oregon has combined to outscore Arizona 75-25 in those two games.

Sitting at 3-2 this season, a win over Oregon would give Arizona a huge boost of confidence coming out of the first leg of the toughest gauntlet the Pac-12 has to offer this season. After defending home turf against Oregon, they’ll travel to No. 21 Washington. They’ll enjoy an off week during Week 8 before hosting No. 6 USC, travel to No. 11 Utah before heading to No. 18 UCLA – all in consecutive weeks.

Meanwhile, Oregon will look to send the Wildcats into the string of ranked battles by ending their 11-year skid in Tucson.

The Ducks and Wildcats are set to kick off live from Arizona Stadium at 6 p.m PT on the Pac-12 Network. Oregon has opened as a 13-point favorite heading into the matchup.