Wins in hand, UO and OSU look ahead.

Byline: Bob Clark The Register-Guard

A day later, and Oregon coach Mike Bellotti was still heaping praise on his defense, not only for blanking California in overtime Saturday, but getting the Ducks into the extra session as they prevailed 27-20.

The Bears had a first down at the Oregon 33-yard line with 1:01 left in the game.

`It was crucial to have a great defensive stand, and those kids came through,' Bellotti said Sunday during his teleconference with reporters. `I'm so proud of them.'

Oregon defensive tackles Haloti Ngata and Matt Toeaina made tackles for lost yardage on successive plays, and a third-down scramble to the 37-yard line by California quarterback Joe Ayoob left the Bears out of downs and timeouts as the kicking team scrambled onto the field for a 53-yard field-goal attempt.

It was wide left as time ran out, but might it have been good if attempted from three yards closer? That's what the attempt would have been on first down, before the Bears were pushed back.

`Amazing,' Bellotti said of the Ducks' performance.

Almost as big was the Oregon play that set the Bears up at the 33-yard line, with Duck cornerback Justin Phinisee called for pass interference to break up a pass intended for a Cal receiver running clear in the secondary.

Phinisee was covering for a teammate, Bellotti said. `He saw it and saved a touchdown.'

Bellotti said the video of the play makes a pass interference call a definite judgment of the official, as the football arrived virtually simultaneously with Phinisee's contact with the receiver. No penalty called then, and Cal would have been facing fourth-and-two at the UO 48 instead of first down at the 33.

It all became moot when the Ducks backed up the Bears, and survived that long field goal.

Now, it's on to Pullman for 11th-ranked Oregon (8-1 overall, 5-1 in the Pac-10) with Washington State (3-6, 0-6) on a six-game losing streak and eliminated from bowl contention for the second consecutive season.

Bellotti called the Cougars `very dangerous,' with an offense that features the Pac-10's leading rusher in Jerome Harrison and receiver Jason Hill, who holds the WSU career (24) and season (12) records for touchdown catches.

`Obviously they can get it done,' Bellotti said. `We need to be aware of that and stay hungry, one of the things this group of young men has been able to do.'

Where are the Cougars in that regard? After having their postseason hopes ended by a 27-24 loss to Arizona State, WSU coach Bill Doba said Sunday his players returned to practice as resilient as ever.

`It's a great group of guys. We'll see if we can't get them a win,' Doba said on his teleconference.

Saturday will be the home finale for the Cougars, who end the season at Washington. Doba said he told his team that with the bowl hopes gone, `now you're playing for pride. There's a great group of seniors (playing at Martin Stadium) for the last time, let's get one for those guys.

`We'd sure like to see them go out winners at home. ... There's plenty to play for.'

What's been a long list of injuries for the Cougars hasn't shortened any. Doba said receiver Brandon Gibson suffered a hip injury against ASU and `I don't think he'll play' against Oregon. Also still doubtful is receiver and kick returner Michael Bumpus, and Doba was unsure of the availability of linebacker Will Derting, who has missed the past month with a knee injury.

Also on the injury list but expected to play is Alex Brink, the sophomore quarterback from Sheldon High School, who suffered what Doba termed a `slight' shoulder sprain against ASU, and also has bone chips in an ankle that will require offseason surgery.

The Cougars could have the weather on their side. While there's no snow in the Palouse weekend forecast - possibly today, however - there is a prediction of showers with temperatures ranging from a high of 43 degrees to a low of 35 on Saturday.

Oregon's sophomore quarterbacks, Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf, generally performed well despite wind and rain at Autzen Stadium on Saturday.

`They did a good job,' Bellotti said, affirming that Dixon would remain the starter. `Their (combined) statistics were good, we'd take that.'

OREGON UPDATE

Injury update: Cornerback Jackie Bates is questionable to play against Washington State after suffering an ankle sprain in the win over California. UO coach Mike Bellotti said Sunday the only other regular in doubt for the trip to WSU is tight end Dan Kause, still recovering from a knee injury.

Duck receiver James Finley wasn't available for interviews after the Cal game because of treatment for a deep calf gash when he was `cleated,' Bellotti said, as well as a sore wrist, but should practice by midweek, along with a group of regulars likely to be held out today. Patrick Chung left Saturday's game when he aggravated a shoulder injury that is `pretty sore,' Bellotti said, but is expected to play at WSU.

Poll game: Oregon is up to 11th in The Associated Press poll of the media, the highest ranking for the Ducks since they were 10th in the AP poll of Sept. 21, 2003, following a win over Michigan that made Oregon 4-0 heading into a game against WSU. Oregon is also 11th in both human polls (Harris and USA Today) used in the Bowl Championship Series rankings, which will be released today after computer ratings are added.

Trucks up to fourth: UO linebacker Anthony Trucks is now fourth nationally in quarterback sacks, averaging 1.11 per game with 10 total after two more against California. The three players ahead of Trucks are averaging 2.5, 1.28 and 1.22 per game.

Next game: Saturday at Washington State at 7:15 p.m. TV: Live telecast on FSN.