Portland, OR (AP) - Another week, another fourth-quarter collapse for the Oregon Ice. This week, however, it wasn't the defense that lost the game, but the offense. In the final period, starting QB [ba2aad1d]Maurice Brown[/ba2aad1d] was sacked for a safety and threw two interceptions, one of which occurred as the Ice were driving at the El Paso 37.
"I blew it today," said a dejected Brown, who has thrown four interceptions against just two touchdowns in the last two weeks. "I've got to turn the page and get ready for Tulsa next week."
<IMG SRC="
http://fof2forever.com/CFL/News/hinson1.jpg" hspace=5 border=1 ALIGN=RIGHT>In a nutshell, the game was one of missed opportunities. Oregon pulled to within two points at 17-15 with 10:03 left in the third quarter on a 68-yard (52 after the catch) touchdown pass from Brown to [ba2aad1d]Matt Brunner[/ba2aad1d]. After stopping El Paso at the Oregon 41, the Ice appeared to take control, moving the ball from their own five-yard-line to the Rockets' 37 in a 13-play, 5 five-minute drive. Unfortunately, on the first play of the fourth quarter Brown threw his first interception of the day, which was picked off without a return at the El Paso 21.
The Oregon defense held again, but Ice center [ba2aad1d]Lino Williams[/ba2aad1d] couldn't stop El Paso DE [ba2aad1d]Pierre Hinson[/ba2aad1d], who sacked Brown for a safety, giving his team a 19-15 advantage.
With 2:48 left in the game, Oregon K [ba2aad1d]Craig Schanding[/ba2aad1d] connected on a 44-yard field goal to make it a one-point game, and the defense again came up with a stop, getting the ball back with 1:57 left in regulation at the Ice 37.
Unfortunately, Brown was intercepted on the first play from scrimmage at the El Paso 50, ending any hope of a comeback.
The game marked not just the second loss in a row for Oregon, but the second time in two weeks that Oregon's final possession ended on a Maurice Brown interception.
"It hurts, no question about it, losing our last two games by a total of four points," said Oregon GM [ba2aad1d]Grid Iron[/ba2aad1d], pointing out that their last two opponents are a combined 7-1. "But close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades--not the CFL."
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