The Cougars (3-5, 1-4) out-gained the No. 7 Oregon Ducks (7-1, 5-0) as they racked up 462 yards, but the Ducks proved too tough and defeated WSU 43-28.

WSU surrendered 213 rushing yards in the game, but found themselves trailing 15-10 at the end of the first half. True freshman De’Anthony Thomas, a highly-touted running back, led the Ducks in the second half.

Oregon’s quarterback Darron Thomas returned from a knee injury, but was benched in favor of Bryan Bennett after Thomas threw two interceptions.

Damante Horton was the benefactor of one of Thomas’ interceptions, as he returned it 76 yards down the sideline to close the gap to 15-10.

After halftime, the Ducks began to pull away from the Cougars. Forty-four seconds into the second half, the Oregon offense capped a three-play, 58-yard drive with a De’Anthony Thomas touchdown from 45 yards out.

WSU would answer back, but could not convert on third down and settled for a 35-yard field goal by kicker Andrew Furney.

Oregon’s offense got right back to work with Bennett under center. Oregon moved the ball downfield, and completed four fourth-down conversions.

After rushing for most of the drive, Bennett threw the ball 19 yards into the the endzone to wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei to push the Ducks’ lead to 29-13.

Redshirt senior Marshall Lobbestael, who started the game in place of junior Jeff Tuel, racked up some impressive stats as he completed 28 of 48 passes for 337 yards and one touchdown against two interceptions.

Tuel missed the game because of acute compartment syndrome found in his right calf earlier this week.

Lobbestael led the Cougars down the field in the third quarter and capped the drive with a 24-yard touchdown pass to senior Jared Karstetter.

On the ensuing kickoff, Oregon struck back and sealed the victory.

De’Anthony Thomas broke one tackle on the kick return and took it 93 yards to the house to push the Oregon lead to 36-20 at the end of the third quarter.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter the Ducks extended their lead with a 7-play, 96-yard drive in only 2:45. Kenjon Barner culminated the Duck drive with a 28-yard touchdown run.

WSU closed the gap to 43-28 after Lobbestael drove the Cougars 85 yards downfield. The senior completed six of eight passes on the drive before redshirt freshman Rickey Galvin ran in from nine yards out.

Sophomore sensation Marquess Wilson had a career day for the Cougars as he hauled in a career-high 11 catches for 126 yards.

Karstetter also finished with 114 yards receiving, marking the second time this season that the Cougs’ top two receivers finished with 100-plus yards receiving.