OREGON 14/28/0/7 - 49
WYOMING 10/0/3/0 - 13
LARAMIE, WYOMING - In a game that was billed as a duel between future pro quarterbacks, Justin Herbert finished as the clear victor, throwing for 18-of-29 for 251 yards and a touchdown while also tallying 37 yards and a score on the ground. Meanwhile, the Duck defense held Josh Allen to just 64 yards on nine completions and just a single score off a 10-yard touchdown run. For the third game in a row, the Ducks scored 42 points in the opening half.
Royce Freeman scored two short-yardage touchdowns on the team’s opening drives to give Oregon a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but back-to-back fumbles gave the Cowboys an opportunity to regain their composure. A fumbled punt return from Charles Nelson gave the Cowboys the ball at the Oregon 25, and five plays later Josh Allen ran in Wyoming’s only touchdown of the contest. Then, after a Carl Granderson sack resulted in a fumble from Herbert, the Cowboys cut the lead to four with a field goal when the tenacious Oregon D prevented them from reaching the end zone despite starting at the Oregon 21-yard line.
However, things got back on track (or should we say quack?) for the Duck offense as four unanswered touchdowns gave Oregon a commanding 42-10 lead at the half. Herbert scored on the ground with a nine-yard TD run then through the air by connecting with Taj Griffin for a 20-yard score. Royce Freeman added to his TD tally by capping off a 70-yard drive with his third short-yardage score of the evening, and with one minute remaining before halftime, Justin Hollins forced a sack that was returned 30 yards by Tyree Robinson to set up an easy two-yard score by Kani Benoit.
Much like the Nebraska game the week before, Oregon’s offense drastically slowed down in the second half. Wyoming’s defense was able to keep Oregon scoreless in the third quarter and once again capitalized off of a Herbert turnover by picking him off at the Wyoming 28 and then connecting on a 42-yard field goal attempt on the following drive.
However, the heralded quarterback Josh Allen was picked off on the first play of the final quarter and the Ducks were able to march down the field 70 yards for the game’s final touchdown - a four-yard run from Benoit. The beloved nose tackle Jordon Scott made his debut start against the Cowboys, and Freeman had a historic night, carrying the rock 30 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns. The star running back became the all-time UO leader in carries with 785 and also tied the great LaMichael James with his 53rd career touchdown.
Oregon Offense (total: 558 - pass: 251 - rush: 307)
Wyoming Offense (total: 183 - pass: 66 - rush: 117)
Oregon Defense (forced turnovers: 1 - INT: 1)
Wyoming Defense (forced turnovers 3 - INT: 1 - FUM: 2)
UO (3-0) UW (1-2)