WASHINGTON ST 7/6/10/10 - 33
OREGON 10/0/0/0 - 10
EUGENE, OREGON - Quarterback Braxton Burmeister’s first start looked promising in the first quarter, but after taking a 10-7 lead on a Jacob Breeland touchdown, Oregon was outscored 26 to 0 by the undefeated Washington State Cougars. It became clear to Duck fans that the absence of Justin Herbert, who suffered a broken collarbone the week before against Cal, would have a huge impact on the season.
Duck fans were happy to see star running back Royce Freeman return to the field after missing most of the game against Cal, but on Oregon’s opening possession the premiere back failed to convert on fourth-and-1 against a shifting Washington State D-line. And on the very next play, Wazzu quarterback Luke Faulk connnected with Jamal Morrow to score a 41-yard touchdown.
Oregon’s offensive strategy became clear on their first scoring drive in which they ran the ball nine times and passed just once, a screen-pass that lost a yard. Even on second-and-22, Taggart elected to give the ball to running back Kani Benoit, who surprisingly picked up 19 yards to keep the drive alive. The offense stalled at the Wazzu three-yard line, and Aidan Schneider got the Ducks on the board with a field goal.
The Duck defense forced a three-and-out to add to the momentum, and the Ducks took advantage of a 12-yard punt with a touchdown pass from the Washington State 30 on the first play of the drive. The TD pass to Jacob Breeland was the first of Braxton’s career and the final Duck score of the game.
Washington State managed to add two field goals in the second quarter, the first of 25 yards and the second from 52 yards out, while the Oregon offense failed to add to their lead, even when Troy Dye forced a fumble that was recovered by Tyree Robinson near midfield. The Ducks trailed by just three points at the half, but it seemed unlikely that the Oregon offense would keep up with the Wazzu air raid.
Freshman Jordon Scott recorded a sack on Washington State’s first drive of the second half, but Luke Faulk recovered by leading a seven-play, 75-yard drive that finished with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Renard Bell. Braxton Burmeister’s rough start continued when safety Hunter Dale forced a fumble from the young quarterback which turned into a 47-yard field goal from Erik Powell eight plays later.
The fourth quarter got off to a disastrous start when Burmeister was picked off by Marcus Strong and returned to the Oregon 25. And on the next play, Faulk threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Johnson-Mack. It appeared the Ducks caught a break when Jamal Morrow fumbled an Oregon punt, but three plays later Burmeister threw his second interception. The Cougs managed to milk 4:21 off the clock on their final drive with a 47-yard, eight play drive that ended with another Powell field goal.
Go-to receiver Dillon Mitchell missed the contest after suffering a concussion in the cursed Cal game, and Burmeister became the last hope at quarterback when it was announced before the Wazzu game that Taylor Allie was ruled out.
“Braxton did some good things, he did some bad things. He did some things most freshmen do sometimes. I think, this game, he can learn a lot from. He's gotten that first game out of the way. I think he'll be better as we move forwrd. But he needs a lot more help around him."
- Willie Taggart
Oregon Offense (total: 277 - pass: 145 - rush: 132)
Washington State Offense (total: 369 - pass: 282 - rush: 87)
Oregon Defense (forced turnovers: 2 - FUM: 2)
Washington State Defense (forced turnovers: 3 - FUM: 1- INT: 2)
UO (4-2, 1-2) WSU (6-0, 3-0)