SOUTHERN UTAH 7/14/0/0 - 21
OREGON 21/21/21/14 - 77
EUGENE, OREGON - Willie Taggart kicked off his first and only season as an Oregon Duck with a historic win at Autzen Stadium. The Oregon offense put together a balanced attack, tallying 355 yards through the air and 348 on the ground to rack up 77 points while the Duck defense showed early improvement by forcing two turnovers and keeping the Thunderbird rushing attack to under 100 yards.
Tony Brooks-James took the opening kickoff 100 yards for the opening score, giving the Ducks the lead in under fourteen seconds, but new defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt’s first showing ended in a nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive on Southern Utah’s first possession. Oregon’s superior talent showed up after the Thunderbird touchdown, scoring 35 unanswered points to take a commanding 42-7 lead with 3:32 left in the second quarter.
However, Southern Utah showed signs of life just before the half, first by scoring on a 64-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Tyler to Landen Measom, then by taking advantage of Brooks-James’ second fumble of the half by marching 24 yards to make the score 42 to 21 in favor of the Ducks just before halftime.
Willie Taggart’s Ducks put together an even better performance in the second half, scoring another 35 consecutive points while keeping the Thunderbirds scoreless in the third and fourth quarter.
Below is a list of every Oregon touchdown scored against the Thunderbirds:
100-yard kickoff return from Tony Brooks-James
20-yard pass to Jacob Breeland
10-yard run from Kani Benoit
three-yard run from Royce Freeman
29-yard run from Kani Benoit
16-yard run from Royce Freeman
13-yard run from Royce Freeman
two-yard run from Charles Nelson
one-yard run from Royce Freeman
one-yard run from Kani Benoit
Four-yard run from Taylor Allie
Oregon’s 77 points set a new Autzen record for most points scored, and was the second most points scored in program history behind their 115-0 victory over Puget Sound in 1910. Royce Freeman finished his day with four touchdowns and 153 rushing yards, followed closely by Kani Benoit with three touchdowns and 107 yards on seven carries. Ugo Amadi and Troy Dye recorded one interception each in the opening half, the latter marking a successful transition from safety to inside linebacker by tallying a team-high ten tackles.
Oregon Offense (total: 703 - pass: 355 - rush: 348)
Southern Utah Offense (total: 365 - pass: 266 - rush: 99)
Oregon Defense (forced turnovers: 2 - INT: 2)
Southern Utah Defense (forced turnovers: 2 - FUM: 2)
UO (1-0) SUU (0-1)