Ducks burn all the boats in record-setting 81-7 rampage over the Vikings

 

On the PAC-12 Network postgame show former Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti said, "It was about as perfect a first game as you could play."

By the time it was over the Ducks had set an Autzen Stadium record with 81 points, The Duck pumped out 546 pushups and Portland State got a check for $575,000. 

Oregon ransacked the Vikings 81-7, part of a perfect 12-0 start for the PAC-12 in its last year of existence. (Oregon State travels to San Jose State on Sunday.)

Bo Nix started his Bodacious final season of college football 23-27 for 287 yards and three touchdowns. He didn't have a single rushing attempt. He left the game for good after tossing a touchdown pass to Gary Bryant jr. 51 seconds into the start of the third quarter.

Nix elaborated on the Aliotti theme after the game. “Overall we played very clean, we stopped them on defense, we did really good on special teams. I thought we handled field position really well, we controlled the ball on offense, we moved it, we had a lot of explosive plays, we didn’t have a lot of penalties. We did what we were supposed to do. In a game like that, that’s what we wanted.”

The opening day romp showed off the depth in the Oregon running room. Noah Whittington didn't appear again after taking the field for the first kickoff (a touchback) but his backfield mates combined for 348 yards on the ground, 10.2 a carry. That included:

Bucky Irving: 4 rushes, 119 yards, 2 TD | 3 catches, 30 yards

Jordan James: 10 rushes, 86 yards, 3 TD

Jayden Limar: 8 rushes, 51 yards, 1 TD | 4 catches, 24 yards

Dante Dowdell: 8 Rushes, 55 yards, 1 TD

A concern raised by many before the season, the offensive line turned in a nearly flawless performance, albeit against FCS competition. In addition to the 348 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns, they didn't allow a sack, few pressures and just two plays that lost yards all game. No penalties for illegal procedure, lineman downfield or false start. They were disciplined and cohesive.

After allowing a scoring drive in the first quarter the defense settled down, holding the visitors to 3.51 yards per play, 4-for-15 on 3rd down conversions, and 0-for-1 on 4th down conversions. PSU quarterback Dante Chachere and backup Logan Gonzalez combined for 8-20 passing for a scant 52 yards. 

Asked about the secondary, Dan Lanning said, “I don’t know if they really got tested today, but I thought they did a really good job communicating. I don’t know if they ever had an opportunity where they got tested, but that’s still to come … we have some good players out there, but we have to execute at a high level moving forward.”

The defense seemed to get new energy when Brandon Dorlus entered the game in the second quarter.  They forced a punt on 8 of 10 possessions exclusive of the kneel-down at the end of the first half. After 124 yards in the first quarter, the Vikings gained just 76 the rest of the way.

How much the Webfoot D has improved isn't fully in evidence: for the game they had zero sacks, only three tackles for loss and no takeaways. They did get some pressure on Chachere, particularly on key third downs where he threw wildly and incomplete.

Couple of notes on the Oregon defense
-obviously had the one bad drive
-PSU barely attempted a passing game. Hard to judge pass rush. however… plenty of signs of an improved pass rush. Matayo is going to be legit. Watch him beat the LT clean 🎦⬇️
-speaking of true fresh DL… pic.twitter.com/atSnU2p9uF

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 3, 2023

Linebacker Connor Soelle led the team with 5 total tackles, while Jeffrey Bassa, Tysheem Johnson, Khamari Terrell, and Bryce Boettcher each had four. Johnson was active and physical; he saved a touchdown ranging far down the left sideline to break up a pass from his safety spot.

USC transfer Gary Bryant junior debuted in an Oregon uniform with 7 catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Troy Franklin looked powerful and dominant, turning in 7 more grabs for 106 yards and two Tds.

The offense proved to be potent under new offensive coordinator Will Stein. In all they cranked out 729 yards of total offense, 38 first downs, and just one punt on the day. Oregon QBs went 33-for-38, and eight different players scored a touchdown.

81 points set a modern school record, but Lanning insisted that wasn't the story or the measure. “It’s a standard,” he said. “That’s how we measure ourselves, based on the standard — not necessarily on the scoreboard.”

Perhaps the biggest revelation was the improved play of backup quarterback Ty Thompson. Now a sophomore, he showed a different energy and demeanor in his most extended action since joining the team in 2021. He looked confident and in command, completing his first three passes and leading a touchdown drive, keeping the ball and driving through tacklers on two carries for 25 yards. He made better reads and decisions. For the afternoon he posted 7-8 passing for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Week 2 opponent Texas Tech lost a shocker in two overtimes at Wyoming, 35-33. In the loss former Duck quarterback Tyler Shough passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns. The Red Raiders will be fired up to salvage their season in Lubbock next Saturday night. Their defense is physical, led by linebacker Jesiah Pierre who had 14 tackles against the Cowboys. They positively beat up Wyoming quarterback Andrew Peasley.