Brandon Bair had a couple of nice plays, batted down pases and tackles for loss. Look for him to emerge as the most forceful tackle the Ducks have had since the tandem of Ngata-Olshansky.
Kenny Rowe made a play on a fourth and one that was just impressively athletic, flying across the formation to punch the ball out. His quickness gives the lumbering offensive tackles opposite him absolute fits. Bair and Rowe are disrupters, and Heimuli may develop into one.
Great to see Remene Alston get a couple of big runs and break out for a 100+ yards off the bench. The Gentleman shook off an ankle injury to establish himself as a reliable third back in the rotation, giving the Ducks the luxury (for now) of redshirting their two promising freshmen, the same formula that worked so well with James and Barner.
Daryle Hawkins, triple threat? Scored a TD at quarterback, ran for over sixty yards, and made a nice catch at receiver. He looks smooth with the ball in his hands, and his versatility is a wonderful weapon. It's like having a utility infielder who can play seven positions on the field, and hit with a little pop. You have to love Hawkins for his desire and attitude, being willing to take on that role. It gives the Ducks some valuable athleticism and depth in a couple of areas they needed it. Him getting on the field in these various roles will only help him if he's called upon to take meaningful snaps at QB--he's been in the fire.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Quick Hits From A Shellacking
Not there was any doubt but Kenyon Barner is scary good with the ball in his hands. Imagine James and Barner operating out of the same backfield. The offense will uphold the tradition of pace and productivity, no doubt. With these kind of multiple weapons, you can’t stop them all. Maehl had a good day on the outside as well, 5 catches for 94 yards, including one play where he shielded the defender and went up for the ball on a post pattern for 39 yards.
Barner had as big an opening day as I can ever remember seeing. 5 touchdowns, 207 yards from scrimmage.
The defense got their shutout, allowed just 105 yards and forced five turnovers. In addition to the five TOs they forced New Mexico to turn the ball over on downs four times.
Circumstances prevented it, but it would have been nice to get Thomas more live snaps in the game. He showed some good signs but was uneven. I don’t think the light has come on for him yet. He showed good patience on a couple of throws, the screen to Barner, the TD to Paulsen, but he missed high on several others. He had a good day but more will be demanded of him later, and he has to be ready.
72-0. Now they have to remember they travel to Tennessee next week, and the score will start at 0-0.
Live Game Blog: 2nd half
At this point we are looking for development and character. Who shows themselves and earns another look for playing time?
I wonder if Cliff Harris' punt returns show the coaches how dynamic he can be playing defense. Look to see what he does with his live snaps in the second half.
Cal rolling 28-0 vs. Davis. UCLA a 10-7 lead at halftime.
A road win for the beat-up Bruins would be an auspicious start, and mess up my perfect 2-0 prediction record.
1st half stats: Thomas 13-23 223 yards, 2 TDs, 1 int. Barner 17 carries 147 yards, 4 tds rushing, 1 receiving. Maehl 5 catches 94 yards. Paulsen 2 for 42.
The tailgaters have done their massive disappearing act. Some of them may not come back at all. That's okay today but it won't fly against Stanford. Why give up your home field advantage for a couple of extra pops?
Daryle Hawkins with his first catch, smooth running, breaks a tackle for a first down.
It's a spring game now. Dustin Haines, Andres Reed with touches.
Costa shows mobility but the third team receivers don't break off their routes.
Solis punches a line drive through the uprights and it's 62-0. The score should turn some heads in Bristol.
Texas unimpressive so far against lowly Rice, 24-10 in the fourth quarter.
Avery Patterson fights the receiver for the ball and comes up with the interception. Another short field for the Ducks
Huff with another catch. Good to see depth develop in the receiver corps.
Costa looks efficient off the bench. There's no quarterback controversy, but it's good to see him get some snaps and an opportunity to show his stuff. It will pay off if he's needed later.
Good throw and catch, Costa to Brandon Williams, Williams first catch as a Duck.
Too many penalties. You don't want to see them lose their sharpness.
Another field goal, not pretty but through the uprights. If it weren't for Kenjon Barner Solis might lead the nation in scoring.
Oregon 65-NM 0
Okay This one is decided. We'll have a postgame analysis and commentary up by two a.m. Talk amongst yourselves.
Kansas State 14, UCLA 13 in the third
I wonder if Cliff Harris' punt returns show the coaches how dynamic he can be playing defense. Look to see what he does with his live snaps in the second half.
Cal rolling 28-0 vs. Davis. UCLA a 10-7 lead at halftime.
A road win for the beat-up Bruins would be an auspicious start, and mess up my perfect 2-0 prediction record.
1st half stats: Thomas 13-23 223 yards, 2 TDs, 1 int. Barner 17 carries 147 yards, 4 tds rushing, 1 receiving. Maehl 5 catches 94 yards. Paulsen 2 for 42.
The tailgaters have done their massive disappearing act. Some of them may not come back at all. That's okay today but it won't fly against Stanford. Why give up your home field advantage for a couple of extra pops?
Daryle Hawkins with his first catch, smooth running, breaks a tackle for a first down.
It's a spring game now. Dustin Haines, Andres Reed with touches.
Costa shows mobility but the third team receivers don't break off their routes.
Solis punches a line drive through the uprights and it's 62-0. The score should turn some heads in Bristol.
Texas unimpressive so far against lowly Rice, 24-10 in the fourth quarter.
Avery Patterson fights the receiver for the ball and comes up with the interception. Another short field for the Ducks
Huff with another catch. Good to see depth develop in the receiver corps.
Costa looks efficient off the bench. There's no quarterback controversy, but it's good to see him get some snaps and an opportunity to show his stuff. It will pay off if he's needed later.
Good throw and catch, Costa to Brandon Williams, Williams first catch as a Duck.
Too many penalties. You don't want to see them lose their sharpness.
Another field goal, not pretty but through the uprights. If it weren't for Kenjon Barner Solis might lead the nation in scoring.
Oregon 65-NM 0
Okay This one is decided. We'll have a postgame analysis and commentary up by two a.m. Talk amongst yourselves.
Kansas State 14, UCLA 13 in the third
Live Game Blog: Halftime
Goals for the second half:
Play a lot of people, but stay sharp and focused. Lazy, lackadasial play leads to injuries and bad habits.
Keep up the intensity in terms of effort and execution. 2nd and 3rd team guys get to show what they can do.
No chippiness or loss of composure. No taunting or lapses of class
Get the shutout. It's a pride thing for the defense, a motivator for the rest of the season
Play a lot of people, but stay sharp and focused. Lazy, lackadasial play leads to injuries and bad habits.
Keep up the intensity in terms of effort and execution. 2nd and 3rd team guys get to show what they can do.
No chippiness or loss of composure. No taunting or lapses of class
Get the shutout. It's a pride thing for the defense, a motivator for the rest of the season
Live Game Blog: 2nd Quarter
Okay, that was too hard. I was too busy typing to watch the game. I'll try to limit myself to comments and observations and stay out of play-by-play. Jerry Allen does that way better than I ever could.
Tenacious D! A fumble recovery by Littlejohn.
Low snap, but Thomas stays calm. Drop by Davi. Grrrrr.
The errant snap totally threw off the play Good composure by Thomas.
Chip goes for it on 4th and 13, and the pocket collapses. He had room to run if he could feel the pressure.
Ty Kirk with five catches. Who's guarding him?
Marvin Johnson nearly has another turnover. They are FAST.
Anything wide gets stuffed. Pursuit is tremendous.
Ty Kirk six catches. One of the few players on NM's roster that could make Oregon's.
Kenny Rowe swoops around the edge and forces a fumble on fourth and short.
LaMichael who? Barner hits the century mark.
Thomas misses high, his third misfire in a row. Needs to find his rhythm.
Rhythm smythm: just give the ball to Barner, 42 yards for the score.
XP right down the middle. Solis looks like Morgan Flint.
Oregon 35, NM 0
Top 25, no surprises but Florida struggled a little with Miami of Ohio before winning 34-12 in the 4th quarter.
UCLA is 7-7 with Kansas State early.
Bair stuffs another running play. This year he emerges as a force in the middle.
The Rose Bowl has a rep at the game, being interviewed in the Comcast booth.
Barner 60 yards with a screen pass. Thomas showed good patience delivering the screen, with soft touch.
Comcast graphic: Barner, 18 touches, 207 yards, 5 touchdowns.
Point is perfect.
Oregon 42, NM 0.
UCLA gets a field goal to go ahead of Kansas 10-7.
Javes Lewis with a great tackle in open space, coming up to force on a receiver screen.
Kenjon has his helmet off on the sideline, showing off the sweet mohawk. Is he done for the day?
Marvin Johnson tips away a pass on third and long.
My man Cliff Harris does a Kenjon Barner imitation on the punt return headed straight up the field for a 61 yard punt return for a TD.
Solis is 7-for-7.
Oregon 49, NM 7
2nd level teams are dramatically worse in areas like special teams coverage. That's where the depth shows.
Cal up early 14-0 on UC Davis.
Dilemma--Thomas needs the work, but it's time to go to the bench. What does CK do in that respect?
Penalty on the kickoff- Ducks must keep their focus and discipline up so big early.
Bair with the bat down. We'll see that a lot. He's poised to really be a force this year in the middle, big and athletic and mature.
Kirk with another first down, his 8th catch.
New Mexico's putting together a drive This is not acceptable.
The Lobos keep trying to run wide, and that's fruitless against this relentless pursuit.
Every ball that;s tipped, three Ducks hit the turf.
This time it's Ricky Heimuli with the bat down.
Costa's in. Completion to Josh Huff, and another one.
Costa runs for nine. I thought people said he couldn't do that.
Do the Ducks have the most solid backup quarterback in the PAC-10?
Costa tipped at the line. That was a frequent criticism fans had during the fall camp battle. Maybe I jinxed him.
Eric Solis PAC-10 special teams player of the week?
Oregon 52, NM 0
I need a sandwich.
Substitutes all over the field, but senior Casey Matthews is still in the game.
Cliff Harris! Are you kidding me? 65 yard punt return, breaks three tackles, touchdown.
Solis another point.
I remember the days Oregon was on the other end of these paycheck games. I remember a loss to Nebraska that went about this way.
Oregon 59, NM 0 --an Oregon record for points in a half.
Tenacious D! A fumble recovery by Littlejohn.
Low snap, but Thomas stays calm. Drop by Davi. Grrrrr.
The errant snap totally threw off the play Good composure by Thomas.
Chip goes for it on 4th and 13, and the pocket collapses. He had room to run if he could feel the pressure.
Ty Kirk with five catches. Who's guarding him?
Marvin Johnson nearly has another turnover. They are FAST.
Anything wide gets stuffed. Pursuit is tremendous.
Ty Kirk six catches. One of the few players on NM's roster that could make Oregon's.
Kenny Rowe swoops around the edge and forces a fumble on fourth and short.
LaMichael who? Barner hits the century mark.
Thomas misses high, his third misfire in a row. Needs to find his rhythm.
Rhythm smythm: just give the ball to Barner, 42 yards for the score.
XP right down the middle. Solis looks like Morgan Flint.
Oregon 35, NM 0
Top 25, no surprises but Florida struggled a little with Miami of Ohio before winning 34-12 in the 4th quarter.
UCLA is 7-7 with Kansas State early.
Bair stuffs another running play. This year he emerges as a force in the middle.
The Rose Bowl has a rep at the game, being interviewed in the Comcast booth.
Barner 60 yards with a screen pass. Thomas showed good patience delivering the screen, with soft touch.
Comcast graphic: Barner, 18 touches, 207 yards, 5 touchdowns.
Point is perfect.
Oregon 42, NM 0.
UCLA gets a field goal to go ahead of Kansas 10-7.
Javes Lewis with a great tackle in open space, coming up to force on a receiver screen.
Kenjon has his helmet off on the sideline, showing off the sweet mohawk. Is he done for the day?
Marvin Johnson tips away a pass on third and long.
My man Cliff Harris does a Kenjon Barner imitation on the punt return headed straight up the field for a 61 yard punt return for a TD.
Solis is 7-for-7.
Oregon 49, NM 7
2nd level teams are dramatically worse in areas like special teams coverage. That's where the depth shows.
Cal up early 14-0 on UC Davis.
Dilemma--Thomas needs the work, but it's time to go to the bench. What does CK do in that respect?
Penalty on the kickoff- Ducks must keep their focus and discipline up so big early.
Bair with the bat down. We'll see that a lot. He's poised to really be a force this year in the middle, big and athletic and mature.
Kirk with another first down, his 8th catch.
New Mexico's putting together a drive This is not acceptable.
The Lobos keep trying to run wide, and that's fruitless against this relentless pursuit.
Every ball that;s tipped, three Ducks hit the turf.
This time it's Ricky Heimuli with the bat down.
Costa's in. Completion to Josh Huff, and another one.
Costa runs for nine. I thought people said he couldn't do that.
Do the Ducks have the most solid backup quarterback in the PAC-10?
Costa tipped at the line. That was a frequent criticism fans had during the fall camp battle. Maybe I jinxed him.
Eric Solis PAC-10 special teams player of the week?
Oregon 52, NM 0
I need a sandwich.
Substitutes all over the field, but senior Casey Matthews is still in the game.
Cliff Harris! Are you kidding me? 65 yard punt return, breaks three tackles, touchdown.
Solis another point.
I remember the days Oregon was on the other end of these paycheck games. I remember a loss to Nebraska that went about this way.
Oregon 59, NM 0 --an Oregon record for points in a half.
Live Game Blog: 1st quarter
Ducks win the toss and elect to receive. Chip still has confidence in the offense, no matter who is taking snaps.
Kenjon Barner fumbles the kickoff, picks it up and returns to the 10. Bad starting pposition for a new qb.
Barner for seven on first down. A good read by Thomas.
Three straight runs and the Duck offensive line is moving the pile.
Great tempo by the Ducks.
Barner has four carries so far, and two first downs.
Thomas looks a little jittery on his feet. Needs to calm down and be patient.
Messina down for NM.
Thomas has given the ball up every time.
Alston in, runs for three. Good to have him healthy with LMJ out.
1st 3rd and long. Screen to Maehl for a big play, great call.
Wide receiver screen picked by New Mexico. Sudden change. Oh God. Indiana?
After a first down, Brandon Bair penetrates and stuffs a running play for a loss.
Incomplete pass, and a draw play goes nowhere. Ducks hold.
Bad snap on the punt Ducks in the red zone.
Thomas misfires, looking for Maehl in the end zone.
@nd and 10, Barner on the stretch play for nine.
Davis on the bubble screen to the five.
Tuinei on the out to the one.
Smart play calling. They're giving Thomas a lot of simple throws.
Barner easily into the end zone with a big hole.
True freshman walk-on kicker nails the point. Eric Solis.
Ducks dodged a bullet on the early turnover and the offensive line asserts itself with dominance up front. Moving the ball at will with a terrific pace.
Oregon 7, NM 0
Ty Kirk, NM's best receiver, has his second catch, for a first down.
Matthews makes a textbook linebacker play in the hole and stuffs a run.
Bair with backside pursuit stuffs another one on 3rd down.
Penalty on the kick--those are drive killers and momentum reversers. Tom Osborne has to minimize those this year. No more touchdown returns negated by a penalty.
Barner has gotten loose in two tries in the kicking game. Looks good at rb.
Two-back set and a perfect pitch to Barner for twelve.
Tuinei with a drop, with first down yardage.
Thomas runs away from pressure and finds Paulsen, short of the first down, but good presence by DT.
They're running the offense and Thomas looks effective. Far from perfect, but effective. I have confidence, watching him, that he'll grow into the job. Wide receivers must help him.
Ducks go on 4th and 3 and convert.
8 first downs already.
Two screens to mail to keep the drive alive --like a running play in space.
Paulsen wide open down the seam, 31 yards for Darron Thomas' first TD.
The walk-on Solis nails the point.
Oregon 14, NM 0
New Mexico's jerseys have an old school look.
Ducks are relentless defending the run. Swarming.
Matthews with a deep drop, and the interception. Very athletic play by the linebacker, who slimmed down in the off season.
Nineteen to Maehl, then a weaving, cutting 25-yard TD run for Barner.
Solis nails the point.
Surgical precision.
Ducks 21, NM 0
This has to be a huge boost for Darron Thomas. A perfect script for his first game.
Love this--the Ducks don't give up on a play and chase a screen pass all the way to the ground, recover, and it's ruled a fumble. Love to see defenders not refereeing, just playing hard. Play up for review.
Confirmed. Matthews with a pick and a fumble recovery on two possessions. PAC-10 defensive player of the week?
Maehl with a great catch. They're developing that confidence in each other.
Thomas misses Paulsen, free in the end zone.
No matter. Barner scoots wide and scores easily, his third of the first quarter. PAC-10 offensive player of the week?
Solis 4th xp in a row.
Oregon 28 NM 0.
When does CK call off the dogs? Hopefully never.
Again, perfect script for Thomas. He does some good things, but has some things to work on.
Sideline to sideline, you can't run on this Duck defense.
1st quarter: UO 28, NM 0
Kenjon Barner fumbles the kickoff, picks it up and returns to the 10. Bad starting pposition for a new qb.
Barner for seven on first down. A good read by Thomas.
Three straight runs and the Duck offensive line is moving the pile.
Great tempo by the Ducks.
Barner has four carries so far, and two first downs.
Thomas looks a little jittery on his feet. Needs to calm down and be patient.
Messina down for NM.
Thomas has given the ball up every time.
Alston in, runs for three. Good to have him healthy with LMJ out.
1st 3rd and long. Screen to Maehl for a big play, great call.
Wide receiver screen picked by New Mexico. Sudden change. Oh God. Indiana?
After a first down, Brandon Bair penetrates and stuffs a running play for a loss.
Incomplete pass, and a draw play goes nowhere. Ducks hold.
Bad snap on the punt Ducks in the red zone.
Thomas misfires, looking for Maehl in the end zone.
@nd and 10, Barner on the stretch play for nine.
Davis on the bubble screen to the five.
Tuinei on the out to the one.
Smart play calling. They're giving Thomas a lot of simple throws.
Barner easily into the end zone with a big hole.
True freshman walk-on kicker nails the point. Eric Solis.
Ducks dodged a bullet on the early turnover and the offensive line asserts itself with dominance up front. Moving the ball at will with a terrific pace.
Oregon 7, NM 0
Ty Kirk, NM's best receiver, has his second catch, for a first down.
Matthews makes a textbook linebacker play in the hole and stuffs a run.
Bair with backside pursuit stuffs another one on 3rd down.
Penalty on the kick--those are drive killers and momentum reversers. Tom Osborne has to minimize those this year. No more touchdown returns negated by a penalty.
Barner has gotten loose in two tries in the kicking game. Looks good at rb.
Two-back set and a perfect pitch to Barner for twelve.
Tuinei with a drop, with first down yardage.
Thomas runs away from pressure and finds Paulsen, short of the first down, but good presence by DT.
They're running the offense and Thomas looks effective. Far from perfect, but effective. I have confidence, watching him, that he'll grow into the job. Wide receivers must help him.
Ducks go on 4th and 3 and convert.
8 first downs already.
Two screens to mail to keep the drive alive --like a running play in space.
Paulsen wide open down the seam, 31 yards for Darron Thomas' first TD.
The walk-on Solis nails the point.
Oregon 14, NM 0
New Mexico's jerseys have an old school look.
Ducks are relentless defending the run. Swarming.
Matthews with a deep drop, and the interception. Very athletic play by the linebacker, who slimmed down in the off season.
Nineteen to Maehl, then a weaving, cutting 25-yard TD run for Barner.
Solis nails the point.
Surgical precision.
Ducks 21, NM 0
This has to be a huge boost for Darron Thomas. A perfect script for his first game.
Love this--the Ducks don't give up on a play and chase a screen pass all the way to the ground, recover, and it's ruled a fumble. Love to see defenders not refereeing, just playing hard. Play up for review.
Confirmed. Matthews with a pick and a fumble recovery on two possessions. PAC-10 defensive player of the week?
Maehl with a great catch. They're developing that confidence in each other.
Thomas misses Paulsen, free in the end zone.
No matter. Barner scoots wide and scores easily, his third of the first quarter. PAC-10 offensive player of the week?
Solis 4th xp in a row.
Oregon 28 NM 0.
When does CK call off the dogs? Hopefully never.
Again, perfect script for Thomas. He does some good things, but has some things to work on.
Sideline to sideline, you can't run on this Duck defense.
1st quarter: UO 28, NM 0
Live Game Blog: Pregame
Uniform Update: Ducks are in black jerseys, black helmets, and gray pants.
Sunny, slight breeze. Very comfortable day to play or watch football.
New athletic director being interviewed on Comcast pregame, Rob Mullens. Sounds very much like an outsider. He was surprised by the enthusiasm in Autzen stadium, everyone in team colors, huh? First impression: he's a finance guy, with very little connection to or affinity for the program. This was the new president's hire all the way. Mullens is not a football guy, or even a football-friendly guy.
Steve Greatwood's key to great offensive line play: "five guys acting as one." The veteran offensive line is going to be a great security blanket for the two inexperienced quarterbacks. They'll look better than last year's game one combination, an experienced quarterback operating behind an inexperienced offensive line. That combination produced zero first downs in the first half in an embarrassing 19-8 loss.
New Mexico is the school that spawned Brian Urlacher, the Lobos best player ever. Middle linebacker Carmen Messina is following in his footsteps. He led the nation with 163 tackles last year.
Fans stream in, mostly green and yellow. The broadcasters are in black suits. Someone tipped them off.
Last night Comcast ran a marathon of last season's big games. I'd forgotten just how nerve-wracking things got versus Arizona and OSU. Oregon was losing those games for much of the way, and both the Wildcats and Beavs were getting penetration at the line.
No surprises so far in the national games. Georgia and Georgia Tech are both rolling over their cupcake opponents. No. 9 Iowa thumps Eastern Illinois. Penn State starts slow on Youngstown State, then rolls. No evident poll shakers so far.
Ducks in the tunnel.
Joey Harrington's key for Darron Thomas: "Rely on your teammates." Anthony Newman's observation: "defense wins championships."
Kickoff in two minutes. Captains to midfield.
Sunny, slight breeze. Very comfortable day to play or watch football.
New athletic director being interviewed on Comcast pregame, Rob Mullens. Sounds very much like an outsider. He was surprised by the enthusiasm in Autzen stadium, everyone in team colors, huh? First impression: he's a finance guy, with very little connection to or affinity for the program. This was the new president's hire all the way. Mullens is not a football guy, or even a football-friendly guy.
Steve Greatwood's key to great offensive line play: "five guys acting as one." The veteran offensive line is going to be a great security blanket for the two inexperienced quarterbacks. They'll look better than last year's game one combination, an experienced quarterback operating behind an inexperienced offensive line. That combination produced zero first downs in the first half in an embarrassing 19-8 loss.
New Mexico is the school that spawned Brian Urlacher, the Lobos best player ever. Middle linebacker Carmen Messina is following in his footsteps. He led the nation with 163 tackles last year.
Fans stream in, mostly green and yellow. The broadcasters are in black suits. Someone tipped them off.
Last night Comcast ran a marathon of last season's big games. I'd forgotten just how nerve-wracking things got versus Arizona and OSU. Oregon was losing those games for much of the way, and both the Wildcats and Beavs were getting penetration at the line.
No surprises so far in the national games. Georgia and Georgia Tech are both rolling over their cupcake opponents. No. 9 Iowa thumps Eastern Illinois. Penn State starts slow on Youngstown State, then rolls. No evident poll shakers so far.
Ducks in the tunnel.
Joey Harrington's key for Darron Thomas: "Rely on your teammates." Anthony Newman's observation: "defense wins championships."
Kickoff in two minutes. Captains to midfield.
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