Oregon Ducks vs Nebraska Gameday Final: Cornhuskers Send Oregon To First Loss
Quarter By Quarter Highlights
First Quarter Observations:
Oregon looked solid on their second drive as Tony Brooks scored the first touchdown of the game Dakota Prukop showed for the first time this season why he is a dual threat QB with some timely runs. Nebraska broke through for a score on their third drive of the game to pull within one at 8-7.
Prukop was sacked twice in the first quarter.
Second Quarter Observations:
On Nebraska’s first drive of the quarter, Oregon held on both 3rd and 4th and long as Arrion Springs made the play to get the Ducks Defense off the field. Oregon needs to show they can operate on Offense without Royce Freeman who was injured on the first drive of the game.
They would find the answer with Kani Benoit on their fourth drive of the game. Oregon completed a 4th and Long to the Nebraska 2 yard line. Tony Brooks James took the ball into the end zone for his second score of the game, 14-7 Ducks. Nebraska would commit the first turnover as Arrion Springs ran the ball back to the 50 and Taj Griffin put 6 on the scoreboard to make it 20-7 Oregon.
Third Quarter Observations:
Oregon saw a 3 and out on their first Offensive possession with a failing Offensive Line also down Tyrell Crosby, which could be worth watching the rest of the game. Ozigbo added a Husker Touchdown putting Oregon down 28-20.
Dakota Prukop got things started with a first down, but would be stuck with another 4th down, but a Nebraska penalty gave the Ducks a fresh set of downs, but shot themselves in the foot with back to back penalties making it 3rd and 26. Oregon got it to 4th and1 and on the next play Kani Benoit ran 30 yards for a score with the Oregon Offense showing some resolve big time.
4th Quarter Observations:
Dakota Prukop showed some big time grit to start the fourth quarter picking up a first down on the run, throwing an over the middle pass to Darren Carrington at the 2 which lead to a touchdown. The Oregon Defense then gave up a 32 yard running play to Tommy Armstrong giving Nebraska a 3 point lead. In the end Prukop had a 4th and 18 to keep the game alive, but the Offense failed to convert.
Oregon Gameday Preview
The Oregon Ducks first road trip of the season lands them in Big Ten Territory as they take on Nebraska and former Oregon State Head Coach Mike Riley. Riley could have gone another ten years without seeing the blur that was the Oregon Ducks Offense again, but the 2016 Oregon Ducks are very similar to the Cornhuskers, learning about themselves as they go through the early part of the season.
Both teams exchanged pleasantries this week speaking highly of the others program, and despite playing in front of close to 90,000 and seeing a lot of points scored on both side Saturday, the intangibles, for me, go with Oregon. The Ducks have not lost a week 3 matchup in 20 years. The last time they played Nebraska, in 1985, it was a joke. A 63-0 Nebraska win where they got off to a 21 point start. The schemes on both sides of the ball were completely different
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The fans could have a say in the outcome on Saturday. Oregon and Nebraska come in just one point apart on average. Both teams are averaging just under 50 points per game, but the Defense could prove to be the difference. While Oregon is still a work in progress, and progressing nicely with sacks, hurries, and a few turnovers – it is Nebraska that leads the country in creaating Turnovers. Keep in mind that those turnovers were also against the likes of Fresno State and not higher caliber competition.
The same could be said for Oregon who faced UC Davis and Virginia, but the Cavaliers are among the lowest ranked Power 5 Opponents entering the 2016 season.
Players To Watch:
Oregon
- Royce Freeman(Running Back)
This one is pretty simple. Running Back Royce Freeman can make a big Heisman Statement this afternoon in Lincoln with a big game and Nebraska will be ready for the Ducks Lead Running Back. Oregon’s Rushing Attack may also be their secret weapon with guys behind Freeman who can not only break tackles, but speed their way to the endzone.
Nebraska
- Tommy Arnstrong(Quarterback)
Armstrong was once an Oregon Recruit and now finds himself facing the Oregon Ducks. He will put up a solid performance, but in his first two games his completion percentage got worse as the game went on. He will have to have a close to perfect day in the pocket for Nebraska to keep the pace and the momentum on Saturday.
It will be a good early season litmus test for both teams. A win keeps the Oregon Ducks on pace for everything they want. A loss on Saturday may only take them out of the National Championship race, but it is a long season and a lot can happen between now and December. Keeping a zero in the loss column should still be the priority and a win over a Big Ten team could pay dividends down the line.
Autzen Zoo will have Live Coverage of the game starting at Noon. You can also follow our Gameday Coverage on Twitter and on the KPNW Sports page on Facebook. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium between the Oregon Ducks and Nebraska Cornhuskers is set for 12:30pm Pacific Time on ABC.