Oregon football’s offensive outburst vs. Colorado is a great sign
Oregon football got off to a good start against Colorado on Saturday. It took just under five minutes for Anthony Brown and Travis Dye to get down the field. Dye took a swing pass to the right for 10 yards capping off a seven-play, 67-yard opening drive that saw two defensive penalties on the Buffaloes helping the Ducks in the process.
Colorado saw a three-and-out on its first possession, which also included its third penalty of the game. Oregon picked right up on their second possession getting down the field quickly. Byron Caldwell made quick work of the Colorado defense with a 34-yard touchdown run up the middle to help give Oregon a 14-0 lead with just over seven minutes left in the first quarter.
The Buffaloes did not fare much better on their second possession with multiple penalty calls resulting in a third-and-15 where they did not convert. With just over three minutes left in the first quarter, the Buffaloes had more penalty yards than yards from scrimmage — 30-22.
The Oregon Ducks continued to find the end zone on their third offensive possession of the day, this time through the air as Anthony Brown found Troy Franklin on a 28-yard pass capping off a 90-yard drive giving the Ducks a 21-0 lead with nearly the entire second quarter left to play.
Colorado added a touchdown from nine yards out after working their way down the field on mostly run plays. It was a 9 play, 77-yard drive without an offensive penalty.
Travis Dye scored his second touchdown of the game on the Ducks next possession off a five-yard run. It was a nine-play, 73-yard drive and the Ducks had 17 first downs in the game to Colorado with six.
The Buffaloes would get closer before halftime hitting an explosion play down to the Oregon 2-yard line. They were able to convert on fourth down for a touchdown to make it 28-14 just before halftime.
Oregon added a field goal to make it 31-14 heading into the locker room.
Colorado would start the second half with the ball and a return to the 18-yard line. The Oregon Defense was not giving up much. Noah Sewell stopped Running Back Deon Smith in his tracks and Bryan Addison broke up a pass making it third and 12. The Oregon defense forced a quarterback throw away forcing 4th down and a punt by the Buffaloes.
The Ducks continued to flex their offensive muscle in their opening drive of the second half as Travis Dye added his third touchdown giving Oregon a 38-14 lead over Colorado. The Ducks had 23 first downs for the game following the drive and score.
On the Ducks next possession, Anthony Brown ran off the right side for a touchdown that was called back for a penalty to the Colorado 25 yard line. On the next play, Brown threw a 25-yard pass to Devon Williams for a touchdown making it 45-14 Ducks.
The Colorado Buffaloes would again not go away, working their way down the field to make it 45-21 just into the 4th quarter on a long 17 play drive.
Ty Thompson would get some reps in the game that would end in an interception in his first series. He was picked off by Spencer Curtis at the Colorado 35 yard line. The Buffaloes would score on the ensuing drive and go for two making it a 45-29 Oregon lead.
Oregon would score with less than a minute to go in the game as Seven McGee walked in from the one-yard line to make it 52-29. While it was a win for the Ducks, the Oregon Defense showed signs of struggle.
The Oregon Defense gave up 29 points, the second most to a Pac-12 team this season after giving up 31 to UCLA. The Ducks Defense gave up 28 points on the road against Ohio State. The game was a victory for the Ducks pushing them to 7-1 on the season. Without style points, the rankings may not be as kind to Oregon without making a needed statement against a lesser opponent in Colorado.
Oregon heads on the road next week to visit the Washington Huskies. Game time will be announced likely on Sunday.