Saturday, September 2
Eugene, Ore.
TBA
University of Oregon
36
vs
7
Nevada
Photo by: GoDucks.com
Ducks Set School-Record In 36-7 Season-Opening Rout Of Nevada
09/02/00 | Football
EUGENE, Ore. - Before its third-largest opening day crowd of 43,371, Oregon relied on tailback newcomer Maurice Morris and a ever-attacking defense in a 36-7 season-opening win over Nevada and its record-setting 15th straight win at home.
Even with the loss of several key starters from last season, the Duck 'D' piled up eight sacks, three interceptions and 13 tackles for loss by day's end. Left end Jason Nikolao even claimed the team's first points of the year with a safety ending Nevada's second possession. With 7:13 remaining in the first quarter, the Duck senior trapped Wolf Pack running back Adrien Dugas at the goal line, then drove him back four yards into the end zone.
Nikolao and right end Saul Patu each added two sacks as Patu moved up to sixth on the all-time school list Saturday. Michael Callier, Wesly Mallard, Jed Boice and Seth McEwen also tallied quarterback stops.
Opposing quarterback David Neill was constantly forced to roll out and improvise, and held to 8-of-30 passing for 106 yards. Options on the ground were even more limited as Nevada rushers carried 34 times for -3 net yards. At game's end, Nevada's total offense of 103 yards was the lowest by a Duck opponent since San Jose State (88 yards) in 1962.
"Our defensive pressure is one of the best I've seen," Patu said, " one of the most athletic and fastest we've had. Coach Gregory did a good job of preparing us, so we were ready to go after the quarterback."
The UO secondary were equally on cue and added a trio of interceptions by Ryan Mitchell, Rasuli Webster and Rashad Bauman.
In contrast, the Duck offense built continuity as the game wore on, scoring one touchdown in the second and third quarters and two more in the final period. Junior tailback Maurice Morris shined brightest in his Autzen Stadium debut with a 166 yards on the ground off 20 carries. The former JC All-American also scored his first touchdown halfway through the second quarter on a 66-yard break through the right side of the Nevada defense.
"It was a good first game," Morris said, "especially since it was a new stadium and new fans, and also my first Division 1 game. It's nice to get it out of the way."
Besides Morris' score, other Duck touchdowns came courtesy of Joey Harrington (1-yard run, 5:51-3rd quarter), fullback Adam Kennybrew (2-yard run, 4th-13:10) and freshman tailback Kenny Washington (4-yard run, 4th-3:01).
Junior quarterback Joey Harrington (10-22 passing, 151 yards, one TD) played the opening three quarters, before senior A.J. Feeley (1-4 passing, 27 yards) took over for the fourth quarter. In the final stats, the Duck offense proved opportunistic on first down, netting 240 of its 456 total yards.
Nevada's only points came towards the end of the first half. Starting on their own 30-yard line with 8:05 left in the second quarter, quarterback David Neil directed an 11-play, 70-yard drive capped by a 21-yard pass to Nate Burleson.
Oregon appeared ready to pounce early as quarterback Joey Harrington opened the game with a lateral to Keenan Howry, who then connected on a 53-yard pass to Justin Peelle to the Nevada 22-yard line. Morris next carried for gains of 3 and 12 yards, before fumbling on the Nevada six-yard line.
The Duck offense was four-and-out on his next drive, before adding its first points on its third possession. Senior placekicker Josh Frankel connected on a 43-yard field goal with 3:14 left in the first quarter, then added a second from 35 yards out with 13:05 left in the second quarter.
"Offensively, we played a little sloppy and were too inconsistent," Harrington said. "At the same time, we had a lot of younger guys and new bodies, so it takes a little bit of time to get the offense going."
For Nevada, wide receiver Mike Crawford ended with three catches for 30 yards, while running back Adrien Dugas netted 32 yards on 13 carries.
Among Duck individual leaders, Keenan Howry paced receivers (three catches for 66 yards, including a 48-yarder from Harrington), senior punter Kurtis Doerr had four punts, a 48.3-yard average and a long of 60 yards, and Matt Smith led the team in tackles with nine, including one for a three-yard loss.
In the final team comparison, Oregon edged Nevada in first downs (19-12), total yards (456-103), passing yards (231-106), and rushing yards (225- -3).
After the game, Oregon coaches took relief in the lack of major injuries - the only notable was linebacker Wesly Mallard's broken thumb - while many of the younger faces picked up much-needed playing time before the team's next test at Madison, Wisc., Saturday, Sept. 9 at 2:30 p.m. Central Time and televised by ABC.
Even with the loss of several key starters from last season, the Duck 'D' piled up eight sacks, three interceptions and 13 tackles for loss by day's end. Left end Jason Nikolao even claimed the team's first points of the year with a safety ending Nevada's second possession. With 7:13 remaining in the first quarter, the Duck senior trapped Wolf Pack running back Adrien Dugas at the goal line, then drove him back four yards into the end zone.
Nikolao and right end Saul Patu each added two sacks as Patu moved up to sixth on the all-time school list Saturday. Michael Callier, Wesly Mallard, Jed Boice and Seth McEwen also tallied quarterback stops.
Opposing quarterback David Neill was constantly forced to roll out and improvise, and held to 8-of-30 passing for 106 yards. Options on the ground were even more limited as Nevada rushers carried 34 times for -3 net yards. At game's end, Nevada's total offense of 103 yards was the lowest by a Duck opponent since San Jose State (88 yards) in 1962.
"Our defensive pressure is one of the best I've seen," Patu said, " one of the most athletic and fastest we've had. Coach Gregory did a good job of preparing us, so we were ready to go after the quarterback."
The UO secondary were equally on cue and added a trio of interceptions by Ryan Mitchell, Rasuli Webster and Rashad Bauman.
In contrast, the Duck offense built continuity as the game wore on, scoring one touchdown in the second and third quarters and two more in the final period. Junior tailback Maurice Morris shined brightest in his Autzen Stadium debut with a 166 yards on the ground off 20 carries. The former JC All-American also scored his first touchdown halfway through the second quarter on a 66-yard break through the right side of the Nevada defense.
"It was a good first game," Morris said, "especially since it was a new stadium and new fans, and also my first Division 1 game. It's nice to get it out of the way."
Besides Morris' score, other Duck touchdowns came courtesy of Joey Harrington (1-yard run, 5:51-3rd quarter), fullback Adam Kennybrew (2-yard run, 4th-13:10) and freshman tailback Kenny Washington (4-yard run, 4th-3:01).
Junior quarterback Joey Harrington (10-22 passing, 151 yards, one TD) played the opening three quarters, before senior A.J. Feeley (1-4 passing, 27 yards) took over for the fourth quarter. In the final stats, the Duck offense proved opportunistic on first down, netting 240 of its 456 total yards.
Nevada's only points came towards the end of the first half. Starting on their own 30-yard line with 8:05 left in the second quarter, quarterback David Neil directed an 11-play, 70-yard drive capped by a 21-yard pass to Nate Burleson.
Oregon appeared ready to pounce early as quarterback Joey Harrington opened the game with a lateral to Keenan Howry, who then connected on a 53-yard pass to Justin Peelle to the Nevada 22-yard line. Morris next carried for gains of 3 and 12 yards, before fumbling on the Nevada six-yard line.
The Duck offense was four-and-out on his next drive, before adding its first points on its third possession. Senior placekicker Josh Frankel connected on a 43-yard field goal with 3:14 left in the first quarter, then added a second from 35 yards out with 13:05 left in the second quarter.
"Offensively, we played a little sloppy and were too inconsistent," Harrington said. "At the same time, we had a lot of younger guys and new bodies, so it takes a little bit of time to get the offense going."
For Nevada, wide receiver Mike Crawford ended with three catches for 30 yards, while running back Adrien Dugas netted 32 yards on 13 carries.
Among Duck individual leaders, Keenan Howry paced receivers (three catches for 66 yards, including a 48-yarder from Harrington), senior punter Kurtis Doerr had four punts, a 48.3-yard average and a long of 60 yards, and Matt Smith led the team in tackles with nine, including one for a three-yard loss.
In the final team comparison, Oregon edged Nevada in first downs (19-12), total yards (456-103), passing yards (231-106), and rushing yards (225- -3).
After the game, Oregon coaches took relief in the lack of major injuries - the only notable was linebacker Wesly Mallard's broken thumb - while many of the younger faces picked up much-needed playing time before the team's next test at Madison, Wisc., Saturday, Sept. 9 at 2:30 p.m. Central Time and televised by ABC.
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