Ducks Vanquish the Vikings, 55-12

Saturday, October 28

Eugene, Ore.

4 p.m.

University of Oregon

6-2 , 3-2

Portland State

5-4 , 4-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Portland State

Oregon

Photo by: Associated Press

10/29/06 | Football

Box Score

By: Associated Press

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -Reserve Jeremiah Johnson ran for 90 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 25 Oregon to a 55-12 victory over Division I-AA Portland State on Saturday.

Johnson had scoring runs of 1, 6 and 1 yards in the first half to help the Ducks (6-2) overcome an early surge from the Vikings (5-4).

Oregon seemed to be in control midway through the first quarter after jumping out to a 14-0 lead.

Portland State's Mu'Ammar Ali kept it close, rushing for 127 yards in the first half, including a 57-yard TD run to bring the Vikings within 21-12 early in the second quarter.

Johnson, filling in for injured starter Jonathan Stewart, quickly answered with two touchdowns in the final 4:15 of the second quarter, helping Oregon to a 35-12 halftime lead.

Benched at halftime of Oregon's 34-23 loss at Washington State a week ago, Dennis Dixon rebounded with a solid effort against the Vikings, completing 13 of 23 passes for 150 yards and one TD. He also rushed for 42 yards on six carries.

Oregon's Jaison Williams had eight catches for 112 yards and a touchdown, his fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season.

Ali finished with 139 yards on 23 carries.

Dixon capped an eight-play, 72-yard drive with an 11-yard toss to Williams in the back of the end zone, giving the Ducks a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Dixon was 6-for-6 on the drive for 50 yards.

Portland State receiver Tremayne Kirkland took a quick pass from Sawyer Smith and ran in for a 19-yard score late in the first quarter, cutting the Vikings' deficit to 14-6.

Backup QB Brady Leaf's 3-yard scoring run pushed the Ducks ahead 21-6 early in the second quarter, but Ali answered with his 57-yard run. The Vikings failed on a 2-point conversion try.

The Oregon defense made it a route in the second half, limiting the Vikings to 62 yards in the final two quarters.

Portland State never advanced past its own 46 in the second half. Oregon forced four Portland State turnovers and had five quarterback sacks in the game.

Paul Martinez kicked two second-half field goals, A.J. Tuitele returned an interception 26 yards for a TD and Andiel Brown scored on a 7-yard run to cap the scoring for the Ducks.

Game Notes

Today's crowd of 57,493 marks Oregon's 46th consecutive sellout at Autzen Stadium. It is the first game this season that did not rank in the top-5 all-time.

Oregon is now 3-0 all-time vs. Portland State , 2-0 under Mike Bellotti. The Ducks improved to 25-1 in non-conference home games under Bellotti and 33-5 overall in regular-season non-conference contests.

Today's win makes the Ducks bowl eligible for the 10 th time in Bellotti's tenure.

Today's win over Portland State is Oregon 's largest margin of victory over the Vikings (43 points), surpassing the 41-point margin in 2002.

Two Oregon players got their first career starts today – offensive tackle Jacbo Hucko and cornerback Willie Glasper. Glasper also got his first career interception. Freshman quarterback Nathan Costa played for the first time this season, taking over the Ducks' offense in the fourth quarter.

In his first collegiate action, Costa drove the Ducks 98 yards on nine plays. He finished the game 3-for-3 for 51 yards and 14 yards rushing.

Oregon scored seven out of eight times when in the red zone today (six TD, one FG) and is 37-of-42 (88.1 %) in scoring when in the red zone this season.

Wide receiver Jaison Williams had his fifth 100-yard receiving game (8 catches, 112 yards) to tie Damon Griffin (1998) and Pat Johnson (1997) for the most 100-yards in a single season. Oregon has now had a 100-yard receiver in seven consecutive games.

Redshirt freshman Jairus Byrd had his fourth interception of the season and his second in as many games. Byrd leads the team in interceptions.

Jeremiah Johnson's three rushing touchdowns is a career-best, surpassing his previous high of two rushing scores vs. Fresno State ( 9/9/06 ).

Oregon quarterback Brady Leaf got his first career rushing touchdown when he scored from three yards out in the first quarter.

Portland State running back Ali Mu'Ammar's 57-yard rushing touchdown is the longest rush allowed by the Oregon defense this season. The previous long was a 48-yard run by California tailback Justin Forsett earlier this season. It is also the longest rushing TD given up by the Ducks since Washington 's Shelton Sampson scored from 77 yards out in Seattle on Nov. 1, 2003 .

Oregon linebacker A.J. Tuitele had his second touchdown of the season, returning an interception 26 yards in the third quarter. Tuitele returned a blocked field goal 72 yards vs. Stanford in the Ducks' season-opener.

Wide receiver Ryan Mattice had his first career reception; Quarterback Nathan Costa completed his first collegiate pass (Mattice); Junior running back Andiel Brown scored his first career rushing touchdown today.