Ducks Beat Buffs 44-10 For 10th Victory

Saturday, November 22

Eugene, Ore.

1:30 PM

University of Oregon

10-1 , 7-1

Colorado

2-9 , 0-8

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Colorado

Oregon Ducks

Photo by: GoDucks.com

11/23/14 | Football

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon celebrated senior day in style Saturday, beating Colorado 44-10 at Autzen Stadium in another record-setting day for junior quarterback Marcus Mariota.

How It Happened: The Ducks put together perhaps their most dominating performance of the season, rolling up 597 yards of offense and allowing just 226. Touchdowns on four of Oregon's first five drives put the game out of reach early, with Royce Freeman rushing for two first-half touchdowns and Mariota adding a rushing touchdown and a passing TD, to Charles Nelson. The Buffs were 1-of-2 on field-goal attempts in the first half, and Oregon closed the half with a Matt Wogan field goal to lead 30-3.

In the third quarter, new starting tight end Evan Baylis — a Colorado native — had his first career touchdown reception. That was the 41st touchdown play Mariota was involved in on the season, tying Matt Barkley's Pac-12 record, and Mariota broke it later in the quarter with another scoring pass to Nelson. With the Ducks up 44-10, Mariota took the field for their first snap of the fourth quarter, handed off and then was pulled from the game for backup Jeff Lockie. Mariota was noncommittal after the game about his future, but the junior conceded that, "If this was my last game at Autzen, it was truly special."

Who Stood Out: Mariota accounted for 396 yards of offense and four touchdowns, in the process becoming just the sixth player in major college history with 9,000 career passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards. Freeman extended his UO true freshman rushing record, surpassing 1,000 yards for the season with 105 on Saturday. Erick Dargan led the dominating defensive performance with seven tackles, while Joe Walker and Arik Armstead each posted a sack. Hamani Stevens filled in for Hroniss Grasu at center and kept the offense moving at a rapid tempo.

What It Means: Oregon (10-1, 7-1 Pac-12) maintained momentum after having previously clinched the Pac-12 North title. The Ducks won a 10th game for the seventh straight season, improving to 21-3 under coach Mark Helfrich. Colorado fell to 2-9 overall, 0-8 in conference. s

Odds and Ends: With Stevens at center, Doug Brenner entered the starting lineup at left guard, though Jake Pisarick played a considerable amount of reps at that spot, too. ... Junior offensive tackle Andre Yruretagoyena rotated at right tackle with Tyrell Crosby, taking the field for the first time since September. ... Long snapper Devin Melendez became the 11th true freshman to play in 2014. ... Running back Thomas Tyner did not play. ... Oregon was a phenomenal 9-of-15 on third down. ... Neither team had a turnover.

Up Next: The Ducks close out the regular season with the Civil War in Corvallis next Saturday. The game will kickoff at 5 p.m. PT for a national ABC broadcast.