Ducks Drop Pac-12 Opener To Utes

Saturday, September 26

Eugene, Ore.

5:45 PM

University of Oregon

2-2 , 0-1

Utah

4-0 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Utah

Oregon

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

09/27/15 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley

Box Score

By: GoDucks.com

by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon suffered its worst loss in more than a decade, as the No. 13 Ducks fell 62-20 to No. 18 Utah before 57,145 fans on Saturday evening.

How It Happened: Both teams came into the game with question marks at quarterback, and Utah's Travis Wilson provided the best answers. He finished 18-of-30 for 227 yards with four touchdowns, along with 100 rushing yards and a TD on the ground. Oregon, meanwhile, went to Jeff Lockie in favor of Vernon Adams Jr. after falling into an early 20-6 hole. Lockie provided hope by directing a quick touchdown drive, but the Utes scored on nine straight possessions — not counting a one-play drive to end the first half — and continued to pull away.

The Ducks struggled offensively out of the gate in Adams' return from a one-game absence, but the defense started well and held Utah to a punt and two field goals on its first three possessions. But after Oregon tied it 6-6 on an Adams screen pass to Royce Freeman, the Utes scored three straight touchdowns for a 27-13 halftime lead.

Utah scored again to open the second half, and put a stranglehold on the game with an unfortunate sequence for Oregon early in the third quarter. After the Utes scored to make it 34-13, Byron Marshall was slow to leave the field after returning the ensuing kickoff. Lockie was intercepted three plays later, Marshall left the field for further examination during the change of possession and on the next play Utah scored again. It would be 55-13 before the third quarter ended.

Who Stood Out: Freeman accounted for 123 all-purpose yards, rushing 14 times for 77 yards and catching two passes for 46 yards and a touchdown. Bralon Addison caught three passes for 31 yards and a score. DeForest Buckner had six tackles and two quarterback hurries. He tied for the team lead in tackles, after leading the Ducks with seven a week earlier.

What It Means: Oregon suffered its second loss of the season to a top-25 team, losing two of its first four for the first time since going 1-3 to open the 2004 campaign. The Ducks seem in danger of being unranked for the first time since the 2009 season.

Quotable:
Mark Helfrich, UO head coach
“There's not a ton to be said. They played great … and we didn't play well enough to win. That starts and ends with me. “

“The voices in the locker room tonight were good. … The culture of our team, I love our players, I love how I think they're going to respond. We got our tails kicked. We have to own it and move on.”

Don Pellum, UO defensive coordinator
“We didn't see a lot new (from Utah); we were just not in the right positions. … This was (missed) assignments. For some reason we had more assignment mistakes, and they were big plays.”

Notable: Along with Adams, right guard Cameron Hunt returned from a one-game absence. … The secondary saw two new starters, with Glen Ihenacho and Juwaan Williams joining Ugo Amadi and Tyree Robinson … Defensive regulars Chris Seisay and T.J. Daniel were not suited up for the game. … Freshman Malik Lovette warmed up and was on the sideline with the defensive backs, after moving over from receiver during this week of practice. He remains on track to redshirt this season. … Joe Walker, Alex Balducci, Matt Pierson and Lane Roseberry were game captains. Former UO quarterback A.J. Feeley was honorary captain.

Up Next: The Ducks go on the road to play at Colorado next Saturday (7 p.m. PT, ESPN).