University of Oregon
1-0
Eastern Washington
0-1
No. 7 Ducks Prevail over Eastern Washington, 61-42
09/06/15 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
EUGENE, Ore. — The No. 7 Oregon football opened the 2015 season by winning its 11th straight home opener, 61-42 on Saturday over visiting Eastern Washington before 58,128 on hand for the 104th consecutive sellout of Autzen Stadium.
How It Happened: Vernon Adams' debut with the Ducks was a triumphant one. Playing against the school from which he earned his undergraduate degree before transferring this summer, Adams led Oregon to victory in a shootout over an FCS school that set numerous school records for offense last season. The young UO secondary was targeted for 438 passing yards by the Eagles, but Adams and the UO offense had more than enough firepower to match.
The Ducks relied on their rushing game early, with Kani Benoit, Royce Freeman and Tony Brooks-James all scoring on the ground — in Freeman's case, three times. His first put Oregon up 20-7 late in the first quarter, and his second made it 34-21 midway through the second.
Eastern did most of its damage through the air, relying heavily on big receiver Cooper Kupp, who accounted for 246 receiving yards - an Autzen Stadium record - and three touchdowns. But Adams and the Ducks also did work through the air; his first-quarter TD pass to Bralon Addison gave Oregon 69 straight games with at least one touchdown through the air, tying the FBS record held by Texas Tech (2006-11). Adams added a TD pass to Byron Marshall in the third quarter, giving him multiple scoring passes in 27 straight games, the first 26 for EWU.
What It Means: Playing for the first time without Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, the Ducks didn't miss much of a beat offensively. Given the experience in Oregon's front seven, it figured opponents would try to attack them through the air. The question will be what kind of adjustment the Ducks can make over the next week before a big matchup with Michigan State.
Notes: Defensive coordinator Don Pellum spent the game in the coaches' box, while outside linebackers coach Erik Chinander was on the sideline. That was a reversal of their positions for games last season. … The Ducks used six true freshmen: receiver Kirk Merritt, cornerback Ugo Amadi, safety Fotu Leiato, nose tackle Rex Manu, running back Taj Griffin and linebacker Kaulana Apelu. Leiato played exclusively on special teams, and was double-teamed on his first two reps covering kickoffs. Amadi was the extra defensive back in nickel situations. … Addison and left tackle Tyler Johnstone each got the start on offense, returning from injuries that kept the sidelined all last season. … Tui Talia was pegged to replace defensive end Arik Armstead in the starting lineup. That gave the Ducks all seniors across the front seven. … Sophomore Charles Nelson suited up but did not enter the game.
Up Next: The Ducks go on the road to face No. 5 Michigan State next Saturday in Spartan Stadium (5 p.m., ABC).
Team Stats
EWU 0, ORE 6
ORE - Benoit, Kani 8 yd run (Alie, Taylor passfailed), 7 plays, 63 yards, TOP 2:17
EWU 0, ORE 13
ORE - Addison, Bralon 6 yd pass from Adams Jr., V. (Schneider, A. kick) 9 plays, 70 yards, TOP 2:42
EWU 7, ORE 13
EWU - Shaq Hill 12 yd pass from Jordan West (Tyler McNannay kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:11
EWU 7, ORE 20
ORE - Freeman, Royce 1 yd run (Schneider, A. kick), 4 plays, 62 yards, TOP 0:58
EWU 7, ORE 27
ORE - Brooks-James 12 yd run (Schneider, A. kick), 9 plays, 77 yards, TOP 2:16
EWU 14, ORE 27
EWU - Kendrick Bourne 2 yd pass from Jordan West (Tyler McNannay kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:07
EWU 14, ORE 34
ORE - Freeman, Royce 3 yd run (Schneider, A. kick), 7 plays, 61 yards, TOP 1:38
EWU 21, ORE 34
EWU - Cooper Kupp 16 yd pass from Jordan West (Tyler McNannay kick) 9 plays, 41 yards, TOP 2:55
EWU 21, ORE 37
ORE - Schneider, A. 38 yd field goal 7 plays, 58 yards, TOP 0:48
EWU 21, ORE 44
ORE - Freeman, Royce 1 yd run (Schneider, A. kick), 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:51
EWU 28, ORE 44
EWU - Cooper Kupp 1 yd pass from R. Hennessey (Tyler McNannay kick) 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:54
EWU 28, ORE 51
ORE - Marshall, Byron 24 yd pass from Adams Jr., V. (Schneider, A. kick) 3 plays, 68 yards, TOP 1:04
EWU 35, ORE 51
EWU - Jabari Wilson 3 yd run (Tyler McNannay kick), 7 plays, 70 yards, TOP 2:18
EWU 35, ORE 54
ORE - Schneider, A. 30 yd field goal 7 plays, 33 yards, TOP 2:13
EWU 35, ORE 61
ORE - Brooks-James 15 yd run (Schneider, A. kick), 8 plays, 70 yards, TOP 3:20
EWU 42, ORE 61
EWU - Cooper Kupp 7 yd pass from R. Hennessey (B. Bangsund kick) 13 plays, 68 yards, TOP 5:12
