Ducks Open 2017 With 77-21 Victory

Saturday, September 2

Eugene, Ore.

5:15 PM

University of Oregon

1-0

Southern Utah

0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Southern Utah

Oregon

09/02/17 | Football

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Tony Brooks-James returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and Royce Freeman rushed for four touchdowns to lead the Ducks past Southern Utah.

By: Rob Moseley

EUGENE, Ore. — The Wille Taggart era of Oregon football began in rousing fashion Saturday, with Tony Brooks-James returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown and the Ducks' offense in vintage form throughout a 77-21 victory over Southern Utah before 52,204 fans in Autzen Stadium.

The Ducks (1-0) won their seventh straight season opener, and their 10th straight season opener played at home. They won their 16th straight game over non-Power 5 conference opponents.

How It Happened: Brooks-James returned the opening kick 100 yards to get the Ducks on the board first. Oregon's defense, making its debut under coordinator Jim Leavitt, got off to an inauspicious start, allowing Southern Utah to drive 70 yards to a game-tying touchdown.

But the defense buckled down from there, and the Ducks scored the game's next 35 points. Justin Herbert sparked that stretch with a TD pass to Jacob Breeland, and the Ducks also got a pair of touchdowns each from Royce Freeman and Kani Benoit.

The Thunderbirds scored twice just before halftime, recovering a muffed kick return by Brooks-James in between. But the UO defense rallied with a three-and-out to open the second half, Freeman scored in third touchdown of the night early in the third quarter, and the rout was on.

HIGHLIGHTS | Oregon 77, Southern Utah 21 https://t.co/iEeBAm1HOw
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) September 3, 2017

Who Stood Out: Freeman kicked off his senior season and quest for the UO career rushing record with 150 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries. His 48 career rushing touchdowns tie for fifth-most in conference history, and are five behind LaMichael James for the UO record. Freeman is also within four yards of catching Stepfan Taylor (Stanford, 2009-12) for sixth in Pac-12 history with 4,300 rushing yards. Benoit also surpassed the century mark, rushing for 107 yards and three touchdowns on seven carries.

Herbert was an efficient 17-of-21 for 281 yard with the single passing touchdown, and Charles Nelson led UO receivers with five catches for 99 yards. Defensively, returning team MVP Troy Dye made an apparently seamless transition to inside linebacker, leading the Ducks with 10 tackles and adding a first-half interception that helped Oregon take firm grasp of momentum.

What It Means: The Ducks used a familiar formula to beat the Thunderbirds, with explosive offense, timely turnovers and stops on defense, and game-changing special teams play. There's still much work to be done in the weeks ahead, but Saturday's win was the first step in proving the 2016 season an aberration in recent UO football history.

Notable: Brooks-James' kickoff return was the first by a Duck to open a new season since Saladin McCullough in 1997 against Arizona in Autzen Stadium. … The Ducks used seven true freshmen in the first half: Johnny Johnson III started at receiver, Adam Stack was the primary punter, Austin Faoliu started at nose guard and the defense used Jordon Scott, Nick Pickett, Billy Gibson and Thomas Graham Jr. off the bench. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and receiver Darrian McNeal played in the second half. … Safety Tyree Robinson, safety Brady Breeze, defensive lineman Scott Pagano and defensive lineman Malik Young were notable among the Ducks who did not suit up Saturday. … Blake Maimone, who battled all preseason camp for the punting job with Stack, handled the job in the second half.

Up Next: The Ducks host Nebraska in Autzen Stadium next Saturday (1:30 p.m. PT, FOX).