Ducks Dominate 62-14, Improve To 2-0
09/08/18 | Football
Justin Herbert threw for four more touchdown passes, and the UO running backs accounted for four rushing touchdowns in the second half as the Ducks beat Portland State, 62-14.
In that regard, Saturday's second game of the 2018 season was a rousing success.
The Ducks (2-0) scored on each of their first two possessions and both of their final two possessions Saturday, held Portland State scoreless on its first four drives and played clean football marked by just two first-half penalties on the way to a 62-14 victory over the Vikings before a crowd of 47,210 in Autzen Stadium.
"The message all week was, real competitors, they're never affected by outside elements," UO coach Mario Cristobal said. "It doesn't matter who they're playing, when they're playing, where they're playing — anything on the outside. But what does matter is the standard they hold themselves to."

Justin Herbert continued his remarkable display of accuracy in the early going this season, finishing 20-of-26 for 250 yards with four touchdowns. Through two games he has nine touchdown passes, to six different receivers.
Graduate transfers Tabari Hines and Kano Dillon each caught his first touchdown pass in an Oregon uniform, during a first half in which the Ducks jumped out to a 35-7 lead.
Check out all four of Justin Herbert's TD passes in today's win. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/m7b1Ah7Sz7
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) September 8, 2018
Oregon's opening touchdown was an 18-yard pass from Herbert to Jaylon Redd, giving the sophomore receiver touchdown catches on his first three touches of this season.
"We knew they played man coverage, and we wanted to be really sharp in what we did in the passing game and protection," Cristobal said. "We did that early. And as the second quarter went on, we wanted to establish ourselves as a team that could play with power."
The Ducks rushed for four touchdowns in the second half, two by Tony Brooks-James and one each for CJ Verdell and Travis Dye. Brooks-James finished with 21 carries for 107 yards, and Verdell added 106 yards on 11 carries.
Dye's touchdown came on an outside zone play on which another true freshman, left tackle Penei Sewell, helped clear space for a 49-yard scoring play.
"I give all credit to the blocking," Dye said. "That hole was ridiculous."
The UO defense played tough, disciplined football against Portland State's option offense; PSU threw a curveball by starting the mobile Jalani Eason at quarterback over projected starter Davis Alexander. Kaulana Apelu and Austin Faoliu had seven tackles each for a UO defense that limited the Viks to just 224 yards, including 66 on the ground.
"The adjustments were made, and they were made relatively quickly," Cristobal said. "They still got us on a trick play … and they made us pay. But overall, just a really good job knocking back the line of scrimmage, which is going to be at the forefront of everything we do."
The Viks' only scoring play in the first half was a broken play on which tight end Charlie Taumoepeau got behind the defense and ran for a 71-yard touchdown reception. Another big gain by Taumoepeau, on a trick play for 47 yards in the fourth quarter, helped PSU drive the field for its only other touchdown.
The Ducks return to action for their final nonconference game of the season against San Jose State next Saturday (2 p.m., Pac-12 Network).
Team Stats

PSU 0, ORE 7
ORE - Redd, Jaylon 18 yd pass from Herbert, Justin (Emerson, Zach kick) 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:11

PSU 0, ORE 14
ORE - Hines, Tabari 9 yd pass from Herbert, Justin (Emerson, Zach kick) 8 plays, 99 yards, TOP 2:45

PSU 0, ORE 21
ORE - Dillon, Kano 20 yd pass from Herbert, Justin (Emerson, Zach kick) 8 plays, 63 yards, TOP 3:10

PSU 7, ORE 21
PSU - TAUMOEPEAU,C. 71 yd pass from EASON,Jalani (WILLIAMS,Cody kick) 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:38

PSU 7, ORE 28
ORE - Habibi-Likio, C 1 yd run (Emerson, Zach kick), 6 plays, 72 yards, TOP 1:50

PSU 7, ORE 35
ORE - Johnson III, J. 11 yd pass from Herbert, Justin (Emerson, Zach kick) 5 plays, 45 yards, TOP 0:50

PSU 7, ORE 42
ORE - Brooks-James 1 yd run (Emerson, Zach kick), 9 plays, 70 yards, TOP 3:13

PSU 7, ORE 49
ORE - Dye, Travis 49 yd run (Emerson, Zach kick), 2 plays, 52 yards, TOP 0:34

PSU 14, ORE 49
PSU - TAUMOEPEAU,C. 4 yd pass from EASON,Jalani (WILLIAMS,Cody kick) 5 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:49

PSU 14, ORE 56
ORE - Brooks-James 1 yd run (Emerson, Zach kick), 16 plays, 75 yards, TOP 6:46

PSU 14, ORE 62
ORE - Verdell, CJ 2 yd run (Emerson, Zach kickblocked), 4 plays, 37 yards, TOP 1:36