Notes: Allen Breaks Out With Pair of TDs
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Turns out this hurdler can play a little football, too.
Redshirt freshman receiver Devon Allen, who won NCAA and USA Track & Field titles in the 110-meter hurdles over the summer, was a player of the game Saturday in No. 3 Oregon’s 46-27 win over No. 7 Michigan State at Autzen Stadium on Saturday.
Allen put his speed on display with three receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. He pulled away from a defender tugging at his jersey and finished off a 70-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, and got behind the defense for a 24-yard scoring catch in the third quarter.
Allen worked his way into the starting lineup during fall camp, and made his first career reception in Oregon’s opener against South Dakota. His coming out party was Saturday’s win over the Spartans.
“It’s just good to get the opportunity to have the chance to do something big,” Allen said. “As receivers or running backs, whenever you get the ball you want to score. It doesn’t matter how big the stage – but the bigger the stage, the better the feeling.”
Allen also replaced Thomas Tyner as the Ducks’ primary kickoff return man and had 69 yards in returns. For good measure, he added a tackle on special teams.
Offensively, Allen said, Oregon’s improved tempo was a key to the second-half comeback. “We just had to relax, stay calm and make sure we played Oregon football,” Allen said. “Speed up the tempo a little bit, get the defense tired and run plays how we run.”
Placekicker Matt Wogan made a triumphant return to the lineup Saturday, making a 28-yard field goal and all six of his point-after attempts. Wogan was in uniform but didn’t play against South Dakota.
Wogan came back out for a 36-yard field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter, but Michigan State jumped offsides to set up fourth-and-two. The Ducks then opted to go for it, and Royce Freeman ran for a 14-yard touchdown.
Aidan Schneider, who handled all the kicking duties in the opener, remained on kickoff duty against the Spartans and had three touchbacks on eight attempts. Punter Ian Wheeler also had a good day, averaging 43 yards on seven punts.
Wogan’s first attempt might have come after Oregon’s first touchdown, but as usual the Ducks looked to score two points after their first score.
The play was a pass by holder Taylor Alie out to defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, who was aligned out to the right with only one other teammate, Arik Armstead. Buckner caught the swing pass and followed Armstead into the end zone for an 8-0 lead.
The play proved the benefit of practice. On Wednesday, the Ducks ran the play in practice and Buckner dropped the pass, to a chorus of jeers from teammates. Offensive line coach Steve Greatwood even joked that he would swap Buckner and Armstead, making the latter the receiver. Fortunately for all involved, Buckner made the play Saturday.
Marcus Mariota set two school records in the first half Saturday.
Mariota became Oregon’s career leader in total offense with 8,479 yards, passing Bill Musgrave. And he threw three touchdown passes, giving him 69 and breaking a tie with Darron Thomas at 66 coming into the day.
