There would be no letdown today.
Coming into the game, the No. 8 Oregon Ducks wanted to win the game first and foremost, but they wanted to get out of Boulder healthy. They accomplished both as the Ducks crushed the 1-8 Buffaloes to the tune of a 49-10 final score.
Bo Nix increased his Heisman hopes with five touchdowns, but they were fairly unconventional, to say the least. Nix rushed for two scores, passed for two more, and then even caught a touchdown pass.
The Ducks’ first touchdown was a pass to offensive lineman Josh Conerly, who checked in as a tight end. Colorado didn’t see him and the big lineman showed some soft hands with his catch in the end zone.
Oregon made it 14-0 on a halfback pass from Bucky Irving to Nix for an 18-yard touchdown. The rout was officially on early in the second quarter when the Ducks sent in linebacker Noah Sewell to punch it in from a yard out to go up 21-0.
Colorado managed to crack the scoreboard on a blown assignment from the Oregon secondary. They left receiver Jordyn Tyson open for an 81-yard strike. The Ducks answered right before the halftime break with a 16-yard touchdown to tight end Moliki Matavao.
Up 28-7, the Ducks cruised in the second half and it was where former Buffaloes corner Christian Gonzalez ended any hope of a potential upset. He had two interceptions in the third quarter that set up two short touchdown runs.
Now the Ducks come back home and prepare for Washington. It’s always a big week when the Huskies visit Eugene, but even more now as Washington should be ranked with its 7-2 record. The Huskies defeated the Beavers Friday night 24-21.
“I’m excited,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said of playing the Dawgs. “Obviously this is a game that our fans are passionate about. I certainly understand the expectation for our team and our players. So we want to go out there and execute at a high level, play really well.”
GAME HIGHLIGHTS