Although it wasn’t the prettiest performance in the history of Oregon football, the Ducks are more than happy to start the 2021 season with a win.
Quarterback Anthony Brown converted a 4th-and-2 on the Fresno State 30-yard line by breaking through the first wave of Bulldog defenders and sprinting to the end zone to secure a 31-24 win over the Bulldogs.
It was the first game in 644 days where Oregon Duck fans were able to watch their favorite team play in person and Oregon didn’t disappoint those who wanted a close, hard-fought game.
Fresno State played as best as it possibly could against the No. 11 team in the country and was up 24-21 in the fourth quarter with all the momentum in the world on its sideline.
But three turnovers eventually led to their downfall, including a fumble by quarterback Jake Haener midway in the fourth quarter that set up a game-tying field goal to make it 24-24.
The Ducks then held the Bulldogs to a three-and-out to set up their game-winning efforts. CJ Verdell was able to gain chunks of yards on the ground against a tired Fresno State defensive line, but as Oregon drove into Fresno State territory, the defense made it tougher and tougher to move the ball.
Oregon was faced with a 4th-and-2 from the 30-yard line where Mario Cristobal was faced with a major decision. He could have attempted a long field goal with just over three minutes to go or go for it and extend the drive.
Cristobal got more than he bargained for.
Brown ran the option to perfection, faked a pitch to Travis Dye, kept it, broke through the line, and then sprinted for the end zone. His touchdown with 2:57 was the biggest play of the day and the Ducks could let out a huge sigh of relief as they avoided the major upset.
Before that one run, Brown was short of spectacular as the offense had a tough time developing any consistency. The senior was just 15-of-24 for 172 yards. He did rush for 62 yards on 16 carries, however. But overall, the offense was stymied for much of the day with just 361 total yards for the day.
In comparison, Haener was 30-of-42 for 298 yards and a touchdown. But those three turnovers, two in the first quarter that set up Oregon touchdowns did the Bulldogs in.
It was 14-0 in the first quarter and the Ducks were primed to roll, but then it was Kayvon Thibodeaux’s ankle that was rolling. A Duck teammate was pushed into Thibodeaux after the play was over late in the first and after trying to give it a go, Thibodeaux and the training staff decided to put the defensive end in a walking boot and hope for the best.
Cristobal said X-rays were negative and it was just a sprain. Hopefully, that’s all it is as the Ducks have a huge game with No. 4 Ohio State next week and they’re going to need their top defender on the field in order to pull off the upset.
NEXT UP
Oregon travels to Columbus, Ohio next Saturday to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in a nationally televised game on Fox. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 AM PST.