Updated: 4:10 pm PT
After two days of unseasonable, very heavy rain in Eugene, the sky opened up and it was a clear summer day for Oregon’s opener against the Boise State Broncos.
Oregon won the toss and deferred to the second half. After a touchback, the Broncos sputtered a bit initially, but put together a solid drive, mixed with passes and running, and picked up four first downs almost at will. A 13-yard pass from Maddux Madsen to Cam Bates put BSU on the board first. Oregon 0, Boise St. 7
Oregon proceeded to go three-and-out, and then went for it on 4th and 2 at the BSU 45 yard line, but turned the ball over on downs with an unsuccessful pass to Evan Stewart.
BSU started their second drive at their own 47-yard line. This time, the defense stiffened and the Broncos punted after going 3-and-out. Oregon’s next drive was going to be a long one, starting from their own 3-yard line.
After a curious Bronco delay of game, Dante Moore completed a 50-yard pass to Jeremiah McClellan, but the Ducks could do no more, and punted.
BSU then started their drive on their 3-yard line. And attempt to throw on 3rd and five resulted in Oregon’s first sack of the day, by Teitum Tuioti. That play took us to the end of the first quarter. Boise St. 7, Oregon 0
Oregon started on the 50-yard line after the BSU punt. This time, Oregon put together a solid drive, mixed with rushes and passing, capped by Jordon Davison rushing up the middle for the fist TD of the day for the Ducks. Oregon 7, Boise St. 7
Boise St. started on their own 25 after a touchback on the kickoff. BSU went 3-and-out, punted, and Stewart muffed the return and fumbled the ball. To be fair, he was interfered with and the officials did not call it.
BSU then threw a short pass that turned into a 38-yard touchdown. Boise St. 14, Oregon 7
After kickoff, the Ducks started their drive on their 22-yard line. They picked up a couple of first downs, before stalling at midfield. A 4th and 1 pass gained no yards and Oregon again turned the ball over on downs.
Gifted with great midfield position, BSU could get nowhere. They went for it on 4th and 6, and an Oregon offsides penalty made it 4th and one – and, of course, BSU converted. Then the Broncos capitalized on an Oregon unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to push to the 14-yard line, where they were forced to settle for a field goal. Boise St. 17, Oregon 7
Oregon got the ball on their 25 with 2:48 to go. They picked up a first down but faltered again and punted the ball. BSU started on their 7 and was content to run off as much clock as they could. The Ducks got the ball back on the BSU 44 with 1:02 on the clock. Could they get some points before halftime?
The Ducks finally put together an urgent, 2-minute offensive drive, and Jamari Johnson’s 27-yard catch from Moore with 19 second left in the half pulled Oregon to within three points. Boise St. 17, Oregon 14
At the half, all of the game stats favored Oregon, except that non-interference fumble that resulted in a BSU touchdown. Dante Moore went 18-23 for 163 yards and one TD, and spread the ball out to six receivers. Jordon Davison led all runners with 35 yards on six attempts, possibly underscoring this new offensive line’s issues in helping create success in the ground game.
As unnerving as it may seem at halftime, these kinds of first-game bugs are normal for Oregon football. Would some of these bugs be worked out after halftime?
The Ducks got the ball to start the 2nd half, and immediately incurred an offensive false start. Moore hit Stewart for 39 yards to get to midfield, and then a BSU pass interference call put the Ducks in the red zone. They could not advance, and settled for a Gage Hurych 26 yard field goal to tie the game. Oregon 17, Boise St. 17
Boise St. started their first drive of the 2nd half on their 25-yard line. They found success running the ball, but faltered after getting to their 44-yard line. The Broncos punted and Oregon took over on their 13-yard line.
Jordon Davison ripped up the middle for 40 yards, and then two plays later Jamari Johnson caught a 22 yard pass to get the Ducks inside the BSU 30. Two more (Moore?) passes resulted in a Johnson touchdown throw, and Oregon was ahead for the first time this afternoon. Oregon 24, Boise St. 17
Boise State was not done. Starting on their 25-yard line, they drove down the length of the field, led by successful passing and an Oregon pass interference call (this one was legitimate). On 4th and 3, BSU tied the game up. Oregon 24, Boise St. 24
Moore completed a 51-yard pass to McClellan, and a couple of pass attempts left Oregon with a 3rd and 10 situation on the BSU 25 as the third quarter ended. A trick play for a touchdown was there for the taking, but the ball was not caught, and Oregon has to settle for a 44 yard field goal. Oregon 27, Boise St. 24
BSU took over on their 25, and a Ducks pass interference call put the Broncos at midfield. Boise State chewed up clock and dove until they stalled at the Oregon 18-yard line, where they tied the game with a 36-yard field goal. Oregon 27, Boise St. 27
Boise’s kickoff was not a touchback and was returned to the Oregon 29. The Ducks started their drive with 8:43 left in the game. Moore completed a 19-yard pass to Stewart and then hit Dakorien Moore for a beautiful 62 yard strike for a touchdown. Oregon 34, Boise St. 27
After the kickoff, BSU started on their own 25-yard line with 7:51 left on the clock. Oregon’s defense decided to play, and after a sack of Madsen the Broncos punted. Oregon started on their 31 with 5:41 left in the game.
On this drive, the Ducks could do nothing right. A false start penalty was followed by a sack of Moore, and Oregon punted. BSU started their next drive on their 14 with 2:24 left in the game. Madsen hit an 18-yard pass to get to BSU’s 31 at the 2:00 mark.
The Broncos threw three incomplete passes and took a timeout with 4th and 10 on their own 31. A fourth incomplete pass turned the ball over on downs and gifted the Ducks the ball deep in BSU territory. Now what would Oregon do with 1:41 left in the game?
The Ducks ran the ball, and while they did not get a first down, they did run the clock down to 5 seconds before calling time out on 4th down. They threw an incomplete pass which ended the game, and Oregon came away with a 34-27 win in their season opener.
Updated: 4:10 pm PT
Come back as we update with end of game stats and postgame interviews!
