EUGENE, Ore. — After a disappointing loss at Oklahoma State, No. 21 Oregon had little trouble getting back on track Friday night.
The Ducks scored early and often, cruising past Portland State 84-0 at Autzen Stadium in a game that was never in doubt after the opening quarter. Oregon scored 28 points in the first quarter and added 21 more before halftime, taking a 49-0 lead into the break.
The victory moved Oregon to 2-1 and gave Dan Lanning his 50th win in 59 games as the Ducks’ head coach. It was also Oregon’s 40th consecutive home win against a nonconference opponent, extending the nation’s longest active streak.
Moore Leads the Way
Dante Moore looked much more comfortable than he did in last week’s loss to Oklahoma State. The junior quarterback completed 19 of 23 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with nine different receivers before giving way to the backups in the second half.
Oregon wasted little time getting started. Jordon Davison finished the opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Moore followed with touchdown passes to Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart as the Ducks raced to a 28-0 lead after one quarter.
Freshman tight end Kendre Harrison added his first collegiate touchdown on a 10-yard reception early in the second quarter, while Dierre Hill and Messiah Hampton also found the end zone before halftime.
With starting tight end Jamari Johnson and leading receiver Jeremiah McClellan both unavailable, Oregon’s young pass catchers received an opportunity to step up. Hampton made the most of his chance, finishing with six catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
“He’s someone that has been so dedicated,” Dante Moore said of Hampton. “When his number was called today, he does that at practice.”
Davison added 81 rushing yards and two touchdowns as Oregon continued to move the ball efficiently on the ground.
Young Ducks Get Their Moment
The second half quickly became an opportunity for Oregon’s younger players to get extended playing time.
Dylan Raiola made his Oregon debut at quarterback and completed all 11 of his attempts for 124 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Andrew Olesh and Brady Bidwell for touchdowns, giving both players their first collegiate scores.
Tradarian Ball and Brandon Smith also found the end zone, while Oregon’s defense continued to shut down Portland State’s offense.
The Vikings finished with just 103 total yards and were held to only two rushing yards. Gabe Downing completed 8 of 20 passes for 101 yards and threw three interceptions, with freshman Jett Washington recording two of them.
Oregon also got an interception from Davon Benjamin as the Ducks’ defense continued to rotate players throughout the second half.
By the time the final whistle sounded, Oregon had scored 12 touchdowns, the most in program history. The 84 points were also the Ducks’ most in the modern era, while the 84-point margin was the largest in Autzen Stadium history.
A Reset Before USC
As impressive as the final score was, Friday night’s result was never going to answer all of the questions raised by Oregon’s first two games.
The Ducks opened the season with a narrow win over Boise State before falling 39-31 at Oklahoma State last week. That loss dropped Oregon from No. 6 to No. 21 in the AP Poll, making the Portland State game an opportunity to regain some confidence before conference play.
Oregon did exactly what it needed to do against an overmatched Portland State team, but the real evaluation begins next week.
“We have a better team, and no disrespect to Portland State, but that’s the way it should look when you execute the way we’re supposed to execute,” Lanning said.
The Ducks now turn their attention to their first Big Ten game of the season, and it comes against their highest-ranked opponent yet. Oregon travels to Los Angeles next Saturday to face No. 12 USC.
That game should provide a much clearer picture of whether the Ducks have actually corrected the issues that showed up against Boise State and Oklahoma State.
For now, Oregon has put the loss behind it with one of the most dominant performances in school history.
Based in Los Angeles, California, Martin is a freelance photographer with Martin26Photos, specializing in sports and portrait photography. He has made a name for himself in Southern California’s sports photojournalism scene, covering local high school and college events as well as media days. With experience capturing high-profile Division 1 athletics, Martin aims to expand his work to professional sports in the near future.
