It took just a minute and thirty-six seconds for the Oregon football team to set the tone against Colorado on Saturday.
The Ducks (6-1, 4-0 Pac-12) needed just six plays to go 80-yards for a touchdown on the first drive of the game, and never let up en route to a 45-2 victory in Boulder, CO.
With redshirt freshman Bryan Bennett behind center at quarterback in the place of Darron Thomas, Oregon scored on each of its first four drives, grabbing a 29-0 lead as the first quarter came to an end. Starting in the place of LaMichael James for the second straight week, running back Kenjon Barner scored two of those four touchdowns, including an 84-yard scamper that put the Ducks up 22-0.
The Buffaloes (1-7, 0-4 Pac-12) were simply overmatched on both sides of the ball. After completing less than half of his passes and throwing an interception returned for a touchdown by Oregon linebacker Michael Clay, senior quarterback Tyler Hansen was benched in the second half in favor of freshman Nick Hirschman. In total, Colorado was held to just 231 yards of total offense, and damaged its own cause with ten penalties for 86 yards.
For his part, Bennett completed 11 of 20 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start. Barner gained 115 yards on just 10 carries while also scoring twice, and true freshman De’Anthony Thomas added his ninth touchdown of the year in the first quarter. As a team, Oregon eclipsed 300 yards rushing for the fifth straight game.
Colorado’s only points of the day came when punt returner Cliff Harris was tackled for a safety after backtracking into the end zone. The defense certainly did its part, stifling the Buffaloes from start to finish and holding them without an offensive score.
Oregon returns to Eugene next weekend for a matchup with Washington State at 12 pm.