Boise State Dominates Ducks

When any team plays an OOC game not only is the reputation of the team on the line, but the conference as well. If it were not for a number of turnovers and missed field goals by Boise State the Oregon Ducks could have been embarrassed. Give Oregon credit for playing at Boise State, but the reality of the situation is the Ducks were out coached and outplayed. In any game star players have to perform like star players. Oregon did not get good production from QB Jeremiah Masoli or RB LeGarrette Blount. Masoli was 14/27, 0 TD’s and 1 INT. Blount ran for –5 yards. The one thing that was evident in this game is that the Ducks did not deserve their # 16 ranking. Oregon did not get a first down in the first half of the game and finished the game 1 for 10 on third down conversions.

RB LeGarrette Blount had choice words for Boise State during the week of the game and after averaging –0.6 YPC Blount could not back-up those words. What was more disturbing was his behavior after the game. After a Bronco player gave him a hard slap on the shoulder pads Blount responded by punching the Boise State player in the jaw and dropping him to the turf. Blount was already suspended a few months ago and another suspension is sure to come. The Ducks coaching staff will have to deal with the confidence of the team and disciplinary action in the next few days. This type of incident could have a lingering effect on the football program and it will be up to Coach Kelly to get things turned around quickly. I don’t want to overreact over one game, but if any Pac Ten team challenges the Trojans for first place this season it won’t be the Ducks.

Chip Kelly will have to find a way to get the offense to move the ball consistently and start picking up first downs. The offense was so inept against Boise State that it is very difficult to tell how good the Oregon defense is. Boise State came out on top in time of possession 42:32 to 17:28 for Oregon. In the first half Oregon only had the ball on offense for five minutes. The Ducks cannot afford to put their defense in those type of situations. The defense should be applauded for only giving up 19 points. Oregon has the Purdue Boilermakers coming to Autzen Stadium on September 12th and the Ducks better be prepared if they want to avoid the same type of performance they had against Boise State.