Oregon Ducks, Royce Freeman, and Taj Griffin Run Over Colorado

Oregon was already preparing for another night game, their fifth game after 5pm this season. The Ducks were on in warmups at Folsom Field in Boulder Colorado, with Jeff Lockie likely getting the starting nod on Saturday night over Vernon Adams. It then started to rain and the field was cleared for a lightning delay. Kickoff was changed from 7:12pm Pacific Time to To Be Determined. Thunderstorms were expected in the area for most of the evening.

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At 7:13pm Pacific Time, Oregon returned to the field to resume warmups following about a thirty minute rain delay. It did not take long before the Ducks found themselves in the locker room again for a second rain delay. When all was said and done kickoff was delayed an hour to 8:15pm Pacific Time. Oregon would win the coin toss and elect to receive.

The first drive for Oregon saw a dose of Taj Griffin for a few first downs, other than that it went nowhere. The Defense led by DeForest Buckner got to Sefo Liufau on first down and the Colorado QB missed a wide open receiver on second down. On third down, Joe Walker intercepted the ball ending one-hundred seven passes by Liufau without throwing a pick.

Jeff Lockie would get Oregon to the three yard line along with Royce Freeman carrying the load before the Oregon Quarterback would throw his third interception in two games. It would not take long for Colorado to make another mistake as Joe Walker fell on the ball dropped by Lindsay. It would take one play for Royce Freeman to put Oregon on the board 7-0 over Colorado.

The Oregon Defense kept Colorado in check as Christian French got to the Colorado Quarterback forcing a punt as the next round on Offense for the Ducks would see Taylor Allie get some reps, but it led to a fourth down and Ian Wheeler shanking a 25 yard punt giving the Buffaloes good field position.

Christian Powell would tie the game taking it in from three yards out as the Ducks Defense could not contain the Buffs on a third down play for 21 yards. Up to that point, Oregon did a decent job of containing the Buffaloes. The Ducks would again go on a three and out to close out the first quarter

1^st Quarter Quick Reaction:

The game would start an hour late and Oregon would benefit with two early mistakes leading to interceptions, both by Joe Walker. One would lead to an endzone interception from Jeff Lockie, the other – a touchdown run by Royce Freeman. The Ducks Defense did show they have cleared up some things this week, but a big mistake led to Colorado tying the score. That happens when you give up twenty-one yards on a third and ten. The first quarter would end with the score tied at 7.

To open the second quarter the Oregon Defense would drop nine and leave a Freshman Cornerback one on one with Nelson Spruce, the result – explosion play and first and goal. Colorado would score on the next play and it was 14-7 Colorado.

Oregon would strike back with a little trickery with Bralon Addison throwing a pass to Charles Nelson for a touchdown tying the score at 14. After an 0 for 3 start with an interception, Colorado Quarterback Sefo Luifau has thrown nine of his eleven passes for completions including a fourteen yard strike into Ducks territory. The Oregon Defense would hold, but kicker Diego Gonzalez would hit a 52 yard field goal extending the Buffs lead to 17-14.

Taylor Allie would be active for Oregon and would just miss Bralon Addison heading into the end zone He would have a pass knocked down and take a sack before the Ducks would again punt. Philip Lindsay would make Oregon pay with a big gain getting the ball to the 38 yard line. Luifau was again in control moving Colorado down the field before the half. Alex Balducci would end the drive with a seven yard loss giving the ball back to Oregon. Bralon Addison would go back to return the punt.

Oct 3, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) carries after a pass reception in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

On the next drive it was a new face, Taj Griffin, would run off a 62 yard play that would set up an 39 yard field goal from Aiden Schneider tying the game at 17. That is where it would stay for the half and Colorado would start with the ball in the 3^rd Quarter.

The Buffs would start with a three and out giving the ball back to Oregon and Royce Freeman would get the drive started. The Colorado Safeties Coach would have a penalty called against him as a team foul setting Oregon up with great field position. Freeman who started the drive would push his way into the end zone for a Ducks Touchdown putting Oregon up 24-17.

Sefo Luifau would go back to work and move Colorado down the field completing a fourth down play along the way. Rodney Hardrick would hit the Buffs Quarterback knocking the ball loose as the Ducks pounced on and recovered the ball. Taylor Allie would run the offense on the drive. He would keep the ball on the first two plays and pick up positive yardage inside the Colorado 35 yard line. On the drive Running Back Royce Freeman would hit 100 yards on the night. Taj Griffin would come in and get the ball to the two for a first and goal. Griffin would hit the 100 yard mark himself for the first time and also score his second career touchdown giving Oregon a 31-17 lead.

The Oregon Defense would force a three and out and Oregon would again be in business with the Running Game. Royce Freeman and Taj Griffin combined for over two-hundred yards on the ground and it was the end of the third quarter.

Liufau would lead a nine play drive and pull the Buffs within seven at 31-24. The Ducks would come back as Taylor Allie threw a pass that was caught by Jalen Brown for his first career touchdown putting the Oregon Ducks up 14 points again. It was also Allie’s first career touchdown pass.

For four quarters the Oregon Offensive Line has played one of their best games of the year, giving protection and opening holes for Running Backs to the tune of over two-hundred yards on the ground. The Defense also held up okay against Colorado. They did give up several big plays, but had enough three and outs to get the job done. It was a good enough performance and DeForest Buckner led the charge most of the night. Oregon gave up over two-hundred yards, scattered across nine Wide Receivers including Nelson Spruce with 87 yards.

It was the first time that Oregon had two one-hundred yard rushers in a game in over two years. Oregon won 41-24 and racked up over two-hundred seventy yards on the ground.

Next week, Oregon welcomes Washington State to Autzen Stadium for a 3pm Pacific Time kickoff on Pac-12 Networks

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