Broncos Bounce Ducks

Rick Morgan

It would be very hard to imagine a more nightmarish start to the Chip Kelly era. Held to eight total yards and zero first downs in the first half, Oregon was fortunate to trail only by 13.

The Broncos took their first possession on their own four after Oregon was held to the first of several three and outs. Sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore (19-29, 197 yards, 1 TD) moved Boise State to the Oregon 12, but the Broncos missed a 29-yard field goal attempt.

Another three and out by the Ducks gave the Broncos the ball on their own 44 and again Moore moved Boise State into scoring position only to have Kyle Brotzman's 47-yard attempt sail wide right once again.

Oregon's third straight three and out opened the door for the Broncos when freshman Jackson Rice shanked his punt giving Boise State the ball on the 50.

Moore connected with Austin Pettis from 10 yards out to complete the 11-play drive that gave the Broncos a 6-0. In keeping with their reputation for trickeration, Boise State lined up for the point after attempt in a swinging gate formation and when Oregon didn't align correctly in response, Michael Choate was able to convert the try untouched.

Yet another three and out put the Broncos back on offense, but Oregon's defense held forcing a punt that pinned the Ducks at their own four yard line. On Oregon's first play from scrimmage, LaGarrette Blount ran a sweep to the left but was pulled down in the end zone for a safety and the Ducks trailed 10-0.

Boise State took the opening possession of the second half 64 yards in nine plays, D.J. Harper carried for the last yard but the two point attempt failed.

Trailing 19-0 and still without a first down, Oregon responded with yet another three and out.

For the most part Oregon's defense played well. Afterward defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti allowed that, yes, if you had told him earlier in the week his unit would hold the high powered Bronco attack to 19 total points on their own turf, he probably would have taken it.

Of course the expectation was that the Oregon offense would bear some semblance to the high-octane attack of the previous two season.

A short Boise State punt gave the Ducks possession on their own 46 and finally Oregon's offense began to find some rhythm. Jeremiah Masoli found Ed Dickson for 15 yards, then connected with Jeffrey Maehl for 14. Running back LaMichael James broke through the Boise defense for 17 yards, then Masoli scored on a keeper from five yards out to narrow the margin to 19-6. Forced by Boise's earlier success with at two point conversion, Blount took Masoli's hand-off  for a pair and the night's scoring was complete.

Not that Oregon didn't have additional opportunities. The Ducks forced three fumbles and held the short field after each, but could not generate enough offense to narrow the score.

As the game ended frustrations got the best of Blount who was involved in a fracas in the post game handshakes and then another with a fan as he exited the field. Several Oregon coaches and uniformed police officers were required to remove Blount from the scene.

The statistics were equally nightmarish for the Ducks. Oregon was only 1-10 on third down conversion, was out gained 361-152 in total yards and managed only 31 rushing yards for the night.

Kelly's post game remarks were understandably muted. "We knew the offensive line was young," he said. "But we aren't going to win many football games if we don't run the ball any better than that."

As for Blount's altercation, Kelly indicated he would talk with his running back and review the video tape, but it is hard to imagine a multi-game suspension is not in order. For his part, Blount apologized to "the Oregon fans, the Boise State fans and the viewers on ESPN. It will never happen again," he vowed. That's probably true. but perhaps not in the sense he meant it.

The Ducks have nine days before facing Purdue in their home opener. It's certain that it is no consolation to Coach Kelly, but his debut at Autzen is unlikely to be as disappointing as was his first game as Oregon's head coach. Thankfully.