Ducks Soar, Buffaloes Trampled: Oregon's Dominant Win
The sizzling 3-0 start that had made Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes the talk of the sports world hit a cold, hard dose of reality in Eugene as No. 10 Oregon delivered a crushing 42-6 blow to Colorado.
Oregon's display of dominance was nothing short of spectacular. The Ducks found the end zone on five out of their first six possessions, constructing a commanding 35-0 halftime lead.
In the opening half, Oregon outgained Colorado 378 yards to a meager 21. The Buffs found themselves powerless against the relentless Oregon offense, struggling to contain both Bo Nix and the Oregon attack, while also struggling to protect quarterback Shedeur Sanders from the marauding Oregon defense.
Dominant Start From The Ducks
One of the highlights of the first-half onslaught from the Ducks was a brilliantly executed fake punt, hatched from their own 20-yard line. Already leading 13-0, Oregon dialed up the fake on a fourth-and-four situation from their own 17.
The ball snapped directly to the upback, a hefty 305-pound defensive lineman, Casey Rogers. Colorado was caught entirely off guard, and Rogers thundered for an 18-yard gain, securing a pivotal first down for the Ducks.
The play encapsulated the essence of the entire game. Throughout the week, Oregon coach Dan Lanning refrained from providing the kind of soundbite that Colorado State's Jay Norvell did, opting not to add an extra layer of motivation for Colorado.
Lanning had kept his sentiments under wraps until he allowed ESPN's cameras into the locker room for his pregame address. In that pivotal moment, he let it all out.
"The Cinderella story is over, gentlemen. They're chasing clicks; we're chasing victories," Lanning declared to his team. "There's a distinction. This game isn't about Hollywood; it's about what happens on the field."
True to his words, the game played out on the field, and Lanning, even with a substantial lead, refused to ease up on the throttle.
Oregon Keeps The Pressure Up
The Ducks wasted no time in the second half, punching in a touchdown on fourth-and-goal during their opening drive, extending their lead to a commanding 42-0. Later in the third quarter, Coach Lanning opted to keep his offense on the field for a fourth-and-goal opportunity from the 5-yard line. While this particular attempt resulted in a turnover on downs, it underscored Lanning and Oregon's commitment to assert complete dominance in this game.
Defensively, the Ducks relentlessly applied pressure by sending multiple players, daring Colorado's overmatched offensive line to hold their own. Unfortunately for the Buffs, they couldn't rise to the challenge.
Shedeur Sanders entered the game with an impressive stat line, boasting 1,251 yards and 10 touchdown passes while maintaining an outstanding 78.7% completion rate, averaging 417 passing yards per game. However, against Oregon, Sanders found himself severely restricted, mustering only 158 yards on 23-of-33 passes while enduring seven sacks. With relentless pressure bearing down on him, coupled with star Travis Hunter's absence due to injury, Sanders faced insurmountable odds.
In total, Colorado mustered a mere 199 yards of offense, with a significant portion coming in garbage time. The Buffs compounded their struggles with 12 penalties for 103 yards, further adding to their woes in this lopsided loss.
While the Oregon defense exhibited sheer dominance, the Ducks' offense showcased remarkable efficiency. Bo Nix orchestrated an exceptional performance, going 28-of-33 for 276 yards and three touchdowns before the backups took over early in the fourth quarter. The rushing game also contributed significantly to the victory, with Oregon amassing 240 yards on the ground.
When the dust settled, Oregon boasted an impressive average of 7.2 yards per play, a stark contrast to Colorado's meager 3.4 yards per play.
What Lies Ahead
Colorado, despite an impressive 3-0 start, had displayed some weaknesses in their foundation. Their defense had been porous in their game against TCU, although they managed to secure a 45-42 win with timely turnovers. The offensive line had struggled to protect Sanders during the Nebraska victory, and they needed a miraculous fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime against Colorado State, ultimately winning in double-overtime. Now standing at 3-1, the Buffs face the task of regrouping quickly as they prepare to host Caleb Williams and USC in Boulder next weekend.
Meanwhile, Oregon maintains a pristine 4-0 record and is poised to extend it to 5-0 with a visit to Stanford in the upcoming weekend. A bye week follows before a high-stakes showdown with No. 8 Washington on October 14, setting the stage for what could be one of the most anticipated games of the season.
Support Our Partners
Be the best dressed fan this college football season with Fanatics! Visit Fanatics.com to find your teams gear!
Get the best-tasting coffee at a great price from BULLETPROOF.com!
Do you play fantasy sports? Check out Trophy Smack for your next league prize!
If you enjoyed this article, try the SR Original shows on our Youtube channel, and subscribe!
Also, possibly give our socials (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok) a follow, all of which also have great content!