Rewinding No. 11 Oregon Ducks’ 31-24 victory against Fresno State Bulldogs
EUGENE — We were live from Autzen Stadium for today’s season opener between No. 11 Oregon and Fresno State. The Ducks held on for a 31-24 victory.
The Ducks were three-score (20-point) favorites.
Here’s a recap of live updates from today’s game (11 a.m., Pac-12 Network).
4th QUARTER: OREGON 31, FRESNO STATE 24 - FINAL
– On third and five, CJ Verdell picks up six yards for a first down, and that seals it. After two kneel-downs, the Ducks escape with a 31-24 victory in their opener.
– Oregon ball at FSU 33. Anthony Brown Jr. loses a yard.
– Jake Haener pass for 7. Incomplete. Brandon Dorlus sack. False start. Complete to Jalen Cropper but short of first down. Turnover on downs.
– CJ Verdell long run of 17 wiped out by holding on Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu. Anthony Brown Jr. pass to Johnny Johnson III to FSU 38. Verdell no gain. Travis Dye for 2 and 0. Brown breaks free for 30-yard touchdown. Oregon 31, Fresno State 24 - 2:57
– Ronnie Rivers runs for 3. Haener pass loses 1. Incomplete. Punt. Mycah Pittman to the UO 37.
– CJ Verdell for 5, 3 and 11 to the 13. Verdell for 5. Incomplete pass for Mycah Pittman. Anthony Brown Jr. runs for 1. Camden Lewis 25-yard field goal ties the game. Oregon 24, Fresno State 24 - 7:41
– Incomplete pass, roughing the passer on Verone McKinley III. Incomplete pass on what could have been a huge gain. Justin Flowe forces a fumble, Jordan Happle recovers.
– CJ Verdell runs for 9, 14, 3. Anthony Brown Jr. pass to Spencer Webb. Pass to Terrance Ferguson. Oregon to punt on fourth-and-three from own 40. Punt to FSU 4.
– 4-yard pass and late hit on Mase Funa, FSU inside the red zone. Ronnie Rivers runs for 3 and 3. Incomplete pass. 22-yard field goal gives Fresno State the lead. Fresno State 24, Oregon 21 - 13:03
– Aaron Mosby with sack-fumble of Anthony Brown Jr. and Fresno State recovers.
End 3rd QUARTER: OREGON 21, FRESNO STATE 21
– Incomplete pass. Anthony Brown Jr. sacked for loss of 2. Incomplete, defensive pass interference.
– Jake Haener runs for 2. Haener passes for 15 and 21. Jalen Cropper runs for 8. Pass loses 3. Ronnie Rivers gains 2. Punt to UO 5.
– Anthony Brown Jr. 13 yards to Jaylon Redd. Incomplete. Incomplete. Alex Forsyth goes down with a lower body issue, walks off. Jackson Powers-Johnson enters at center. Brown 5-yard pass to Travis Dye. Punt.
– Jake Haener 6-yard pass. Ronnie Rivers runs for 3, 5. Jordan Mims for 1. Haener to Ty Jones. Mims with a huge gain of 45 to the UO 18. Mims for 2. Pass for 9 to the 7. Incomplete, penalty for defensive pass interference on Noah Sewell. Haener 2-yard touchdown run; two-point conversion pass is good. Oregon 21, Fresno State 21 - 6:45
– Travis Dye runs for 7. Illegal hands to the face for 15 yards. Anthony Brown Jr. 3 yards pass to Kris Hutson. Brown to Johnny Johnson III. 12-yard throw to Mycah Pittman. Brown runs for 10. Dye runs for 5. Pass to CJ Verdell for a few. Verdell stopped on fourth-and-two.
HALFTIME: OREGON 21, FRESNO STATE 13
– Jake Haener 3-yard pass to Ronnie Rivers. Pass for 7. Pass to Ty Jones cross the 50. Haener drops down, Noah Sewell credited with a sack. Haener runs for 11, Justin Flowe with a very late hit and penalty moves FSU to UO 28. Incomplete pass. Incomplete pass. Pass for 11 to the UO 17. Incomplete. Haener 17-yard touchdown pass down the left seam to Jalen Cropper. Oregon 21, Fresno State 13 - 0:07
– Anthony Brown Jr. to Spencer Webb for 5. Travis Dye for 3. Brown to Mycah Pittman for 9 and 26. Brown sacked for loss of one. Brown 32-yard touchdown pass to Johnny Johnson III. Oregon 21, Fresno State 6 - 1:16 Brown 4/4 for 72 yards and a touchdown on the drive
– Ronnie Rivers runs for 4. Jake Haener incomplete pass. Haener passes for 15 yards, runs for 6, throws for 8 and 15 and incomplete. Haener to Jalen Cropper gains 8. Penalty makes it third-and-7. Pass for 8 yards and first down. Pass for 11 to the 20. Penalty for illegal snap. Pass for 5. Fumbled snap, FSU recovers. Incomplete pass on third-and-12 for Jalen Cropper, who had a step but overthrown ball. 39-yard FG is good. Oregon 14, Fresno State 6 - 3:31
– Cam McCormick gets in. Travis Dye runs for 5, 3, 1 and 2. Anthony Brown runs for 6. CJ Verdell for 3. Brown for 3. Brown to Spencer Webb for 5. Brown for no gain. Incomplete pass. Punt.
– Dru Mathis leaves the field on crutches with an apparent left knee injury
– Misdirection run loses 8 yards. 33-yard field goal is good. Oregon 14, Fresno State 3 - 14:16
– Kayvon Thibodeaux leave injury tent, trainers tape his left foot/ankle.
End 1st QUARTER: OREGON 14, FRESNO STATE 0
– Kayvon Thibodeaux goes down after getting clipped from behind, walks off under his own power. Ronnie Rivers for 8 yards. Treven Ma’ae in. Rivers for 4 yards. Dru Mathis helped off the field. Rivers for no gain. Jake Haener 12-yard pass. Rivers for 1. Incomplete. Haener scrambles and connects for 30. Haener for 12 more. Jordan Mims runs for loss of 1. Haener to Rivers for 2.
– Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu at right tackle, Dawson Jaramillo at left tackle, Steven Jones at right guard. CJ Verdell for no gain, Verdell for 4, Anthony Brown Jr. incomplete deep pass to Johnny Johnson III. Punt to FSU 15.
– Jake Haener pass to Ronnie Rivers for 5. Incomplete pass to nobody. Penalty makes third-and-10. Pass for 9. Nine-yard pass, Fresno State punts. Penalty for illegal block on Oregon, UO starts at own 28.
– Anthony Brown Jr. evades pressure and runs for 11 and a penalty for roughing the passer moves it to the 8. Brown runs for 4. Travis Dye 4-yard touchdown run up the middle. Oregon 14, Fresno State 0 - 6:40
– Justin Flowe and Dontae Manning in to open drive. Ronnie Rivers runs for 2. Reviewed for potential fumble, overturned to fumble forced by Noah Sewell and Kayon Ware-Hudson recovers at Fresno State 27.
– Ducks in 12 personnel with DJ Johnson and Moliki Matavao at tight end. CJ Verdell runs for 2. Verdell loses 1. Verdell 2-yard touchdown run. Camden Lewis in for the PAT. Oregon 7, Fresno State 0 - 8:07
– Kayvon Thibodeaux drills Jake Haener, fumble return by Mase Funa to the 3.
– Incomplete swing pass to Travis Dye. Anthony Brown Jr. runs for 3. Brown runs up the middle for nine and first down. Pass to Kris Hutson for 19. Pass to Mycah Pittman for 5. Brown loses a yard. Incomplete pass, Brown was being pressured and ball was tipped. Punt goes for touchback, nearly stopped at the 1 but will start at 30 instead after a penalty.
– Ronnie Rivers runs for no gain. Jake Haener 3-yard pass. Haener to Jalen Cropper for 12 and first down. Rivers for no gain. Incomplete pass. Braydn Swinson sack, setup by Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon moved to a 5 man front and got a ton of pressure from all directions.
– Dru Mathis starts at weak-side linebacker and Trikweze Bridges starts at boundary cornerback.
– Oregon wins the toss and defers. Fresno State receiving to the West to open.
PREGAME
– First team receivers in 11 vs. 11 are Johnny Johnson III, Mycah Pittman and Kris Hudson. Second team receivers are Jaylon Redd, Devon Williams, Dont’e Thornton.
– Ty Thompson is QB2 in 7 vs 7. Jay Butterfield QB2 during 11 vs 11.
– Dru Mathis at weak-side linebacker and Trikweze Bridges at boundary cornerback with first team in 7 vs 7. Dontae Manning and Darren Barkins are second-team corners.
– Seven McGee appears to be No. 3 RB with Byron Cardwell behind and Trey Benson last in pregame rotation
– Steven Jones 1st team right tackle
– Center-quarterback pregame snaps: Anthony Brown Jr. with Alex Forsyth. Robby Ashford with Jackson Powers-Johnson. Jay Butterfield with Marcus Harper. Ty Thompson with a staffer. Bradley Yaffe with Kanen Rossi.
– All specialists present. Camden Lewis with Tom Snee holding. Henry Katleman with Race Mahlum holding. Lewis handling kickoffs.
– NFL scouts from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns in attendance
HOW TO WATCH
TV Channel: Pac-12 Network
On air: Radio on 1080 “The Fan” in Portland, KUGN-AM 590 in Eugene
How to watch live online: You can watch this game live for FREE with fuboTV (free trial). You can also get this game on Sling TV (promotional offers) if you are out of fuboTV trials, or simply prefer that platform and their pricing plans. You can also watch this match live on Pac-12 Live with your cable or satellite provider login information.
PREGAME READING
Sneak peek: No. 11 Oregon Ducks face toughest test of Mario Cristobal era at No. 4 Ohio State
No. 11 Oregon (1-0) vs. No. 4 Ohio State (1-0)
When: Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. PT
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Betting line: Ohio State by 14
TV Channel: FOX
On air: Radio on 1080 “The Fan” in Portland, KUGN-AM 590 in Eugene
How to watch live online: Fox Sports Go
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day answers questions from the media after a college football game with Minnesota Thursday, Sep. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)AP
Ohio State this season
The Buckeyes were national runner-ups last season and had to replace a first-round pick at quarterback in Justin Fields, running back Trey Sermon, two offensive linemen, four linebackers, two defensive lineman and a defensive back. Yet it’s possible Ohio State is even better than it was a year ago, though much will depend on how C.J. Stroud plays this season. Once again the favorites to win the Big Ten and make the College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes have the top receiving duo in the country, a top tight end, several of the best offensive linemen in the country and a loaded defensive line. A roster this talented is why a 45-31 win at Minnesota, which led at halftime, was viewed as less than impressive and why this week’s game will frame whether or not OSU is on the same level as Alabama and Georgia early in the season.
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes looks for a receiver during the first quarter of the team’s NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis.AP
Impact Player: QB C.J. Stroud
The California native won the starting job and went 13 of 22 for 294 yards with four touchdowns and an interception and 13 rushing yards in the season opening win over Minnesota. Stroud can run more than he did last week but he doesn’t have to with the weapons Ohio State has.
OSU RB Miyan Williams (28) during the Ohio State University Spring Game in Columbus on Saturday, April 17, 2021.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Impact Player: RB Miyan Williams
The second-year freshman had nine carries for 125 yards and a touchdown in the season opener, quickly topping his output as the No. 4 back for OSU last season. He likely has taken the reins as the starter over Master Teague III.
Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave (2) catches a pass as Minnesota defensive back Jordan Howden, front right, tries to tackle him in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) APAP
Impact Player: WR Chris Olave
Possibly the best receiver in college football this season, Olave had four catches for 117 yards and two scores in the season opener. He’s a deep weapon and threat to blow the top off the coverage and dynamic in open space, capable of turning screen passes into huge plays.
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson celebrates after scoring against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla.AP
Impact Player: WR Garrett Wilson
Wilson had five catches for 80 yards and a score against Minnesota and four 100-yard games last season. Regularly lined up in the slot, Wilson might be the best in the country in that role and will be a massive test for an Oregon defense with changes at the nickel position.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Zach Harrison strips blocks a pass attempt by Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for an incomplete pass in the first quarter, November 21, 2020, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Impact Player: DE Zach Harrison
Had three tackles and a game-altering strip sack last week. Harrison is one of the best edge defenders in the country, arguably second only to Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Ohio State defensive tackle Haskell Garrett force a fumble by Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) APAP
Impact Player: DT Haskell Garrett
The fifth-year senior had 20 tackles with four for loss, two sacks, and an interception return touchdown last season. He had a fumble return touchdown in week one and was is one of the best interior defensive linemen in the country.
Did you know?
Ohio State is 9-0 in the all-time series, last winning the 2015 CPF National Championship game
The last time Ohio State lost a September nonconference home game was against Oklahoma in 2017. The Buckeyes have also lost at home to Virginia Tech, Miami, USC and Texas since 2005.
Oregon LB Justin Flowe and Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud played youth football together and Jaylon Redd played with Stroud at Rancho Cucamonga High School
Threat level (1 lowest to 5 highest): 5
This is far and away the most daunting challenge on Oregon’s 2021 schedule and to date in the Mario Cristobal era. Ohio State is loaded at virtually every position and poses the toughest matchup to Oregon, in terms of position group, at receiver, offensive line and defensive line. That’s not looking past OSU’s running backs, linebackers or secondary, only that there’s not even a close second on UO’s schedule at those positions.
The Horseshoe will be the largest and loudest venue Oregon’s players have ever and will ever play in during their UO careers and with students on campus the environment should still be raucous even for a Noon kickoff.
Early prediction: Ohio State 38, Oregon 24
Pregame reading:
Oregon Ducks open as 2-touchdown underdogs at Ohio State
Mario Cristobal, Rob Mullens react to Oregon’s game at Ohio State kicking off at 9 a.m. PT
10 takeaways from No. 11 Oregon Ducks’ win over Fresno State