Oregon football live updates: No. 10 Ducks vs. No. 19 Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium
Autzen Stadium is sold out, ABC is broadcasting to a national television audience, and the hype of “Coach Prime” bringing his media darling No. 19 Colorado Buffaloes to Eugene has been building for a week.
After a slow roll out, the college football season finally feels consequential for No. 10 Oregon (3-0) as it opens Pac-12 play against Colorado (3-0) at 12:45 p.m. Saturday.
“Really exciting week for us here,” Ducks coach Dan Lanning said. “Super pumped about the crowd that we're about to see in Autzen. And I think there's a lot of excitement surrounding this game. I know our players are really pumped to get out there. I think (Colorado) coach (Deion) Sanders has done a great job, obviously, with his team. He's created a lot of momentum, and they've done phenomenal in their first three games. So this will be a fun one for us.”
Look for live analysis and photos from The Register-Guard's sports reporters and photographers here throughout the game.
Oregon football vs. Colorado game day analysis and notes
11 a.m.: Kickoff time is set
Kickoff for the Oregon football game vs. Colorado is set for 12:45 p.m. at Autzen Stadium.
11:45 a.m.: Ducks take the field for warmups
Offensive lineman Nishad Strother was seen warming up and dressed for game action for the first time this season after missing each of Oregon's first three games. The East Carolina transfer had been competing for a guard spot for most of the preseason.
Transfer linebacker Jestin Jacobs was not seen warming up pregame for the fourth straight week, and has been limited in practice while recouping from an undisclosed injury.
Before the most of the players took the field, Colorado coach Deion Sanders was seen exchanging pleasantries with Phil Knight, including a hug and photos at midfield.
12:45 p.m.: Oregon will receive the opening kick
Ducks offense will get on the field first as Colorado wins the coin toss and elects to start the second half with the ball.
12:55 p.m.: Oregon strikes first
Noah Whittington capped a 10-play, 72-yard opening drive with a 3-yard TD run to put the Ducks up 7-0 at the 10:15 mark of the first quarter.
1:10 p.m.: Ducks take a 13-0 lead
After Colorado went three-and-out on its opening drive, the Ducks followed with a 12-play, 53-yard drive ending with a 1-yard TD pass from Bo Nix to tight end Casey Kelly with 2:41 to play in the quarter. The 2-point conversion pass failed. The drive included a conversion on fourth-and-two from the Buffaloes' 30 on a 4-yard reception by Gary Bryant Jr.
First Quarter update: Ducks will go into second quarter up 13-0 and with the ball
What happened: Oregon scored a pair of TDs en route to a 13-0 lead.
The big play: On their second drive of the quarter, the Ducks converted on fourth-and-two from the Buffaloes' 30 as Bo Nix completed a 4-yard pass to receiver Gary Bryant Jr.
Momentum swing: The Oregon defense held the Buffaloes to three plays on the their opening drive, and the Ducks immediately followed with their second touchdown of the quarter.
Beyond the boxscore: Receiver Tez Johnson’s reception on the Ducks’ opening drive extended his streak of consecutive games with a catch to 37.
1:35 p.m: Oregon leads 21-0
Bo Nix threw a 16-yard TD pass to Troy Franklin and then they combined to convert a 2-point pass play as the Ducks go up 21-0 at the 9:39 mark of the second quarter. Bucky Irving also had a 25-yard TD run on the drive and defensive lineman Casey Rogers rushed 18 yards on a fake punt direct snap on fourth-and-4 from the Oregon 17.
Halftime: No. 10 Oregon 35, No. 19 Colorado 0
What happened: Oregon scored two more TDs to take a 35-0 lead into halftime.
The big play: Bo Nix threw a 36-yard TD pass to Troy Franklin with 2:52 to play in the half to give the Ducks a 28-0 lead. It was Franklin’s second scoring grab of the game and the third TD pass for Nix.
Momentum swing: Oregon scored twice in the final 3:00 of the half on Franklin’s long TD catch and an 11-yard run by Nix.
Beyond the boxscore: Nix’s interception midway through the quarter was the first turnover of the season for the Ducks.
First half statistics
2:53 p.m.: Oregon continues to build lead
Jordan James rushed in for a 1-yard touchdown on the Ducks' first drive of the second half as the Oregon lead grew to 42-0 with 9:00 to play in the third quarter.
End of Third quarter: Ducks lead 42-0
What happened: Oregon scored the only points of the quarter to take a 42-0 lead into the fourth.
The big play: Jordan James scored on a 1-yard run.
Momentum swing: Oregon forced a punt on Colorado’s opening drive of the half and followed with a scoring drive.
Beyond the boxscore: During the game Bo Nix has become the third active player to reach 1,000 completions in his career.
Final: No. 10 Oregon 42, No. 19 Colorado 6
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix throws for 276 yards and three TDs, receiver Troy Franklin has eight catches for 126 yards and two scores, and the defense sacks Shedeur Sanders seven times and keeps Colorado off the scoreboard until a touchdown late in the fourth quarter as the Ducks rout the visiting Buffaloes.
Stories to get you up to speed for Oregon football game day
3 keys to a victory for No. 10 Oregon football vs. No. 19 Colorado Buffaloes
No. 10 Oregon football hosts No. 19 Colorado: What to know ahead of game day
What Deion Sanders said before Colorado's top-20 matchup with Oregon football
After Further Review: Real work begins for Oregon football after win against Hawaii
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Ducks football vs. Colorado Buffaloes: Live updates, photos
