Ducks Blast Nevada 69-20
Don Smalley

This is the Oregon Ducks everyone is used to seeing.

After a disappointing loss to LSU in Week 1, the No. 13 Ducks took out their frustrations on Nevada with a 69-20 drubbing of the Wolfpack.

Nevada was 13-1 last season, but lost All-America quarterback Colin Kaepernick to graduation. Replacing his was Tyler Lantrip, who was making his first start in Autzen Stadium and the fifth-year senior had a rough time running the Pistol offense. He did go 21-for-35 and 219 yards, but did throw two interceptions.

On the other side, Duck signal caller Darron Thomas had absolutely no trouble running the Oregon blur offense. Thomas set school records for touchdown passes in the first half (five) and touchdown passes for the game (six).

Oregon scored 28 points in the second quarter all through the air, to give Oregon an overwhelming 41-7 halftime lead. Thomas threw touchdowns to LaMichael James (44 yards), Rahsaan Vaughn (25 yards), Colt Lyerla (20 yards) and De'Anthony Thomas (24 yards).

“After a couple of three and outs to begin the game last week, it put our defense in bad situations,” Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. “But to get that opening drive and get seven out of it was nice. Darron (Thomas) made a couple of nice plays and we made a couple of fourth downs.”

To add insult to injury, Oregon began the second half by stuffing the Wolfpack on a three-and-out and James then returned the punt 58 yards for the touchdown to push the lead to 48-7.

James, who was stopped cold by the LSU defense a week ago, became the first player in Oregon history to rush, catch and return a punt for a touchdown in a dsingle game.

After the Wolfpack responded with a 13-play, 89-yard drive to make the score 48-13, Oregon came back with a quick score. Darron Thomas found De'Anthony Thomas on a crossing route for a 69-yard score. The catch and run by De'Anthony Thomas was highlight reel material juking a defender that had a five-yard cushion. With the defender left looking for his laundry, the 5-7 freshman was untouched on his way to the end zone and a 55-13 lead.

“Things just happen on the field,” De'Anthony Thomas said of his video game-like move.

“He's a freshman that's still learning,” Kelly said. “He was actually in protection against the SAM linebacker, but fortunately good things happen to good kids. He's an explosive player.”

That eighth scoring drive spelled the end for Darron Thomas who was 13-for-19 for 295 yards and those record-breaking six touchdowns.

“I just came out and did my thing. The same thing I've been doing all year,” Thomas said. “It was just my regular routine and the receivers came out and did a good job.”

Oregon's offense was a balanced attack with 331 yards through the air and 272 yards on the ground.

The other Thomas - De'Anthony - also had a spectacular day in his Autzen debut, posting 81 yards rushing, 93 yards receiving and 30 return yards for a total of 204 all-purpose yards. Not bad for a player who had never experienced the Autzen atmosphere. He didn't make a recruiting visit on a game day last season.

It was a far cry from last week where Thomas had two crucial fumbles against LSU that changed the game around.

“Mistakes are going to happen,” Thomas said. “I didn't feel like I had to prove myself to my teammates or anyone. I've been working hard all week on ball security.”

Oregon added two touchdowns late when Ayele Forde found the end zone for the first time in his career with a 26-yard run and then Boseko Lokombo added a notch to his belt on a 67-yard interception return with just 22 seconds left to round out the scoring.

It was a good test for the Ducks as better teams will try to blitz Oregon, like Arizona Sept. 24, to break up the zone-read option. Nevada blitzed often, but that left Duck receivers wide open down field and Thomas took full advantage of that led to his six touchdown passes.

“When you blitz us, one of two things happen,” Kelly said. “Either our band plays or their band plays.”

On this day, it was the Oregon band that played early and often.