But in the race to reach the Pac-12 Championship Game, things are about to get serious.
Bo Nix accounted for five touchdowns — at least one each passing, rushing and receiving — and the Ducks also got touchdowns on offense from tackle Josh Conerly Jr. and linebacker Noah Sewell in a 49-10 victory Saturday over Colorado at Folsom Field. Oregon’s first three touchdowns were a receiving score by Conerly on his birthday, a throwback pass from running back Bucky Irving to Nix, and a one-yard rushing TD by the linebacker Sewell.
“I thought we played a more complete game today,” UO coach Dan Lanning said. “We talked about playing a four-quarter game, not just in the middle, and we started off pretty fast on offense. … This is a game we expected to do well, in dominant fashion, and I think for the most part we did that.”
Colorado’s only touchdown was an 81-yard explosion play in the second quarter, while UO defensive back Christian Gonzalez — a transfer who began his career with the Buffaloes — picked off two passes. The Ducks scored at least 40 points for the eighth straight game, the longest streak in the country this season.
No. 8 Oregon improved to 8-1 this season and 6-0 in Pac-12 play, remaining the only unbeaten team left in conference play. The Ducks now look ahead to home games against Washington and Utah followed by the regular-season finale at Oregon State, all of which have winning records.
“We’re about to hit a stretch of some really tough games here,” Lanning said. “And so, excited to see us hit the ground running for practice.”
Nix burnished his burgeoning case for consideration among Heisman Trophy contenders with 20-of-24 passing for 274 yards and two scores, two more touchdowns on the ground and the one as a receiver. He became the third UO quarterback with touchdowns in the same game via pass, rush and reception, joining Joey Harrington and Marcus Mariota.
Irving rushed 11 times for 120 yards, his second 100-yard performance in three games, and Noah Whittington rushed for a touchdown while also catching a team-high five passes. Moliki Matavao caught the 11th touchdown of the season by a UO tight end, matching Utah’s FBS-leading total entering the week.
“This is the first offense I’ve ever been with that creates so many plays out of whatever the imagination is,” said Sewell, a two-way standout in high school…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at University of Oregon Athletics…