Oregon escapes with 31-24 win over Fresno State in season-opener

You’ve heard that defense wins championships and that was the case today. While the defense did allow a lot of yards and 24 points, this game would’ve gone an entirely different way if it wasn’t for the three forced fumbles today. The defense gave Oregon some great opportunities to start drives with the ball in plus-yardage territory and Oregon did just enough to take advantage of those opportunities.

Let’s take a look at the recap of the game to see what happened.

Oregon won the coin toss and elected to defer. 

After giving up a third-and-long, they had another chance to end the drive on third down and Kayvon Thibodeaux got the initial pressure and Bradyn Swinson came right down the middle of the offensive line for the sack. Fresno State was forced to punt.

Oregon was able to pick up a couple of first downs on their first drive of the year. Anthony Brown was able to pick one up with his legs and Kris Hutson got involved early for a catch to move the chains. Oregon eventually stalled out on offense and was forced to punt.

On the first play of the Fresno State drive, Thibodeaux had a massive blind side sack to force a fumble that Mase Funa picked up and recovered inside the five-yard line. After getting stopped on a couple of runs, CJ Verdell was finally able to punch the ball in for a few yards out to give Oregon the 7-0 lead halfway through the first quarter.

On the following Fresno State possession, Noah Sewell forced another fumble on a running play. Oregon took over inside their own 30 yard line. After a roughing the passer on Anthony Brown was called, Travis Dye was able to run up the middle practically untouched for a 5 yard touchdown to extend Oregon’s lead to 14-0 with 6 minutes left in the 1st quarter.

After each team punted on the following possessions, Fresno drove down the field but on a third-and goal Jordan Happle blew up a reverse sweep to force Fresno State to kick. They drilled a 33 yard kick to finally get on the board. Oregon led 14-3 early in the 2nd quarter.

After both teams had drives that stalled out, Fresno State was able to put together a nice drive. They converted two third-and longs because Oregon was playing very soft coverage and the receivers were able to come back to the ball to pick up the first downs. Finally Oregon was able to make a stop and Fresno had to settle for a 39 yard field goal. Oregon led 14-6 with just under four minutes left in the half.

Oregon answered back quickly. They picked up a massive first down after Mycah Pittman was able to catch back to back passes. One went for nine yards before he picked up a massive 26-yard gain. After Brown got sacked, he responded with a 32-yard touchdown to Johnny Johnson, who was in single coverage down the right sideline. It was fantastic to see Oregon have two explosive plays on offense in one drive after we hadn’t seen a ton from the offense on the previous handful of drives.

Fresno State quickly responded by putting together a 75-yard touchdown drive. They picked up a couple of chunk plays and Justin Flowe got called for a late hit that extended their drive. Jake Haener threw a 17 yard touchdown to Jalen Cropper to cut into Oregon’s lead. Oregon led 21-13 heading into halftime. 

At the half Anthony Brown was 7-for-11 with 101 yards and one touchdown. He also had nine rushes for 35 yards. Both Dye and CJ Verdell had six carries and each player scored a touchdown. Mycah Pittman was the leading receiver with three catches for 40 yards.

Oregon opened the half with the ball and they were able to pick up a few first downs before facing a fourth-and-2 situation from their own 15 yard line. They handed it off to CJ Verdell who immediately got stuffed and Oregon couldn’t convert the fourth down attempt.

Fresno State was able to put together a massive drive. Jordan Mims picked up 45 yards on a run to get the Bulldogs in the red zone. After a pass interference on Noah Sewell, Jake Haener was able to run the ball in for a two-yard touchdown. They went for two and converted to tie the game up at 21. 

Oregon was looking to respond and get some momentum back on offense but quickly got shut down and was forced to punt. Fresno State had a couple of chunk plays before getting stopped on a third-and-short and subsequently had to punt on fourth down.

To start off the fourth quarter Brown fumbled the ball and Fresno State took over at the 27 yard line.

The Oregon defense was able to come up with a big stop on a third-and-short and Fresno State had to settle for a 22-yard field goal. After the made field goal, Fresno State led 24-21 with 13:03 left in the game. 

Justin Flowe forced a fumble on a Haener keeper and Jordan Happle was there to scoop up the fumble recovery. It was a big break for the Ducks as it gave them fantastic field goal position.

Oregon wasn’t able to capitalize off the field position and they had to settle for a chip shot field goal attempt from Camden Lewis. He was able to make it and tie the game up at 24 with just under eight minutes remaining.

Oregon responded by forcing a three-and-out to get the ball back. Johnny Johnson had a massive catch down the sideline for 32 yards. The Ducks then called straight running plays and faced a fourth-and-two. It was a speed option to the left and Brown kept the ball and was able to cut back to the right side of the field for a 30 yard touchdown. Oregon led 31-24 with just under three minutes left in the game. 

Fresno State took over and quickly found themselves in a fourth-and-15. Haener completed a pass to Cropper down the sideline but he was wrapped up just a few yards short of the first-down mark and Oregon took over with two minutes left in the game. 

On a third-and-5, Verdell picked up six yards to keep the clock running and essentially end the game. Brown just had to kneel the ball twice and Oregon officially won the game 31-24.

Anthony Brown ended the game 15-for-24 for 172 yards and one touchdown. He added 62 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Verdell and Dye combined for 30 carries and 134 yards. They each scored a touchdown.

On defense Sewell, Thibodeaux and Flowe each forced a fumble. Flowe led the team in tackles with 14 total and as a team Oregon recorded 4 sacks.