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No. 9 Ducks run over Colorado

Oct 23, 2011 - 1:45 AM Boulder, CO (Sports Network) - Even without LaMichael James and Darron Thomas, ninth-ranked Oregon had no problems with Colorado, earning a 45-2 victory behind a dominating rushing attack.

Kenjon Barner had 115 yards and two scores on the ground, while Tra Carson totaled 80 yards and a touchdown. The Ducks (6-1, 4-0 Pac-12) managed to accumulate 371 rushing yards without James, who is nursing an elbow injury.

Thomas, Oregon's starting quarterback, was held out with a knee ailment. But Bryan Bennett filled in well, passing for 156 yards and two scores while running for 69 yards.

"Darron talked to me. He gave me a little advice and things like that. He told me to just go out there and do what I have to do," Bennett said.

All of it added up to Oregon's sixth consecutive win.

The Ducks coasted to the victory after scoring 29 points in the first quarter, while Colorado (1-7, 0-5) posted its only two points on a third-quarter safety and lost for the fifth consecutive game.

By the time the Buffloes got that safety, they were already down 45 points. Oregon came out firing, scoring on all four possessions in the first quarter.

"Obviously not the performance we wanted," said Colorado head coach Jon Embree. "But it will be interesting to see how [Oregon] ends up at the end of the year."

Bennett ran for 43 yards during the first one, and a personal foul on the Buffaloes moved the ball to the Colorado 12. Two plays later, Barner scored on a four-yard run, and a two-point conversion made it an 8-0 game.

The Ducks went 58 yards in seven plays during their next touch, reaching the end zone when Bennett found De'Anthony Thomas for a 14-yard strike.

Barner's 84-yard touchdown dash a few minutes later pushed the lead to 22-0, and Bennett hooked up with David Paulson for a 31-yard TD late in the first quarter.

Oregon accumulated 293 of its 527 total offensive yards in the opening 15 minutes.

A defensive play made it a 35-0 game about five minutes into the second. Colorado quarterback Tyler Hansen was picked off by linebacker Michael Clay, who returned the ball 32 yards for a score, though Alejandro Maldonado missed the extra point.

The first half was completely dominated by the Ducks, who continued the theme on their first touch of the third quarter. Carson's one-yard score ended a six-play, 48-yard drive.

Maldonado kicked a 36-yard field goal later in the third to end the scoring for Oregon.

Colorado never recovered, though it started the game behind the eight ball, with numerous injuries plaguing the team.

Among others, linebacker Douglas Rippy -- the team's leading tackler heading into Saturday's game -- is out for the rest of the season with torn knee ligaments. Running back Rodney Stewart and receiver Paul Richardson, the Buffaloes' leaders in all-purpose yards, are both sidelined with knee injuries.

Making matters worse, Hansen left the game with a potential concussion in the second quarter, leaving redshirt freshman Nick Hirschman to take over.

Game Notes

The Ducks have won 16 consecutive conference games, including eight on the road...Oregon linebacker Josh Kaddu had 10 tackles and two sacks...The all- time series is tied, 8-8.