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Barner runs Oregon over Fresno State

Sep 9, 2012 - 5:25 AM Eugene, OR (Sports Network) - Kenjon Barner carried the ball 34 times for 201 yards and three scores, lifting the fourth-ranked Oregon Ducks over the Fresno State Bulldogs, 42-25.

De'Anthony Thomas was also a force in the ground game for Oregon, rushing for 102 yards and two scores on seven carries.

Marcus Mariota completed 19-of-27 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown for the Ducks (2-0), who dominated Arkansas State by a 57-34 margin last week. He also carried the ball 14 times for 67 yards.

"We sputtered offensively at times to begin the second half, but we also have to realize that we aren't going to score every time we get the ball. We saw a lot of that today, especially in that third quarter," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said.

Derek Carr connected on 29-of-47 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown for the Bulldogs (1-1), who defeated FCS foe Weber State in their season opener, 37-10.

Robbie Rouse carried the ball 27 times for 115 yards and a touchdown. Isaiah Burse caught seven passes for 77 yards and a score.

"It is encouraging to play well when you finish but we clearly weren't up to it at the start of the game. We have to coach better," Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter said. "We were out played, out coached. I think our guys had a bit of a bug-eyed look at the stadium. I think we were too concerned about the ranking."

Fresno State got the ball to start the game and put together an 11-play, 57- yard drive. Andrew Shapiro recorded a 23-yard run on 4th-and-8 to keep the march alive. After getting down to the 10-yard line, Carr was sacked for a loss of 12 yards. Quentin Breshears followed with a 39-yard field goal to make it 3-0.

But it took Oregon just four plays to find the end zone. Thomas' 39-yard TD run made it a 7-3 game.

After the Bulldogs went three-and-out, Barner recorded a three-yard rushing touchdown. His 33-yard run earlier in the drive set up the score.

The Ducks extended their margin with a 13-play, 85-yard scoring drive. A 15- yard penalty against Fresno State on 3rd-and-17 gave Oregon a fresh set of downs. The home team capitalized a few plays later on Colt Lyerla's 22-yard TD catch, making it 21-3 early in the second quarter.

Thomas' 51-yard rushing touchdown on Oregon's next possession made it 28-3.

Barner's three-yard rushing TD and Breshears' 43-yard field goal made it a 35-6 contest at the break.

Fresno State took advantage of a pair of Oregon fumbles midway through the third stanza. Mariota lost the football when he was sacked by Shawn Plummer, and the Bulldogs took over at the 22 of the Ducks. Burse caught an 18-yard TD pass on the second play.

Bralon Addison fumbled after a six-yard catch on Oregon's next possession. Breshears made a 25-yard field goal eight plays later to cut the gap to 35-16.

Breshears made a 37-yard field goal after Mariota fumbled on the third play of the fourth quarter.

The Ducks responded with an 11-play, 77-yard drive that Barner capped with a 16-yard rushing TD.

Rouse's two-yard rushing touchdown with 1:30 remaining accounted for the final margin.

Game Notes

The Ducks hold a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series against Fresno State ... Oregon racked up 366 yards on the ground .. With his first-quarter touchdown, Barner became only the sixth player in school history with 30 or more TDs in a career. He finished the game with a trio of scores, giving him 32 for his career, good for fifth all-time.