by Steve Mims
EUGENE, OREGON
Oregon wrapped up a perfect nonconference schedule with a 55-10 win over Hawaii Saturday at Autzen Stadium.
The Ducks moved into the Top 10 in the country at No. 10 as they prepare to open Pac-12 play at home against No. 19 Colorado on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The showdown between 3-0 teams will be nationally televised on ABC as the Buffaloes have become one of the top stories in all of college football during Deion Sanders first season as head coach.
Oregon tuned up for CU by blowing away Hawaii as the Ducks scored the first 34 points of the game.
Less than one minute into the game, Bo Nix threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Tez Johnson and Camden Lewis later added a field goal. Jordan James had a 22-yard scoring run before Traeshon Holden caught a 1-yard scoring pass from Nix to wrap up the first quarter.
James added a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and Lewis made another field goal before halftime. Nix threw touchdown passes to Johnson and Holden in the second half and Noah Whittington added a 34-yard scoring run.
Nix went 21-for-27 for 247 yards and three scores while Troy Franklin had four catches for 83 yards. Johnson and Holden each had four catches for 77 and 63 yards, respectively, to go with two scores apiece.
Whittington led the Ducks with 80 rushing yards while James added 61 and Bucky Irving had 59. Tysheem Johnson led the defense with eight tackles while Bryce Boettcher added six.
VOLLEYBALL
Oregon won all three matches on a trip to the Midwest to close out nonconference play at 10-1. The Ducks are ranked No. 6 in the country as they prepare to host Oregon State on Friday night.
Oregon won the Panther Challenge by defeating eighth-ranked Pittsburgh (26-24, 25-17, 18-25, 20-15, 15-13) and James Madison (25-20, 22-25, 18-25, 25-8, 15-10) in five games.
Morgan Lewis had 19 kills and six blocks while Mimi Colyer added 19 kills and two blocks against Pitt. The Ducks rallied from being down a game to beat James Madison as Colyer led the way with 20 kills.
Oregon wrapped up the trip with a sweep of Marquette (25-16, 25-19, 25-22) with Colyer pacing the squad with 18 kills.
W0MEN’S SOCCER
Oregon wrapped up nonconference play at 0-6-2 following a 1-1 tie at Boise State. The Broncos scored first before Oregon tied the game in the 51st minute on a goal by Ajanae Respass, which was assisted by Anna Emperador.
Steve Mims has spent 25 years as a sportswriter, including 21 years at The Register-Guard. He covered University of Oregon athletics from 2013-2020. He works in Eugene as a registered representative and insurance agent at PBC Insurance. He can be reached at smims@pbcins.com.