by Steve Mims
EUGENE, OREGON
Oregon is 5-0 for the first time in a decade, but a tougher test awaits as the Ducks seek an undefeated first half of the schedule.
Oregon blew away its second straight Pac-12 opponent with a 42-6 win at Stanford on Saturday one week after beating Colorado by the same score. Eighth-ranked Oregon has a bye week before visiting No. 7 Washington, also undefeated, on Oct. 14.
The Ducks have rarely been tested this year and that was the case against the Cardinal, who took a 6-0 lead before Oregon scored the final 42 points.
Jordan James gave Oregon a 7-6 lead with a 30-yard scoring run before Bucky Irving ran for a 17-yard score as Oregon went up 14-6 at halftime. Bo Nix tossed a 10-yard scoring pass to Terrance Ferguson before finding Troy Franklin for scores of 46 and 5 yards. Nix closed out the scoring with a 9-yard pass to Traeshon Holden.
“We were extremely confident,” Nix said. “We just felt like we needed to get a first down and we’d be rolling. And that’s what happened.”
Nix went 27-for-32 for 290 yards and four touchdowns while Franklin hauled in seven passes for 117 yards. Irving and James each rushed for 88 yards.
Steve Stephens had eight tackles to pace the defense while Evan Williams had seven tackles, including a sack.
Now the Ducks have a week to prepare for the Huskies, who also have a bye this week.
“It’s going to be an all-out battle, it’s going to be an all-out brawl,” Nix said. “Especially after last year, and the way both teams have started this year.”
VOLLEYBALL
Oregon suffered is first Pac-12 loss when seventh-ranked Washington State defeated the No. 6 Ducks Sunday at Matthew Knight Arena.
Morgan Lewis had 13 kills and three blocks while Karson Bacon added 11 kills and six blocks, but WSU emerged with a 25-14, 20-25, 29-27, 25-23 win. Oregon fell to 13-2 overall, including a 3-1 mark in conference play.
The Ducks began the weekend with a 21-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22 win over Washington. Gabby Gonzales and Mimi Colyer led the way with 15 and 14 kills, respectively, while Hannah Pukis had 48 assists and four aces.
Oregon visits Colorado and Utah this week.
WOMEN’S GOLF
Oregon shot 28-under par to finish tied for first with California at The Molly Invitational in Corvallis.
Ashleigh Park took the individual title at 13-under par. Minori Nagano was fifth at 8-under par while Kiara Romero shot 6-under to place 10th.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Oregon fell to 0-9-2 with losses at Colorado and Utah. Kristen Conti scored to tie the match with Colorado 1-1 in the first half before the Buffaloes won 3-1. Kaitlyn Paculba and Lauren Kenny each scored in a 4-2 loss to the Utes.
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.