College Football
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Oregon 77, Southern Utah 21
When: 8:15 PM ET, Saturday, September 2, 2017
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
Temperature: 90°
Head Official: Matt Richards
Attendance: 52204

The Willie Taggart era could not have gotten off to a better start for Oregon.

Tony Brooks-James took the opening kickoff back 102 yards for an early 7-0 lead as Taggart's new-look Ducks began their season with a 77-21 dismantling of visiting Southern Utah on Saturday night in Eugene, Ore.

It was the Ducks' first game under new coach Taggart.

Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert completed 17 of 21 passes for 281 yards and one touchdown. Royce Freeman showed why he is considered one of the best running backs in the nation with 150 yards on 23 carries and four scores.

After Brooks-James scored to start the game, Southern Utah, an FCS school, marched down the field to tie the game on a 4-yard Patrick Tyler rushing touchdown.

The Ducks then pulled away, scoring on five of their next seven drives for a 42-7 lead. Tight end Jacob Breeland got the scoring started with a 20-yard touchdown catch from Herbert before Freeman ended it with a 16-yard rushing score.

Oregon led 42-21 at the break as Southern Utah took advantage of a Ducks defensive breakdown and turnover to score the final 14 points of the half.

Tyler threw a 64-yard pass to Landen Measom for one score, and James Felila ran 4 yards for the other.

The Ducks regained their footing in the second half as they outscored Southern Utah 35-0. Oregon running back Kani Benoit finished the game with 107 rushing yards and three scores.

Tyler finished the game 18 of 34 for 197 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Oregon's nine rushing touchdowns and 77 points scored are both Autzen Stadium records.

Oregon will face Nebraska next Saturday in Eugene, Ore.
Top Game Performances
Rushing
Southern Utah   Oregon
James Felila Player Royce Freeman
20 Attempts 23
60 Yards 150
3.0 Avg Yards 6.5
1 Touchdowns 4
0 Long 0
Receiving
Southern Utah   Oregon
Landen Measom Player Charles Nelson
5 Receptions 5
106 Yards 99
21.2 Avg Yards 19.8
1 Touchdowns 0
0 Long 0
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Southern Utah 365 99 266 3 0 0 0 0
Oregon 703 348 355 11 0 2 5.0 0