Boise State

Well I think it is safe to say that that was not the way the Ducks hoped to open the Chip Kelly era. In a sloppy game by both teams, Boise State was the victor, outscoring Oregon 19-8. The oft praised offensive genius of Chip Kelly was nowhere to be found in the first half as the Ducks failed to get a single first down. Much of the problem in the first half was the inaccuracy of starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. There were several plays that involved open receivers and badly thrown balls. Masoli also made what appeared to be several bad reads on the option, either keeping when he should have handed off, or more often, handing off when he should have kept the ball. His improvement in the second half was noticeable, although there were a few more bad reads.

The defense played well considering they were on the field for a vast majority of the game. The Ducks took a major hit when starting free safety T.J. Ward went out with what appears to be an ankle sprain. We are all hoping for a speedy recovery.

The player of the game has to be true freshman punter Jackson Rice. He averaged over 40 yards per punt and didn't appear phased at all to be playing in his first collegiate game.

The post game activities of Oregon's starting running back LeGarrette Blount were obviously the focal point following the game. After being taunted by Boise State defensive end Byron Hout, Blount responded with what was certainly a well-landed right cross. The following day, head coach Chip Kelly announced that he was suspending Blount for the remainder of the season.

I have a couple of things to say regarding the Blount situation after seeing some new footage on Sunday with Chip Kelly. They showed a replay of the final play of the game in which a pass intended for Blount falls at his feet near the Boise State sideline. As soon as the pass hits the ground the Boise State players begin heading onto the field as they would normally do. Blount begins walking back toward the Oregon bench and is immediately taunted by a couple of players. The second player is Hout, who slaps Blount on the shoulder and says something to him. This is when Blount jacks his jaw. There is of course no justification for Blount's actions, yet after seeing how quickly he was taunted by at least two players, I can understand the loss of control. I like that coach Kelly took control of the situation quickly and acted like the head coach in handing out his punishment, but I wonder if a five or six game suspension would have been a more fitting punishment.

Next up is Purdue. Melanie and I will be in the stands for our first game as season ticket holders and we are both looking forward to it! I think that coach Kelly will have the players ready and the return to Autzen will bode well for the Ducks. The Ducks will even up their record at 1-1 with a 17 point victory.