SportsLink

Oregon runs over WSU, 52-6

Posted by Vince Grippi

Oct. 3, 2009 11:27 p.m. • 20 comments

COUGARS

It’s late here at Autzen and we’re finally down with our report. On the link you’ll find the unedited versions of our game story and the notebook. Enjoy. We’ll be back from the Portland airport with our links and such. Read on.

••••••••••

• Here’s the game story …

EUGENE – The University of Oregon is known as a track power, having won numerous NCAA titles.

But the Ducks fastest group of athletes might just be the guys who wear gaudy uniforms and pounds of football pads.

At least they appeared to be Saturday night.

Oregon used its speed on both sides of the ball to run around, past but mainly over the Washington State Cougars, 52-6 before 57,378 in a Pac-10 mismatch at Autzen Stadium.

“They played very fast and we couldn’t stay up with their tempo,” Washington State coach Paul Wulff said. “They executed well.”

The 16th-ranked Ducks’ offensive explosion overpowered the Cougars (1-4 overall and 0-3 in Pac-10 play), who never matched the speed or power.

Oregon rushed for 318 yards, led by LaMichael James’ 81 on just 13 carries.

They passed for another 196, with Jeremiah Masoli accounting for 118 of those before leaving with the Ducks leading 35-0. He was 14 of 18, while backup Nate Costa finished 7 of 9. Seven of their completions, for 103 yards, went to tight end Ed Dickson.

And the defense sped past WSU’s makeshift offensive line to stifle the Cougar offense.

Even the starting debut of true freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel was aborted quickly. He played just the first quarter, having to leave after suffering a hip pointer.

The injury came on the Cougars second-to-last offensive play of the first quarter and Oregon already ahead 14-0.

Tuel dropped to pass – only the fourth time he tried – but couldn’t find anyone open. As defensive end Will Tukuafu crashed in from the left side, Tuel tried to escape right. He ran into middle linebacker Casey Matthews, who was almost on the ground. Tukuafu arrived , made contact with Tuel’s back and the freshman seemed to whiplash back.

“I just got a helmet in my lower right back. It just got me in a bad spot,” said Tuel, who added he felt well enough to return but was dissuaded considering the circumstances.

When he left the Cougars had 9 yards of total offense. They finished with 158. The injury-riddled offensive line, with two freshman starting on the left side, gave up four sacks – two on Tuel – and could only power WSU to 107 rushing yards.

“We’ve got two guys making their first-ever start, and one guy who has just started one game, going up against an experienced, good, fast defense,” Wulff said, referring to guards Joe Eppele, whose only game experience before was at tackle, and true freshman Alex Reitnouer and tackle Tyson Pencer.

“We didn’t matchup,” Wulff added. “We didn’t block well enough and (Tuel) took some shots that were unnecessary.”

Adding to the Cougars’ early offensive woes, Tuel’s three drives began at the WSU 15, 5 and 14.

“I can’t put our offense (struggles) on field position, because we should be able to move the ball from any point on the field,” Tuel said.

The Cougars’ lone score came late in the third quarter, and Oregon’s special teams gave them a huge boost.

Scott Grady, a backup punt returner, tried to gather in Reid Forrest’s 41-yard punt at the Ducks’ 3. He couldn’t handle it and long snapper Zach Enyeart fell on the loose ball at the 1.

It took the Cougars three plays to score, with Marshall Lobbestael finally pushing in on a quarterback sneak. The officials talked it over for about 30 seconds before deciding it was a score.

But that wasn’t good enough for Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Leading 45-6, he challenged the call. It was upheld.

“Coach always says on QB sneaks just keep our feet moving, so I tried doing that,” Lobbestael said. “I was looking down the line and I was laying down sort of. I was looking at the goal line and I thought I was in.”

The call made WSU 1-1 on replays.

On the opening kickoff, Joshua Garrett forced a Kenjon Barner fumble at the Oregon 40 and Mike Ledgerwood fell on the ball. But the replay official ruled Barner’s knee was down and Oregon retained the ball.

Eight plays later the Ducks were in the end zone – a 26-yard run by LaMichael James, who finished with 83 yards and two touchdowns before leaving with a sore ankle in the third quarter – and the rout was underway.

Oregon’s (4-1, 2-0) first six touchdown drives took no longer than 2 minutes, 42 seconds, even though two of them covered more than 70 yards.

It was telling that reserve cornerback Terrance Hayward tied linebacker Louis Bland for the team lead with nine tackles, eight of them coming in the first quarter. The Cougars finished with 86 tackles, 64 of them solo, the latter number just seven off the school record.

The Ducks’ defense had to make just 50 total tackles.

“Their defense played well,” Wulff said. “They were simple. They played hard. They have very good speed on defense and we just didn’t function very well.”

There’s that word again, speed.

Lobbestael, hurried by Oregon’s pressure, finished 7 of 13 passing for just 48 yards. He also threw two interceptions, both on high throws over the middle.

The Cougars finished with three turnovers, which the Ducks turned into 10 points.

There was a simple reason.

“Their speed got after us enough and we didn’t execute,” Wulff said.

•••

• And here’s the notebook …

EUGENE – As one-sided as a 52-6 final score is, the statistics from Oregon’s Pac-10 conference defeat of Washington State might have even been worse.

The Ducks rolled up 514 yards of total offense, 318 of those on 59 rushing attempts. In contrast, WSU had 47 total plays and gained 158 yards.

Oregon had a 31-4 “edge” in first downs, almost 12 more minutes in possession time, forced three turnovers while yielding only one and converted four times on fourth down.

“It’s fun when we’re firing on all cylinders,” Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli said. “Everyone gets to play, gets a piece of the pie.”

That showed in the rushing statistics.

Though LeMichael James led the Ducks with 81 yards on 13 carries, six others carried the ball, with five of them gaining more than 40 yards.

By the way, the last three times these teams have met, the cumulative score has been 168-27, Oregon.

•••

It’s not often a Saturday night football game is overshadowed by a press conference Friday morning.

But that was the case this weekend at the University of Oregon.

Coach Chip Kelly’s announcement senior running back LeGarrette Blount, suspended for the season after throwing a punch and losing control following the Ducks’ 19-8 season-opening loss at Boise State, would be eligible for reinstatement in November if he completes an undisclosed series of benchmarks, threw the Willamette Valley into a tizzy.

Radio talk shows covered little else. Newspapers were full of commentary, pro and con. And the Internet fairly sizzled.

Kelly said it wasn’t a football decision but “a human-being decision.” ESPN reported a lawyer for Blount played a part in the change of direction. Whatever the case, Kelly’s reversal overshadowed most everything else until kickoff.

Then the rest of Oregon’s football team took center stage.

•••

Though he played just a quarter before getting hurt – suffering a game-ending hip pointer when sacked by Will Tukuafu and Casey Matthews – and couldn’t move Washington State to a first down, Jeff Tuel pulled off something that only Drew Bledsoe had done before him as a Cougar: starting at quarterback as a true freshman.

Oddly enough, there were a couple of people on the field Saturday that were also members of WSU’s team that day in October in 1990.

Cougar assistants Malik Roberson and Jody Sears both played with Bledsoe in that game. And Sears actually had an impact in the 55-24 win over Oregon State.

Now the Cougars’ co-defensive coordinator, back then Sears was the holder for Jason Hanson. And Sears scored on a two-point conversion. A bobbled snap?

No, Sears explained Friday. It was called. Mike Price actually ran a trap play on an extra point. Sears pulled the ball back and ran in for two points.

•••

Since James Montgomery was injured against Southern Methodist and was lost for the season, the Cougars have been looking for a running back to step up.

They gave freshman Carl Winston his chance against the Ducks.

Winston appeared for the first time at the 6 minute, 9 second mark of the first quarter with WSU backed up at its 5-yard line. On first down, Winston took a handoff from Tuel and tried to bounce a run outside. He gained just 2 yards.

Winston finished with seven carries for a team-high 56 yards, though his 21-yard fourth quarter run ended when he fumbled, turning the ball back to the Ducks. He also added a 24-yard third-quarter kickoff return.

“I thought Carl ran really hard,” offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy said. “He did some really good things. … I hated to see that ball punched out from behind, he made a great run.”

Freshman walk-on Jared Byers also made his first appearance, playing fullback. He did not carry the ball. With Winston, Byers and offensive guard Alex Reitnouer making their first starts, WSU has played six true freshmen this year. The Cougars played nine last season.

•••

Besides Tuel’s injury, the Cougars lost a couple more players.

Jared Karstetter limped off the field just before halftime, suffering from a hip pointer. He did not return.

Dwight Tardy pounded up the middle on the last play of the half then had to jog to the sideline, his left arm hanging by his side. He did not play in the second half but the official word was he could have returned. Before he left he gained 21 yards, giving him 2,006 in his career. He’s the ninth WSU back to go over 2,000 yards.

Safety Xavier Hicks tweaked his back in the first half and did not play the second half.

Defensive tackle Bernard Wolfgramm also limped off in the second half with a hip injury and did not return.

Spokane Valley native C.E. Kaiser of Oregon was helped off the field after leading Andre Crenshaw on a 10-yard run around right end. Kaiser, a junior, suffered a bruised shin and did not return.

Jeremiah Masoli also left early with what was described as a right knee tweak, though the Ducks’ 35-0 lead when he left might have played a part in the decision to hold him out.

•••

• That’s it for now. Like I said, I should be back sometime in the morning with links. Until then …

20 comments on this post so far. Add yours!

elvis on October 04 at 3:11 a.m.
But that wasn’t good enough for Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Leading 45-6, he challenged the call. It was upheld.

I don’t really care too much about a team running up the score and going all “Pete Carrol” on you, and I hate being a sore loser, but challenging that play was rediculous, Chip! But I suppose you challenged your own play when it came to the Blount decision! After all, Blount is the real victim.

You are so classy, Chip Kelly!

I wonder what the series of undisclosed benchmarks might be … hmmmmmm … go to practice … go to class, if you can make it … don’t hate on anyone, a lot … and always remember LeGarrette, coach Chip loves you!
susiecoug on October 04 at 6:36 a.m.
Wulff needs to go!!! Why are we worried about the UO coach? Our issues are entirely on our own sidelines. Our ex-D coordinator has revitalized a previously moribund Idaho program while we continue to get our fannies handed to us by every school that can buy helmets and find 50 guys to line up. It is time to face the facts: Wulff is the wrong guy for the job and must be replaced - now! I know that Sterk is loathe to make a mid-season change, but we are going backwards - in a hurry…
Ted on October 04 at 6:58 a.m.
OK Susie, pony up the bucks to make your move. Programs that replace coaches before they end the contract have boosters that buy out the contract. I’m sure that you have read how woefully behind other Pac-10 schools WSU is financially. We get beat by a team that the previous week blows out a team that was suppose to take on USC this year and you want to fire the coach. There was only one player on the offensive line that was an original starter at his position. The fifth place running back was in the game. A true freshman starts at quarterback for only the second time in school history. I have a real problem with people that run away from the program when it needs us the most.
rufus on October 04 at 7:22 a.m.
i agree that the UO coach has no class… must be something in the water in the state of oregon… because mike r at osu threw for a long touchdown against wsu last year- when osu had the game already in hand.

vince… i do not understand how wsu let the prorgam fall so far under biil d … and did not move quicker to replace him ? the currrent program is like we are just starting from the beginning ….n
InWulffWeTrust on October 04 at 7:35 a.m.
Hey Susie, Please remove the word “coug” from your user name. It’s a disgrace quite frankly. You mention Akey…. did you know Akey was something like 3-21 over the past two seasons? His first two seasons as Idaho’s HC? Before you fire off a post, please think about it first.
MikeSequim on October 04 at 7:53 a.m.
This team is decimated! So many injuries! It was a tough game to listen to on the radio for me as a fan but it was certainly so much tougher for those wearing our colors. This year is probably shot but I’m hoping no more serious injuries to the kids.

You have to feel for these kids as a Coug fan. We will continue to support them because my Wife and I are Coug’s. I will repeat my feelings on Coach Wulff though. I don’t think he’s the right person for the turn around. Seems like a nice enough guy……….just not the right one for the program. JMO. However, since I have no saying in the hiring and firing of Coaches at WSU, I’ll hang with the person they gave us and just keep swallowing hard every week until its over and they finally get the right Coaching staff.
susiecoug on October 04 at 8:19 a.m.
It is interesting that I can’t possibly be a Coug, just for stating the obvious - this coach and his staff stinks! In addition, I have generously supported my school and its athletic programs over the years. The truth is that we get out hustled, outclassed and out coached every single week. You can’t blame it on injuries -every team has to deal with them. Keep in mind that Kevin Sumlin desperately wanted this job - look what he has done with the Cougars from Houston in the same time frame as our current guy. The facts are painful, but true - we will continue to be a one or two win a year program until the leadership changes.
kaddy on October 04 at 8:29 a.m.
Susie - wrong. Oregon is one of the elite schools in the conference this year. We play mostly freshman and sophomores. Expecting any other outcome than what happened isn’t realistic.

If you’ve noticed, and you probably haven’t, this staff has been recruiting lots of speed this year. The reason is because we don’t have any to compete at this level. The reason is because the prior staff couldn’t bring these kinds of athletes in, and that staff included Akey, since you brought him up.

Wulff and company will get this turned around, but not before their recruits are juniors and seniors.
DeerLakeRon on October 04 at 8:38 a.m.
wow, not sure why I am taking time to respond to the negative people. But why not? thats what this is for. First of all i always love how there are more comments after a bad loss then after a good performance. But the bottom line the Cougs are improving, some weeks more then others. This week we went to Oregon and loss by 46 points. Last Year Oregon came to Pullman and Won by 49 points. Doesn’t seem like much improvement but look at location and the age of our players compared to last year. Now look back at Stanford, Hawaii and USC and measure the improvement over last year. The Cougs, and notice I say the Cougs not the coach players or AD, its a group not one individual to look at. The bottom line they are improving. Anyone who watched the games last year and has the scores on record can see the improvement. I do have one question though, of all the new recruits for 09 and the list commited for 2010 I don’t see a kicker on the list. How dow we go from kicking everything in the end zone against SMU to not be able to anymore. let alone missing extra points and short FG’s.
Not pointing fingers but I hope we have a kicker comming to grow with these youngsters.
ASU is a winnable game
GO COUGS!
SayulitaCoug on October 04 at 8:58 a.m.
It will take years to get this program to a level that can compete with the Oregons of the world. Realistically, he has had only one full recruiting year (His first class was assembled very late) and he had to start with a cupboard that was virtually bare. To not appreciate the condition in which he found this program is to be blind. He will show progress next year, but make no mistake, this rebuild will be longer than most. Rather than take the easy path and criticize, how about a little support and patience?
jeffcoug85 on October 04 at 9:01 a.m.
Those who are calling for Wulff’s head don’t seem to understand some basic facts. When a program goes to seed like WSU’s did, it takes multiple seasons to get the talent level back to something resembling a D1 team, much less a Pac10 team. Wulff’s EWU team would have beaten last year’s team by 30, and this year’s by 15. Susie, Pete Carroll could be in his second year at WSU, and the results would be the same. BTW, if you saw the SMU game, and you were honest with yourself, you’d have recognized that we had inferior athletes to SMU’s. But the Cougs gutted out a win anyway. So, Wulff’s doing what he has to: first, you have to compete. They are absolutely doing that this year, showing improvement, e.g. competing well with USC in their place. The Ducks? They beat previously unbeaten Cal last week 42-3, and they beat us 52-6. Their roster is filled with experienced players who were bigger, faster and stronger than our Frosh and Sophomores. Anyone expecting a different outcome than we saw yesterday is not thinking rationally.

Wulff is recruiting some solid talent, and he’s rebuilding the relationships with the Northwest prep programs that Doba’s staff ignored. If after another three years Wulff isn’t winning, then it’s time to make a change. I’m confident we’ll win another 1-2 games this year, and compete in the rest. That’s progress when you consider where we started last year.
elvis on October 04 at 9:31 a.m.
This program will take time to rebuild … no question. I would have liked to see more Tuel but I suppose it got pretty ugly out there yesterday and I am glad he wasn’t seriously hurt.

When the Cougs get good again—and they will, I only hope the coaching staff wins with more class than Chip Kelly. The point grubbing, kick-them-while they’re-down loving mentality and the move with Blount was clearly Rick Nueheisel-esque. There is no such thing as a last chance—just ask Jerramy Stevens.

Hey Oregon! Congratulations! You are now everything you ever wanted to be … the 2000 Huskies!
bradley010a on October 04 at 9:34 a.m.
Cougs are improving? Ummm…in what way? We can’t get through a game without devastating injuries because the players and coaches are out-matched. We can’t even make games respectable by scoring a touchdown or two. Yeah, you can’t expect them to turn it around in a year and beat the Oregons out there, but you have to expect them to show signs of progress. Look at the difference the right coaching change is making for UW.
kaddy on October 04 at 9:53 a.m.
The difference is that sark had lots of talent on the roster to work with…we didn’t. It’s getting better, but they are 18 and 19-yr olds right now.
MikeSequim on October 04 at 2:10 p.m.
Susiecoug,

Welcome to the testostarone blog! Your responses certainly seemed to strike a nerve here didn’t they? So what did you think of the Alpha responses so far? I hope your rolling in the aisle! Does patronizing come to mind, lol? You realize you shouldn’t have an opinion here didn’t you? After all, only us Males know’s whats best, Right?

Lets look at your horrific comments. “Wulff needs to go” I would like to see that happen but it won’t yet…..but soon! How about this uneducated blurb by you…”Why are we worried about the UO coach?” Didn’t you understand those great responses by “Knute” Rufus and and “Pop Warner Elvis” Then this off the cuff zinger that has no basis in Coug lore at all, “We got out hustled, out classed and out coached every week”. Thank goodness your were corrected by the well thought out responses by “kaddy and Jeffcoug85”. Finally, susiecoug, how could you have even suggested the comments that lead to the masterfull responses by the 2 posters above regarding the previous coaching and certainly the talent levels? UPPPPFH! I will sleep better tonght knowing that there are great responders to Coug doubters on this blog. After all we all know that Pete Carroll is certainly no Paul Wulff and that the Cougs beat the Dawgs last year with less talent than this year because the cupboards were bare!

So susiecoug, maybe your insight should only be used around the house like, doing clothes, washing dishes…..you know, Female stuff. I would forget that your blog was the the most precise, honest and passionate one put here. After all, this is the Testostarone blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well done Susiecoug!
WaCoug on October 04 at 3:50 p.m.
We need to stop complaining about Oregon and focus on our own team. You are all acting like whinny little girls. Oregon went to backups in the SECOND QUARTER! They primarily ran the ball all second half. So what if they challenged? Their defense played a great game and their coach had their back trying to preserve the shut out. We didn’t even earn that touchdown. A 4th string punt returner tried to field a punt on their own 2 yard line. Stop making the Cougs look even worse.
Especially you Elvis - You sound like such a bitter little man. Blount is the Duck’s own business. We didn’t even have to face him. Who are you to judge the kid or the decision made? You should look into things before you let your bitterness overwhelm you in the form of ignorant comments.
dukman on October 04 at 8:22 p.m.
WaCoug,

Best post I have seen in a long time. Kuddos to you for being level headed.
HannahO on October 05 at 10:19 a.m.
Three cheers for Susie for stating what any Eastern Eagle could have told you bout the coach you hired. He’ll recruit well, his players will never reach their “full potential” (his words) and he’ll blame them and everyone else for any failures. Just keep your fingers crossed that he doesn’t get your program in the NCAA doghouse. Not a coug fan but always had a soft spot in my heart for the program until last year … now I just feel sorry for the players and the fans.
notthefacts on October 05 at 12:07 p.m.
I guess MY thoughts are yes we are young and inexperienced. Point well made. But we fielded two consecutive kickoffs right on the sideline about the ten yard line that were clearly going out of bounds. Ball at the 40 instead of the 20.There were several times our offensvie line didn’t even touch a defensive lineman that was lined up right across from them on pass protection. I know Oregon’s guys were faster, older, blah blah blah but lets be real honest. If you are lined up right and have some sort of clue how to block you are at least going to get in front of the guy. I am not talking about the times our lesser athletes get run over. I am talking about not even impeding their rush. These young kids practice every day and should know how to get in front of a guy. How about keeping a tight end in and/or a RB in to help pass block so our QB doesn’t get killed. I for one wish PW would show a pulse on the sideline. He needs to let these kids know its not acceptable to get beat by Oregon like they did. That our qb on his backside every other pass is not acceptable. He should be livid with the kicker. We need a spark and it starts at the top…..
spokanecougfan on October 05 at 5:49 p.m.
Notthefacts, Susie & HannahO are all on the mark! PW is pulling us under and Sterk had better wake up or we’re going to have an even bigger talent gap after PW’s tenure is over making Pullman such a deep hole that Bear Bryant, Vince Lombardi & Don Shula combined couldn’t attract anybody to WSU no less win a game for us! PW and the entire staff needs to go!