The Kickoff: A First Glance at Missouri State

by Takimoto on Sep 12, 2011 8:01 AM PDT in Oregon Ducks Football

EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 10: Rahsaan Vaughn #10 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates a touchdown against the Nevada Wolf Pack on September 10, 2011 at the Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

The Matchup: Oregon bounced back from their season-opening loss to LSU with a 69-20 thrashing of Nevada. The Missouri State Bears are off to an 0-2 start after a 51-7 loss to Arkansas and a 28-24 loss to the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky. There's no sugar coating it, this is a paycheck game. Missouri State is coming into Autzen to lose by a lot, and get paid to do it. The nature of the beast in college football is that lower-tier teams need games like this to sustain their program. It doesn't make for very exciting football, but it keeps athletic departments in business.

The Injuries: Oregon RB Kenjon Barner missed last week's game, as did WR Josh Huff, and I wouldn't expect either player to rush back for this contest. Suffering injuries against Nevada were WR Justin Hoffman and LB Michael Clay. CB Cliff Harris returned to action with a cast on his hand, and is rumored to be playing with a broken finger.

The Venue: Thomas J. Autzen Stadium

Key Players - Missouri State

QB Trevor Woodson - a threat with both his arm and his legs, Woodson returned from a one-game suspension to account for 333 total yards against EKU.

WR Jermaine Saffold - the senior was an all Missouri Valley Football Conference player last year, and caught six balls for 126 yards last week.

LB Ryan Callender and S Mike Crutcher - After scanning the play-by-play from last week's game, these two showed up a lot. Callender, a sophomore, finished with seven tackles, and Crutcher had eight tackles and a pass deflection.

Key Players - Oregon

WR Will Murphy - Chip Kelly's giving him playing time. I'm hoping we eventually figure out why. This game should serve as an audition for the wide receiving corps. If guys like Eric Dungy or Daryle Hawkins can get out and make plays, they could move up the depth chart to start Pac-12 play.

WLB Derrick Malone - If Michael Clay is out, Malone would be in line for the start. This game is big in terms of establishing depth, and Malone is a prime candidate for heavy minutes.

RB Tra Carson - I'm excited to see more out of him on Saturday. We know what LaMichael James and De'Anthony Thomas can do. Can Carson be a significant contributor this season?

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Comments

I'm very interested to see Bryan Bennett handing off to Tra Carson

Should be happening by early in the third quarter. LaMichael should be done after the first quarter, given that KjB is injured…..

by NICKPAPAGEORGIOTHEDUCK on Sep 12, 2011 8:07 AM PDT reply actions

DT should be out after one quarter as well.

by sacduxnutz on Sep 13, 2011 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Carson

I thought Carson looked pretty good on Saturday. Definitely seems like a contributor this year.

by eloomis20 on Sep 12, 2011 8:26 AM PDT reply actions

its hard for him and bennett

To come out and be very productive. By the time they are on the field our offense is trying to play more of a sportsmanship like scheme (running the clock out as much as possible while still having possession and moving the ball forward) which means we run it.. a lot.

So the defense knows this is how we are going to go forward and defend against it every play.
But yeah, I think that with Tra getting the ball and the D being kept guessing a little more he can definitely move the ball. Very powerful and can easily take 2-3 guys down with him in a forward motion for a short first down gain.

ssshhh....

by OregOnDucks on Sep 12, 2011 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Not only do we run a lot

We run the same simple straight old school running plays again and again.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Sep 12, 2011 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions

There was one play in

the fourth last week, where he handed off to Forde up the gut on 3rd and as soon as he handed it off we was walking toward our sideline because it was obvious we were just giving the ball back to them.

by sacduxnutz on Sep 13, 2011 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Heimuli should sit as well...

that ankle still looked tender a couple times. We need him to be more explosive.

"I love Oregon's obsolete recruiting report on an unhealthy level. Just more proof how balla Chip Kelly really is." Dr. Saturday

by BisonDucks on Sep 12, 2011 9:28 AM PDT reply actions

Success in games like this

Is defined as no one getting hurt.

If we play as badly as possible we probably still win by 30.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Sep 12, 2011 10:56 AM PDT reply actions

A little hard on Murphy...

As I recall, he is one of our fastest wide receivers from testing, and he got behind the defense twice yesterday on extended plays down the field (once drawing a PI, once overthrown by DT). I am not trying to paint him as star by any means, but I do think we underestimate the tools he has to contribute and his contributions thus far.

by The Graduate on Sep 12, 2011 11:50 AM PDT reply actions

But he's white...

how can he be anything more than a possession receiver?

"It's not about style. It's about winning the game. That's it." - Chip Kelly

by Duckfanatic10 on Sep 12, 2011 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions

He isn't?

by NICKPAPAGEORGIOTHEDUCK on Sep 12, 2011 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Third in family to play for Oregon, third year walk-on, good field reports, no police reports that we know of. Sounds like the kind of player we want on the field. I hope he gets to light it up.

Speed Endurance Talent is how Track Town USA plays football. Win The Day

by webfoot73 on Sep 12, 2011 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

i prefer players that can play. the rest is nonsense.

Life is about growth. People are not perfect when they're 21 years old. - Bill Walton

by NEP on Sep 12, 2011 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm already bored of talking about Missouri St.

I hope we play well, get our first string off by half, avoid any injuries, and get crucial experience for our backups. But I am so ready for PAC 12 play to start so that we can have a ‘tough’ game every week. Patsy’s are necessary (and kinda fun for a while), but so boring the rest of the time.

"It's not about style. It's about winning the game. That's it." - Chip Kelly

by Duckfanatic10 on Sep 12, 2011 11:53 AM PDT reply actions

Ya, might be a hard one to watch

I agree 100% about the injuries. Play hard, and execute… but the most important thing is to avoid any injuries. Rest Barner and Huff one more week and shake any more cobb webs that we might still have

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by The Legend on Sep 12, 2011 2:40 PM PDT reply actions

I think Tra is really gonna get a chance to shine in this next game.

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"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY

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"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY

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