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EUGENE, Oregon - UC Davis was actually leading the Ducks with less than thirty seconds left in the first quarter of the 2016 season, but things changed fast. In fact, Oregon scored 25 unanswered points after the Aggies fast start. Charles Nelson and Dakota Prukop are the stories of the first half, as each has helped contribute to multiple scores.
No “expert” on the planet predicted the Ducks trailing 7-0 with less than one minute remaining in the first quarter, but that is exactly the start UC Davis was seeking. Quarterback Ben Scott slithered through the Oregon defense for a 9-yard gallop to the end zone for the first score of the Aggies season.
The Heisman candidate Royce Freeman wasted little time acclimating himself, jaunting for a 6-yard touchdown run amidst a host of video game moves. In typical Duck fashion, Oregon ran the no huddle for the two point conversion and were successful as Prukop hooked up with Charles Nelson for his first of two.
Jalen Jelks caused the first turnover of the season for the Ducks, intercepting Scott on the Aggies side of the field. The pick led to a Prukop bullet pass touchdown in the back of end zone to Johnny Mundt. The 10-yard completion was the first TD pass by the Ducks transfer quarterback from Montana State.
Charles Nelson is Mr. Everything and he illustrated his importance to the Duck attack with his two 2-point conversions, alongside a 46-yard punt return that led to an Oregon touchdown. Unfortunately, his third consecutive 2-point attempt failed when Nelson was the lone option in the backfield.
Just before the halftime whistle, Prukop found receiver Jalen Brown wide open in the end zone to enhance the Oregon lead to 25-7, before the Ducks failed their first two point conversion attempt of the young season.
The last time the Aggies played a ranked team was in 2014 to open their season against then ranked No. 11 Stanford. The Cardinal rolled to the tune of a 45-0 bloodbath. The second half could prove far worse for UC Davis if they don’t get their act together. Yet, Oregon could also rest a great deal of starters beginning soon.