Though the score line might lead some to believe that the Arkansas State Red Wolves hung in late Saturday night against the Oregon Ducks, the Ducks had the game wrapped up early after an efficient and strong open to the game.
In his first start behind center for the Ducks, quarterback Marcus Mariota had three touchdowns and 200 yards passing and received high praise.
In a game in which everyone knew Oregon would win, Mariota was the clear storyline. A redshirt freshman having just won a quarterback battle against a veteran is always going to draw major attention. Mariota showed everybody why he won the job, delivering a performance that will serve as football porn to Duck fans for the next week
The electric duo of running backs Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas, along with the rest of the offense, also proved key to putting the game away early, but it was the first-string defense that proved key early.
Not to be ignored, Oregon's starting defense was pretty stellar as well. On Arkansas State's first seven drives, they only managed a single field goal, that they had to string together 12 plays for. In the other six possessions, the Red Wolves had three three and outs, two first downs, and a turnover.
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