Barely a minute passed, and Oregon already found the end zone. Thanks to an interception and 41-yard return from defensive back Tyree Robinson on Georgia State’s first drive, the Ducks took an early seven-point advantage.
There would be more of that throughout the game, as the Ducks beat Georgia State in their final non-conference matchup of the season, 61-28.
Jeff Lockie, making the first start of his collegiate career, went 23-for-31 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Royce Freeman rushed for 101 yards and a score while sitting out the second half and freshman Taj Griffin had 14 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Georgia State did not lay down, though. The Panthers totaled 431 yards on the day, cutting the deficit to 19 (47-28) before the Ducks scored the final 14 points of the game.
The highlight of the game came when walk-on quarterback Taylor Alie ran 87 yards untouched for the score midway through the fourth quarter. Alie, a redshirt sophomore from Sheldon high school in Eugene, faked the handoff before scampering up the middle, veering right and then diving into the end zone for the score.
The rushing touchdown was the fourth longest in Oregon history, one yard longer than former Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota’s longest run.
Key Plays:
– Oregon defensive back Tyree Robinson intercepts Georgia State’s first pass of the game and takes it back 41 yards for the first score of the game.
– On his first drive, Jeff Lockie leads Oregon on a 13-play, 58-drive, capped off by a 26-yard field goal from Aidan Schneider. 10-0 Oregon.
– Nick Arbuckle sneaks forward one yard for a Georgia State touchdown, capping a five-play, 75-yard drive. Arbuckles touchdown makes the score 13-7.
– Oregon’s offense finally finds the end zone, after Royce Freeman bounces a run outside and races 22 yards for a touchdown, making the score 20-7.
– Jeff Lockie connects with Dwayne Stanford on and screen pass and Stanford does the rest, taking it 35 yards for a score. 27-7 Oregon.
– Taj Griffin rushes for three yards to score his first touchdown in a Ducks uniform, giving Oregon a 40-14 lead.
– Nick Arbuckle connects with Robert Davis for a 75-yard touchdown pass. Oregon leads 40-21.
– Joe Walker returns a Georgia State fumble 52 yards for a touchdown to make the score 54-28 and give the Ducks some breathing room in the fourth quarter.
– Alie scores on an 87-yard touchdown run to make the score 61-28.
Stats:
Oregon passing
Jeff Lockie: 23-for-31 for 238 yards and two touchdowns
Georgia State passing
Nick Arbuckle: 25-for-35 for 318 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions
Oregon rushing
Royce Freeman: 10 carries for 101 yards and one touchdown.
Taj Griffin: 14 carries for 56 yards and one touchdown
Georgia State rushing
Demarcus Kirk: Six carries for 42 yards.
Emiere Scaife: Three carries for 36 yards.
Oregon receiving
Dwayne Stanford: Three receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown.
Charles Nelson: Two receptions for 48 yards.
Devon Allen: Three receptions for 28 yards.
Georgia State receiving
Penny Hart: Nine receptions for 129 yards.
Robert Davis: Three receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown
Turnovers
Tyree Robinson intercepted Georgia State quarterback Nick Arbuckle twice in the first half, including a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown on the opening drive.
Oregon defensive back Juwaan Williams forced a fumble on a catch from Georgia State receiver Nyiakki Height. Oregon corner Arron Springs was there to recover.
Joe Walker picked up an Arbuckle fumble and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter
Oregon total offense: 539 yards
Georgia State total offense: 431 yards
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Rapid Reaction: Oregon defeats Georgia State 61-28 to improve to 2-1 on the year
Justin Wise
September 18, 2015
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