Courtesy of Long Nguyen/Daily Lobo
Nine months after their first Rose Bowl appearance in 15 years, the No. 11 Oregon Ducks look ready to begin defending their Pac-10 Conference title. First up is the New Mexico Lobos.
Saturday’s matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs, which sit at two very different ends of the college football spectrum.
Oregon, coming off another 10-win season, returns 17 starters from last year’s Rose Bowl team.
“One thing I love about this football team is the depth we have right now,” second-year Oregon head coach Chip Kelly said.
New Mexico is looking to build off its 1-11 finish a year ago, but the Lobos are projected to finish last in the Mountain West Conference this season.
Both Oregon and New Mexico endured the challenge of naming a new starting quarterback this offseason, with a pair of sophomores getting the nod.
For Oregon, the lanky Darron Thomas will get his first starting bid at the offensive helm, while B.R. Holbrook receives his first starting job for the Lobos.
“You know, I think it’s a good thing for our team,” junior tight end David Paulson said. “You know, the coaches decided (Thomas) was the best fit for our team for us to be successful, and I trust our coaches made the right decision. I think he’ll do great.”
In addition to Thomas, a trio of other Duck players captured their first collegiate starts: junior defensive end Terrell Turner, senior defensive tackle Zac Clark and freshman kicker Eric Solis. It’s expected, however, for sophomore Rob Beard, currently serving a one-game suspension alongside star running back LaMichael James, to reclaim the starting kicker spot when the Ducks travel to Tennessee next week.
In place of James, the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year last season, fellow redshirt sophomore Kenjon Barner will get his first opportunity as the Ducks’ No. 1 running back.
On Monday, Barner was named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list for the most versatile player in college football. His mark of 1,553 all-purpose yards ranked eighth in the conference last season, while also setting the Oregon single-season record for kickoff return yardage with 1,020.
New Mexico gave up 5,024 yards of total offense last fall, putting even more pressure on the Lobo offense. The unit did feature the nation’s leading tackler in junior Carmen Messina with 162, but the Lobos experienced relatively little success on that side of the ball in 2009.
For both teams, however, Saturday couldn’t come soon enough.
“I’m tired of going against our offense,” senior linebacker Spenser Paysinger said. “Our offense is one of the most complicated in the country. So when we can finally start toning it down and start focusing on New Mexico, it’s a good day.”
With James out of the lineup and true freshman Bryan Bennett surpassing redshirt freshman Daryle Hawkins as the Ducks’ No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart, New Mexico will look to contain Hawkins as a triple threat.
“Daryle’s going to play everyone,” Kelly said. “He’s learning how to play running back — he’s still learning how to play receiver — but he’s a dynamic guy with the ball in his hands … we need to get him on the field because of what he can do for us.”
Hawkins has seen time with the first and second teams in practice and will likely spend some time at the slot receiver position on game day. He still considers himself a quarterback at heart, but he admitted he’s willing to do whatever he can to help the team.
“Yeah, I mean, to get on the field it’s great experience.” Hawkins said. “I’m happy. It’s my redshirt freshman year, it’s been a whole year off since I really got to be on the field in a live situation, so I’m excited.”
Game forecast
Forecast: 76 degrees. Sunny with clear skies.
At A Glance
Who: No. 11 Oregon Ducks vs. New Mexico Lobos
What: The 2010 season opener
When: 12:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet
Where: Autzen Stadium
The No. 11 Oregon Ducks host Mountain West Conference opponent New Mexico in the 2010 season opener.
Redshirt sophomore running back Kenjon Barner will shoulder the majority of the carries with last season’s leading rusher LaMichael James sidelined from action as he serves a one-game suspension.
Sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas will make his first collegiate start for the Ducks.
