SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 18, 2010
Darron Thomas and LaMichael James combined for six first-half touchdowns to lead sixth-ranked Oregon to a 69-0 victory over Portland State on Saturday.
Thomas threw two touchdown passes in the first quarter and did the same in the second, while James ran for a score in each of the first two quarters to put the Ducks in front 45-0 at the half.
James opened the scoring a minute into the game with a 66-yard touchdown run and the rout was on. Thomas connected with Jeff Maehl for touchdown passes of 47 and seven yards and the lead was 21-0 with just over 10 minutes left in the first quarter.
James, who finished with 226 yards on 14 carries, opened the second quarter with a 35-yard scoring burst and Daryle Hawkins and Malachi Lewis hauled in touchdown passes from Thomas to put the Ducks up 45-0.
Oregon (3-0) tacked on 24 points in the third quarter and got touchdowns from seven different players in its final tuneup before opening up its Pac-10 Conference slate at Arizona State next Saturday.
Rob Beard kicked a pair of field goals for Oregon, which outgained Portland State, 674-150, forced five turnovers and held the Vikings to 0-for-16 on third down conversions.
The Vikings (1-2) play in the Big Sky Conference in the FCS and both of their losses have been drubbings at the hands of Pac-10 opponents. Portland State opened the season with a 54-9 loss at Arizona State.