Missouri State @ Oregon preview

THE STORY: Oregon put on an offensive show in its last game and it’s hard to see anything but another outburst when the No. 14 Ducks host overmatched Missouri State. The Ducks rolled up 69 points and 603 yards while shellacking Nevada and now face an FCS team that has lost nine consecutive road games. Missouri State is trying to avoid its first 0-3 start since 1994. Oregon played lower-division foe Portland State last season and posted a 69-0 victory. The Ducks are looking for their 18th straight home victory in the first-ever meeting between these schools.

TV: CSNNW. LINE: N/A

ABOUT OREGON (1-1): Junior QB Darron Thomas did something school legends like Dan Fouts, Norm Van Brocklin and Dennis Dixon never did – throw six touchdown passes in a single game. Thomas’ stellar performance against Nevada matched the school record shared by Joey Harrington (who did it twice) and Danny O’Neil. Thomas was 13-of-19 passing for 295 yards. Junior running back LaMichael James only has 121 rushing yards through two games but became the first Oregon player to score touchdowns rushing, receiving and via return in the same game. The Ducks have just two sacks and will likely be without junior LB Michael Clay (ankle), who has a team-leading 21 tackles.

ABOUT MISSOURI STATE (0-2): The Bears will receive $440,000 for playing Oregon and that might be the most beneficial part of the day if their season-opening game against Arkansas is a barometer. Missouri State lost 51-7 against the Razorbacks while notching a $395,000 payday. The Bears lost to Eastern Kentucky 28-24 last Saturday and are allowing 39.5 points per game. Sophomore QB Trevor Wooden was a bright spot by passing for 262 yards and two touchdowns and running for another. Senior WR Jermaine Saffold caught two scoring passes, including a 71-yarder that was the program’s longest since 2008.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oregon has scored 50 or more points seven times in Chip Kelly’s 28 games as head coach.

2. Former Kansas coach Terry Allen, in his sixth season at Missouri State, has a 23-34 career mark.

3. The Ducks’ longest home win streak was 23 games from 1997-2001.

PREDICTION: Oregon 73, Missouri State 7 – The Ducks don’t often let up while winning big, and the Bears don’t have the personnel to slow the assault.

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