Oregon Heads To USC With One Scary New Reason For Confidence

The Oregon Ducks' commanding victory over Portland State not only set a new scoring benchmark but also highlighted key performances from emerging young talent.

Oregon didn’t just beat Portland State on Friday night. It blew past the record book.

The No. 21 Ducks rolled to an 84-0 win at Autzen Stadium, setting a modern program scoring record and turning the night into a full-on showcase before next week’s much bigger trip to face No. 12 USC in Los Angeles.

Dante Moore handled the first half with precision, completing 19 of 23 passes for 280 yards and four touchdowns. He spread the ball around to nine different receivers, and Oregon never let up.

In the backfield, Jordon Davison powered in 13 carries for 81 yards and two scores. Freshman Kendre Harrison filled in with star tight end Jamari Johnson out because of injury and finished with four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.

Oregon also had to move on without wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan, who had initially warmed up before being seen on the sideline with a walking boot on his left foot and using crutches. Messiah Hampton stepped into a bigger role and delivered six catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns.

Once Moore’s night was done, Dylan Raiola took over to start the second half and looked every bit as sharp. He went 11 for 11 for 124 yards and three touchdowns. The Ducks’ freshmen kept making noise all night, and safety Jett Washington was right in the middle of it with a pair of interceptions.

The scoring started early and never really stopped. Davison opened with a three-yard touchdown run to finish a creative first drive, then Moore hit Dakorien Moore wide open up the middle for a 45-yard touchdown. After Portland State fumbled on the kickoff, Davison punched in another score from five yards out to make it 21-0.

By the end of the first quarter, Oregon was already up 28-0 after Evan Stewart beat his defender down the sideline for a 39-yard touchdown catch.

The second quarter brought more of the same. Harrison hauled in a 10-yard touchdown to push the lead to 35-0, then Oregon added two more before halftime to make it 49-0. Dierre Hill scored on a seven-yard run, and Hampton added a seven-yard touchdown catch for his first score as a Duck.

The first-time moments kept coming after the break. Raiola connected with sophomore tight end Andrew Olesh for a touchdown that was the first for both players at Oregon, stretching the lead to 56-0.

Oregon got an interception from Davon Benjamin later in the third quarter, but couldn’t turn that one into points and sent Bailey Ettridge out for the first punt of the night. Soon after, Washington picked off his first pass, and that turnover led to Raiola’s 17-yard touchdown strike to Hampton, making it 63-0.

Washington struck again later in the quarter on a tipped pass. Then, early in the fourth, Raiola found Brady Bidwell for a seven-yard touchdown to push the score to 70-0.

The Ducks weren’t finished. Brock Thomas came in at quarterback and helped set up a four-yard touchdown run by Tradarian Ball, making it 77-0. On Oregon’s final drive, Akili Smith Jr. took over under center, and the Ducks closed the night with a three-yard touchdown run by Brandon Smith.

It was a night packed with backups, freshmen and record-setting numbers - and Oregon now turns the page to USC.

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