Oregon vs. UC Riverside: Instant Reactions to Ducks' season-opening struggle

Ugly, But a Win

The Oregon Ducks, ranked 12th in the AP Poll to start the season, opened their 2023 campaign with a less than impressive 31-24 victory over FCS UC Riverside on Saturday. Despite facing an overmatched opponent in the first game of the Dan Lanning era, the Ducks looked sloppy and out of sync at times.

Offensive Woes

Oregon's offense, which was expected to be one of the most potent in the country, struggled to find its footing against the Highlanders. Quarterback Bo Nix, a transfer from Auburn, completed just 21 of 37 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions. The Ducks' running game was equally ineffective, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.

One bright spot on offense was wide receiver Troy Franklin, who caught six passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. However, the rest of the receiving corps struggled to get open and make plays.

Defensive Dominance

While the offense struggled, the Oregon defense was a bright spot. The Ducks held UC Riverside to just 248 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers. Linebacker Noah Sewell led the way with nine tackles, while cornerback Dontae Manning had two interceptions.

Special Teams Miscues

Oregon's special teams unit also had a rough outing. The Ducks missed two field goals and had a punt blocked that was returned for a touchdown. These miscues could have easily cost Oregon the game.

Overall Impression

Overall, Oregon's season-opening performance was a mixed bag. The defense looked strong, but the offense needs to improve significantly. The Ducks will need to clean up their mistakes and find more consistency if they want to compete for a Pac-12 championship this season.

Looking Ahead

Oregon will have a chance to bounce back next week when they travel to face No. 15 BYU. The Cougars are coming off a 55-3 victory over South Florida and will be a tough test for the Ducks.