Oregon opened the 2017 by scoring an Autzen Stadium record 77 points against 1-AA Southern Utah, a team that finished 127th last season in Sagarin’s computer rankings. (That’s one spot behind #126 Purdue and well ahead of #156 Rutgers.) Sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert completed 17 of 21 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown while senior running back Royce Freeman rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries. Kani Benoit added 107 yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries.
A drunk driving arrest this summer resulted in receiver Darren Carrington’s dismissal from the team; he’s since transferred to Utah, where he caught ten passes last weekend.