The pace remains the same. Scoring quickly and often, Oregon opened its first game of the season with touchdown drives of 1:24, 1:04, and 2:12 on its way to a 41-13 lead over South Dakota at halftime. With Marcus Mariota not skipping a beat, the Ducks scored 21 points on their first three drives of 2014. Utilizing running backs Thomas Tyner and Royce Freeman in the backfield, with Byron Marshall working primarily out of the slot, Oregon posted 466 total yards while only controlling the ball for 10:36.

Key plays:

-On just the fourth play of Oregon’s season, Mariota found Dwayne Stanford streaking down the center of the field for what would be a 62-yard pass-and-catch to put the Ducks on the board 84 seconds into the game.

-Being used primarily as a slot receiver, Marshall displayed a lot of what we could be seeing throughout the season on a wheel route that left him wide open on the Ducks’ second drive of the game. Mariota found him and 41 yards later the Ducks were on the board again.

-Royce Freeman was finally able to provide the viewing public with a reason to understand why so much praise was coming his way. In the second quarter, Freeman ran a sweep around the right side of the field that went 26 yards for a score to put Oregon up 28-6.

Three things to watch in the second half:

1) How long will Royce Freeman play?

Royce Freeman lived up the hype in the first half of his collegiate debut. He carried the ball 5 times for 48 yards and 2 touchdowns. Freeman is listed as a starter, however, and with the rout on, how long will he stay in? The freshman could use as many carries as he can get to get acclimated to the college football game, but probably won’t stay in much longer. He’s already made his mark on the Autzen faithful.

2) Can South Dakota keep running the ball on the Oregon defense?

The total rushing numbers for the Coyotes don’t indicate the full story. Starting running backs Trevor Bouma and Jasper Saunders have been able to get to the second level of the Ducks defensive front. Bouma leads the way with 11 carries for 53 yards and the lone Coyotes touchdown. Saunders added three carries for 60 yards.

3) What other freshman will shine in the second half for the Ducks?

Eight true freshman have played tonight for the Ducks. Royce Freeman has obviously made his impact on the game, but what other freshman players are capable of making a difference in the second half? Freshman receiver Charles Nelson has been featured in both the offense, and the return game for Oregon. With elite speed, he’s a player that could find the end zone in the second half.

Oregon Passing

Marcus Mariota – 14-for-20, 267 yards and 3 touchdowns

South Dakota Passing

Kevin Earl – 9-for-18, 95 yards and 0 touchdowns

Oregon Rushing

Royce Freeman – 5 rushes, 48 yards

Thomas Tyner – 7 rushes, 51 yards

South Dakota Rushing

Trevor Bouma – 11 rushes , 53 yards

Jasper Saunders- 3 rushes, 61 yards

Oregon Receiving

Byron Marshall – 6 catches, 117 yards and 2 touchdowns

Dwayne Stanford – 1 catch, 62 yards and 1 touchdown

Darren Carrington – 4 catches, 68 yards and 0 touchdowns

South Dakota Receiving

Riley Donovan-  3 catches, 39 yards

Oregon Total Offense- 466 yards

South Dakota Total Offense- 215 yards

Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt

Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JWISE25