Using a balanced attack with Connor Cook tearing apart the Ducks secondary through the air and Jeremy Langford on the ground, Michigan State took a 24-18 lead heading into halftime.

On the opposite end, Marcus Mariota and the Ducks found themselves ahead 18-7 after a Mariota pass to Devon Allen for 70 yards, however the final seven minutes of the game went entirely in the favor of the Spartans. Michigan State put together 17 unanswered points and left the Oregon offense on the sideline for much of it.

Key Plays:

– Erick Dargan’s interception midway through the first quarter not only gave Oregon an early edge, it electrified the sold out Autzen crowd. Following Dargan’s 36-yard return, the Ducks recorded their first score of the game via a one-yard run by Thomas Tyner to take an early 8-0 lead.
– Devon Allen couldn’t have envisioned a better way to record his first collegiate reception. The track standout connected with Marcus Mariota on a 70-yard bomb and shrugged off a Michigan State defender en route to the play of the game thus far. Oregon took an 18-7 lead following the pass.
– With just 18 seconds remaining in the first half, Connor Cook found tight end Joshia Price for a seven-yard touchdown pass. Despite trailing for most of the first half, the Spartans entered the locker room with a 24-18 lead.

Three things to watch in the second half:

1) How will Oregon’s rush defense fare?
It’s been well documented that Oregon has had recent struggles with its defense against the ground game, however the Ducks opened the game by holding Michigan State to 9 rushes for just 29 yards in the first quarter. Benefiting by forcing the Spartans into third-and-long often, Oregon did not allow the first score from Michigan State until 10:57 in the second quarter, after Jeremy Langford’s 16-yard touchdown run. Oregon’s Joe Walker started at inside linebacker and the difference was felt. Walker collected six tackles in the half.
Michigan State did find its footing in the second quarter though and Langford would tally together 15 rushes for 72 yards in the half, averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

2) Can Oregon’s young group of wide receiver remain consistent?
Oregon’s first drive stalled after just three plays due to drops from Byron Marshall and Dwayne Stanford, respectively. The drops stopped there though and Mariota was able to find redshirt freshman like Darren Carrington and Devon Allen for huge gains that would set up scores. Allen’s catch, the first of his career, was a 70-yard touchdown catch that put the Ducks up 18-7. And with Oregon’s suspect rushing attack in the first half, (14 rushes for 13 yards) it looks as if Mariota and the aerial threat will be of the highest importance in the second half.
Mariota completed 10 passes to seven different receivers for 190 yards, with the majority of his balls going to Byron Marshall (3 catches, 36 yards).

3) Connor Cook versus Oregon defensive backs
Michigan State put together 86 yards on the ground, but 218 yards through the air as Connor Cook targeted both Dior Mathis and Troy Hill’s side of the field early and often. Going 17-for-25, Cook found eight different wide receivers, helping the team as a whole total 304 total yards. Its provided a perfect guessing game for Oregon’s defense and if the Ducks are to see any success it will be because the defensive backs unit has adjusted.

Oregon Passing
Marcus Mariota – 10-16 for 190 yards
Michigan State Passing
Connor Cook – 17-25 for 218 yards
Oregon Rushing
Royce Freeman – One rush for five yards
Thomas Tyner – Eight carries for 12 yards
Michigan State Rushing
Jeremy Langford – 15 carries for 72 yards, one touchdown
Oregon Receiving
Byron Marshall – Three catches for 36 yards
Darren Carrington – Two catches for 66 yards
Devon Allen – One catch for 70 yards, one touchdown
Michigan State Receiving
Tony Lippett- Three catches for 60 yards
Josia Price – Three catches for 33 yards, one touchdown
Oregon Total Offense- 30 plays for 203 yards
Michigan State Total Offense- 46 plays for 304 yards
Follow Hayden Kim on Twitter @Haydaykim
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JWISE25