Week 1 is finally here, and the No. 2 Oregon football team is kicking things off today, Sept. 5, at Autzen Stadium against regional power Boise State. Right now, it’s 0-0, but don’t let that blank scoreboard fool you. This isn’t just any season opener, the Ducks are looking to extend a massive 38-game home winning streak against nonconference opponents, and Boise State wants nothing more than to smash that record.
Remember 2008? Boise State Does.
Why does that home streak matter so much? Because Boise State knows how to wreck a party in Eugene. Just ask anyone who was at Autzen on Sept. 20, 2008. That was a brutal 37-32 defeat for Oregon, a game where Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore absolutely carved up the Ducks, throwing for 386 yards and three touchdowns. Remember Vinny Perretta’s 73-yard touchdown pass over T.J. Ward? Or how about Ian Johnson’s 6-yard carry in the second quarter that put the Broncos up 17-6? Those moments are etched in history, a stark reminder of what this Broncos squad is capable of on the road.
History Shows the Broncos Bring the Fight
Oregon fought back in 2008, no doubt. LaGarrette Blount leaped over Steven Reveles for a touchdown, and Ed Dickson hauled in a touchdown pass from Darron Thomas in the fourth quarter to cut it to an 11-point deficit. But it wasn’t enough. Moore walked off the field with the win, leaving Oregon’s Justin Roper, Chris Harper, and Jeremiah Masoli watching from the sidelines. And it wasn’t just 2008. Think about Sept. 3, 2009, in Boise. Kyle Efaw diving toward the endzone for Boise State in the first quarter, just coming up short? Or David Paulson catching a pass under pressure from Winston Venable? Even though Jeremiah Masoli celebrated a second-half touchdown with Bo Thran and Jeff Maehl, these games always feel like a fight.
What’s at Stake in Week 1
So, while the scoreboard reads 0-0 right now as Week 1 kicks off, the history between these teams screams for attention. The No. 2 Ducks have their work cut out for them to keep that 38-game home streak alive against a Boise State team that clearly thrives on playing spoiler. This isn’t just a game; it’s a test for that preseason No. 2 ranking. Every play is going to matter if Oregon wants to avoid another historical shocker against the Broncos today.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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