EUGENE, Ore. — The Gophers have played three ranked teams in road, primetime games on three different networks this season. They have not been must-see TV.
In October, Minnesota got blown out by No. 1 Ohio State on NBC and smoked by No. 21 Iowa on CBS. On Friday, the U got pushed aside by No. 8 Oregon 42-13 on FOX.
It’s a good thing the Gophers don’t have another ranked team scheduled — and that Big Ten games are no longer on ABC anymore.
In those three games, Minnesota has been outscored by a combined 125-19, including a never-close loss Friday at Autzen Stadium.
Going into the fourth quarter, the stadium blared “Shout,” with many Ducks’ players joining students and fans in the ubiquitous wedding song dance. During that timeout, Gophers players didn’t leave their huddle along the sideline and maroon-and-gold fans in two end-zone sections sat on their hands.
Minnesota (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) were a 25-point underdog and that was equaled at halftime with the Ducks up 28-3.
Minnesota didn’t score a touchdown against any of those ranked team until Friday’s third quarter — and 11th quarter overall — with Drake Lindsey finding Javon Tracy on a crossing route for a 10-yard connection.
After trailing 28-3 at the half, that quality drive of 10 plays and 80 yards cut the Ducks’ lead to 28-13. It was the faintest of comebacks.
No. 8 Oregon (9-1, 5-1) didn’t punt until their backups were in the game in the fourth. The Ducks displayed the mismatches they create in speed and strength all night, but especially in the second quarter.
One of the starkest examples of speed came when running back Jordon Davison went untouched on a 39-yard touchdown run. And the most-glaring example of power came when Noah Whittington appeared to be wrapped up by more than half of Minnesota’s defense, but the Ducks tailback kept churning and finished off a 40-yard TD run.
While Oregon continued to roll after a close win at Iowa last week, the Gophers had a bye week to prepare for the Ducks. They dialed up more trick plays on offense, including getting the ball to Koi Perich for the first time in months.
It didn’t matter, with Oregon outgaining Minnesota 510-196, including 332-94 in the first half.
The Ducks scored touchdowns on four of five possessions in the first half. Their only setback was an unforced fumble on a hook-and-ladder trick play that defensive end Karter Menz recovered.
The Gophers had to grind out 14 yards on seven plays to set up Brady Denaburg’s 46-yard field goal. After Whittington’s long TD, Minnesota’s best drive — 67 yards over 13 plays — included three third-down conversions, but they couldn’t get a fourth and settled for a 26-yard field goal.
Oregon wasn’t done, churning out another long touchdown drive, capped by Kenyon Sadiq’s 3-yard touchdown catch.
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