Oregon Football: 5 Things We Learned in Win over Buffaloes

As was expected, the Oregon Ducks came away with a 45-2 win over the Colorado Buffaloes in a Pac-12 North/Pac-12 South showdown. 

Even with Darron Thomas and LaMichael James not starting for the Ducks, the Ducks had no problems moving the football and putting up points.

Oregon dominated on offense, defense and special teams, and certain players made their names known today.

Due to the obvious choices, I decided to go with some overlooked players and subjects to focus on. Here are the five things we learned from the win.

Bryan Bennett Is Really Good

We got a glimpse of this last game when Bryan Bennett took over for Darron Thomas last week, finishing with 22 passing yards and 65 yards on the ground. With the ease of the victory, Bennett started the game instead of Thomas to rest him for future games.

It became pretty apparent early into the game that Bennett would be able to run the ball as he had a 43-yard run on the opening drive of the game. Bennett ran the ball with great ease but struggled at times passing.

Bennett finished 11-of-20 passing with 156 yards through the air, 69 on the ground and two passing touchdowns. If he can tune up a little bit and stay consistent, he can be an elite-level quarterback.

Considering it was his first career start, I think he should be very proud with his performance.

Josh Kaddu and the Linebackers Can Be Really Good

Like Bennett, it became pretty obvious that linebacker Josh Kaddu would have a big game for the Ducks early on. In just the first half, Kaddu already had two sacks, 13 total tackles and continued his effort all game long.

Michael Clay also had a big game for the Ducks, coming up with a pick-six in the second quarter.

The linebackers have come under some scrutiny the past few weeks for not being able to stop the short pass, but this was easily their best performance of the year.

Jackson Rice Has Some Moves

In what has been somewhat of a standard by the Ducks under Chip Kelly, Oregon went for two after their opening touchdown.

Moving into the swinging gate, Jackson snapped the ball, made a quick juke and dove into the end zone for the two-point conversion.

It's time to give the punter some love!

Rice didn't have to punt often, but he finished with three punts inside the Colorado 14-yard line, two inside the 10.

Colorado Is the Worst Team in the Pac-12

You can make a case for the Oregon State Beavers. You can make a case for the UCLA Bruins.

When it really comes down to who is the worst team in the conference, the Colorado Buffaloes are the runaway favorites. Their one win is over a terrible Colorado State team, and they've been blown out in all but two games.

With Arizona State and USC ahead next, it could be a long time before this team wins a conference game.

Cliff Harris Still Makes Dumb Decisions on Special Teams

I never thought I'd see the day where LaMichael James' absence is felt most on special teams. Reminiscent of the days of old, Cliff Harris caught a third-quarter punt at the Oregon 8-yard line, tried to reverse field and in the process, ran into the end zone where he was eventually tackled.

The safety gave Colorado their first points of the game, ending the shutout. Harris was then replaced with Chad Delaney.

Is it time to take Cliff off of special teams?