# 2011 Oregon Ducks football team

The 2011 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by third year head coach Chip Kelly and played their home games at Autzen Stadium for the 45th straight year. They are a member of the Pac-12 Conference in the North Division.
The Ducks won their third straight Pac-12 championship title after defeating UCLA in the inaugural Pac-12 Football Championship Game. They represented the Pac-12 in the Rose Bowl, where they defeated Wisconsin 45–38 to win their first Rose Bowl Championship since 1917. It was their second Rose Bowl appearance in three years and their sixth overall. This would be Oregon's third consecutive year in a BCS bowl game. The Ducks finished the season 12–2 (8–1 Pac-12).

## Before the season
### Recruiting

College recruiting information (2011) :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | 40$^‡$ | Commit date |
| DeAnthony Thomas ATH | Los Angeles | Crenshaw Senior HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 168 lb (76 kg) | 4.4 | Feb 3, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 84 |||||||
| Colt Lyerla ATH | Hillsboro, Oregon | Hillsboro HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | 4.5 | Jan 8, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 79 |||||||
| Devon Blackmon WR | Fontana, California | Summit HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 178 lb (81 kg) | 4.4 | Jan 8, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 83 |||||||
| Andre Yruretagoyena OT | Scottsdale, Arizona | Chaparral HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 262 lb (119 kg) | 4.9 | Jun 26, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81 |||||||
| Anthony Wallace MLB | Dallas | Skyline HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | 4.5 | Nov 21, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 80 |||||||
| Ifo Ekpre-Olomu CB | Chino Hills, California | Chino Hills HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 4.5 | Nov 19, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 79 |||||||
| Tyler Johnstone OT | Chandler, Arizona | Hamilton HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 260 lb (120 kg) | 4.9 | Jul 19, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 78 |||||||
| Marshawn Lacy WR | Riverside, California | Riverside Community College | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 4.2 | Sep 10, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: N/A 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: – |||||||
| Tyson Coleman S | Lake Oswego, Oregon | Lake Oswego HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 203 lb (92 kg) | 4.6 | Oct 13, 2009 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 79 |||||||
| Lake Koa-Ka'ai DE | Honolulu, HI | Kamehameha Secondary | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 243 lb (110 kg) | 4.8 | Jan 20, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 79 |||||||
| Jacob Fisher OT | Traverse City, Michigan | Traverse City West Senior HS | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 272 lb (123 kg) | 5.1 | Feb 2, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 77 |||||||
| Tra Carson RB | Texarkana, Texas | Liberty-Eylau HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 218 lb (99 kg) | 4.6 | Dec 18, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 76 |||||||
| Tacoi Sumler WR | Miami, Florida | Christopher Columbus HS | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 158 lb (72 kg) | 4.4 | Jul 28, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81 |||||||
| Jared Ebert DT | Council Bluffs, IA | Iowa Western | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | 4.8 | Nov 27, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: – |||||||
| Tacoi Sumler WR | Miami, Florida | Christopher Columbus HS | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 158 lb (72 kg) | 4.4 | Jul 28, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 81 |||||||
| Christian French TE | Cedar Rapids, IA | John F Kennedy HS | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | 4.4 | Dec 9, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 79 |||||||
| BJ Kelly WR | Fresno, California | Central High East Campus | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 4.4 | Jan 23, 2011 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 80 |||||||
| Rahim Cassell OLB | Lakewood, California | Lakewood HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 218 lb (99 kg) | NA | Sep 29, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 79 |||||||
| Rodney Hardrick MLB | Colton, California | Colton HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 4.5 | Dec 14, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 76 |||||||
| Sam Kamp DE | Mesa, Arizona | Mountain View HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 231 lb (105 kg) | 4.9 | Apr 8, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75 |||||||
| Jamal Prater OG | Etiwanda, California | Etiwanda HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 285 lb (129 kg) | NA | Aug 4, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 73 |||||||
| James Euscher OT | Beaverton, Oregon | Aloha HS | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 278 lb (126 kg) | NA | Jul 6, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 71 |||||||
| Marcus Mariota QB | Honolulu, HI | St. Louis School | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 188 lb (85 kg) | 4.6 | Jun 27, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 71 |||||||
| Carlyle Garrick LB | Castro Valley, California | Castro Valley HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | NA | Oct 22, 2010 |
| Star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: N/A ESPN grade: 75 |||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 12 Rivals: 9 ESPN: 14 |||||||
| ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Oregon Football Commitment List 2011". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 14, 2011. "Oregon College Football Recruiting Commits 2011". Scout.com. Retrieved April 14, 2011. "Oregon Ducks Commits 2011". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 14, 2011. "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved April 14, 2011. "2011 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved April 14, 2011. |||||||

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 3 | 5:00 pm | vs. No. 4 LSU* | No. 3 | Cowboys StadiumArlington, TX (Cowboys Classic, College GameDay) | ABC | L 27–40 | 87,711 |
| September 10 | 12:30 pm | Nevada* | No. 13 | Autzen StadiumEugene, OR | FX | W 69–20 | 58,818 |
| September 17 | 12:30 pm | Missouri State* | No. 12 | Autzen StadiumEugene, OR | CSNNW | W 56–7 | 58,847 |
| September 24 | 7:15 pm | at Arizona | No. 10 | Arizona StadiumTucson, AZ | ESPN2 | W 56–31 | 56,096 |
| October 6 | 6:00 pm | California | No. 9 | Autzen StadiumEugene, OR | ESPN | W 43–15 | 58,796 |
| October 15 | 7:15 pm | No. 18 Arizona State | No. 9 | Autzen StadiumEugene, OR (College GameDay) | ESPN | W 41–27 | 60,055 |
| October 22 | 12:30 pm | at Colorado | No. 9 | Folsom FieldBoulder, CO | FSN | W 45–2 | 52,123 |
| October 29 | 12:00 pm | Washington State | No. 7 | Autzen StadiumEugene, OR | FSN | W 43–28 | 59,126 |
| November 5 | 7:30 pm | at Washington | No. 6 | Husky StadiumSeattle, WA (rivalry) | FSN | W 34–17 | 69,407 |
| November 12 | 5:00 pm | at No. 3 Stanford | No. 6 | Stanford StadiumStanford, CA (College GameDay) | ABC | W 53–30 | 50,360 |
| November 19 | 5:00 pm | No. 18 USC | No. 4 | Autzen StadiumEugene, OR | ABC/ESPN3 | L 35–38 | 59,933 |
| November 26 | 12:30 pm | Oregon State | No. 9 | Autzen StadiumEugene, OR (Civil War) | ABC/ESPN2 | W 49–21 | 59,802 |
| December 2 | 5:00 pm | UCLA | No. 8 | Autzen StadiumEugene, OR (Pac-12 Championship Game) | FOX | W 49–31 | 59,376 |
| January 2, 2012 | 2:10 pm | vs. No. 9 Wisconsin* | No. 6 | Rose BowlPasadena, CA (Rose Bowl, College GameDay) | ESPN | W 45–38 | 91,245 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Pacific time |||||||||

## Game summaries
### LSU

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 4 Ducks | 6 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 27 |
| • No. 3 Tigers | 3 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 40 |
On September 3, Oregon lost to LSU 40–27, due in part to losing 4 turnovers while only forcing 1 LSU turnover. LSU was able to score after three of those turnovers, which led to 20 points, and built a 30–13 lead before the end of the third quarter. Oregon freshman running back De'Anthony Thomas fumbled on consecutive Oregon possessions late in the third quarter, one on a rushing attempt and then on the ensuing kickoff. The Tigers scored touchdowns as a result of both turnovers with runs from Michael Ford and Spencer Ware in a span of less than 4 minutes. Oregon outgained LSU in total offensive yards 335 to 273 during the game.
1st quarter scoring: LSU – Drew Alleman 44 Yd Field Goal; ORE – Yd Reception; Josh Huff 29 ORE – Beard 30 Yd Field Goal
2nd quarter scoring: LSU – Tyrann Mathieu 3 Yd Fumble Return (Pat Failed); ORE – LaMichael James 3 Yd Run (Beard Kick); LSU – Rueben Randle 10 Yd Pass From Jarrett Lee (Alleman Kick)
3rd quarter scoring: LSU – Michael Ford 5 Yd Run (Alleman Kick); LSU – Spencer Ware 1 Yd Run (Alleman Kick)
4th quarter scoring: LSU – Alleman 32 Yd Field Goal; ORE – Marshawn Lacy 8 Yd Pass From Darron Thomas (Beard Kick); LSU – Michael Ford 16 Yd Run (Alleman Kick); ORE – De'Anthony Thomas 4 Yd Run (Beard Kick)

### Nevada

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolf Pack | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| • No. 13 Ducks | 13 | 28 | 14 | 14 | 69 |
1st quarter scoring: ORE – LaMichael James 4 Yd Run (Two-Point Run Conversion Failed); ORE – Lavasier Tuinei 3 Yd Pass From Darron Thomas (Alejandro Maldonado Kick)
2nd quarter scoring: ORE – LaMichael James 44 Yd Pass From Darron Thomas (Maldonado Kick); ORE – Marshawn Lacy 70 Yd Touchdown Pass From Darron Thomas (Maldonado Kick); ORE – Colt Lyerla 20 Yd Pass From Darron Thomas (Maldonado Kick); NEV – Mike Ball 5 Yd Pass From Tyler Lantrip (Anthony Martinez Kick); ORE – De'Anthony Thomas 24 Yd Pass From Darron Thomas (Maldonado Kick)
3rd quarter scoring: ORE – LaMichael James 58 Yd Punt Return (Maldonado Kick); NEV – Stefphon Jefferson 1 Yd Run (Pat Failed); ORE – De'Anthony Thomas 69 Yd Pass From Darron Thomas (Maldonado Kick)
4th quarter scoring: NEV – Cody Fajardo 7 Yd Run (Martinez Kick); ORE – Ayele Forde 26 Yd Run (Maldonado Kick); ORE – Boseko Lokombo 67 Yd Interception Return (Maldonado Kick)

### Missouri State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • No. 12 Ducks | 14 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 56 |
1st quarter scoring: MOSU – Chris Douglas 3 Yd Run (Austin Witmer Kick); ORE – LaMichael James 1 Yd Run (Alejandro Maldonado Kick); ORE – Lavasier Tuinei 8 Yd Pass From Darron Thomas (Maldonado Kick)
2nd quarter scoring: ORE – Colt Lyerla 7 Yd Pass From Darron Thomas (Maldonado Kick); ORE – LaMichael James 90 Yd Run (Maldonado Kick); ORE – Lavasier Tuinei 34 Yd Pass From Darron Thomas (Maldonado Kick)
3rd quarter scoring: ORE – LaMichael James 50 Yd Run (Maldonado Kick) – ORE – Colt Lyerla 26 Yd Pass From Bryan Bennett (Maldonado Kick); ORE – Eric Dungy 22 Yd Pass From Bryan Bennett Maldonado Kick)
4th quarter scoring:

### Arizona

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 10 Ducks | 14 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 56 |
| Wildcats | 3 | 6 | 15 | 7 | 31 |
Oregon's 56 points is the most points Arizona has allowed at home since LSU scored 59 points in 2003 at Arizona Stadium.

### California

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Bears | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| • No. 9 Ducks | 14 | 0 | 22 | 7 | 43 |

### Arizona State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 18 Sun Devils | 14 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
| • No. 9 Ducks | 7 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 41 |

### Colorado

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 9 Ducks | 29 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 45 |
| Buffaloes | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |

### Washington State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cougars | 0 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 28 |
| • No. 7 Ducks | 8 | 7 | 21 | 7 | 43 |

### Washington

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 6 Ducks | 10 | 7 | 17 | 0 | 34 |
| Huskies | 3 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 |

### Stanford

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 6 Ducks | 8 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 53 |
| No. 3 Cardinal | 0 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 30 |

### USC

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 18 Trojans | 7 | 14 | 17 | 0 | 38 |
| No. 4 Ducks | 0 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 35 |

### Oregon State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Beavers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
| • No. 9 Ducks | 7 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 49 |

### UCLA (Pac-12 Championship)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bruins | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| • No. 8 Ducks | 21 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 49 |

### Wisconsin (Rose Bowl)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 9 Badgers | 14 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 38 |
| • No. 6 Ducks | 14 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 45 |

## Coaching staff

| Name | Position | Season at Oregon |
| Chip Kelly | Head coach | 3rd |
| Mark Helfrich | Offensive coordinator | 3rd |
| Nick Aliotti | Defensive coordinator | 20th |
| Jerry Azzinaro | Defensive line | 3rd |
| Gary Campbell | Running backs | 29th |
| Scott Frost | Wide receivers and Passing game coordinator | 3rd |
| Steve Greatwood | Offensive line | 25th |
| John Neal | Defensive secondary | 9th |
| Tom Osborne | Special teams and tight ends | 11th |
| Don Pellum | Linebackers | 22nd |
| Jim Radcliffe | Strength and conditioning | 27th |
| Reference: Oregon Football Multi-Media Guide 2011 |||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking ( ) = First-place votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | 3 (4) | 13 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 |
| Coaches | 3 (2) | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Harris | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 7 | 5 | Not released |
| BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 10 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 5 | Not released |