Oregon Ducks, Boise State's Heated Past Culminates Saturday In Big Challenge

Boise State's running back Ashton Jeanty was predicted to be the Mountain West's Offensive Player of the Year. This will be the first major test for the Oregon Ducks' defense in the beginning of the Big Ten era.

January 1, 2010; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back LeGarrette Blount (9) prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports / Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Oregon Ducks are still looking for their first ever victory over this Pacific Northwest foe. Since the first matchup back in 2008, the Ducks have an 0-3 overall record against the Boise State Broncos.

The most memorable moment of this series has to be when Oregon's running back LeGarrette Blount punched Boise State's Byron Hout during the loss to the Broncos in the opening game of the 2009 season, 18-9. Blount also put a fist to the helmet of Ducks' teammate Garrett Embry. He was then escorted into the locker room by two police officers along with wide receivers coach Scott Frost. Blount served a seven-game suspension after the incident.

Aug 31, 2024; Statesboro, Georgia, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) gains yardage against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Paulson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News-USA TODAY Sports / Richard Burkhart-USA TODAY Sports

This season's Boise State squad is led by running back Ashton Jeanty who was the star of the week one victory over Georgia Southern, 56-45. Jeanty scored an absurd six touchdowns on 267 rushing yards in 20 carries. He was averaging 13.4 yards per carry. Jeanty scored his first points with a 77-yard run and finished his scoring with a 75-yard run.

Spencer Danielson coached Boise State’s final four games of the 2023 campaign in an interim role. He was then named the permanent head coach after the season. He has a defensive mindset and is going to use Ashton Jeanty constantly on the ground against the Ducks.

Boise State was predicted to win the Mountain West Conference in their preseason poll which is selected by a media panel. The Broncos earned 38 of 46 first-place votes and 543 total points to lead the preseason poll for the 14th straight season. Both the UNLV Runnin' Rebels and the Fresno State Bulldogs earned four first-place votes.

Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Charlie Pickard snaps the ball to Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel during warm ups as the Oregon Ducks host the Idaho Vandals Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Ducks had majority of their issues in the underwhelming 24-14 win to Idaho come from the offensive line. Last season, Oregon's group only gave up five sacks all season. In the first game alone of 2024, the Vandals sacked Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel three times. It's arguably the most important part of a football team and is needed to be a strength for any championship-caliber program. Some changes are going to be made by head coach Dan Lanning during practice this week.

"When you go and look at the Oregon box score, you won't understand how in the world this game (against Idaho) was so close."

- Rece Davis

Luckily, the Heisman hopeful still put together quite the performance despite him not getting much time to operate in the pocket. Gabriel threw for 380 yards and two touchdowns on 41-for-49 completions. His competition rate was 83.7% and he had a quarterback rating of 162.3.

The Ducks will go as far as Gabriel can take them but he needs some support from those in the trench if they are looking at any sort of the shot at the College Football Playoff. A victory over a Boise State program that is also predicted to be seeded in the College Football Playoff by many could be a colossal mark on Oregon's resume.

The Ducks look for their first win vs. Boise State this Saturday. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT on September 7th (Big Ten Network.)

MORE: College Football Rankings: How Far Will Oregon Drop in AP Poll After Ugly Idaho Game?

MORE: Oregon Ducks 'No Salary Cap' on Name, Image, Likeness Money?

MORE: Oregon Ducks Dan Lanning Gives Injury Report on Dillon Gabriel, Jeffrey Bassa

MORE: Oregon Ducks Big Ten Network Blackout: No Timetable Comcast/Xfinity Resolution?

MORE: Quarterback Justin Herbert Injury Update: Ready For NFL Week 1?

MORE: Former Oregon Ducks Coach Scott Frost Hired by Los Angeles Rams