Associated Press Photo
EUGENE, Ore. (Sports Network) - Bryan Bennett rushed for 73 yards and three scores, while Marcus Mariota threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another, as the No. 2 Oregon Ducks pounded Colorado, 70-14, at Autzen Stadium to remain unbeaten on the year.
Mariota finished 10-of-14 for 136 yards for the Ducks (8-0, 5-0 Pac-12), who face No. 10 Southern California on the road next week.
Kenjon Barner broke free for 104 yards and two rushing touchdowns on nine carries, De'Anthony Thomas added 97 yards and one trip to the end zone on five totes, and Josh Huff contributed four catches for 49 yards for Oregon. Thomas also scored on a 73-yard punt return.
Nick Hirschman and Jordan Webb combined to go 14-of-27 for 95 yards for the Buffaloes (1-7, 1-4), losers in four straight outings. Christian Powell posted 121 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in defeat.
Oregon put a stranglehold on the game in the opening quarter, scoring four touchdowns. Barner broke the plane on a one-yard plunge, Thomas posted a nine- yard scamper, Mariota added a five-yard scoring run and then connected with Bralon Addison on a 16-yard pass for a 28-0 lead.
The Ducks got four more touchdowns in the second, as Barner broke loose for a 24-yard TD run, Thomas raced 73 yards to the end zone on a punt return, Daryle Hawkins picked up a 7-yard pass and Bennett added a 6-yard run to paydirt.
Down 56-0 at the half, Colorado finally hit the scoreboard in the third quarter as Powell recorded back-to-back rushing touchdowns -- the first from one yard away and the other from 20 yards out. However, Oregon struck back with a pair of touchdowns on the ground by Bennett less than three minutes apart to cap the scoring.