Oregon’s starting tailback has one of the better nicknames in college football: ‘Rolls’ Royce Freeman.
It’s an apt nickname too, especially after his effort on Saturday night in an 44-26 win over Virginia in which he raced away from the Cavaliers defense like one of his namesake’s cars can usually be found racing away from paparazzi. Freeman finished the night with 21 carries for 207 yards -- a healthy 9.9 yards a carry -- and two touchdowns.
In a game that was never really in doubt for the Ducks all night, Freeman’s put the finishing touch on it with an 85 yard run near the end of the 3rd quarter that is sure to be a potential Heisman highlight down the road.HIGHLIGHT | Royce Freeman goes 85 yards for the touchdown, his longest career run! #GoDucks #UVAvsUO pic.twitter.com/vQ8oWilzSQ
— Oregon Football (@WinTheDay) September 11, 2016
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Oregon wideout Devon Allen, still fresh from running in the 110 meter hurdles at the Rio Olympic Games, also got into the highlight package with a 77-yard touchdown reception that he celebrated by, you guessed it, hurdling in the end zone. Quarterback Dakota Prukop finished the night with 288 yards and three scores through the air in his most complete game as a starter.
For Virginia, the cross-country flight home will be a long one in which they can ponder their 0-2 start. Bronco Mendenhall’s team did muster a few positives on offense late in the contest but will likely avoid any talk during defensive meetings next week.
Oregon will likely move up slightly in the polls given Saturday’s result to set up an interesting matchup at Nebraska in Week 3.