EUGENE, Ore. - Southern Utah University fell to the University of Oregon in Autzen Stadium on Saturday evening as the Ducks exploded for a 77-21 victory.

"They stuck together, and they didn't quit. Those are two things we really wanted to focus on this game," head coach Demario Warren said. "We're excited about what this season can be, but we've got to bounce back. It starts tomorrow."

Things got started in Eugene very quickly, as the Ducks returned the opening kick off for a touchdown. Tony Brooks-James ran the ball back over 100-yards to make it a quick 7-0 for Oregon.

The Thunderbirds didn't wait long to respond, as they went to trickeration right from the start. SUU started with a pass from tight end McCoy Hill and a direct snap for running back James Felila before Patrick Tyler went in at quarterback for the T-Birds. From four yards out, Tyler carried the ball into the endzone, eluding several tacklers, to tie the game up at 7-7 for SUU.

Unfortunately for SUU, that's when Oregon's offense came alive. Through the rest of the first quarter and the majority of the second the Ducks scored five unanswered touchdowns to take a 42-7 lead over the Thunderbirds.

The T-Birds didn't go quietly into the halftime break, though. With 2:25 left in the opening half Tyler found freshman Landen Measom from 64 yards out for a touchdown that made the score 42-14.

On the ensuing kickoff the Ducks could not handle the ball, and the Thunderbirds took advantage as Mitch Dalley fell on the ball. Five plays later, James Felila bounced off a couple tacklers and found his way into the endzone from four yards out to make the score 42-21 going into the break.

In the second half, the Ducks opened the floodgates. They scored three touchdowns in the third quarter, and held the Thunderbirds scoreless for the 15 minute period.

The Oregon rally continued through the fourth quarter as the Ducks ran in another pair of touchdowns to round out the game, 77-21.

Tyler threw 18-34 for 197 yards and a single touchdown. Measom finished with five receptions for 106 yards and a long of 64.

Felila led the rushing game for the Thunderbirds, rushing 20 times for 63 yards and one touchdown.

Southern Utah's season will continue next weekend as they travel to Nacogdoches, Texas to take on Stephen F. Austin.

Keep tabs on the Thunderbirds by following @SUUFB on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Football page on Facebook.