(Eds: Updates. With AP Photos.)
By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer
Oregon’s rushing woes against LSU were an anomaly, at least in LaMichael James’ mind.
Oregon managed just 95 yards rushing as a team last weekend in the 40-27 loss to the Tigers, which dropped the Ducks from No. 3 to No. 13 in the AP Top 25.
James ran for 54 yards. A Heisman Trophy finalist last year, he led the nation with an average of 144.2 yards rushing a game last season.
The stats were uncharacteristic of the Ducks, who are known for their speedy spread option. Oregon averaged 286 yards on the ground last season.
But Oregon had similar issues against Auburn in the BCS title game in January. Oregon rushed for 75 total yards and James had 49, a career low.
The junior running back was clearly frustrated this week. He suggested that he was trying to listen to coaches, rather than trusting his own instincts.
“I felt like I should be more physical. I needed to start doing `me.’ The coaches tell you where to run a lot of times, but I need to start running where I want to run and do what I want to do. I think it will benefit me better than thinking where the play’s going to go. So hopefully this week I’ll run more physical,” he said.
Oregon coach Chip Kelly was asked about James’ approach but wouldn’t speak to it.
“I don’t know what his approach was, so maybe I should talk to him about it,” he said.
James gained from 15 to 20 pounds in the offseason, so it was suggested that perhaps he was having trouble adjusting to the added weight.
He said he wasn’t in his comfort zone.
“Definitely, I felt like I was hesitant. I was in between two game modes. But from now on I’m just going to be me…. I create. When the play breaks down, usually I can get away with it,” he said.
The inability to get a ground game going wasn’t the only thing to doom the Ducks, of course. Oregon had four turnovers and 12 penalties for 95 yards, and 20 of LSU’s first 30 points came off turnovers. Quarterback Darron Thomas appeared tentative at times on the big stage at Cowboys Stadium.
But Oregon’s rush – and the lack of it against LSU and Auburn – was brought up a lot this week. The Ducks have rushed for an average of 95 yards and just 18 points against Boise State, Ohio State, Auburn and LSU since Kelly arrived.
Kelly bristled when the subject was brought up on the weekly Pac-12 conference call.
“I don’t have any comment to that discussion. We don’t have those discussions. Our sole focus is on Nevada right now,” he said.
Oregon faces a different threat in Nevada this Saturday at Autzen Stadium.
The Wolfpack went 13-1 last season with victories against Boise State and Cal. They were ranked No. 11 in the final AP Top 25.
But key players from that team – quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running back Vai Taua – have moved on. Kaepernick, an adept runner as well as passer, was a second-round selection by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL draft. Fifth-year senior Tyler Lantrip, who has thrown 23 career passes, replaces him this season.
Nevada was ranked third in the nation in rushing last season with 292.2 yards per game – just ahead of fourth-ranked Oregon.
The Wolfpack did not play last weekend, so they no doubt took note of what LSU was able to do with the Ducks.
“I know those guys are going to come out hungry,” Thomas said, “especially after seeing the game we had.”
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