College football: No. 11 Oregon blows out New Mexico, 72-0

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon didn't need LaMichael James for this one.

Kenjon Barner replaced the suspended running back for the 11th-ranked Ducks and ran for a career-high 147 yards and four touchdowns before catching another score as Oregon opened the season with a 72-0 rout of New Mexico on Saturday.

Oregon's point total tied the Autzen Stadium record the Ducks set in 1999 against Nevada. The most points Oregon has ever scored is 115, against Puget Sound back in 1910.

The Ducks did set a team record for yards — 720.

Oregon went to the Rose Bowl last season as the Pac-10 champions before several players ran afoul of the law, including quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, who was dismissed from the team.

Quarterback Darron Thomas, making his debut as the Oregon starter, completed 13 of 23 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns.

Barner subbed for James because the running back was suspended for a game after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge that stemmed from a conflict with an ex-girlfriend.

New Mexico also were looking to put trouble in the past. The Lobos were 1-11 last season under coach Mike Locksley, who had an altercation with a former assistant and was named in a sexual harassment complaint.

This game didn't turn things around.

B.R. Holbrook made his debut as New Mexico's starter, and completed 11 of 24 passes for 70 yards with two interceptions. The overmatched Lobos managed just 25 yards on the ground and 82 total passing yards.

Cliff Harris scored on punt returns of 61 and 64 yards as Oregon built a 59-0 halftime lead. No Duck has ever had two punt returns for touchdowns in a single game.

But Barner was the star with 225 all-purpose yards. His one catch was a 60-yard scoring strike from Thomas in the second quarter.

Also a return specialist, Barner had 1,553 all-purpose yards last season. By all accounts, the sophomore was impressive in fall camp. Oregon coach Chip Kelly says he is "just scratching the surface of what he can be."

Last season James rushed for a team-high 1,546 yards, setting a new record for freshmen in the Pac-10. He averaged 6.7 yards and added 14 TDs to earn the league's freshman of the year.

James will return next weekend when the Ducks visit Tennessee. He watched from the sideline Saturday wearing an "O'' T-shirt and khaki shorts.