Utah Utes football: LaMichael James gets his chance for Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon redshirt freshman LaMichael James was admittedly nervous about helping the Ducks' ground game in the absence of LeGarrette Blount.

But after a couple of hits, the fear was gone.

"I took a couple shots and afterwards I thought, 'I can do this. It's just football,'" said James, who ran for 84 yards in Oregon's 38-36 victory over Purdue last weekend.

James has been pressed into a bigger role with the Ducks following Blount's season-long suspension for punching Boise State's Byron Hout in the aftermath of the opener.

Fellow redshirt freshman Kenjon Barner and senior Andre Crenshaw were also expected to spark Oregon's ground attack, which at the moment appears to be running back-by-committee. Barner ran for 35 yards and a touchdown against the Boilermakers, while Crenshaw had 23 yards and another score.

Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli led the Ducks with 84 yards rushing and a score. Oregon's combined total on the ground, 193 yards, was a marked improvement from the week before when they managed just 31 yards rushing against the Broncos.

James credited his QB.

"Masoli's been a big help. He is really a leader. He helps all the running backs out, myself and everyone else," he said.

The Ducks will have to see greater improvement this week when they host No. 18 Utah.

For the past two seasons, Oregon has been known for its run, part of its spread option offense. Oregon had the second-ranked rushing offense in the country behind Navy last season.

While the loss of Blount hurts — he rushed for over 1,000 yards last season — Masoli was confident the running game would improve based on what he saw against Purdue.

"Early on those guys were a little hesitant for whatever reason, I think they were a little too excited. They settled down and started reading what their keys were and got some real nice runs," Masoli said.

INJRIES: Utah running back Matt Asiata was questionable for this week's game at Oregon with a shoulder injury.

Asiata banged up the shoulder late in the Utes' 24-14 win at San Jose State on Saturday. He has 56 carries in two games for Utah.

Coach Kyle Whittingham said offensive guard Caleb Schlauderaff re-aggravated a knee injury that had bothered him during training camp and is also questionable.

For the Ducks, safety T.J. Ward injured his ankle against Boise State and did not play against Purdue. He was out of a protective boot, but still not practicing earlier this week.

Linebacker Spencer Paysinger practiced Tuesday with a wrap around his sore elbow.

EXTRA POINTS: Suspended running back LeGarrette Blount appeared for a time at Oregon's practice Wednesday as part of the practice squad. Blount, who is still on scholarship, can practice with the team but cannot play in games. ... Utah kicker Ben Vroman was 0-for-3 on FGs last week, so he and Joe Phillips were competing for the job this week. Philips made two PATs and a 25-yard field goal.