RB Kenjon Barner shines for the Ducks

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -It was as if Kenjon Barner had just won an Academy Award.

After scoring five touchdowns in No. 11 Oregon's 72-0 rout of New Mexico on Saturday, Barner gave credit to the coaches, the offensive line, and yep, even his mom.

“Not too bad at all. I was remembering that the coaches had faith in me,” he said. “I have to thank my mother. The coaches told me to be prepared, but I didn't know how many touches I'd get.”

Barner was making his first career start at running back for the Ducks, subbing for LaMichael James, who was suspended for the opener.

He scored on runs of 1, 25, 10 and 41 yards, before a 60-yard catch-and-dash from quarterback Darron Thomas. And that was all in the first half - Oregon rested him in the second.

Even Barner, a sophomore, seemed a little stunned by his stand-in performance.

“I didn't ever imagine that'd happen,” he said. “They were all fun. I had five touchdowns in high school, but I never expected five in college, unbelievable.”

Barner's five touchdowns matched a modern day school record set by Saladin McCullough in 1996.

He finished with 17 carries for 147 yards. With his scoring reception and returns, he contributed 225 all-purpose yards. The sophomore had 1,553 all-purpose yards last season.

Barner's start came at the expense of James, who was among several Oregon players who had trouble in the offseason. James pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment stemming from an altercation with his ex-girlfriend.

Last season James grabbed national attention by rushing 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 honors.

James watched from the sideline Saturday wearing an “O” T-shirt and khaki shorts. He will return to the Ducks next weekend when they visit Tennessee.

Along with James, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli also got into offseason trouble - so much so that coach Chip Kelly kicked him off the team.

Masoli was accused in a fraternity house theft in January and wound up pleading guilty to a burglary charge. Later he was stopped by police for a traffic violation and marijuana was found in the car.

Masoli has since gone to play at Mississippi, which was upset by Jacksonville 49-48 in double overtime Saturday.

The Ducks replaced Masoli with another first-time starter, Darron Thomas, who also performed well, completing 13 of 23 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted once.

Does the emergence of Barner give the Ducks a running back controversy? Hardly, said Kelly, who at times uses two backs in his spread-option offense.

“We've always felt that we've had 1A and 1B,” Kelly said. “We run the ball 40 times a game: one guy is not going to get all the carries. Hopefully that's a good question to ask and we'll split it up.”

Barner didn't seem overly concerned.

“We're ready to have LaMichael back,” he said. “He makes special plays, going to be special when we can run side by side again.”