DUCKHUNTING

After an opening season win over Central Michigan University, 41-10, the Hoosiers (1-0) take to the road and head west to face the No. 24 University of Oregon Ducks (0-0) at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.\nPlaying on the road is a fact the Hoosiers will have to deal with this season, as six of their 11 games are away from Memorial Stadium. \nGetting off to a strong start on the road will be important, sophomore running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis said.\n"Our confidence is high, and we're practicing hard and looking forward to Oregon," Green-Ellis said. "It is always good to get off to good start, especially since we have six road games, and we need to win on the road to have a winning season."\nThis will be the Ducks' season opener, as they return 13 starters from last season's 8-5 Sun Bowl squad.\nThe Hoosier defense, which held the CMU Chippewas to 10 points, will have to go up against a more potent offense at Oregon.\nThe Ducks have a trio of juniors who will look to light up the scoreboard and try to take IU out of the game early.\nQuarterback Kellen Clemens, who threw 2,400 yards last season, leads Oregon. One of Clemens' favorite targets from last season, Demetrius Williams, returns from a season where he led the team with eight touchdowns and was second in reception yards with more than 900.\nOregon's backfield boasts tailback Terrence Whitehead, who rushed for nearly 800 yards and found the end zone on six occasions last season.\nFacing Oregon should pose an early season challenge for the Hoosiers, IU coach Gerry DiNardo said.\n"They are a physical, veteran group for the most part," DiNardo said. "It will be loud and tough to communicate, and it is going to be tough going up against one of the better teams in the Pac 10."\nThroughout the past decade, Oregon coach Mike Bellotti has built a program with a strong following, providing one of the most hostile environments in the country. Oregon has sold out its last 29 home games and is expecting another sellout Saturday.\nThe last time a Big Ten team visited Autzen Stadium was last season when Oregon defeated then No. 3 Michigan 31-27. \nThroughout the week, IU has been preparing for the Autzen Stadium fans by simulating the "crowd" noise the Hoosiers will have to endure from 54,000 in Eugene, Ore.\nPrior experience playing in big, loud crowds should aid IU when the Hoosiers take the field against the Ducks, junior offensive lineman Isaac Sowells said.\n"(Oregon) is supposed to be one of the loudest (places) in the country," Sowells said. "We've played at Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan. So we're used to the big, loud crowd atmosphere, and those games in the past will help us against Oregon."\nWhile trying to pick up a win on the road at Oregon, IU will be looking to snap a few streaks in the process.\nUnder DiNardo, IU has yet to win on the road, going winless in 12 road games.\nAdditionally, Oregon has been a tough place for nonconference teams to pick up a victory. The last time an opponent came into Autzen Stadium and beat the Ducks was September 1994, when the University of Utah came away with a win. Oregon has won 21 nonconference home games since then.\nThough the Hoosiers are looking at this game as an opportunity to make a statement, members of the team feel Oregon isn't taking the same approach. This sentiment stems partly from IU's less-than-stellar record the past few seasons and Oregon having a tilt with No. 2 University of Oklahoma looming after the IU game, junior defensive lineman Victor Adeyanju said.\n"We know that they aren't respecting us and are overlooking us," Adeyanju said. "They are a big tough team, and we have to make them know we deserve their respect and try and shock everyone."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Click at daaclick@indiana.edu.