LeGarrette Blount Punches Byron Hout: Bad End to Ugly Oregon Loss to Boise State

The most unexpected thing to come out of the Oregon at Boise State game Thursday evening wasn't that Boise State won the game (some of us saw that one coming), nor that there was a fight where LeGarrette Blount of Oregon punched Byron Hout, but that the LeGarrette Blount punch was thrown after the game was over. Boise State, ranked 14th in the nation going into the game, hosted the 16th ranked Oregon Ducks on their blue football field (dubbed the Smurf Turf) and handily defeated them, 19-8. Although the fans chanting "over-rated" may not be an accurate assessment of the 2009 Oregon Ducks, the win shows that Boise State is again a team to be reckoned with, having posted a 12-1 overall record in 2008 and an undefeated regular season. What the LeGarrette Blount punch shows (and, of course, there is a viral video to prove it) is a young player's frustrations taken out on Byron Hout.

A quick look at the video (for those who did not watch the Smurf Turf gridiron war Thursday evening) shows LeGarrette Blount's punch connecting squarely with Byron Hout's jaw. It is unclear if Byron Hout said something to precipitate the punch but it is clear that he was turning away from LeGarrette Blount when Blount threw said punch. The shot staggered Byron Hout as LeGarrette Blount bounced backwards.

The two teams had met to exchange handshakes.

And it didn't end there as Oregon players and an assistant coach had to restrain Blount and guide him back toward the locker room. Blount also exchanged words and taunts with Boise State fans and confronted a police officer as he was led away.

All in all, a poor performance by tailback LeGarrette Blount, the punch just topping off a poorly executed night. The highly rated and vaunted Ducks offense put together only 14 yards total offense in the first half. Boise State's defense not only held the Oregon Ducks to 8 yards through the air, but the 6 yards allowed on the ground were not LeGarrette Blount's. Blount touched the ball four times in the first two quarters for a total of -2 yards. He also was dropped in the end zone for a safety. The second half was no better for Blount. He touched the ball four more times but went backward a total of three more yards, ending the night with -5 overall.

LeGarrette Blount is considered a contender for the Heisman Trophy. Or was.

Rumors swirled that Blount was going to be arrested for assaulting the officer, but, according to the Detroit Free Press, that was quickly dispelled. However, disciplinary action by the NCAA may be forthcoming. At a televised conference, Blount not only apologized to Byron Hout but the Boise State fans as well, saying that he would accept whatever punishment the NCAA deemed appropriate.

Although LeGarrette Blount has since apologized for punching Byron Hout, the video of the incident has now become part of NCAA and sports history. As has Oregon's first loss and Boise State's first win of the 2009 NCAA college football season.

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LeGarrette Blount punch video.

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As for some of us seeing Boise State win this game against Oregon ahead of time, check out this comment and date.

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Sources:

"Sports Center," ESPN Television
Freep.com
CBSSports.com
TheWizOfOdds.com