EUGENE, Ore. — The Ducks didn't need LaMichael James against New Mexico, and they certainly didn't miss Jeremiah Masoli.

Kenjon Barner and Darron Thomas seamlessly filled the roles of running back and quarterback for No. 11 Oregon in its 72-0 blowout of New Mexico on Saturday.

With James suspended for a game, Barner scored five touchdowns, four on the ground and another via a pass from Thomas. He ran for a career-high 147 yards as Oregon racked up a school-record 720 yards in total offense.

Thomas completed 13 of 23 passes for 220 yards and two scores in his debut as starter after the dismissal of Masoli in the offseason.

If the Ducks were trying to put their troubled recent past behind them, it worked.

"I guess it says a lot," Barner said. "Numbers don't lie."

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.

New Mexico was also looking for a fresh start. The Lobos were 1-11 last season under head coach Mike Locksley, who had an altercation with a former assistant and was named in a sexual harassment complaint.

But the Lobos, who managed just 107 total yards on offense, were no match for last year's Pac-10 champions. B.R. Holbrook made his debut as New Mexico's starter, and completed just 11 of 24 passes for 70 yards with two interceptions.

"We're disappointed. I feel like our team has a different mentality from last season, but we didn't execute today," Holbrook said. "Oregon is the reigning Pac-10 champ, so you have to give them credit. But you never think things will go that badly."

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.

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.

Also a return specialist, Barner had 1,553 all-purpose yards last season. He had 225 against New Mexico, and his one catch was a 60-yard catch and run from Thomas in the second quarter.

"I've been saying all along, I think he's the most underrated player in the country," Oregon head coach Chip Kelly said. "He got a chance to shine. We've always felt that we've had 1A and 1B. We run the ball 40 times a game; one guy is not going to get all the carries."

The Lobos had a setback in the first half when defensive lineman Carmen Messina, who led the nation with 162 tackles last season, got hit hard and injured his left ankle. He did not return.

UNM said details about the injury were not known. Messina planned to return to New Mexico for an MRI today.

New Mexico is now 7-44 against ranked opponents. The last time the Lobos played a Pac-10 opponent, they beat Arizona 36-28 in 2008.

It was the Lobos' biggest margin of defeat since losing 94-17 to Fresno State in 1991.