The Oregon Ducks rebounded from a slow start to cruise to an easy 48-7 victory over the Stony Brook Seawolves on Saturday.
While there were certainly plenty of options to choose from as the team’s player of the game, it is hard to ignore the game free safety Verone McKinley III had.
McKinley had three combined tackles and picked off two passes, giving him an NCAA leading three interceptions on the season.
Coach Mario Cristobal had plenty of praise to heap on the third year defensive back after the game:
“Well, this guy’s a student of the game now, he understands it inside and out,” Cristobal said. “Not only what we’re doing on defense, but what the offense is doing. He understands his formations, he understands route running. He studies receivers really well; formations really well. he’s just got a different level football IQ and then you see the way he’s worked on his body. He is fast he’s explosive, he’s a ball hawk and he’s got great ball skills.”
McKinley led the Pac-12 with four interceptions as a freshman in 2019, but only managed to pick off one pass in the shortened 2020 campaign. Now, he’s on pace to break records in Oregon’s secondary, thanks to his relentless work ethic and improved athleticism over the past year or so.
“He’s been a game changer for us,” Cristobal continued. “And the best part about that he’s not satisfied, he’s hungry. He wants more. He wants to take on more and that leadership role. He’s just strong, man. I can’t say enough good things about Verone McKinley.”
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