Tag: Oregon Offense

Ducks Wire Player of the Game: Terrance Ferguson gives the Ducks a shot

Ducks Wire Player of the Game: Terrance Ferguson gives the Ducks a shot

It didn’t seem like the Washington Huskies could twist the dagger they have in the Oregon Ducks any further after their win back in October, but that’s what they did in their 34-31 win in the Pac-12 Championship on Friday night.

Things started ugly for Oregon. Washington was the more physical team and Oregon’s offense couldn’t stay on the field. With a few minutes left in the first half, it looked like the Ducks would head into the locker room down 3-20. But, the Oregon offense strung together a few chunk plays, got down to the goal line, and cashed in for a TD on a beautiful catch from TE Terrance Ferguson.

Ferguson scored later in the game on a 4th down goal line situation. This time, Nix didn’t have his first read, rolled right, and threw back inside to a sliding Ferguson, in a spot where only No. 3 could catch it.

Oregon lost, but without Terrance Ferguson they didn’t stand a chance. Ferguson is probably the only Duck on the roster capable of making the first TD catch (due to his size and athleticism) and the second score was also spectacular. Without that catch, Oregon wouldn’t have gotten the spark they needed to come back in the game and play for the win.

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Where Oregon’s offense ranks nationally in key stats following win over ASU

A look at where the Oregon Ducks offense ranks nationally in some key statistics after a win over the Arizona State Sun Devils in Week 12.

As the season has gone one, we’ve got a clearer and clearer picture as to who the best teams in the nation are. That’s given us a great idea as to who the best offenses in the nation on.

It’s not hard to see that the Oregon Ducks are one of them.

Across the board, no matter which statistic you wish to look at, Bo Nix and Will Stein are putting on a master class in scoring points, and they continually are making it look easy. This past week, Nix had six touchdown passes in the first half, tying an Oregon record, while the Ducks blew out the Arizona State Sun Devils. Here’s a look at where they rank nationally in some key statistics after Week 12.

Tez Johnson bounces back for career day in blowout win for Ducks

Tez Johnson bounces back for career day in blowout win for Ducks

In the hours leading up to Oregon’s matchup against Cal, the rain and the cloud cover above Autzen stadium ebbed and flowed. But by kickoff time, the sky was relatively clear.

The California Golden Bears kicked off to the Oregon Ducks, and the Oregon offense trotted onto the field to start their drive from the 25. On the first play, Bo Nix dropped back to pass and threw the ball down the field for what would become his second interception of the year. The ball was picked after bouncing through WR Tez Johnson’s hands on what should’ve been after a routine catch.

After a start like that, no one would’ve expected Johnson to go on to have the day he did.

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The junior receiver transferred to Oregon last offseason after three years at Troy, where he racked up 1809 receiving yards and 9 total TDs. Johnson is Bo Nix’s adopted brother and the two were high school teammates. Johnson grew up idolizing Oregon football and on Saturday, he enshrined himself in the history of Oregon football with his performance, finishing with 12 catches for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Once the Ducks got the ball back after the opening interception, Bucky Irving scored on a swing pass, only for the play to be brought back due to a penalty. And after another penalty on the next play, Oregon was pushed back to the California 48-yard line for a 2nd and 37. Bo Nix dropped back and looked for Tez once again. This time, Johnson was surehanded, and he hauled in the pass as he dusted the Bears’ safety up the middle of the field.

When asked how Johnson was able to bounce back so well after a tough start, his brother Bo had this to say.

“When his number was called he answered,” Nix said. “You can look at the whole entire game, and the story you can pull from is, hey, that first play didn’t go how we wanted it. Anybody could have gone in the tank after that. That was a tough play to come back from and not what you want to go out there and do. But, your response is the most important thing. Your response is usually how you’re seen as a person. I thought he came out and had a great response and took over the game.”

On top of Johnson’s remarkable stat line, he also added a 47-yard punt return that nearly traversed the width of the field. After the game, I asked Johnson what his favorite play of the day was, and he said it was his long punt return.

“It was just the excitement on my teammates’ face. I just go out there and do it for those guys. It felt great,” Johnson said. “The blocking on that play was tremendous. I know it is because if I’m running that free open, I know the blocking was tremendous.”

And while Tez Johnson was happy about the win and his own performance, he continued to emphasize that the teams’ potential to improve was what they needed to focus on.

“We had 63 points on the board, but we didn’t have our best day as an offense. What we had 90-some yards with 9 penalties? That’s not us. That’s who we are as a team,” Johnson said.

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Oregon Ducks RT Ajani Cornelius named to midseason Senior Bowl team

Oregon Ducks RT Ajani Cornelius named to midseason Senior Bowl team

Each year in February, the top football players from colleges across the country are invited to Mobile, Alabama, to compete in the Senior Bowl. Similar to the NFL’s Pro Bowl, the Senior Bowl is an exhibition game featuring two All-Star teams of the nation’s best draft-eligible college football players. Historically, the players selected for the Senior Bowl have had a high rate of success on NFL draft day and gone on to have fruitful careers.

While we’re still in October and a ways away from the 2024 Senior Bowl, predictions for this season’s class are beginning to unfold. Today, the Reese’s Senior Bowl tweeted the “Senior Bowl Midseason All-American Team.” The only Oregon Duck to make the team: Ajani Cornelius

Cornelius is a 2022 transfer from Rhode Island. After Bruce Feldman wrote a feature story on Cornelius for the Athletic, his story became known nationwide. One of the things that made Cornelius’ story resonate with people was his journey from being a no-star high school recruit to one of the most sought-after transfer targets last offseason.

There was a massive rush of schools trying to bring Cornelius in after last season, but on early signing day last December, he chose Oregon. So far, it seems the Ducks couldn’t be luckier to have to him.

Through five games as the team’s starting right tackle, Cornelius has played 304 snaps (the third most on the team). But what’s most impressive about the way Cornelius has played, is that he has yet to give up a QB pressure this season, despite facing 182 pressure opportunities.

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When blocking for the run, Cornelius has been just as dominant. No matter who he faces off against, Cornelius has been able to consistently set the edge for the Oregon RBs — who love to bounce it outside.

Despite being selected to the midseason Senior Bowl All-America team, Cornelius still feels like one of the unsung heroes of the Oregon offense. When asked about Cornelius on Monday night, Head Coach Dan Lanning had this to say.

“I wish everyone could see where he started when he first got here this spring and what he’s been able to do throughout the spring and his development and all the way into the fall. He’s proven to be one of the best tackles in the league. I think he’s really playing at a really high level, but I know he has a high bar for himself and he wants to get even better and I think he will.”

Cornelius and the Oregon Ducks still have a long way to go in order to end this season atop the mountain. Their matchup this weekend against the Washington Huskies will be their most important game of the regular season, and Cornelius will have a key role to play as he faces off against one of the nation’s premier pass rushers, Bralen Trice.

In terms of Cornelius’ individual path, a midseason Senior Bowl selection is certainly not his long-term goal, but it’s a large step in the right direction. Like I said earlier, a trip to the Senior Bowl says a lot about one’s chances in the NFL draft. For Cornelius, a chance in the NFL has to be his objective, and for a player who received zero FBS offers out of high school, it doesn’t seem too far from his reach.

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Dan Lanning gives status report on WR Jurrion Dickey and continued development with Ducks

Dan Lanning gives status report on WR Jurrion Dickey and continued development with Ducks

During the NCAA’s early signing period in December, the Oregon Ducks accomplished a great deal. They received many letters of intent from recruits and transfers across the country, including right tackle Ajani Cornelius and edge Matayo Uigalelei. Both have become integral components of this season’s Ducks.

While those players’ commitments were massive victories for the Ducks, the highest-profile signing of the day was five-star wide receiver Jurrion Dickey. He was the No. 2 WR in his class behind only Zachariah Branch. Dickey attended Menlo-Atherton High School in Palo Alto, California, the hometown of Ducks’ WR Troy Franklin. Dickey is the second-highest-rated WR behind only Cameron Colvin to ever sign with the Ducks,.

When Oregon’s jersey numbers were announced this past summer, there was speculation Dickey would redshirt after picking No. 99 — a number not traditionally worn by WRs. Oregon’s WR group is one of the deepest position groups on the team, so there didn’t seem to be much room for a true freshman, despite his immense talent.

Until now, that speculation seemed accurate. Dickey has not seen the field in 2023. On Thursday, however, Dan Lanning spoke to the media after practice and was asked about Dickey’s status. He had this to say:

“Yeah, he did a great job today, had a big catch on us today. You know what, I think he’ll continue to grow. He’s gotten better and better. He’s gotten himself in shape. You know, he was coming off a knee injury there at the end of high school. And I think that he’s really worked himself through that. So hoping that he can certainly help us down the stretch.”

Not only is the Ducks’ WR room one of the deepest parts of the roster, but it has also been one of the most productive. Franklin has, at the very least, put himself in the Biletnikoff conversation. Tez Johnson, Gary Bryant Jr. and Traeshon Holden have been valuable additions. But, as the season progresses, so does fatigue, which makes depth more and more valuable.

The prospect that Dickey may see the field in the coming weeks is an exciting one. His talent is immense. As Lanning mentioned, he has gotten better since coming to Eugene.

If the coaching staff deems he’s ready, there is a high likelihood that when he does see the field, he’ll put on a show. An appearance for the young WR would also provide him with valuable game experience for when he hopefully becomes a more integral member of the Oregon offense down the line.

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Bo Nix ranked among College Sports Wire’s 25 most dominant players list

Bo Nix ranked among College Sports Wire’s 25 most dominant players list

A year ago today, the notion that Bo Nix would be in the 2023 Heisman conversation and have a billboard of himself in New York City would’ve been a laughable one. Expectations were not high for Nix’s time in Eugene. As a transfer, he was rated as a 3-star recruit by 247 Sports, despite being a 5-star recruit in high school.

After a dismal start to the season against Georgia, the little hope most Duck fans had for Nix to start the season was washed away. They clamored for Ty Thompson or wrote the season off.

Three weeks later at Washington State, everyone changed their tune.

After a pick-six late in the first half, Nix was electric. He led the Ducks to a comeback victory in a game that would’ve derailed Oregon’s season if it had ended up a loss. He didn’t stop there, and continued to dazzle fans all season.

Now, headed in 2023, the opinions surrounding Nix are much different. There are heavy expectations being placed on him — like I said he’s a Heisman favorite. The College Sports Wire network has a high opinion of him as well. The managing editor of every site in this network was asked in a survey for who they think the 25 most dominant players in the country are, Nix ended up 12th on Thursday’s list. Below is what Ducks Wire’s Managing Editor, Zac Neel had to say about the Ducks’ QB phenom.

“Before his late-season ankle injury a year ago, Bo Nix was widely considered among the top quarterbacks in the nation as far as production goes. If you take away the season opener vs. Georgia, he was averaging over 4 total TDs per game with a completion percentage of 75.5%. His injury vs. Washington derailed things a bit for the Ducks, but I don’t see why he shouldn’t be considered one of the top returning players in the nation. Oregon retooled the position group around him, and though he has a new offensive coordinator calling the plays in Will Stein, the Ducks expect to be just as dynamic as last season, frequently taking shots downfield. If you want to bet against Nix in 2023, be my guest. I will be riding the Bo Train all the way to New York City in December.”

I’m excited to see what year two holds for Nix. Having a full year under your belt with a team is huge as a player, but in contrast, Nix now has much more pressure to perform being placed on him than he ever has as a Duck. With how much pressure was placed on him as an Auburn Tiger, he should hopefully be able to overcome it.

It’s hard for me to say if I see this season ending with Nix sitting onstage in New York for the Heisman ceremony. I can see there being challenges arising from an inexperienced offensive line, but I can also see Nix exploding even more offensively than he did last season, due to the additional offensive weaponry acquired by the Ducks this offseason. All I really hope to see is Nix lead this team to its highest ceiling, whether that be a conference championship, an undefeated season, or the College Football Playoff.

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Dan Lanning highlights tackling and offensive execution as fall camp’s high notes

Dan Lanning highlights tackling and offensive execution as fall camp’s high notes

Fall camp is wrapping up, and we’re nine days out from Week 1 against Portland State, which means the Oregon Ducks’ season is almost upon us. On Wednesday, Dan Lanning spoke to the media about their preparation for Portland State and how the team is looking after fall camp.

Offensively, Lanning wanted to highlight how the team has improved its execution since the spring and last season. When asked about the way the team has improved, he had this to say about the strengths of the offense:

“Recognizing and being able to execute plays at a high level, everybody knowing their assignment, their job, and still, there’s room for improvement in both of those areas.”

That’s a pretty vague answer, but there are a few things that it could mean. Consistency along the offensive line is one possibility, especially because that is something that has been mentioned throughout camp and the offseason. In order for an offense to execute, they need a solid O-line, run or pass.

Another thing it could suggest is that Bo Nix is throwing the ball well. That is something we already know he does at a high level, but if offensive execution has been a strength, Bo Nix and his right arm have to fit under that umbrella.

When answering the same question about the defense Lanning had a much shorter response:

“I think overall, as a team, we’re tackling better.”

Another thing we’ve heard a lot this offseason is how this team — and specifically this defense — is a more physical one than we saw last year. The obvious advantage of that is improved tackling. Tackling ballcarriers was a struggle area for the Ducks last year and was a contributing factor to the late-season loss to Oregon State.

One interesting aspect of having a defense that has improved its tackling and is generally more physical is that it allows Lanning to showcase his expertise as a defensive-minded head coach from the SEC — a league that emphasizes consistency on defense, especially when it comes to tackling.

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‘There is a standard’; Ducks offensive line not feeling pressure to live up to 2022 unit

“Other people are going to put pressure on us, but we’re going to hold a standard ourselves that we want to keep it at.”

The biggest question surrounding the 2023 Oregon Ducks is how the offensive line will fare. Oregon had one of the top blocking units a season ago, but most of those players have graduated and moved on. However, while there is a lot of inexperience on the O-line, there isn’t a lack of talent. Many of the projected starters for the upcoming season were top recruits in their respective classes.

On Pac-12 Media Day, Dan Lanning mentioned how impressed he’s been by the O-line’s commitment to building that experience early so that they are still primed and ready to go in the latter stages of the season.

Recently, Ducks’ O-line coach A’lique Terry, had a lot to say about the differences between this year’s O-line group and last year’s, as well as what goes into preparing for the upcoming season.

“I wouldn’t call it pressure, but there is a standard,” Terry said. “We say to ourselves that other people are going to put pressure on us, but we’re going to hold a standard ourselves that we want to keep it at.”

While the Ducks have a lot of starters to replace in 2023, that doesn’t mean that they feel pressure to be as good as the unit was last season. Every year in college football, a new group of players will be compared to what the team looked like a year before.

“The pressure of it being a new year and all that, every single year in college there’s probably going to be a new piece to your line of some sort,” Terry said. “As long as our standard is the same, we’re looking at it realistically because we have a standard to upkeep. Then once we get there, let’s raise that bad boy.”

No one experiences pressure like an offensive line because if they don’t perform, no one performs. Teams with elite QBs and poor blocking rarely succeed, and teams with mediocre QBs can succeed with strong protection. Bo Nix was the beneficiary of top-tier protection last season, so it will be important for him and the rest of the Oregon offense that a high standard for blocking is maintained, which creates a lot of pressure for that group.

Terry says that he is going into the season trying to put all of the pressure on himself, though. That way, he can answer any questions that come forth about performance, good or bad.

“There’s a pressure that is really on me. But I let them let me have all the pressure. You all go out there and play ball and have fun doing so.”

It will be interesting to see how the offensive line fares against Portland State on September 2nd, but their first real test will likely come against Texas Tech the following week. Hopefully, they can respond to the pressure Terry mentioned, have built the experience that Lanning spoke of, and are able to be one of the top O-line groups in the country once again.

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Transfer TE Casey Kelly is integrating into the Ducks’ offense quickly

“Casey is a super tough kid. He’s a guy who comes in with experience, so the learning curve with that is much smaller.”

Casey Kelly was one of 15 transfers that Oregon brought in this past offseason, and so far things seem to be working out. Recently, tight-end coach Drew Mehringer spoke with the media and had plenty of good things to say about the newest member of Oregon’s TE group.

For the first three seasons of his college career, Kelly was a player for the Ole Miss Rebels. In 2022, Kelly played in the most games of his career but had the lowest production, due to Michael Trigg becoming the primary TE, which likely contributed to his decision to leave. When speaking about Kelly, Mehringer highlighted that it was former Ole Miss Rebels who turned him on to Kelly.

“He was a guy that was out there. I knew that he was out there, but in this day and age in the portal, you’ve got to do a lot of research on the players,” Mehringer said. “Thankfully, Wilson Love, our strength coach, had been there and knew him personally. Then I asked Tysheem [Johnson] ‘Tell me about this guy’. Both of those guys had great things to say. Everything I was told is everything this guy has been. He’s been awesome. We’re super glad to have him.”

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When Kelly joined the Ducks, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the TE position for 2023, due to a spring injury to Terrance Ferguson, the team’s No. 1 TE in 2022. It seems now that Ferguson will be ready for 2023 week one, but with how much Oregon used multiple-TE sets last season, depth at the position will be key. The Ducks also added freshman Kenyon Sadiq for 2023 who has shown promise early.

Even though he’s only been with the team for a short time, Mehringer had high praise for the quickness with which Kelly has fit into place.

“Casey is a super tough kid. He’s a physical player and a smart football player,” Mehringer said. “He’s obviously played a lot of football. He’s played in some big games and stuff like that. He’s a guy who comes in with experience, so the learning curve with that is much smaller. The terminology might be a little different, right? But he’s a guy who can integrate himself in there pretty quickly. Like I said he’s played a lot of good football. He’s got a really good skillset, but he brings a lot of energy into that room. Last year we played with some guys who had played a bunch, so to have another one in the room right there that competes and levels up our depth and potentially be a starter is fantastic.”

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It will be interesting to see what the Ducks’ depth chart at TE looks like come week one. I’d be surprised if Ferguson wasn’t the defacto starter, but after that, things are up in the air. Coaches have had high praise for both Sadiq and Kelly, and there is also Patrick Herbert to consider. Regardless of who sees the most snaps, Bo Nix should have plenty of good TE options to target all season, both in the flats as well as up the seams.

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Bo Nix and Bucky Irving named to ESPN’s Top 100

Bo Nix and Bucky Irving both landed among ESPN’s top 100 players going into the 2023 season.

This whole summer, we’ve been anticipating the start of the 2023 college football season, but now that we’re less than a month away from the Oregon Ducks’ first game, it finally seems that the season is within reach. ESPN is also gearing up for the season and in accordance with that, they ranked who they think are the best 100 players in the country.

Two Oregon Ducks — QB Bo Nix and RB Bucky Irving — made the list, with Nix at No. 14 and Irving at No. 77. Both players transferred to Oregon before the 2022 season, and although they had both been strong players at their former schools, they shined their brightest as Ducks.

In 2022, Nix had 3593 yards passing, 510 rushing, 29 passing TDs, and 14 rushing TDs. Until his late-season injury, he was a dark horse for the Heisman. Irving was just as great rushing with 1098 yards rushing and 5 TDs. As a receiver, Irving had 299 yards with 3 TDs.

Headed into 2023, the Ducks won’t have as much experience on their offensive line, so there is a worry that Irving and Nix won’t be able to produce at as high of a rate this season as they did last season. However, head coach Dan Lanning has spoken highly of the offensive line this offseason, and with Irving and Nix having a second year of experience as Ducks, I think Nix and Irving will have no trouble overcoming any o-line irregularities.

While I am happy Irving and Nix were included on this list, I don’t they should be the only Oregon players listed as the top 100 players. Both Brandon Dorlus and Troy Franklin for example are players I would include in the top 100, Franklin especially after his production last season. Hopefully, if ESPN remakes their list after the season Dorlus, Franklin, and more Ducks are included.