The Oregon Ducks ushered in their Big Ten era with a strong win late on Saturday night against the UCLA Bruins. The Ducks came out hot against the Bruins, and although it took them a second to get things going again in the second half, Oregon’s fourth game of the season was a dominant, 34-13, win.
One constant throughout Saturday’s game was Oregon’s best wide receiver: Tez Johnson. The first pass play of the game was a five-yard catch by Johnson, and from there, Tez could not be stopped. His elite performance earned him the Ducks Wire Player of the Game in week five.
Johnson has had a spectacular start to the season, but this week’s game was his best, as he finished with 11 catches for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns. Those numbers move his season stat line to 33 catches, 311 yards, and 4 TDs.
After Johnson’s first touchdown, which was a 52-yard reception in the second quarter, the Ducks entered the driver’s seat. But after quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw a pick-six in the closing moments of the first half, Oregon was grasping for momentum. The Ducks took control once again after Johnson’s second touchdown — a 12-yard catch on third-and-long that didn’t come until the fourth quarter.
It’s early in the season, but Tez Johnson has the potential to cement himself in Oregon history this season. Jeff Maehl holds the all-time record for Oregon receptions with 178. Last season, Johnson set the single-season catches record with 86, and if Johnson catches 92 passes this season, he’ll tie Maehl’s record, after just two seasons in the program. Through four games, Johnson is on pace for 99 receptions this regular season, with the potential for more in the postseason.
Next week, the Ducks will take on the Michigan State Spartans, a game where the Ducks will once again ask much of Tez Johnson. He’s delivered in every game this season, so there’s no reason to believe he won’t show out once again.
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