The last couple of decades of Ducks football has been buoyed by the presence and performances from Oregon running backs. You have Maurice Morris, Onterrio Smith, Jonathan Stewart, Jeremiah Johnson, LaMichael James, and Kenjon Barner, Want to keep going? Throw in De’Anthony Thomas, Royce Freeman, Byron Marshall, LeGarrette Blount, and Thomas Tyner.
No matter what year we are focusing on, Oregon has had at least one proficient or dominant runner in the backfield, and the 2021-22 season looks to be no different with the return of C.J. Verdell and Travis Dye.
With years of experience and lofty goals, the duo plans to be among the best tandem in the NCAA this season.
“I believe that we are the best 1-2 punch in the Pac-12, if not the nation,” Dye said, via Duck Territory’s Erik Skopil. “Of course we’re going to say that, but we’re going to show that this year for sure.”
So far, both backs have proven that they can be dangerous with the ball. Verdell currently ranks 9th on Oregon’s all-time rushing list, with 2,523 total yards, and 23 total touchdowns. His time with the Ducks has been cut short by injury as well, missing the final two games of the 2020 season with a broken wrist.
Dye is lower on the all-time list, sitting at No. 21 with 1,840 total yards and 11 touchdowns. However, Oregon has been formidable and reliable in the running game since those two have taken over, and that trend could very well continue this season. There are other young players like Sean Dollars or Trey Benson that might get some run early in the season, but when crunch time comes around, you can expect to see No. 7 or No. 26 line up in the backfield.
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