Reviewing the 2017 Oregon Ducks

Oregon opened the 2017 by scoring an Autzen Stadium record 77 points against 1-AA Southern Utah, a team that finished 127th last season in Sagarin’s computer rankings. (That’s one spot behind #126 Purdue and well ahead of #156 Rutgers.) Sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert completed 17 of 21 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown while senior running back Royce Freeman rushed for 150 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries. Kani Benoit added 107 yards and three touchdowns on just seven carries.

A drunk driving arrest this summer resulted in receiver Darren Carrington’s dismissal from the team; he’s since transferred to Utah, where he caught ten passes last weekend. Senior Charles Nelson was the leading receiver last weekend with five catches for 99 yards. Sophomore tight end Jacob Breeland (6’5” 241 lbs.) caught three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore linebacker Troy Dye led the Ducks last week with ten tackles and an interception. Several true freshmen played in the Oregon secondary, with cornerback Thomas Graham and safety Billy Gibson contributing five and four tackles respectively. Deommodore Lenoir broke up one of the eight passes the Ducks broke up.

Smoke from the Oregon wildfires threatened to delay or even cancel last Saturday’s game, but air quality cleared below hazardous levels before kickoff. A similar situation could exist this week, with both Minnesota’s game at Oregon State as well as the Huskers game at Oregon at risk. The Gophers/Beavers game would be easy to postpone, as both teams have a bye week in two weeks. There’s no such opportunity for the Huskers/Ducks; the Ducks bye week is on November 11, while the Huskers only have October 21 free.