11/12/20 Emerald Media - Gameday Edition

GAMEDAY 11.12.20

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AROUND THE

PAC-12

Editor in Chief Ryan Nguyen

Managing Editor Francis O’Leary Copy Chief Sophie Edelblute-Capps Sports Editors Gabriel Ornelas Shane Hoffmann Charlie Gearing Reporters Chris Brouilette Carly Ebisuya Daniel Friis Oscar Duyck Mojo Hill Photo Editor

USC pulls off comeback against Arizona State: The Trojans, who opened the season ranked No. 20 in the nation, were outplayed by ASU for most of their season opener. Down 27-14 with under three minutes left, Kedon Slovis threw a clutch touchdown on a 4th and 13 to cut the lead to 27-21. After a successful onside kick, the Trojans escaped with a 28-27 win.

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ON THE COVER (Courtesy of Jamal Hill)

Every time Jamal Hill has scored or made a big play througout his career he kneels or points to the sky in memory of his passed father .

Covid-19 cases put Pac-12 games on hold: The Pac-12 opening weekend was complicated as the conference canceled two games due to COVID-19.

The Cal-Washington and Arizona-Utah matchups both suffered cancellations due to outbreaks among personnel.

Few Pac-12 teams are ranked in the top 25: Following the resounding victory over Stanford, Oregon moved up to 11th in the AP top 25. However, the conference remains underrepresented in the top 25, with No. 20 USC as the only other team to represent.

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WASHINGTON STATE NAVIGATES POST-LEACH ERA BY: Oscar Duyck

Autzen Stadium is empty during the first game of the season. Oregon Ducks Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

Things are different in Pullman this season.

Former Washington State head coach Mike Leach left the program in January to coach Mississippi State, taking over for current Oregon offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead.

Unlike any other coach in the Pac-12, Leach gave a unique identity and offensive philosophy to the team.

The Cougars will miss him in his absence.

“I loved Washington State, but I am excited for my next chapter in the SEC,” Leach said.

The aggressive “air raid” play style,

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for which Leach is known for, is predicated on throwing the ball on every down and rarely relying on the run game. This play style has plenty of critics, but his impact on the program is undeniable. In his eight years, Leach had a 55-47 record at the helm, leading the program to five straight bowl games. Last season was disappointing for Washington State as they went 6-7 and lost in the Cheez-It Bowl to Air Force.

Former Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich fills Leach’s vacancy this season. Rolovich has a tough job ahead of him as he offers his own

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style to the team without sacrificing the relative success of the Leach years. In his first game with the Cougars, Rolovich earned a 38-28 win over Oregon State on Saturday.

Washington State is in the midst of transitioning from the air raid to a run and gun style. Rolovich’s new system looks to utilize receiver motion on the line of scrimmage to create mismatches, giving the quarterback a chance to exploit opponent weaknesses.

Rolovich also brings a new quarterback, Jayden De Laura, the first true freshman quarterback

starter in Washington State history.

In the recent past, Leach’s air raid offense produced now-NFL starting quarterback Gardner Minshew. It remains to be seen if De Laura will follow in his footsteps.

In his first start against Oregon State last week, De Laura threw for 227 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The Cougars jumped out to a big lead against the Beavers, but they also allowed Oregon State to close the deficit to 31-28 in the fourth quarter.

However, this is not the full story.

This was impressive considering the

GAMEDAY

The Ducks run onto the field before the game. Oregon Ducks Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

team was without 32 players last week. The most notable absence was running back Max Borghi who is primed to be a big contributor this season. The university has not disclosed why these players were not able to play since the school has not reported any positive COVID-19 tests.

Assuming Washington State will play their starting lineup against Oregon on Saturday, one thing to watch for is the battle between the Cougar’s offensive line and the Duck’s

defensive line. Liam Ryan, Josh Watson and Abraham Lucas are experienced and adept pass blockers. They will be challenged

by Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux and Jordan Scott. If Oregon’s defense can provide a strong pass rush, it will be a long night for De Laura.

Washington State is in rebuild mode this season, but with the margin of error so low for Oregon this season, the Ducks cannot afford to take any opponent lightly.

I LOVED WASHINGTON STATE, BUT I AM EXCITED FOR MY NEXT CHAPTER IN THE SEC.” MIKE LEACH

Former Washington State head coach

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN WEEK 2 OF PAC-12 FOOTBALL BY: Chris Brouilette

In the 11th week of college football, the Pac-12 enters just the second weekend of its six-game regular season. But COVID-19 is already threatening to cut some seasons short, as last week’s cancellations mean four teams will be debuting on Saturday.

This is what to watch for in week two.

Colorado @ Stanford (Sat. 12:30 p.m.)

Oregon Ducks Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

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Head coach Karl Dorell and the Colorado Buffaloes will go to Stanford after winning a shootout in their opener against UCLA. Running back Jarek Broussard, in his college debut, was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week after putting up 187 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Bruins.

Broussard and quarterback Sam Noyer, who added 64 yards on the ground on top of 257 passing, will need to have a similar performance if they wish to take down the Cardinal.

With that, the Buffs defense must show up against Stanford. They were torched by UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and gave up 42 points to the Bruins, despite forcing four turnovers.

Stanford, on the other hand, is coming off a 35-14 loss to the Ducks in Eugene. The defense got lit up, but there are still reasons for the Cardinal to be hopeful heading into week two.

Starting quarterback Davis Mills and star wideout Conor Wedington are expected to return after missing last week due to COVID-19 protocol.

Despite their absences, the Stanford offense looked refined against Oregon. Stanford’s 14 points may not be reflective of their offensive power, given that Cardinal kicker Jet

Toner missed all four of his field goal attempts.

The Cardinal defense was without two mainstays in corner Kyu Kelly and linebacker Gabe Reid, who were ruled out days before the game and are week-to-week. The defense forced only one Oregon punt and showed holes on deep balls and option run plays.

Like Colorado, Stanford must improve defensively.

If they don’t, you can expect a lot of points in this matchup.

USC @ Arizona (Sat. 12:30 p.m.)

USC enters week two 1-0 after a miracle comeback against Arizona State that involved a tip-drill touchdown and a successful onside kick.

Quarterback Kedon Slovis showed out with 381 yards and two clutch touchdowns, but the Trojans barely stole a win after being down 13 points with three minutes left. Defensively, USC was great in shutting down the passing game and shouldn’t have a problem going against a much less dangerous Arizona offense.

Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin was given an extra week to prepare for the Wildcats’ season opener after their matchup with Utah was canceled due to the Utes’ positive COVID-19 tests.

A lot of pressure is on Sumlin, who enters his third season at Arizona on a seven-game losing streak from last season. Grant Gunnell is the presumptive starter at quarterback and attempts to build on last season where he threw nine touchdowns and only one interception in five games.

The Trojans travel to Tucson with momentum and a chance to impress playoff voters with a blowout win.

GAMEDAY

The empty stands at Autzen Stadium are still illuminated by the game lights. Oregon Ducks Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

Oregon @ Washington State (Sat. 4:00 p.m.)

The Ducks trek to Washington State on Saturday in what is forecasted to be a cold, wet night in Pullman.

The Cougars’ freshman quarterback Jayden de Laura was impressive against Oregon State last weekend, tossing for 227 yards and two touchdowns.

The Hawaii native also showed he could use his feet, successfully avoiding pressure on numerous occasions and adding 51 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Washington State was without 32 players against the Beavers due to COVID-19 and other injuries. One of those 32 was star running back Max Borghi, although his replacement Deon McIntosh rushed for 147 yards. As of now, it’s unclear if Borghi will play against the Ducks.

Oregon showed flashes of brilliance in their win against Stanford. Despite a Tyler Shough interception and a Cyrus HabibiLikio fumble in the first half, the Ducks handled the Cardinal with relative ease. One area Oregon needs to shore up is the defense, which gave up 413 yards to an offense missing its starting quarterback and most dangerous weapon at receiver.

Still, de Laura will be facing a much more talented defensive

opponent in week two and will need to respond to heavier pressure and tighter coverage from the Ducks.

Utah @ UCLA (Sat. 7:30 p.m.)

In Los Angeles, Utah debuts in a matchup with Chip Kelly’s UCLA Bruins.

Utah’s worst problems are off the field, as they have had at least six confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one of their players is known to have been hospitalized from the virus.

On the field, the Utes are almost an entirely different team.

They replace their quarterback, running back and nine defensive positions. Such turnover usually prompts low expectations, but head coach Kyle Whittingham has proven that he is able to field a competitive team year after year. In addition, the offensive line returns four of five starters and will give solid protection to whomever starts at quarterback.

Jake Bentley, Drew Lisk or Cam Rising will start under center for the Utes.

Starting at linebacker for Utah is Nephi Sewell, brother of Oregon’s Penei and Noah Sewell.

UCLA is recovering from fumbling away their opening game to Colorado. Kelly’s Bruins turned the ball over four times and trailed 35-14 by halftime

against the Buffs. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson led a charging comeback with 412 total yards and five touchdowns, but UCLA ended up losing 48-42.

Thompson-Robinson is known for bulky box scores, and Saturday will be no different against a newlook Utes defense.

Cal @ Arizona State (Sat. 7:30 p.m.)

In the week’s most intriguing matchup, the California Golden Bears make their season debut in Tempe.

A lot of hype surrounds the Golden Bears after an 8-5 season that included a Redbox Bowl victory over Illinois. The COVID19-related cancellation of last week’s match up with Washington makes this a must-win game for Cal. With no rescheduling announced, the missed game brings heavy consequences to Cal’s postseason hopes.

Arizona State is coming off a heartbreaking loss against USC in week one. Quarterback Jayden Daniels rushed for a career high of 111 yards, but was unimpressive through the air and was unable to lead a comeback in the closing minutes.

Sun Devils Linebacker Merlin Robertson was awarded Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week

after finishing with 10 total tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception last week.

The status of the game is uncertain as California deals with COVID-19 issues.

Oregon State @ Washington (Sat. 8:00 p.m.)

In the last matchup of the day, new Washington head coach Jimmy Lake makes his debut hosting Oregon State.

The Huskies have fielded a quarterback competition between four candidates, but it’s likely the job will either be given to Sacramento State grad-transfer Kevin Thomson or redshirt sophomore Jacob Sirmon.

The Beavers are coming off a 38-28 loss to Washington State that never felt close. Junior Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson was impressive with 120 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, and five catches for 50 yards.

Losing to a depleted Cougars team is no doubt a shot at the Beavs’ morale, and transfer quarterback Tristan Gebbia must improve to keep the teams’ season alive.

The Huskies have won eight straight against Oregon State, and look to start off their season strong at home.

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A MOTHER’S LOVE CARRIES FROM 2,625 MILES AWAY BY: Shane Hoffmann @shane_hoffmann

As soon as defensive back Jamal Hill returned to the locker room after his first collegiate start, he called his mother.

He had to make sure his number one fan had seen him play, even with a 2,625-mile distance and threehour time difference from Eugene, Oregon, to Morrow, Georgia.

“Mama, how’d I do?” he said.

“You did great,” she responded.

Hill and his mother Tammie are a team. When Hill left home and traveled to the Pacific Northwest he and his mother vowed to not let the distance come between them.

Now, Hill is starting on one of the nation’s top defenses, but that hasn’t stopped him from contributing to his community in any way possible — a mindset which stems from his mother.

The anxiety of watching her son’s games live cripples Tammie Hill,

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so she doesn’t typically watch fully until the next day on YouTube, once she knows the outcome. But Saturday was a special day, when all the hard work she and her son had put in came to fruition.

Hill has been there for her son every step of the way.

Jamal’s father, Jeffrey, a retired army veteran, tragically passed away when Hill was 5 years old. That same year, Hill began playing football, and a tradition was born. Every time Hill ran down the field for a touchdown, his mother ran alongside him on the sideline.

“I remember the rec-ball days that we have on DVD. My son thinks that’s the funniest thing in the world,” she said.

That stopped when Hill reached middle school, but his mother’s support and involvement only grew.

Now a 19-year-old college

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sophomore, Hill wakes every morning to a text of inspiration from his mom.

“I try to send him a little something even if it’s just a: ‘Good morning, I love you. Just be great,’” she said. “Some mornings it may be something long, some mornings it’s, ‘I believe in you.’”

A combination of busy schedules and the time difference make for inconsistent opportunities to talk on the phone.

“We may not get to talk every day, but I inspire him and he inspires me,” she said. “Sometimes he forgets and he calls me and I’m like, ‘J, you know what time it is?’”

Home away from home When it came time to commit to a school in the winter 2019, Tammie said he wanted a school that would

provide that extra layer of support;.

A program he could call home.

He found exactly that when he came to Eugene in fall 2019.

Despite the initial culture shock that inevitably comes with moving from the South to the Pacific Northwest, Hill said he feels at home.

“The culture here, it was different from anything I’ve ever felt at any school I ever visited,” he said. “It’s not for cameras, it’s not for the rahrah.”

Although Tammie said the decision was entirely up to her son, she played a large role in the recruiting process. Having experienced it years earlier with her godson Terrell Lewis — an outside linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams who attended the University of Alabama — proved useful.

“The whole experience when we went to Oregon, that was so different

GAMEDAY (Courtesy of Jamal Hill)

from everywhere else that we went,” she said.

Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal was Alabama’s offensive line coach at the time. So when Cristobal and his staff came knocking on the Hill family door, Tammie already knew what to expect.

“I have a lot of confidence in the staff that I left him in good hands,” she said.

A perfect fit Since Cristobal took over as the Ducks’ head coach, he’s been intentional about his approach.

He’s stressed the importance of family and brotherhood while demanding respect from his players. He preaches the importance of the program’s

(Courtesy of Jamal Hill)

success over that of any one individual.

Hill’s mentality fits to perfection.

Midway through Hill’s junior year at Morrow High School, he broke his finger. Head coach Jerome Weaks said the medical staff did their best to rehabilitate him, but when gameday came around, they just didn’t feel comfortable playing him. Hill fought back and insisted he be out there with his team.

And so, with his hand engulfed in a thick club of athletic tape and padding, he took the field.

“There was one play where the ball was thrown his way, and he went up with one hand and picked it off,” Weaks said. “It was one of the best games of his career.”

A few weeks later, Hill and his team were in position to make the playoffs, a rarity for the Morrow

The culture here, it was different from anything I’ve ever felt at any school I ever visited. It’s not for the cameras, it’s not the for rah-rah.”

JAMAL HILL Oregon Defensive Back

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GAMEDAY

“WE PICK ONE OF THOSE CHILDREN UP AND I PACK THEM IN THE CAR AND THEY’RE LIKE MY OWN. I TOOK THEM UP TO MEET TERRELL [LEWIS] AT ALABAMA BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE KIDS WILL NEVER GET TO VISIT IN THEIR LIFETIMES BUT THOSE ARE MEMORIES THAT THEY CAN HOLD ONTO.” TAMMIE HILL Mother of Jamal Hill

program.

Midway through that week’s game, Hill bruised his shoulder bone. His mother remembers him favoring that shoulder the rest of the game.

Again, his availability would be in jeopardy.

“The next game I was like, ‘J, just sit the game,’” she said. “He was like, ‘They need me, If nothing else than just to motivate my team.’”

So they took a trip to a carpet store and after purchasing an assortment of material, wrapped his shoulder with strips of carpeting and other padding to secure it for the game.

“He’s not one to take medication,” she said.

So there he was, out on the field with his team yet again.

“He had the best game… the announcer was like, ‘I hope they don’t throw it to his side,’” she said.

They threw it to his side, and Hill finished the game with two

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interceptions.

And Morrow made the playoffs.

Giving back When Hill came to Eugene, he felt the love immediately.

“Mom, they all in,” he said of the fans and atmosphere which surround the program.

It’s a rewarding feeling for a player who has so often given back to the community from which he came.

During Hill’s recruiting visits, he and his mother brought underclassmen, often freshmen, from Morrow High School along with them. He saw it as a way to give them an opportunity to get out of Georgia and both explore areas and tour schools they otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to.

“We pick one of those children up and I pack them in the car and they’re like my own,” Tammie said. “I took them up to meet Terrell [Lewis]

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at Alabama because some of those kids will never get to visit in their lifetimes, but those are memories that they can hold onto.”

When Hill eventually departed from Georgia to begin his collegiate career, his mother stayed involved with the program, using her son’s story to motivate others.

“The reason I still volunteer is because I believe in my community,” she said. “So just because my son’s gone it doesn’t stop my interest or my work in the community.”

She participates in motivational Zoom calls with players and helps facilitate a pre-game prayer group that raises money for pre-game meals for the team.

When COVID-19 hit and the country shut down, Hill returned home. His trainer delivered equipment to his house which he used to fashion a makeshift gym.

Then, following in his mother’s footsteps, he used both the front and

back yards as spaces to host others; student athletes that were without gym access due to the lockdown.

“He’s such a humble child. I truly admire that,” Tammie said. “He teaches his mom some things.”

She believes her son truly wants to make a difference in his community.

When the time comes, he plans to invest in it and create a business that can accomplish those goals she said.

“I want something more than what money can buy,” Hill often tells her.

That time may well come, but for now, Hill is sticking to football.

In his second season, the safety who failed to crack the nation’s top500 recruits has already cracked Oregon’s starting lineup. A position where he’s poised to be a differencemaker for the coming years. Back home, his number one fan will be cheering him on the whole way — even if she doesn’t watch the games until the next day.

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GAMEDAY

OREGON’S NEW-LOOK

OFFENSE

looks promising in season opener BY: Carly Ebisuya @carlyebisuya Last Saturday, Autzen Stadium’s patented “Shout” song rang through the sound speakers in an unusual scene. The players, who have become accustomed to an electric, 90,000-fan atmosphere were instead met with cardboard cutouts and empty seats.

In first-year offensive coordinator Joe Moohead’s mind, that’s no excuse to not bring their own “juice.”

“Attitude reflects leadership,” Moorhead said. “You never rise to the level of your opponent, you fall back to the level of preparation.”

With an entirely new offensive line, a new quarterback and a new offensive system to implement, preparation was crucial for the Ducks. Building strong communication and cohesiveness was going to be a challenge — even without the added oddities of the 2020 season.

There were some rocky moments on the offensive side during Saturday’s win over Stanford, such as Cyrus Habibi-Likio’s fumble that was recovered by Stanford. In others, Oregon looked poised and well-positioned to contend for another Pac-12 title.

Tyler Shough got Ducks wide reciever Devon Williams (2) the nod to start as slips away from a defender. Oregon Ducks quarterback and Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov 7, did not 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

Ducks wide reciever Devon Williams (2) slips away from a defender. Oregon Ducks Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Nov 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald) PA G E 1 2

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disappoint in his first-ever collegiate start. The redshirt sophomore showed the first glimpse of Oregon’s revamped offense which featured plenty of pre-snap motion, designed quarterback runs and run-pass option plays.

Shough finished Saturday with an impressive 227 yards and added a touchdown through the air as well as one on the ground, but it was his running game that made his debut shine. He ran for 85 yards and another touchdown in a stylish fashion when evading Stanford defenders.

Shough is only the second player in school history to throw for over 200 yards and rush for at least 80 in their starting debut.

Aside from his dual-threat prowess, Shough flashed the chemistry he has built with starting receivers Jaylon Redd, Johnny Johnson III and Mycah Pittman. All three landed tough grabs from the quarterback, highlighted by Pittman’s onehanded catch down the sideline for 44 yards.

Right behind Shough was running back CJ Verdell, who had a monster season-debut with 105 rushing yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. After Saturday’s performance, Verdell moved up to ninth in career rushing yards at Oregon with 2,343, passing Jeremiah Johnson and Bobby Moore.

“We know CJ’s a great player and feel he’s one of the best in the country,” head coach Mario Cristobal said. “He ran hard, really got behind his pads as the game went on and started to really feel just back at home.”

Tight end DJ Johnson relied heavily on his work ethic and preparation in his Saturday’s matchup. Johnson, a former defensive end, had only practiced with quarterback Tyler Shough for two days before stepping onto the field on Saturday.

“That’s a 270-lb jumbo athlete, and he’s fast, he has good hands, he’s a good blocker and he’s conscientious and he’s tough,” Cristobal said. “He’s got all the makings of a great one.”

Ryan Walk, a former walk-on who recently earned a scholarship during the preseason, also made his debut along the revamped offensive line.

After a dominating performance against the Cardinal, the offensive guard was awarded Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week. Walk was the No. 1 rated guard in the country, according to Pro Football Focus, and helped the Ducks rush for a conferencebest 269 yards last Saturday.

“Ryan Walk stood out... he played an exceptional game from a technique and fundamental and assignment standpoint,” Cristobal said.

The Ducks’ new-look offense gained rhythm as the game went on, posting nearly 500 yards of offense on Saturday.

In weeks to come, running back Travis Dye will likely continue to shine as a backup. At receiver, Devon Williams and Kris Hutson will likely receive increased looks as well.

The Ducks proved that one of the hardest-hit rosters in the Pac-12 can also be one of the strongest coming out of the conference this season.

GAMEDAY

A LOOK AT THE DUCK’S

DEFENSE

heading into 2020 BY: Daniel Friis

Ducks wide reciever Devon Williams Even with multiple players deciding to opt out and the loss of Troy Dye to the (2) slips away a defense still has a chance to be one of the nation’s best in NFL Draft, the from Ducks defender.

Oregon Ducks 2020. This year’s unit will be fueled by a combination of young breakout stars Football takes on Stanand talented group of incoming freshmen. forda University at AutHere’s a preview of what the defense will look like this season. zen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Nov 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald) Defensive Line

At defensive end, sophomore Kayvon Thibodeaux will get a majority of the snaps. The former PAC-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and number one recruit will look to build on an impressive freshman season, while embracing a larger role as a leader this season. Sophomore Brandon Dorlus will back Thibodeaux up.

At nose tackle, senior Jordan Scott is back and looking to improve on his junior season in which he had a career-high of 32 tackles. Popo Aumavee and Kristian Williams are expected to contribute in backup roles.

Austin Faoliu is another senior who is projected to start on the line this year.

He will hold the defensive tackle position. Dorlus could also see time here.

Avalos feels comfortable playing in a variety of defensive fronts. Sometimes he’ll roll out four true defensive linemen, at other times just two or three. Against Stanford he even tried a one-man front and bolstered the line with several linebackers.

“We feel pretty good about the depth overall in the front with the d-linemen and edge players, and we feel good about attacking the pocket,” Defensive Coordinator Andy Avalos said.

Linebackers Mase Funa will take over the reigns at the “Stud” position — a linebacker who often plays on the edge of the line as a rusher while still possessing the flexibility to drop back. Funa had an impressive freshman campaign with 26 tackles and four sacks. Sophomore Andrew Faoliu, Austin’s brother, will likely receive snaps here, as well.

The “Will” linebacker, or weak-side linebacker, is one of the deepest positions on the defense. Junior Isaac Slade-Matuatia will build on a sophomore season that saw him lead the team in passes defended, and fifth in tackles. He’ll be the leader of the unit in the wake of Dye. Justin Flowe — a former 5-star, USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year, and number one recruit from California — will also receive plenty of opportunities. Flowe is known for his downhill playstyle and bone-crushing hits.

At middle linebacker, senior Dru Mathis will have his biggest role with the team to date. Noah Sewell, brother of former Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell, will also see significant minutes as he looks to build upon his breakout performance in week one against Stanford, in which he tallied four tackles as well as a tackle for loss.

Sewell is coming off a historic high school career that ended with finishing as the number one player in Utah, and a top-3 inside linebacker in the nation by ESPN.

Thibodeaux will also see snaps at strong-side linebacker, a position that he didn’t play as much last season. Sophomore Adrian Jackson is a candidate to line up here as well after missing last season due to injury.

Depth is the story at the linebacker position. Look for Avalos to consistently rotate bodies throughout games, much like he did against Stanford.

“Our veteran players are doing a nice job of helping the younger guys learn the defense,” Ken Wilson, the team’s linebacker coach said. “It’s going to be a long season, and we are unsure of how the season will play out so we got to have everyone ready to play.”

Defensive Backs Jamal Hill will start as the team’s nickel and look to play a larger role in the secondary after Jevon Holland’s opt out. Jordan Happle, a transfer from Boise State, will also see key minutes behind Hill and should play a large role against Washington State, as Verone McKinley III is set to miss the first half after a targeting penalty last week.

Mykael Wright will build upon his strong freshman season and start at field cornerback in place of Thomas Graham Jr. Wright flashes excellent speed, and, despite being beaten early in the Stanford game, rebounded nicely, knocking away several passes down the stretch. Daewood Davis, DJ James and freshman Dontae Manning are names to watch as well.

The team’s co-leader in interceptions from 2019, McKinley lll, will get the nod at free safety.

Nick Pickett is back for his senior campaign at boundary safety after finishing with 45 tackles and six passes defended in 2019 when he fought for playing time with Brady Breeze.

Steve Stephens, who was impressive against Stanford, will also fill in at boundary safety. The sophomore received a generous chunk of snaps against Stanford and used it wisely by forcing a fumble to go along with some sturdy run defense.

At boundary cornerback, Deommodore Lenoir will look to improve his draft stock and be a key contributor in the secondary for the Ducks this season. Lenoir has received a plethora of appreciation as a leader as well.

“These guys are hungry and they are ready to make plays,” Cornerbacks Coach Rod Chance said. “All these dudes here are talented. Now, it’s about putting together the fine details to let the athleticism come to life.

Both teams dive to regain posession after the fumbled ball. Oregon Ducks Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

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VERONE MCKINLEY III IS A RISING

Ducks cornerback Verone McKinley III (23) sets up pre snap. Oregon Ducks Football takes on the University of Arizona Wildcats at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 16, 2019.

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STAR IN OREGON’S SECONDARY BY: Mojo Hill @mojohill22

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