12/3/20 Emerald Media - Gameday Edition

GAMEDAY 12.3.20

HUNTER KAMPMOYER

ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF HIS LABOR IN HIS FINAL SEASON

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ON THE COVER

Ducks tight end Hunter Kampmoyer (48) celebrates his touchdown. Oregon Ducks football takes on the UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 21, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

AROUND THE

PAC-12 BY: Carly Ebisuya @carlyebisuya

Pac-12 struggles with COVID-19 cases: There has not been a single week of the 2020 season where there haven’t been any cancellations or postponements. Cal’s first two games were canceled, and Arizona State and USC continue to struggle to meet the minimum number of scholarshipactive players on their rosters. Additionally, the Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State has been postponed — an interstate rivalry that has been played since 1944.

Women’s basketball heads into Pac-12 play: After only a couple months of official practices and two non-conference games, Oregon women’s basketball is jumping into conference play this Friday against Colorado.

After demolishing Seattle U and University of Portland this past weekend by a margin of 65 and 33 points, the Ducks will officially start defending their Pac-12 title this week.

Oregon men’s basketball adds new games: The Ducks have recently added a pair of neutral-site games before starting Pac-12 play in Omaha, Nebraska against Missouri and Seton Hall. These are slated to be the only non-conference games for the team this season. They open up conference play Dec. 12 against Washington, but it’s subject to change.

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GAMEDAY

DEFENSIVE SHORTCOMINGS BY: Shane Hoffmann @shane_hoffmann

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)

This isn’t the same Oregon defense from last season. Forget elite, forget dominant, this unit hasn’t even been middle of the pack.

A significant chunk of Oregon’s defensive rotation departed in the offseason, yet the national narrative surrounding the program echoed a sentiment that the defense would carry the program again in 2020.

Through four games, it’s undeniably

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been the team’s weakness. Perhaps the most worrisome trend is that there’s been little to no improvement through two-thirds of the shortened season.

The expectations may have been set too high.

Thomas Graham Jr., Jevon Holland, Brady Breeze — all gone via opt out. Don’t discount the losses to graduation as well. Linebacker Troy

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Dye was about the surest tackler you could find in college football during his time in Eugene. Not to mention fellow starters Bryson Young, La’Mar Winston and Gus Cumberlander.

That’s a lot of names, hundreds of snaps and perhaps irreplaceable leadership. So why, still, was the bar set so high? Oregon’s defense was a top-10 unit last year nationally. It was the second season in defensive

coordinator Andy Avalos’ complex scheme. And yes, it’s quite a few names to replace, but if anything stood out about the 2019 iteration of the defense, it was the contributions it got from top to bottom, no matter the level of experience.

The Ducks’ defense hasn’t looked like a young, yet talented unit making, but they’re ultimately learning from their

GAMEDAY mistakes. They’ve looked like an inexperienced, leaderless one, desperately in need of a mental reset and an uninterrupted offseason.

And to think “No Fly Zone” and “Gang Green 2.0” were being tossed around at this time a year ago.

After finishing last year ninth overall in the entire FBS in points allowed per game, the 2020 defense slides in at No. 72, allowing 29.8. It’s a hefty number when you consider the quarterbacks they’ve faced.

Two of the four opposing quarterbacks were backups, elevated at the last minute due to starters contracting or coming in contact with COVID-19. One, Stanford’s Jack West, had thrown 37 career passes, while the other, UCLA’s redshirt freshman Chase Griffin, hadn’t seen a single snap at the college level. The third was Washington State’s Jayden de Laura — an undisputedly talented quarterback, yet still a true freshman starting in his second career game. The fourth and final quarterback, Tristan Gebbia, had thrown for just 561 yards through three games, but, if you didn’t know better, you would have thought he was one of the league’s best during the Beavers’ 41-38 win over Oregon.

The Ducks aren’t just getting burned through the air at times; they’re getting torn to shreds on the ground. They’ve surrendered an average of over 200 rushing yards per game, recently rolling out the red carpet for UCLA’s Demetric Felton and Oregon State’s Jermar Jefferson, who posted career-games with 176 and 231 yards, respectively.

Oregon’s defense isn’t as stingy nor as resilient, and it certainly isn’t making plays to the same extent it was last season.

The unit has just 16 tackles for loss, a rate which ranks 117th in the nation, ahead of just three Power Five programs. What’s worse is that only one has come from the

interior defensive line, despite being one of the Ducks’ most experienced groups, with senior returnees Jordon Scott and Austin Faoliu and sophomore Kayvon Thibodeux.

Each week, the Ducks give up more and more points. First 14, in a game in which Stanford’s kicker missed four field goals, then 29 against the Cougars, followed by 33 versus the Bruins and finally the 41-point avalanche in Reser Stadium against the Beavers.

There have been signs that a game like that was coming the whole way: the five straight runs of positive yardage to open the Stanford game; Washington state running back Deon McIntosh and receiver Renard Bell consistently turning Oregon defenders insideout in the open field; the inability to bottle up and wrap up Felton in the backfield. Oregon State’s 532yard performance was inevitable.

If numbers haven’t proved enough, the eye test forebodes deep-rooted issues. The Ducks don’t tackle well, they’re undisciplined with their assignments and don’t make enough plays.

In a season where the Oregon offense has begun an ascent back to the levels of the Chip Kelly, Marcus Mariota teams of old, the defense has reverted to the apathetic Ducks defenses of the past.

Holland, a former defensive captain, hinted at it in his gameday tweet, stating “the moral of this defense is infuriating.” The unit needs leadership and they need accountability. Most of all, they need a jolt of energy — a reminder of the talent this roster still possesses and proof that last year wasn’t just a flash in the pan.

Oregon still has at least two games left, with potential for a third and fourth. This defense isn’t the 2019 defense, and that’s fine, but it must show improvement if head coach Mario Cristobal and his team are to reach the heights they believe they’re capable of.

Autzen Stadium will remained closed to fans throughout the 2020 Pac-12 season. (Maddie Knight/Emerald)

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GAMEDAY

CAL AND OREGON LOOK FOR REDEMPTION AFTER DEMORALIZING LOSSES BY: Carly Ebisuya @carlyebisuya

Ducks defensive tackle Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) runs out onto the field at the start of the game. Oregon Ducks football takes on the UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 21, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

Heading south to the California Memorial Stadium, Oregon will look to bounce back after a tough first loss in the calendar year against Oregon State last Saturday.

Awaiting their arrival are the Cal Golden Bears, who are also looking to rebound after their third demoralizing loss of the season. The Golden Bears were ranked second in the Pac-12 North in the preseason polls behind the Ducks after coming off an 8-5 campaign in 2019. Last season’s second place finish in the Pac-12 North was the highest in program history, and they finished strong, winning four out of their five last games.

All of the Bear’s expectations have fallen short thus far in 2020, as the team looks to salvage a 0-3 record with two games left in the season.

Quarterback Chase Garbers had a mediocre redshirt freshman season but dramatically improved in 2019. Despite a shoulder injury that sidelined him for four full games, Garber threw for 1,772 yards for 14 touchdowns for a career-high

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148.86 passer efficiency that ranked fifth all-time for the Bears. Cal also went undefeated in games Garber started last year, ending with a 7-2 record.

Alongside Garbers, Cal returns an offensive duo in wide receivers Makai Polk and Kekoa Crawford.

They both lead the team in receptions and receiving yards, totalling 349 yards combined through the first three games. Crawford leads the team with 16 receptions and 203 yards receiving.

Just like Oregon’s Tyler Shough, Chase Garbers is also being tested by a new offensive system under Bill Musgrave, who has more than two decades of coaching in the NFL under his belt. Musgrave is looking for his new team to master and embrace the pro-style of play he installed this season.

On defense, the Bears have been led by safety Elijah Hicks and cornerback Camryn Bynum, who were both predicted to spearhead the defense after losing their top three defensive starters this season.

Bynum, opting back in for the 2020 season, has started each of Cal’s 39 games since the beginning

of his freshman season in 2017. He has led Cal in both passes defended and pass breakups for the past three years and is one of the country’s top defensive backs.

The Bears have the pieces in place — an experienced quarterback, an NFL-tier offensive mind in Musgrave, players on both sides of the ball stepping up into their roles; it’s a matter of time before Cal puts it all together and secures their first victory of the season.

“They do a great job using their tight ends with pin and pull schemes, with zone schemes,” said Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal. “[Cal] did a great job running the ball this past week and they are a tough, physical bunch. Our improvement has got to be real and it’s got to show up on Saturday for us to be successful.”

The all-time series between these two programs is tied at 40 games apiece, and both will be hungry for redemption under the primetime lights on Saturday.

GAMEDAY

OPINION:

COLLECTIVELY BRIGHT FUTURE FOR UO ATHLETICS BY: Bazil Sterling

Oregon Ducks celebrate their win. Oregon Ducks women’s basketball takes on University of Washington at the Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore., on Mar 1, 2020. (Maddie Knight/Emerald)

We have entered the golden era of the collegiate sports year, where the seasons of football and men’s and women’s basketball overlap. Sadly, nothing is immune to the catastrophic impact of 2020. A pandemic-sized wrench has been thrown into the gears of collegiate athletics, altering the ways we enjoy this special time of year. Fortunately, University of Oregon athletics provides us with a bright future action-packed with high-profile recruits and three premium head coaches that indicates never-before-seen collective athletic dominance.

UO faces the daunting task of filling the hole left by three of its iconic athletes ─ Sabrina Ionescu, Payton Pritchard and Justin Herbert. For most athletic programs around the country, this incredible level of talent comes once in a generation. For UO, there is rarely a lack of talent at the disposal of its respective athletic programs. From track and field to softball, the depth of UO’s athletic programs have positioned the Ducks as arguably the most prestigious athletic institution in the nation.

Stars like Ionescu, Pritchard and Herbert are irreplaceable.

But the unparalleled collective success of three of UO’s premier programs gives the next class of young athletes a clear path to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors.

Oregon currently stands alone atop the combined football and men’s basketball recruiting class rankings. With both programs currently ranking in the top 10

in the 2021 cycle, there will be no foreseeable lack of talent preventing the Ducks from continuing their dominance over Pac-12 foes.

Unfortunately, this statistic excludes women’s basketball.

The inclusion of Kelly Graves’ program would only further solidify the Ducks’ position, with all three programs poised to be legitimate contenders in the coming years. Graves brought home the number one 2020 recruiting class in all of women’s basketball, featuring five top-20 All-Americans. The women of Oregon are poised to yet again dominate both the Pac-12 and national competition.

Mario Cristobal, Dana Altman and Graves have all proved their ability to translate recruiting success into wins. In their 2019-20 campaigns, all three squads claimed victory over the remainder of the Pac-12, bringing three conference championships to the lesser-known Emerald City. UO became just the second school in NCAA history to win a triple crown consisting of men’s and women’s basketball in addition to football. Better yet, all three programs went undefeated at home, amazingly never dropping a contest in Eugene.

It is certainly strange for UO’s athletic future to lie in the hands of current elementary and middle schoolers. However, the grownups guiding Oregon athletics are building a bright future for the most dominant modern collegiate sports institution in the nation.

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GAMEDAY

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER HUNTER KAMPMOYER RISES INTO NEW ROLE IN FINAL YEAR IN EUGENE BY: Chris Brouilette

Tight end Hunter Kampmoyer (48) practices catching the ball before the game. Oregon Ducks football takes on the Nevada Wolf Pack at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Sept. 7, 2019. (Emerald Archives)

Late in the third quarter of Oregon’s week three win over UCLA, Hunter Kampmoyer found himself all alone in the endzone, wide open, as a pass from quarterback Tyler Shough fell effortlessly into his hands.

After missing two weeks due to undisclosed health concerns, the touchdown in his first game of the season sealed the win for the Ducks.

For Kampmoyer, it was a long, turbulent five years before arriving at that moment, but one thing remained constant: his fortitude.

In addition to the natural athletic talent required to play football at its highest levels, the truly great players tend to possess

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an intangible work ethic and personality that drives them to be at their best every day. In his fifth year at Oregon, Kampmoyer’s capacity to outwork those around him is paying dividends and spreading beyond his reach.

From Bishop to Eugene Discipline is the foundation of Kampmoyer’s success.

Kampmoyer shined on both sides of the ball for Bishop Union, a small high school in Bishop, California.

Whether it was racking up 20 or more tackles against rivals, or snagging touchdowns in playoff games, Kampmoyer impressed enough that even his opponents

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would congratulate him.

“His freshman year, we played our toughest opponent, and Hunter was at middle linebacker for us … I remember after that game, I’ve never seen it before, how the entire opposing team came and congratulated him,” said Arnie Palu, Kampmoyer’s junior varsity coach at Bishop Union. “To see that whole team celebrate his success, even after we beat them, is something I’ll never forget.”

But it wasn’t only his on-field success that made him a standout three-star prospect on defense. His former coaches recall Kampmoyer’s disappointment if he was unable to hit the gym multiple times a day.

“When teams started recruiting

him, they asked me what his work ethic was like off the field, and I told them Hunter won’t be outworked in the weight room,” his high school position coach, Chris Matteson, said.

His tenacity in the weight room would translate to the next level.

The already 6-foot-4, 245-pound freshman bulked up to 272 pounds during his season off and won defensive scout team player of the year for Oregon.

It wasn’t until Mario Cristobal took over the program in 2018 that Kampmoyer made the switch to tight end. With his versatility and devotion to the game, the transition was almost seamless.

GAMEDAY Hunter at home The Batchelder family has known Kampmoyer for years.

Thom Batchelder coached Kampmoyer from a young age in Bishop, but their relationship grew when he lived with the Batchelder family for a brief period before high school. It was during this time that Thom and his wife Clancy saw how special he could be.

“Hunter is where he is because of Hunter… there were a lot of us in his life who guided him, but he always wanted to be an Oregon Duck,” Thom said.

Kampmoyer, who commonly sports a dense beard and has his right arm covered in tattoos, might leave fans wondering what he is like under the helmet. The Batchelder family remembers that there is more to Kampmoyer than football.

They described Kampmoyer as being extremely self-motivated and displaying a rare ability to see the big picture in life.

This would help as he came to

Oregon. Kampmoyer has played under three separate head coaches, undergone positional turnover and carried ever-changing roles during his college career.

He left a lasting impression on the Batchelder home.

“My youngest son would draw pictures of what he wanted to be when he grew up, and [in those pictures] he always had a beard like Hunter,” Clancy said.

Paying it forward In 2019, Kampmoyer’s junior year, he was thrust into a more prominent role after starting tight end Jacob Breeland went down with a season-ending injury.

Kampmoyer responded to the added responsibility in stride.

“It’s really unfortunate, having a teammate and a friend go down like that,” Kampmoyer said.

He finished his junior season with just five catches, but none were bigger than his two on the opening drive of the 2020

Rose Bowl, which set up an Oregon touchdown.

Kampmoyer began the 2020 season on the preseason Mackey Award watch list, the nation’s award for top tight end. So far, he has eight receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns.

Kampmoyer’s biggest impact might be off the field though.

Undergoing a similar transition from the defensive line to tight end this year is redshirt junior DJ Johnson. The second-longest tenured Duck on the roster, Kampmoyer is a natural leader, helping Johnson through the transformation.

“I give him all the advice that I can … DJ is a crazy athlete, he’s going to be a great tight end,” said Kampmoyer in a press conference.

“I’m there for him and have been helping along the way.”

Although he’s a senior, it’s possible that Ducks fans see Kampmoyer back again next year, as

eligibility rules have been frozen due to the unique circumstances of the 2020 season.

One thing for certain is that no matter what, Kampmoyer will return to Bishop.

During his career with the Ducks, the tight end has made his way back to his old high school multiple times to talk with the team.

“He’s an idol here… each year he comes back you can see him develop, and his message to the kids gets stronger,” said coach Palu.

His ability to communicate and lead, combined with elemental knowledge of both sides of the ball, could project into a coaching future for Kampmoyer.

“It’s in the cards for him, you talk about him going from defense to offense, and the connections he’s made with all the coaches [at Oregon], if he wants to pursue it … I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it’s in his plans,” said Palu.

Whether or not he has football in his long term agenda, his character spells success.

Oregon Ducks Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald) T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 0

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KAYVON THIBODEAUX CONTINUES HIS IMPACT ON THE DUCKS PROGRAM BY: O’nalisa Hall @ onalisa__hall

Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) talks to a coach during the pregame. Oregon Ducks Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

Kayvon Thobodeaux made a name for himself when he was named the No. 1 ranked player in the 2019 recruiting class.

Thibodeaux displayed passion, competitive drive and dedication to the game.

The Ducks sophomore defensive end has caught the attention of many since he entered the program. Although this is only his second year, he has played an important role for the Ducks defense.

Before his start with the Ducks, Thibodeaux attended Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California, about 37 miles

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Northwest of downtown Los Angeles. This is where he met head coach Charles Collins, and established a life-long bond.

“We were always close and we always talked about what he wanted to accomplish on the field and off the field,” Collins said. “He has his head on his shoulders pretty straight and he’s the epitome of a student-athlete.”

Collins always knew that Thibodeaux displayed special characteristics. Not only was he naturally gifted with athleticism, but he carried a leadership mentality that helped his team grow and succeed.

“He was a product of the work ethic he displayed on a daily basis,” Collins said. “His work ethic and his leadership were qualities that he brought outside of his physical talent.”

Despite his impressive contributions to the team, getting to this point was not an easy road for Thibodeaux.

Born and raised in Inner City LA, a lowerincome residential area, Thibodeaux had to face and overcome distractions in order to focus on football. Collins was able to relate to the situation and guide Thibodeaux in the right direction.

GAMEDAY

Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) engages in a pregame huddle. Oregon Ducks Football takes on Stanford University at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 7, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

“He has had to go through just being in that environment where it was a little tough and having to overcome not being influenced by gangs, drugs and other things that go with it,” Collins said. “He was able to overcome and get himself out of that environment to thrive beyond.

He has been able to overcome that upbringing and push himself to another level.”

Thibodeaux has been able to continue his work ethic into college, where he recorded 30+ tackles, 24 of these being solo, and nine sacks in 2019, a performance that earned him the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year award.

“He is extremely talented in the way that he understands the game,” defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said. “He has the gift of being able to work well with others and we’re looking forward to him locking in, simplifying and growing in his role.”

During the summer, Thibodeaux spent a majority of his time at home where he was able to spend time with his family and friends. Although gyms and practice facilities were closed due to COVID-19, he was still able to focus on football and toning his body for the upcoming season.

He went to local parks with his high school

coach daily, working out and practicing his skills.

These were both big factors that Thibodeaux focused on during the off season, including his mental training.

“I was reading between the lines and learning the coverages,” Thibodeaux said. “A lot of things I didn’t know coming out of high school, so I was able to get a lot smarter.”

Thibodeaux has continued this mental and physical training into the 2020 season; he has over 20 total tackles in the past four games.

With a strong defense on their side, the Ducks will head into their final games with confidence.

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GAMEDAY

Pac-12’s hopes for a College Football Playoff berth dashed BY: Oscar Duyck

Oregon State’s 41-38 victory over Oregon on Friday night dealt a brutal blow to the Pac-12’s playoff hopes.

The Duck’s loss means that, in all likelihood, the Pac-12 will be shut out of the playoff for the fourth consecutive season. It has become clear that the Pac-12 is the weakest Power Five conference.The Pac-12 has not fielded a playoff team since Washington made the semi final in 2016, when the Huskies were blown out 24-7. In 2019, the Pac-12 posted a 4-3 record in bowl games, but Oregon was the lone ranked team to win their bowl, as Utah and USC lost. There is a prevailing sense around the college football world that the Pac-12 cannot win the games that matter.

When the conference announced the early November kickoff, it was clear that the Pac-12 was going to struggle to impress the playoff committee.

With the committee announcing the four playoff teams on Dec. 20, the Pac-12 could not afford any cancelations after choosing not to budget in enough time to make up postponed games.

Four weeks into the season, cancellations have wrecked the Pac-12. While most Power Five conferences have played eight or nine games, Arizona State has played only one game this season due to head

coach Herm Edwards and other members of the program testing positive for COVID-19.

With the exception of Oregon, Oregon State and UCLA, every program has experienced at least one cancellation.

The Pac-12’s last Playoff hopeful is USC. The Trojans have been far from impressive, winning their first two games with last minute comebacks. The 18th-ranked Trojans didn’t play last weekend, as their game against Colorado was cancelled. At best, USC would enter the conference championship game at 5-0, likely not good enough to make the Playoff.

Cancellations have made it challenging for the College Football Playoff committee and Pac-12 fans to determine who the top teams are.

In the Pac-12 north, Washington moved into the top spot at 3-0, setting up a critical matchup against Oregon in two weeks.

Oregon State, who improved to 2-2, is also lurking and still has an outside shot at the division.

The Huskies are the Ducks’ biggest obstacle for a return for the conference championship game, but like the Trojans, the Huskies are nowhere near a dominant team.

Washington was able to come back last week against Utah after trailing by 21 points.

Earlier, the Huskies beat Oregon State 27-21 in a squeaker where Beaver running back Jemar Jefferson seemed to earn on a first down on a critical run in the fourth quarter, however the referees ruled that he did not earn the first down. The Huskies could easily be 1-2 if certain events didn’t break their way.

In the south, USC and Colorado are both undefeated and battling for the division. The biggest hurdle that Colorado faces is that they have only played two games this season. If USC ends the season 5-0 and Colorado ends the season 4-0, it sets up a bizarre scenario in which the Buffaloes could miss out on the championship game due to a COVID-19 cancellation.

For the Pac-12, it’s not all doom and gloom. The conference champion will still go to the Fiesta Bowl. If Oregon wins its final two games, it can punch a berth to the conference championship game and a second consecutive New Year’s Six bowl.

In any case, the Pac-12 will need to do some soul searching in the offseason if they want a shot at the playoff in 2021.

The Ducks walk into the locker room before the game. Oregon Ducks football takes on the UCLA Bruins at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 21, 2020. (DL Young/Emerald)

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EUGENE RESTAURANTS REOPEN P. 6

SPORTS:

KENYON YOVAN RETURNS TO OREGON BASEBALL P. 8

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GAMEDAY

ORNELAS: TRUST ME, IT’S BEEN WEIRD FOR ALL OF US

The crowd makes an American flag by holding up colored cards. Oregon Ducks football takes on Wisconsin for the 106th Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1, 2020.

(Maddie Knight/Emerald)

BY: Gabriel Ornelas @gabe_ornelas Listen, it’s been a weird year.

A year in which we’ve faced, and continue to face, a global pandemic. A year where over 74 million votes don’t make you the next president. And a year where the bachelorette finds a husband within the first four weeks.

It’s been a year full of anomalies, and Friday night in Corvallis was no different.

As the clock hit zeroes, it shouldn’t have been a surprise that Oregon State beat Oregon if you’ve been paying close attention to how the season has transpired thus far.

Oregon looked vulnerable the past couple weeks, and especially in its 38-35 victory over a spiraling UCLA team prior to its matchup against the Beavers.

Despite the embarrassing 41-38 loss, something that only happened six times since the start of the century, the Ducks are still not out of the race to win the Pac-12 by any stretch.

But people lack patience.

Oregon’s had quite the journey to get to this point in the abbreviated season, but if Mario Cristobal and the Ducks don’t right the ship, eyebrows will start to raise.

Following a Rose Bowl win, Oregon’s first since 2015, many praised Cristobal as he seemed like the bright spot in a coaching carousel that has stopped for the foreseeable future in Oregon.

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But, no one knew what Oregon football was going to face this season.

Prior to the abbreviated season, there wasn’t even going to be a season. After facing pressure and backlash, the NCAA and Power Five conferences decided to partake in an abbreviated season.

Oregon’s players got caught in the crossfire.

Thomas Graham Jr., Brady Breeze, Jevon Holland and Penei Sewell all elected, respectively, to forgo the season and prepare for the NFL Draft. They were all certified superstars for Oregon and leaders for Cristobal.

Going into the 2020 season, Cristobal was already behind the eight-ball. He had to replace four key cogs, an entire offensive line, a quarterback and a good chunk of a stout defense. Regardless of all the replacements and the inability to have a spring or summer to prepare for the season, nobody wanted to dub this season as a rebuild season or to count the Ducks out of a chance to make the Playoff.

Oregon was not going to make the Playoff. Let’s make that clear. Compared to the likes of Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson and Ohio State, the Pac12 conference does not boast the teams nor the talent to elevate Oregon to the status of a Playoff contender. And Oregon has not looked like the caliber of a Playoff team this season.

Despite the loss to Oregon State, fans need to sit down and look to the horizon.

The Ducks can finish the season on a high note.

If they are able to get past Cal, who is 0-3, and No. 22 Washington, who’s been Oregon’s measuring stick for the past two seasons, then they will have a date in the Pac-12 championship with a contender from the South. Given the Rose Bowl is a site for a Playoff game, Oregon will not be eligible to be repeat Rose Bowl champs. But they will likely be eligible for a New Year Six bowl.

Given recent history, Cristobal rallies his troops.

In 2018, following a troubling loss to Utah, the Ducks rallied to win the final three games which included a win in the RedBox Bowl against Michigan State. In 2019, following a loss to Arizona State that derailed the Ducks chances at making the playoff, they won their final three games, which included a Rose Bowl win.

If Cristobal is the coach he has shown himself to be, then this Oregon team will rally. If this team does not use this loss as “fuel,” then the season will be a wash for Oregon.

This year has brought us a lot of twists and turns, but Cristobal needs to turn this ship in the right direction. Either way, Oregon fans have something to look forward to: a 7-1 season, with a bowl game win, or a top-five recruiting class in 2021.

There is something in store for Oregon. So, sit back, relax and appreciate that college football is being played in a year like this.

OREGON

CAL

OREGON OFFENSE

UC BERKELEY OFFENSE

Mychah Pittman No. 4 WR-Z So.

Nikko Remigio No. 4 WR Jr.

Jaylon Redd No. 30 WR-H Sr.

Keokoa Crawford

Johnny Johnson III

Will Craig No. 74 LT So.

No. 3

WR-X

Sr.

No. 11

WR

George Moore No. 77 LT Sr.

Valentino Daltoso

T.J. Bass No. 56 LG Jr.

Michael Saffell No. 53 OC Sr.

Alex Forsyth No. 78 OC Jr.

McKade Mettauer

Ryan Walk No. 53 RG Jr.

Jake Curhan No. 71 RT Sr.

Malaesala Aumavavae-Laulu No. 71 RT Jr.

Collin Moore No. 16 TE Jr.

Hunter Kampmoyer

Chase Garbers No. 7 QB Jr.

No. 48

TE

Sr.

No. 61

Sr.

LG

No. 72

Sr.

RG

Tyler Shough No. 12 QB So.

Christopher Brown Jr.

CJ Verdell No. 7 RB Jr.

Drew Schlegel No. 47 FB Gr.

OREGON DEFENSE

No. 34

So.

RB

Jr.

UC BERKELEY DEFENSE

Kayvon Thibodeaux No. 5 DE So.

Zeandae Johnson

Jordon Scott No. 3 NT Sr.

Brett Johnson No. 90 NT So.

Austin Faoliu No. 99 DT Sr.

JH Tevis No. 47 DE So.

Mase Funa No. 47 STUD So.

Cameron Goode No. 19 OLB Sr.

Dru Mathis No. 54 MLB Sr.

Kuony Deng

Isaac Slade-Matautia

No. 41

WILL

Jr.

Evan Tattersall No. 54 ILB So.

Deommodore Lenoir

No. 00

BC

Sr.

Braxten Croteau No. 52 OLB So.

Nick Pickett No. 6 BS Sr.

Camryn Bynum No. 24 CB Sr.

Verone McKinley III

So.

Elijah Hicks No. 3 S Sr.

Mykael Wright No. 2 FC So.

Daniel Scott No. 32 S Jr.

Jamal Hill No. 19 NB So.

John Drayden

No. 23

FS

OREGON SPECIAL TEAMS

No. 44

DE

No. 8

Sr.

ILB

No. 20

Sr.

CB

Sr.

UC BERKELEY SPECIAL TEAMS

Tom Snee No. 38 PT So.

Jamieson Sheahan

Camden Lewis No. 49 PK So.

Dario Longhetto No. 30 PK So.

Karsten Battles No. 63 LS Jr.

Slater Zellers No. 45 LS So.

Travis Dye No. 26 PR Jr.

Tommy Christakos

No. 37

PT

No. 80

T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 0

Jr.

KO

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Fr.

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