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WHAT DOES GEORGIA BRING TO THE TABLE AGAINST THE DUCKS

BY JACOB HAMRE

It’s almost that time of the year. College football is less than a month away, and for the Ducks, they have to get ready at a much quicker pace than usual.

In years prior, you would likely see the third and fourth-string guys getting action after halftime during these games with lesschallenging opponents falling by double-digits in a flash. Recently, there’s been a change. In 2019, instead of an opponent like Portland State, Oregon squared off against Auburn, starting a new tradition of early-season matches with elite opponents.

The Ducks ended up losing that game but they have a chance for redemption on September 3. The defending champs host their former defensive coordinator’s new team in what looks to be a must-see game. Expectedly, the Bulldogs are rolling out with a different roster than last season, with many players from that team getting drafted in 2022.

Many missing pieces will be beneficial for the Ducks as they prepare for arguably their biggest game in recent history. The SEC powerhouse will be no easy task; many of their previous corps and added talent formulate a dangerous roster.

No matter who left in the offseason for Georgia, the one constant was that of the head coach. Kirby Smart, who is entering his seventh season with the Bulldogs. The dominant schemes that helped his team become one of the best defenses in the nation will be back with a different cast filling in the role.

Out of the 15 leading tacklers from a season ago, only five will return to Athens in 2022. Highlighting those five is a nearcomplete secondary. Kelee Ringo is the lone returning corner and is set to have a dominant season. He ended 2021 with a championshipsealing pick-six and now takes over as the primary corner.

The rest of the defense took a big hit this offseason with five defenders being selected in the first round of last year’s draft alone. The departures of Trayvon Walker, Quay Walker, Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt and many more will make Oregon’s trip a little more manageable.

Oregon’s offensive line is arguably one of the most talented position groups on the roster. The Bulldogs will bring them their toughest matchup of the year with Nolan Smith returning for his senior season. Smith was the top-ranked recruit in the 2019 class, according to 247Sports. Much like recent Duck Kayvon Thibodeaux, Smith has been able to continue his prep school success at the collegiate level. The outside linebacker put up nine tackles for loss last season and was named to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski trophy, given to the nation’s top defender.

The Bulldog offense lost some key players as well in the offseason. Both leading running backs were drafted and a handful of wide receivers either went pro or transferred. Georgia will not be joining the likes of Oregon, which began its season with a new quarterback at the helm.

Stetson Bennett comes back for his sixth year of college football, last clearly being his best. Bennett carried a 29-7 touchdown-tointerception ratio during his first full season as the Bulldogs’ starter. He will likely be looking for Brock Bowers as his No. 1 target. At the tight end position, he led all Georgia players in receiving last season with 882 yards and 13 touchdowns.

10 | Duck Season 2022

Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) pounds his chest in celebration. Oregon Ducks football takes on Utah for the Pac 12 Championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Dec. 6, 2019. (DL Young/Emerald)

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UODuckStore.com COLOR SCHEDULE20 22

09 03 VS GEORGIA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium WEAR GREEN 09 10 09 17 09 24 10 01 10 08 10 22 10 29 11 05 11 12 11 19 11 26

VS EASTERN WASHINGTON WEAR BLACK

VS BYU WEAR YELLOW AT WASHINGTON STATE WEAR WHITE

VS STANFORD WEAR GREEN AT ARIZONA WEAR WHITE VS UCLA WEAR PINK AT CALIFORNIA WEAR GREEN AT COLORADO WEAR GREEN VS WASHINGTON WEAR YELLOW VS UTAH WEAR GREEN AT OREGON STATE WEAR YELLOW

Duck Season 2022 | 11

12 | Duck Season 2022