09/20/18 Emerald Media - Gameday Edition

GAMEDAY

LEADING ON AND OFF THE FIELD

WITH BIG PLAYS AND A BIG PERSONALITY, Ugochukwu Amadi is a dependable asset for Oregon football, on and off the field.

H E A D I N G I N T O PA C - 1 2 P L AY

å

O R E G O N K N O W S , A LWAY S H AV E A B A C K U P

å

P L AY E R S T O WAT C H A G A I N S T S TA N F O R D

New

STUDENT HOUSING OPENING FALL 2019 LEASING CENTER OPENING SOON AT

860 East 13th Avenue

@959FranklinUO

Stay updated, follow us!

E 6 TH

⋅ Walk or bike to class at the University of Oregon

Whole Foods

MILL ST

You’ve never lived like this.

AVE

WILLAMETTE RIVER

E BROADWAY

⋅ Private bedrooms and bathrooms available

MILLRA CE DR

E 11TH AVE

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8

Knight Library

THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

BLVD

Matthew Knight Arena

E 15TH AVE

ORCHARD ST

|

LEASING CENTER

KLIN

N AVE

VILLARD ST

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

E 13TH AVE

AGATE ST

Bijou Art Cinemas

Rendering and amenities are subject to change. See office for details. |

FR A N

The Duck Store

E 13TH AVE

959FRANKLIN.COM

PA G E 2

GARDE

Miller Theatre Complex

UNIVERSITY ST

⋅ Individual liability leases and roommate matching available

KINCAID ST

⋅ Academic Success Center with iMacs and free printing

ALDER ST

PATTERSON ST

⋅ 24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness center

⋅ Professional, on-site management and maintenance

ONYX ST

⋅ Designer interior finishes

GAMEDAY GAMEDAY, the Emerald’s football edition, is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the independent nonprofit news company at the University of Oregon founded in 1900.

EMERALD MEDIA GROUP 1395 University St., #302, Eugene, OR 97403 541.346.5511 | dailyemerald.com

NEWSROOM Editor in Chief Zach Price Art Director Kelly Kondo Managing Editor Braedon Kwiecien Sports Editors Jack Butler Shawn Medow Maverick Pallack Writers Jack Butler Shawn Medow Maverick Pallack Maggie Vanoni Design Editor Regan Nelson Photographers Sarah Northrop Devin Roux Henry Ward Benjamin Green

BUSINESS President & Publisher Bill Kunerth x317 Vice President of Operations Kathy Carbone x302

ADVERTISING Director of Sales and Marketing Lindsey Smith x303 Creative Director Cole Petroccione Account Executives Stella Kalomiris

ON THE COVER Oregon Ducks safety Ugochukwu Amadi (7) points to a teammate.

Photograph by Sarah Northrop

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 |

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

PA G E 3

Where will you be on GameDay ?

Don’t Get IMPACTED, Make the WISE Choice.

Choose Dr. John E. Villano, Eugene’s Wisdom Tooth Expert!

Conveniently located near UO.

eugene

URGENT CARE

Student discounts available and most insurances accepted.

Adult & Pediatric Walk-In Urgent Care Service

2233 Willamette Street Building G Eugene, OR 97405

For all non-life or limb-threatening diseases or illnesses

Open 7 Days a Week - No Appointment Needed 8

EugeneUrgentCare .com

Phone 541.484.2136 Fax 541.484.0960 eugeneoralsurgery.com John E. Villano, DDS, PC

Complete your degree while enjoying life’s adventures.

We have several online programs available.

Apply today wou.edu/grad!

Have more questions about our program opportunities? Email graduateprograms@wou.edu PA G E 4

|

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8

TOGETHER WE

SUCCEED

OREGON OREGON OFFENSE PLAYER # Penei Sewell No. 58 Shane Lemieux No. 68 Jake Hanson No. 55 Dallas Warmack No. 75 Calvin Throckmorton No. 54 Jacob Breeland No. 27 Dillon Mitchell No. 13 Johnny Johnson III No. 3 Jaylon Redd No. 30 Tony Brooks-James No. 20 Justin Herbert No. 10

POS LT LG C RG RT TE WR WR WR RB QB

STANFORD OFFENSE YR Fr. RS-Jr. RS-Jr. Jr. RS-Jr. RS-Jr. Jr. Soph.

Soph.

RS-Sr. Jr.

OREGON DEFENSE PLAYER Jalen Jelks Jordon Scott Austin Faoliu La’Mar Winston Troy Dye Kaulana Apelu Justin Hollins Thomas Graham Ugochukwu Amadi Nick Pickett Deommodore Lenoir

# No. 97 No. 34 No. 99 No. 32 No. 35 No. 39 No. 11 No. 4 No. 7 No. 16 No. 15

POS DE NT DE OLB MLB MLB OLB CB S S CB

# No.63 No. 42 No. 96

POS LS P K

PLAYER Walker Little Devery Hamilton Jesse Burkett Nate Herbig A.T. Hall Kaden Smith Colby Parkinson Trenton Irwin JJ Arcega-Whiteside Bryce Love K.J. Costello

# No. 72 No. 74 No. 73 No. 63 No. 75 No. 82 No. 84 No. 2 No. 19 No. 2 No. 3

POS LT LG C RG RT TE TE WR WR RB QB

YR Soph.

Jr. R-Sr. Jr. R-Sr. Jr. Soph.

Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr.

STANFORD DEFENSE YR RS-Sr. Soph.

Soph.

Jr. Jr. Sr. RS-Sr. Soph.

Sr. Soph.

Soph.

OREGON SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER Karsten Battles Blake Maimone Adam Stack

STANFORD

PLAYER Dylan Jackson Michael Williams Jovan Swann Joey Alfieri Bobby Okereke Sean Barton Casey Toohill Paulson Adebo Frank Buncom Ben Edwards Alijah Holder

# No. 97 No. 57 No. 51 No. 32 No. 20 No. 27 No. 52 No. 11 No. 5 No. 9 No. 13

POS DE DT DE OLB ILB ILB OLB CB S S CB

YR Sr. Jr. Jr. R-Sr. R-Sr. Sr. Sr. Soph.

Sr. Sr. R-Sr.

STANFORD SPECIAL TEAMS YR Fr. RS-Jr. Soph.

PLAYER Richard McNitzky Jake Bailey Jet Toner

# No. 69 No. 14 No. 26

POS LS P K

YR Jr. Sr. Sr.

SIGN UP NOW! dailyemerald.com/dailye

email newsletter

Breaking News • Local Events • Daily Deals • Photo Galleries • Podcasts • Jokes • College Tips • Infographics • Tweets • Polls • and More!

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 |

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

PA G E 5

OCTOBER 1-15

Join at DriveLessConnect.com

PA G E 6

|

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8

GAMEDAY

OREGON’S FIRST TEST OF 2018 BY: Maverick Pallack @mavpallack | PHOTOS: Sarah Northrop and Henry Ward It was only six years ago when the winner of Oregon vs. Stanford essentially secured a spot in the Rose Bowl. e two were always locked in a prime time battle. Recently, however, the two have been relegated to afternoon or late-night games.

On Saturday, the rivalry will pick up where 2013 left off when No. 20 Oregon takes on No. 7 Stanford on ABC’s prime time game. is is the game that Oregon players and coaches have been waiting for: a chance to prove themselves and a chance to “Take the Pac.” “I think you acknowledge it as one of the reasons you come to Oregon,” head coach Mario Cristobal said. “We’ll be on the biggest stage in the national spotlight. At the same time, it’s all about playing the game.” e Ducks last beat Stanford in 2015. e previous two seasons ended in Oregon defeats with Stanford running the ball for over 200 yards and the Cardinal defense dominating Oregon’s true freshman quarterbacks (Justin Herbert in 2016 and Braxton Burmeister in 2017). is year, Stanford is equipped with its usual weapons: a Heisman-caliber running back, an NFL-caliber offensive line, a stout defense and bigbodied pass catchers.

Oregon is incredibly different compared to last season. With Herbert back in the lineup, the offense

Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass.

hopes to record more than 33 passing yards, as it did last year.

“I think it’s a good test for us,” Herbert said. “I think Stanford’s a really good defense. … We’ll do our best to prepare for it.” e days of trying to outrun Stanford are gone. e Ducks are still fast, but like the Cardinal, they place an emphasis on physicality. Running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio credits the coaching staff with implementing a focus on strength.

“I think it’s exciting for us because Oregon’s always known as speed and finesse, but with the whole Cristobal era coming in, our culture has changed,” Habibi-Likio said. “I think we’re gonna become that team in the Pac-12.” e Cardinal have already begun their Pac-12 campaign, stifling USC 17-3. ey also possess immense talent on both sides of the ball.

Heisman runner-up Bryce Love is back after missing the game against UC Davis. Without Love, the Cardinal still rushed for 137 yards, more than Oregon’s last two opponents combined.

Regardless of who is taking handoffs, Stanford head coach David Shaw doesn’t shy away from his career game plan of using his offensive line to run the ball down the opposing team’s throat, setting up play-action passes.

“Part of the challenge of defending a guy like

Bryce Love is the quality of offensive line play they have,” Cristobal said. “ ey are very big and physical. ey compliment that with extraordinarily large and long tight end body types that are very physical as well.”

In last season’s matchup, 6-foot-3 receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside and 6-foot-7 tight end Colby Parkinson each caught two touchdowns. e two have accounted for seven touchdowns this season, putting pressure on the Ducks’ secondary.

Sophomores omas Graham Jr. and Deommodore Lenoir will be tasked with preventing jump ball touchdowns.

“When you look at the film, it’s not a talent thing. It’s more fundamentals and mechanics,” co-defensive coordinator Joe Salave’a said. “ at’s across the board.”

Although the rivalry remains, this is no longer speed versus strength. Both teams are going to come out of the gates looking to out-muscle each other, and fans of smash-mouth football are in for a treat.

“I think a lot of teams try to trick you and try to use deception to try and get around, but I think we know exactly what they’re gonna run; they know exactly what we’re gonna run,” left guard Shane Lemieux said. “It’s basically who’s more physical at the end of the day.”

Head coach Mario Cristobal pumps up the team before the game.

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 |

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

PA G E 7

GAMEDAY

HERE’S HOW OREGON AND STANFORD

BY: Jack Butler @Butler917

STACK UP

Stanford Offense e classic Stanford power-run game is still alive, but it hasn’t dominated this year like it did last season. Heisman runner-up Bryce Love is in the backfield and accompanied by an experienced offensive line, but it just hasn’t gelled yet. Granted, some injuries have hurt Stanford’s O-line, and those will linger into the Oregon game. e Cardinal are only averaging 115.3 rushing yards per game. at number will probably rise to what we expect from Stanford, but so far, its offense has been bailed out by the passing game. K.J. Costello is the best quarterback Stanford has had in two years. His numbers don’t pop, but he’s been efficient. His favorite target is 6-foot-3-inch wide receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside, a senior who leads the Pac-12 in touchdown receptions. Along with other big tight ends, Stanford’s passing game is like its running game — they bully people.

Oregon Defense By the numbers, Oregon’s defense is good. ey’re fifth in the Pac-12 in yards allowed and first in rushing yards allowed. But the points per game numbers aren’t as favorable. Oregon is allowing 20 points per game, which is eighth in the Pac-12. at number is a little concerning given the opponents the Ducks have played.

Bowling Green, Portland State and San Jose State have offenses far inferior from the average Pac-12 team. Jim Leavitt’s defense has a history of making big jumps in year two, but there hasn’t been a true test yet. Oregon’s specialty so far has been getting sacks.

Senior outside linebacker Justin Hollins has been Oregon’s best defender at reaching the quarterback, and he’ll need to add a sack or two to help slow the Stanford offense.

Stanford doesn’t have the advantage looking just at statistics.

But, they’ve played three better opponents than Oregon, and the Ducks’ defense has yet to be tested, so it’s hard to know how they will fair the rest of the season. It’s also hard to go against Love.

Advantage: Stanford

|

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

Oregon’s offense sputtered at times last week against San Jose State, but overall they’ve been as dominant as advertised. e Ducks are back to leading the Pac-12 in points per game with 51.7, and quarterback Justin Herbert leads the conference in touchdown passes. e offensive line has kept Herbert mostly untouched so far. ey’re a veteran group and arguably the best O-line in the Pac-12. Freshman Penei Sewell has flourished in the left tackle spot while Alabama grad-transfer Dallas Warmack mauls people at right guard. e Ducks’ offense projects to be one of the best in the conference, and if they continue to play like they have the past three week, then they’ll have a promising season.

Stanford Defense Stanford’s defense has exceeded expectations while the offense has struggled. e Cardinal defense was average last season and they lost three key contributors to the NFL. But the senior-laden group has found a way to keep opponents off the scoreboard.

Eight of the 11 starters are seniors and they’ve held San Diego State, USC and UC Davis to 7.7 points per game. Stanford’s pass defense has allowed the fewest touchdown receptions in the conference.

Oregon has the most passing touchdowns, so we’ll see if the Ducks can break an experienced Stanford secondary.

Verdict Stanford’s defense has suffocated opposing offenses, but they haven’t played one as good as Oregon this season. Herbert will be the most talented quarterback they face this season, yet this could be one of the toughest defenses Oregon plays this year.

Verdict

PA G E 8

Oregon Offense

|

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8

Advantage: Oregon

GAMEDAY

PLAYERS TO WATCH BY: Jack Butler @Butler917

STANFORD Wide Receiver:

Cornerback:

e 6-foot-3-inch, 225-pound wide receiver has been the star of Stanford’s offense this season, even with Bryce Love in the backfield.

Arcega-Whiteside is taller than almost every cornerback he plays, and he will be much bigger than the 5-foot-11-inch omas Graham Jr. and Deommodore Lenoir. Stanford loves to throw fades to him in the end zone where he boxes out the smaller cornerback. He did it last season against Arrion Springs on his way to scoring two touchdowns, and he will try to do it to Oregon again this season.

Holder is coming off of a leg injury that ended his 2017 season, but he is an important piece in Stanford’s pass defense. rough three games he has shown few signs of rust. e secondary has allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the Pac-12 while Oregon has the most passing touchdowns. Something has to give, and Holder will face off against Johnson III and Dillon Mitchell, two athletic receivers.

JJ Arcega-Whiteside Alijah Holder

OREGON Wide Receiver:

Inside Linebacker:

Johnny Johnson III

Kaulana Apelu

Oregon has a good weapon at wide receiver of its own. Johnson III leads the team with four touchdown receptions and 134 yards. He’s not the bruising receiver like Arcega-Whiteside is, but he has been a potent deep threat for the Ducks this season. Against San Jose State, Oregon’s wide receivers had some trouble separating from Spartan defenders, leaving quarterback Justin Herbert wandering in the backfield. Stanford has a better defense than the Spartans, so it will be important for the Ducks’ receivers to improve in a week’s time, back to how they performed the first two weeks.

Apelu is an undersized inside linebacker, but he is still second on the team in total tackles and third in tackles for loss. He is listed at 5-foot11, 200 pounds. Against Stanford’s power run game, his smaller stature could be his advantage.

He might be able to use his quickness to get around blockers on the second level to get into the backfield. After that, he has the challenge of tackling Bryce Love, so it won’t be easy on Apelu and the other Oregon defenders.

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 |

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

PA G E 9

OREGON DUCKS H O M E

G A M E

D E A L

For every point the Ducks score, You get 1% Off

Up to 40% OFF!

Saturdays and Sundays—WIN OR LOSE!

1985 W 7th Ave || 458.205.8257 || RIVERVALLEYREMEDIES.NET Oregon Ducks home games only. Some exclusions apply. No further discounts can be added.

*For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.

PA G E 1 0

|

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8

Saturday Gameday Deal!

$5.00 se Burrito,

Bean & Chee 21 oz Fountain Drink, & Chips

6 Locations to satisfy your cravings!

Broadway

510 E. Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401 Open 24 hours (541) 344-8070

Chambers

1840 Chambers St., Eugene, OR 97405 Hours: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Drive Thru (541) 246-8775

West 11th

2511 W. 11th Ave., #A, Eugene, OR 97402 Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

(541) 338-4219

River Road

1060 River Rd., Eugene, OR 97404 Hours: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Drive Thru (541) 689-7970

Springfield

1889 Olympic St., Springfield, OR 97477 Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Drive Thru (541) 747-7775

Valley River

1071 Valley River Drive Hours: 6:30am-9pm M-S 7am-8pm Sun (541) 343-8089

PLUMBING HOUSEWARES ELECTRICAL HARDWARE LAWN & GARDEN TOOLS PAINT

*Offer valid through 9/22/18

YOUR FIRST VISIT @blondestudioeugene 541-799-5475 | 477 W 11th Ave. Eugene, OR 97401

Student Specials

278 High Riser Frame $

& Mattress

2825 Willamette • Eugene, Oregon • 541-342-5191

298 8” Memory Foam $

Mattress Only

398

$

Super Plush Pillow Top

541-654-5622 | 3390 W. 11th T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 |

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

PA G E 1 1

COVER

UGO AMADI IS

STEPPING UP BY: Shawn Medow @ShawnMedow | PHOTOS: Devin Roux

Oregon Ducks safety Ugochukwu Amadi warms up before the game against San Jose State.

PA G E 1 2

|

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8

e NCAA doesn’t allow players and coaches to work together over the summer, so every year, leaders on the team need to rise to the occasion to run practices and get everyone ready for the upcoming year.

Senior Ugochukwu Amadi is one Duck who stepped up.

“He’s been a great leader, all the way from the summer,” safeties coach Keith Heyward said. “He’s out there telling guys to run around. Sometimes it takes the players to police themselves.”

Amadi’s leadership in summer practices helped develop younger players, and those leadership qualities have translated over to games, with the safety playing a vital role in the Oregon defense.

“Just to see his improvement over the past couple years and him stepping up as a leader, taking over the defense, and it obviously shows on film,” defensive lineman Jalen Jelks said.

For Amadi, the leadership came naturally. He had to lead on his high school team, so doing the same at the collegiate level was nothing new to him. Amadi was unanimously voted to the team leadership council.

He also saw the need to become a leader after the end of

last season when running back Royce Freeman graduated to the NFL. “Someone had to step up and when I had to do it in high school, it led us a long way, and I feel I can do it here, too,” Amadi said. “I feel like players respect me enough — they trust me enough to know that I know what I’m talking about and my playing ability backs it up as well.”

Amadi earned his respect over the previous three seasons in Eugene, and not just from the players in the Oregon secondary.

“Everybody looks up to him,” junior inside linebacker Troy Dye said. “D-linemen go ask him questions. Ugo’s a great leader.

He knows the defense inside and out — I think he knows half of our offense as well. He’s a phenomenal leader.”

Amadi has become a role model for many of the younger players on the team, who he says have high football IQs. Cristobal said that Amadi dedicates time to helping his teammates, whether it be with plays on the field or adjusting to college.

At the start of his Oregon career, Amadi played as a cornerback until he transitioned to safety. In the eyes of Heyward,

Ugochukwu Amadi warms up before the game against Portland State.

it’s a common switch due to the skill sets that cornerbacks learn.

As a cornerback, he practiced one-on-one with Oregon’s wide receivers, which has helped him learn the Ducks’ offense. Now at safety, Amadi gets to sit back and watch the way the offense unfolds.

He reads the game like a book.

“It’s actually really annoying because he’s really good at what he does,” said Brenden Schooler, who played with Amadi on defense in 2016 before switching to wide receiver. “He makes it hard for us wide receivers, which makes us better, and we go as hard as we can, which makes him better. It’s the iron sharpens iron type of thing.”

Amadi is now also a punt returner,

another role he hasn’t done since high school.

At the start of the season, Amadi either called fair catch or allowed the ball to bounce away. But in the third game of Oregon’s season, Amadi got the chance to run.

Against San José State, he returned three punts for 100 total yards, highlighted by a 57-yard punt to get the Ducks to the Spartans’ 22yard line.

“Ugo has really done a good job. He just hasn’t had a good opportunity,” Cristobal said following Oregon’s 35-22 win.

“Today he had a little bit of room and some space. e guys did a really nice job for him.”

He’s comfortable with the ball

Ugochukwu Amadi (7) looks at the quarterback during a play.

tucked under his arm, scoring the team’s first defensive touchdown for two straight seasons. He also forced a fumble against Utah last season, which he returned for a touchdown.

Finally, Amadi got his moment to shine on special teams. He’s had six career interceptions — one returned for a touchdown in Oregon’s seasonopening win over Bowling Green.

His plays can send the Oregon sideline into a frenzy. And he feeds off that hype.

“What I think I bring to this team is I bring a sense of energy,” Amadi said. “I try to talk to them in a way that I talk to them like I’ve been here before and what you should expect, what’s going to happen on the field, in the meeting rooms.”

Amadi does bring an energy to the team. He may not show it for all to see, but his teammates see it every day. According to some, his personality helps keep practice light.

“Big jokester,” Schooler said.

“Always telling jokes. Always trying to tell a joke to somebody that they don’t know. Always trying to get a laugh out of somebody.”

In a sport that cycles through players every four or five years, Amadi has left a lasting impact on past and current Ducks that will shape the team for years to come.

“He’s invaluable in a ton of ways and we’re certainly privileged and glad to have him,” Cristobal said.

“He’s another guy who knows his best football’s ahead of him.”

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 |

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

PA G E 1 3

GAMEDAY

THE BACKUP

BATTLE BY: Maggie Vanoni @maggie_vanoni

Ducks quarterback Tyler Shough gets ready to throw the ball during practice.

(Benjamin Green)

Quarterback Braxton Burmeister walks across the field. (Sarah Northrop)

PA G E 1 4

|

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8

If the Oregon Ducks learned one thing last year, it was to always have a strong plan B. In last season’s game against California, starting quarterback Justin Herbert fractured his collarbone in the first quarter.

Soon after, redshirt senior backup Taylor Alie suffered a concussion.

Braxton Burmeister, in the midst of redshirting his freshman season, was called into action. In his college debut, he helped lead the team through the remainder of the 45-24 Oregon victory. is season, Herbert is healthy and back in the starting position. With Alie graduated, Burmeister is back for year two and alongside him is the newest competitor for the lead backup: redshirt freshman Tyler Shough.

Offensive Coordinator Marcus Arroyo said planning for an incident when Oregon will need a backup is the right choice for a team historically in need of a second and even third string quarterback.

“Any time that you have a rotation in quarterback and you get another true freshman that’s potentially going to have to go in, I think we are taking the appropriate steps,” Arroyo said. “I think there is an understanding that you’re in a position that’s got to be the mentally and physically toughest guy on the field, and that’s how we preach that position.”

Burmeister went on to lead last year’s team to only one win over a five-game stretch, including a 49-7 loss to Stanford and a 38-3 loss to Washington.

“It definitely made me grow up a lot,” Burmeister said. “I feel a lot more confident now because of that though.”

Last season, Burmeister completed 57 percent of his passes for 330 yards and scored five touchdowns (two passing and three rushing) with six interceptions. As Oregon’s starting quarterback for five games, he became the team’s second true freshman to start in the position since 1983, the first being Herbert.

So far, Burmeister has played in two games

this season, completing four of his eight attempted passes for 27 yards.

“Last year was kind of like a blur because it all went so fast, so I didn’t really get to enjoy it,” Burmeister said. “I feel like this year, every day I wake up and I’m super excited just to be here and to go to work. So, I feel like it’s a completely different approach.”

Shough is right behind Burmeister on the depth chart.

In high school, Shough threw 30 touchdowns and completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 3,071 yards. He was rated the No. 1 player in the state of Arizona by 247Sports.

“He’s a really good quarterback,” Herbert said of Shough. “He’s a guy that knows what he’s doing and has spent a lot of time this offseason. I’ve got complete trust in him. …

He’s a guy you don’t really have to worry about.”

Although Herbert remains atop the depth chart, Shough said he’s learned how important it is to be ready for action despite the title of backup.

“You never know what is going to happen,” Shough said. “I’m not changing much. My preparation is still the same whether if [I’m] two, three, whatever. I still got to prepare like I would be the starter.

Same as Justin, same as everybody is doing.

You just got to be ready when your name is called — that’s the main goal.”

Shough has seen brief action in the past two games, only coming in during the last moments of the fourth quarter. But now that Burmeister will sit out the next two weeks, due to a small knee procedure, Shough is first in line for the lead backup position.

While the two will be competing for the spot throughout the season, off the field they remain friends.

“Between me and Tyler, it’s definitely brotherly,” Burmeister said. “With him, I’m always encouraging him and rooting for him and if he’s out there, then I’m going to be full-blown happy if he makes a play.”

GAMEDAY

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

MARCUS ARROYO

%

20 OFF Birkenstock Repairs

REFLECTS ON SJSU GAME BY: Maverick Pallack @Mavpallack After a less than stellar performance against San José State, No. 20 Oregon football returned to practice looking to work out the kinks before its big game against No. 7 Stanford.

With two turnovers and a couple drops against the Spartans, Oregon’s offense will have to play better to stay with the Cardinal.

Here is offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo talking to the media about last week’s game and a few standout players.

Q: What was the evaluation of the offense [against San José State] and what did you like after film review?

A: “ ere were some times in there in the game where I felt like we had some miscues and stuff like that. More than anything, I think the thing we got to learn was it’s hard to do things right all the time no matter who you’re playing, unless you execute correctly. at’s the biggest thing we preach. You guys have heard it since camp, is doing the right things, regardless of who you are playing. You can make it easy or you can make it hard.

[San José State] played hard, but we did some things that really put ourselves in jeopardy. at’s what comes back to, we always preach ‘Oregon cannot beat Oregon.’

And that’s the biggest thing we’re focused on.”

Q: What did you see from [running back] CJ Verdell on Saturday?

A: “CJ continues to do a nice job.

All of our backs are all different and in different stages. ey all do a few different things, but they’ve all got a special gift in one way or another.

CJ did a really nice job. [He] continues to progress as a young guy. We’re excited about him.”

Q: Now that Tyler [Shough] is a snap away, where is he in his progression?

A: “Anytime you got a rotation at quarterback and you get another true freshman that’s gonna potentially have to go in, I think we are taking the appropriate steps.

He continues to develop everyday.

Just like anything else, when you see that come to light, when you’re like ‘Oh wow, I’m one snap away truly now,’ you hope there’s not too much of a mindset, but the reality of it is, he’s really done a nice job this week getting in early and getting a little bit more. We’ll be ready to get him rolling.”

Q: What makes Cyrus [HabibiLikio] such a good goal line guy?

A: “He’s earned that spot. Just like everybody else. We saw some things in camp that he did in short yard yardage situations. He displayed really good vision in a muddy area in those situations where it gets real tight. It’s proven that what you see and what you get in practice shows up in games. He’s done a real nice job.”

Q: What have you seen from Johnny Johnson III the last few weeks?

A: “Johnny’s continued to show he’s a huge effort guy for us and makes big plays. I think Johnny is a lot like Justin. He’s never satisfied. I think one little thing can really motivate him. I think there’s a couple things we’re always striving to get better at, but Johnny continues to be a leader and a great part of our offense.”

Back to School TIME! Our skilled craftsman offers repair on your favorite shoes, belts, wallets, luggage, handbags and more.

Offer good through 9/30/2018

Repair • Renew • Recycle 1 Club Road, Eugene OR

541.683.4115

burchsshoes.com

LIVE • LEARN • EAT • PLAY

@EMGessentials | wemakecollegebetter.com T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0 , 2 0 1 8 |

E M E R A L D G A M E D AY

|

PA G E 1 5

Apply today for Fall 2019!

New Student Housing Opening Fall 2019!

You’ve never lived like this. · Great locations to the · Amenities for a fit and University of Oregon campus healthy lifestyle · Walk or bike to class

· Academically oriented environments

· Private bedrooms available

· Professional, on-site management and maintenance

· Fully furnished apartments · Hardwood-style flooring

· Individual liability leases and roommate matching available

Learn more and apply online at AmericanCampus.com/Eugene

Rendering and amenities are subject to change. See office for details.