11/29/18 Emerald Media - Gameday Edition

GAMEDAY

UNDER REVIEW THE DUCKS’ 2018 SEASON IS OVER, so it’s time to look at what went well, what could’ve been better and how they’re positioned for the future.

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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.

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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 August Howell Copy Chief Tanner Shipley Design Editor Regan Nelson Photo Editor Sarah Northrop Photographers Sarah Northrop Ben Green Devin Roux

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ON THE COVER

Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert (10) and running back CJ Verdell (34) celebrate after Verdell’s first touchdown during the game against Oregon State on Nov. 23, 2018.

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COVER

A SEASON OF

HIGHS AND LOWS BY: Shawn Medow, August Howell and Jack Butler

Oregon football’s 2018 season was full of ups and downs. The Ducks were inconsistent. Their performance depended on home versus away or even first half versus second half. They had an epic overtime victory over Washington, yet a stomping in their desert against Arizona.

Overall, there was some good and some bad.

THE GOOD

e Ducks celebrate the overtime win over Washington on Oct. 13, 2018. e game was a major highlight of the season as the Ducks eclipsed a three-season losing streak to the Huskies. (Devin Roux)

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e 8-4 regular season for Oregon had some bright spots.

From the offensive line to the defensive secondary, there were plenty of positives from Mario Cristobal’s first season at the helm of Oregon football. e Ducks’ biggest highlight of the year came at Autzen Stadium in Oregon’s overtime win over Washington, beating the Huskies for the first time in three seasons.

It’s been a turnaround for the Ducks since two years ago when the team went 4-8, including a 70-21 loss to Washington and a Civil War defeat in Corvallis.

Quarterback Justin Herbert found a strong partnership with wide receiver Dillon Mitchell this year, as Mitchell ended the regular season with the most receiving yards in the conference.

Redshirt freshman running backs CJ Verdell and Travis Dye led the way in the run game.

Oregon’s offense had the third-most yards of all Pac-12 teams this season with 5,351. Only

Washington State and Arizona had more.

Much of Oregon’s offensive success came thanks to the Ducks’ offensive line. It had a hiccup after freshman Penei Sewell injured his ankle, but Calvin rockmorton’s versatility proved to be vital as the Ducks adjusted the O-line. Oregon’s run game had the third-most yards per game in the conference behind Arizona and Utah. e Ducks’ defensive secondary was inconsistent this year, but the emergence of freshman safety Jevon Holland might be the biggest positive of the defense.

Oregon’s 12 interceptions in Pac12 play led the conference, and Holland had three of them, along with one against San José State in nonconference play. omas Graham Jr., Ugochukwu Amadi and Deommodore Lenoir each had three interceptions on the year as the Ducks totaled 16 picks over the 12-game season.

THE BAD

Ducks outside linebacker La’mar Winston Jr. (32) fails to stop Cougars running back Max Borghi (21) during the game against Washington State on Oct. 20, 2018. Oregon eventually lost 34-20 in Pullman, Wash.

(Sarah Northrop)

Oregon’s near future depends on what is going on inside the mind of Herbert. Will he stay?

Will he go? If he stays, then the Ducks may be the favorite in the Pac-12 next season. He’ll have developing weapons around him as the running back and wide receivers will still be young.

Mitchell could also declare for the NFL, so the wide receiver unit might be even thinner next year.

However, Dye and Verdell will be the skill position stars of the offense next season, and Herbert should have experienced tight ends to work with. e offensive line could return everyone from this season.

Oregon did its best after Sewell was injured. If healthy, this should be one of the best, and certainly most experienced, O-lines in the country.

On defense, Oregon is in a similar position. e Ducks will return most of the starters. e loss of Jalen Jelks and

Justin Hollins will hurt them, but Jordon Scott, Austin Faoliu and La’Mar Winston Jr. will be upperclassmen anchoring an experienced front seven. e secondary needs to improve, but it was young and played well toward the end of the season.

Oregon’s more distant future is difficult to project, but when compared to one season ago, it’s far better. At this time last year, Willie Taggart was flirting with Florida State. Uncertainty surrounded the program. Once Taggart left, assistant coaches and recruits left as well. is season, Cristobal doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. If the assistant coaches stay, then the recruiting class will as well, and it’s currently ranked fourth in the country by 247Sports.com “Everything, in very steady increments, is escalating quickly,” Cristobal said after the Civil War. “We know what the future holds, and we’re ready to get after it.”

Oregon finished 6-1 at Autzen Stadium but was 2-3 on the road this season. With the exception of Cal and Oregon State, the Ducks had trouble running the ball and stopping the run in opposing stadiums. In three consecutive road losses, Oregon averaged 86.3 yards.

Two of those teams, Arizona and Washington State, did not have good rushing defenses. All season long, Cristobal said running that ball was going to be Oregon’s identity. On the road, that identity was challenged. e problem became evident when Oregon faced the Cougars. e Ducks had their worst half of the season, posting just 39 total yards and giving up 21 points. ey almost came away with a win though, scoring 20 unanswered points in the third. But it was too little too late, as a few missed opportunities on offense and a pair of Gardner Minshew II touchdown passes sealed the loss. Part of the problem was because of the

defensive pre-snap movements and the crowd influencing Oregon’s snap count.

Oregon gained just 58 total rushing yards against Washington State. e following week, Oregon was blown out 44-15 against Arizona, with only 84 rushing yards.

Khalil Tate picked apart Oregon’s defense, while J.J. Taylor rushed for a season-high 212 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

While the Ducks fought to the end against Utah in Salt Lake City, they ultimately fell 32-25. e Utes were playing without their star quarterback, Tyler Huntley, and running back Zach Moss. Utah’s defense, known for being physical, held Oregon to 117 rushing yards.

It also didn’t help that Oregon was called for seven penalties for 73 yards. While Herbert and Mitchell did have a big game, the defense was unable to contain Utah’s inexperienced offense, which posted 494 total yards.

THE FUTURE

Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert (10) prepares for the snap during the game against Oregon State on Nov. 23, 2018. Whether or not Herbert decides to stay next year will have an impact on the future of the team.

(Sarah Northrop)

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GAMEDAY

SEASON SNAPSHOTS Oregon’s season was filled with some highs, like CJ Verdell’s overtime gamewinning touchdown against Washington, and with some lows, like the loss at Washington State. Overall, the Ducks did improve this season, especially at home, going 6-1.

Ducks running back CJ Verdell (34) celebrates after scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the University of Washington Huskies. In what could have been a repeat overtime loss two weeks after falling to Stanford, Oregon hung on to beat Washington by 3. (Ben Green)

Ducks safety Jevon Holland (8) attempts to block a pass to Cougars wide receiver Travell Harris (5) during the game against Washington State on Oct. 20, 2018. Holland, a freshman, emerged as a star safety for the Oregon secondary, nabbing four interceptions this season. (Devin Roux) PA G E 8

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Bruins wide receiver eo Howard (14) leaps into the air in a failed attempt to make a catch. Oregon went on to beat UCLA 42-21 in a muchneeded win after two consecutive losses. (Ben Green)

GAMEDAY

Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert (10) hands the ball off to running back CJ Verdell (34) during the game against Arizona State on Nov. 17, 2018.

It was senior night, marking the last game at Autzen this season. (Devin Roux)

Ducks safety Jevon Holland (8) tackles Beavers wide receiver Champ Flemings (16) during the 122nd Civil War on Nov. 23, 2018. Although Oregon starting quarterback Justin Herbert was injured during the game and star receiver Dillon Mitchell didn’t play, the Ducks left their rivalry game with a 5515 win. (Sarah Northrop)

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GAMEDAY

EMERALD SPORTS

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Lock in your space before Winter Break!

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