OREGON FOOTBALL 2014 ALMANAC
GENERAL INFORMATION Quick Facts___________________________ 2 Media Information_____________________ 3 Rosters_ _____________________________ 4 2014 Preview & Outlook_________________ 6 2013 SEASON REVIEW Team Statistics_ ______________________ 12 Individual Statistics_ __________________ 13 Defensive Leaders_ ___________________ 14 Individual Game-by-Game______________ 14 Game-by-Game Starters_ ______________ 17 Individual and Team Game Highs_ _______ 18 Scoring Drives________________________ 19 The Last Time... _______________________ 21 Game Summaries_____________________ 23 STUDENT-ATHLETE PROFILES All updated player bios can be viewed at -
www.GoDucks.com
COACHING STAFF Helfrich (HC)_________________________ 37 Frost (OC/QB)_ _______________________ 39 Pellum (DC/ILB)_______________________ 40 Osborne (STC/TE)_____________________ 41 Aiken (DL)___________________________ 42 Campbell (RB)________________________ 43 Chinander (OLB)______________________ 44 Greatwood (OL)_ _____________________ 45 Lubick (WR)__________________________ 46 Neal (DB)____________________________ 47 Support Staff________________________ 48 OREGON FOOTBALL HISTORY Individual Single-Game Records_________ 50 Individual Season Records______________ 52 Individual Career Records_ _____________ 54 Individual Records Summary____________ 56 Team Records Summary________________ 58 Annual Leaders_______________________ 59 Annual Team Statistics_________________ 62 1,000-yard Rushers____________________ 64 100-yard Rushers_ ____________________ 67 100-yard Receivers____________________ 72 250-yard Passers______________________ 75 300-yard Passers______________________ 76
Hall of Fame Ducks____________________ 77 Ducks in the NFL Draft_________________ 78 Ducks in the Super Bowl_ ______________ 79 All-Americans________________________ 80 Honor Roll___________________________ 81 All-Conference Honors_________________ 82 Senior Postseason Participants_ _________ 83 Oregon Award Winners_ _______________ 84 Notable Oregon Standouts_ ____________ 87 All-Time Assistant Coaches_ ____________ 92 All-Time Lettermen____________________ 93 Annual Coaching Ledger_______________ 97 Year-by-Year Results___________________ 98 UO vs. 2014 Opponents_______________ 104 UO All-Time vs. Opponents_ ___________ 106 All-Time National Rankings_ ___________ 107 UO Bowl Game Summaries_ ___________ 109 Autzen Stadium_ ____________________ 126 All-Time Top Crowds__________________ 127 Autzen Stadium Records_ _____________ 128 Autzen Year-by-Year Attendance________ 129 OREGON ADMINISTRATION AD Rob Mullens_ ____________________ 132 Interim President_ ___________________ 132 2014-15 Bowl Schedule_______________ 133
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2014 FOOTBALL ALMANAC
119TH SEASON OF OREGON FOOTBALL GENERAL INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eugene, Ore. Founded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1876 Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,500 Nickname . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ducks Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Green and Yellow Stadium (Capacity) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Autzen (54,000) Playing Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FieldTurf Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pac-12 First Football Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1894 Interim President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Coltrane Faculty Representative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James O’Fallon Athletics Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.GoDucks.com Facebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.facebook.com/wintheday Twitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @WinTheDay (Football), @GoDucks (General)
ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT… (541) 346-4481
Director of Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rob Mullens Special Assistant to the AD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lorraine Davis Executive Sr. Associate Athletics Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Bartko Executive Sr. Associate Athletics Director/Finance & Admin. . . . . . . Eric Roedl Sr. Associate AD/Facilities, Events & Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Duncan Sr. Associate AD/Chief Compliance Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jody Sykes Sr. Associate AD/FB Admin. & Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Hawkins Sr. Associate AD/Senior Woman Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa Peterson Sr. Associate AD/Marketing & Public Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . Craig Pintens Associate AD/Facilities & Capital Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bob Beals Associate AD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vin Lananna Associate AD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Herb Yamanaka
FOOTBALL STAFF… (541) 346-3825
Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Helfrich (Southern Oregon ‘96) Record at Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2, .846/7-2 Pac-12, .778 (second year) Career Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . same Assistant Coaches Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Frost (Nebraska ‘97) Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers . . . . . . . Don Pellum (Oregon ‘85) Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends . . . . . Tom Osborne (Washington State ‘83) Running Backs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Campbell (UCLA ‘73) Offensive Line/Running Game Coordinator . . . Steve Greatwood (Oregon ‘80) Wide Receivers/Passing Game Coordinator . . Matt Lubick (Colorado State ‘95) Defensive Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Aiken (North Carolina A&T ‘77) Outside Linebackers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Erik Chinander (Iowa ‘03) Defensive Secondary/Passing Game Coordinator) . . . . . . John Neal (BYU ‘80) Director of Strength & Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Radcliffe (Pacific ’80) Graduate Assistants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe Bernardi, Cha’pelle Brown, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nate Costa, Mike Keldorf Football Interns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matt Noyer, Shawn Young Support Staff Asst. AD/Director of Football Operations . . . . . . . . . Kyle Wiest (Oregon ‘04) Asst. AD/FB Player Development . . . . . . . . . . Horace Raymond (Tulane ‘98) Academic Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . Tim Bruegman (Eastern Washington ‘96) Asst. Director of FB Operations/Recruiting . . . . . . . Jim Fisher (Michigan ‘05) Director of High School Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . Sean Dillon (Valparaiso ‘08) Asst. Strength & Cond. Coaches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Dillon, Joel Favor Director of Athletic Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Greg Skaggs (Creighton ’88) Assoc. Dir., Athletic Medicine/Football . . . . . . . . . Kevin Steil (Chico State ’89) Assoc. Dir., Athletic Medicine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Terrell (Oregon ’81) Asst. AD/Director of Communications . . . . . . . . Andy McNamara (Maine ‘96) Exec. Asst. AD/Director, FB Communications . . . . . David Williford (Kansas ‘77) Director of Equipment Operations . . . . . . . . . . Aaron Wasson (Kentucky ‘00) Football Equipment Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenny Farr (Oregon ‘02) Video Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Pohl (Georgetown College ’92) Asst. Video Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric Day (Purdue ‘07) Director/Sports Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . Adam Korzun (Boston University ‘05) Sports Science Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . James Hanisch (South Australia ‘06)
FOOTBALL FACTS
2013 Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-2 2013 Pac-12 Record/Finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2/T1st, North Division 2013 Final National Ranking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 9 USA Today/No. 9 AP All-Time Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 613-475-46 (.561 All-Time Pac-12 Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295-306-20 (.491) Lettermen Returning (Off., Def., ST)/Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 (23, 24, 1)/27 Starters Returning/Lost (Off., Def., ST) . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 (10, 5, 1)/9 (1, 6, 2) All-America Honorees Returning/Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3/0 All-Pac-12 Honorees Returning/Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/3 All-Time Bowl Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-15 Bowl Appearances Since 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 BCS Bowl Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2 Last Bowl Appearance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2013 Alamo Bowl vs. Texas (W, 30-7) All-Time All-America Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Unanimous/Consensus All-America Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/6 College Football Hall of Fame Inductees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Offensive Starters Returning (10) - career stats WR Bralon Addison (Jr., 11 GS; 83 rec, 1133 yds, 10TD) - RT Jake Fisher (Sr., 35 GS) - C Hroniss Grasu (Sr., 40 GS) - RG Cameron Hunt (7 GS) - LT Tyler Johnstone (Jr., 26 GS) - WR Keanon Lowe (Sr., 20 GS; 40 rec, 477 yds, 6TD) - QB Marcus Mariota (Jr., 26 GS; 475-722-10, 63TD; 202 carries, 1467 yds, 14TD) - RG/LG Hamani Stevens (Sr., 13 GS) - TE Pharaoh Brown (Jr., 5 GS; 12 rec, 165 yds, 2TD); Johnny Mundt (So., 5 GS; 16 rec, 281 yds, 3 TD); Evan Baylis (So., 2 GS; 4 rec, 71 yds, 0TD RB Byron Marshall (Jr., 10 GS; 255 carries, 1485 yds, 18TD) Offensive Starters Lost (1) - career stats WR Josh Huff (36 GS; 144 rec, 2366 yds, 24 TD) Defensive Starters Returning (5) - career stats DT DeForest Buckner (Jr., 10 GS; 68 TT, 6 TFL, 3.5 QBX) - CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (Sr., 28 GS; 181 TT, 7 INT, 33 PBU) - LB Rodney Hardrick (Jr., 14 GS; 76 TT, 4 TFL, 1 INT, 3 FR) - LB Derrick Malone (Sr., 13 GS; 161 TT, 4.5 TFL, 2 QBX, 3 INT) - DE Tony Washington (Sr., 14 GS; 98 TT, 14 TFL, 8.5 QBX, 1 FR) Defensive Starters Lost (6) - career stats DE Taylor Hart (173 TT, 22.5 TFL, 16 QBX) - SS Brian Jackson (183 TT, 3 INT, 12 PBU, 2 FR) - DT Wade Keliikipi (97 TT, 11 TFL, 5.5 QBX, 1 FR) - OLB Boseko Lokombo (171 TT, 17 TFL, 7 QBX, 5 INT, 5 FR) - CB Terrance Mitchell (144 TT, 7 INT, 32 PBU) - FS Avery Patterson (198 TT, 9 TFL, 7 INT, 18 PBU) Specialists Returning (1) PK Matt Wogan (So., 7-9 FGs, 42-44 PAT, 63 pts.)
2014 SCHEDULE
A30 SOUTH DAKOTA Eugene S6 MICHIGAN STATE Eugene S13 WYOMING Eugene S20 * @Washington State Pullman O2 * ARIZONA Eugene O11 * @UCLA Pasadena O18 * WASHINGTON Eugene O24 * California^ Santa Clara N1 *STANFORD Eugene N8 * @Utah Salt Lake City N22 * COLORADO Eugene N29 * @Oregon State Corvallis * Pac-12 Conference Game ^Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)
2013 RESULTS
A31 NICHOLLS W S7 at Virginia W S14 TENNESSEE W S28 * CALIFORNIA W O5 * at Colorado W O12 * at Washington W O19 * WASHINGTON ST. W O26 * UCLA W N7 *at Stanford L N16 * UTAH W N23 * at Arizona L N29 *OREGON STATE W D30 +Texas W
66-3 59-10 59-14 55-16 57-16 45-24 62-38 42-14 26-20 44-21 42-16 36-35 30-7
* Pac-12 Conference Games + Alamo Bowl
Credits
Editors: Andy McNamara, Dave Williford Contributors: Sam Katzman, Ana Proehl Photographers: Eric Evans, John Giustina, Geoff Thurner, Steve Dykes Cover Design: John Vu Printing: University of Oregon Printing Services For the latest information about Oregon Football, visit the official UO athletics website: www.GoDucks.com
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON DUCKS
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MEDIA INFORMATION MEDIA AVAILABILITY
INTERVIEW POLICIES
All interview requests for players and coaches require 24 hours notice and must go through the Athletic Communications Office. Interviews will take place during a 15-minute window at the conclusion of each practice. No player interviews will be granted on the day before a game.
CREDENTIALS
Requests for press box and photo credentials for all games at Autzen Stadium must be made as far in advance as possible to the Director of Football Communications. E-mail requests must be submitted to diw@uoregon.edu. When time permits, credentials will be mailed. Otherwise, credentials will be left at Will Call, located at the ticket booth near the South Gate. Defined priority for receiving credentials will be as follows: (1) Representatives of outlets requiring daily deadlines, commercial television stations, OSN affiliate radio stations, nationally circulated publications and outlets who regularly cover the visiting team; (2) Area weekly and periodical publications, radio stations not affiliated with the OSN and additional campus outlets. Outlets that regularly cover the Ducks will receive a higher priority. Visiting representatives also are encouraged to inform their local SID of pending coverage.
PARKING
A limited number of parking passes will be made available through the Oregon Athletic Communications Office. Access to parking (Lots 8 and 9) may be obtained via Leo Harris Parkway directly south of the stadium press box.
TELEPHONES & INTERNET
Oregon will have telephones in the press box for use with third-party, collect or credit card calls only. Access instructions for wireless internet can be obtained outside the Athletic Communications workroom.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
All photographers must check out a photo vest prior to kickoff at the Athletic Communications workroom in the press box. Credentialed personnel working the sidelines must obey the NCAA rules pertaining to sideline boundaries. Photographers are to be no closer than six feet to the playing field and must be outside the 25-yard lines at each end of the field. Photographers are not allowed inside the team boxes. Passes and vests must be worn in an easily visible manner by all photographers in all weather conditions. A work area to send digital photos is located underneath the stands in the east end zone. Television videographers wishing to setup tripods in the Post-Game Interview Room prior to the game for the post-game press conference must do so two-and-a-half hours before kickoff.
LOCKER ROOMS
Oregon’s locker room is located in the HatfieldDowlin Complex west of the Casanova Center. The visitor’s locker room is located at the east end of Autzen Stadium. The home locker room is closed following the game, but Oregon’s postgame interviews are conducted in the Media Center on the third floor of the Football Operations Center. For the visiting team’s postgame interview policy, contact the visiting team’s SID.
OREGON SPORTS NETWORK
The Oregon Sports Network, now under the oversight of Oregon IMG Sports Marketing, begins its 28th season of operation within the athletics department, continuing to broadcast all Oregon football, men’s and women’s basketball contests and coaches shows exclusively along its state-wide affiliate network. Veteran Oregon sportscaster Jerry Allen, now in his 28th year as the Ducks’ popular radio play-byplay voice, is joined by former UO quarterback Mike Jorgensen for his 25th season. The cornerstones of the Oregon Sports Network are Cumulus Broadcasting (KUGN, 590-AM) in Eugene/Springfield and Alpha Broadcasting (750 The Game [AM]) in Portland. KUGN has been the Eugene broadcast partner for the last 20 years, while KXL has been part of the network since its inception.
PAC-12 NETWORKS
Select Oregon football games will be televised live on Pac-12 Networks, including home games vs. South Dakota (Aug. 30) and Wyoming (Sept. 13). The conference’s full-time linear television networks is in its third year of operation.
UO ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Len Casanova Center 2727 Leo Harris Parkway Eugene, OR 97401 PH: 541-346-5488
David Williford
Exec. Asst. AD/Dir. of FB Comm. Office: 541-346-2251 Mobile: 541-729-6801 E-mail: diw@uoregon.edu
Andy McNamara
Asst. AD/Dir. of Communications Office: 541-346-2253 Mobile: 541-543-0123 E-mail: mcnamara@uoregon.edu Twitter: @McNamaraUO
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS STAFF
Rob Moseley Editor, GoDucks.com • @DuckFootball 541-346-2250 • rmoseley@uoregon.edu Todd Miles Associate Director • @MilesUO 541-346-0962 • miles@uoregon.edu Greg Walker Associate Director 541-346-2252 • gswalker@uoregon.edu Casey Johnson Assistant Director • @heycaseyj 541-346-5532 • cjohn17@uoregon.edu Joe Waltasti Assistant Director • @GoDucksJoe 541-346-7332 • waltasti@uoregon.edu
AUTZEN PRESS BOX: 541-346-7074
GENERAL INFORMATION
Mark Helfrich will be available to all media via a weekly press conference every Tuesday beginning at 11:30 a.m. (PT). Participants may take part in the media availability in person at a site to be determined.To gather more information on the availability or notify the Office of Athletic Communications of your intent to take part, please call (541) 346-5488.
2014 FOOTBALL ALMANAC
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2014 OREGON FOOTBALL FALL ALPHABETICAL ROSTER
GENERAL INFORMATION
NUMERICAL No. 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 21 22 23 24 25 26 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 37 38 38 39 40 41 41 42
Name Pos. Chance Allen WR Arrion Springs DB Tyree Robinson DB Dior Mathis CB Erick Dargan S Issac Dixon DB Dominique Harrison DB Charles Nelson WR Keanon Lowe WR Reggie Daniels DB Marcus Mariota QB Arik Armstead DL Byron Marshall RB Johnathan Loyd WR Chris Seisay DB Bralon Addison WR Taylor Alie QB Devon Allen WR Troy Hill CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu CB Jalen Brown WR Morgan Mahalak QB Jeff Lockie QB Juwaan Williams DB Jimmie Swain LB Austin Daich WR Tony James RB/WR Royce Freeman RB Mattrell McGraw DB Derrick Malone Jr. LB B.J. Kelley WR Thomas Tyner RB Glen Ihenacho DB Khalil Oliver DB Casey Eugenio RB/WR Johnny Ragin III OLB Jeff Bieber WR Bobby Dunn DB Stephen Amoako DB Ayele Forde RB Kenny Bassett RB Justin Hollins OLB Eddie Heard OLB Tyson Coleman OLB Lane Roseberry RB Joe Walker LB Kani Benoit RB J.J. Jones RB Michael Manns DB Mike Garrity OLB Ian Wheeler K Tanner Carew LS Taylor Stinson TE Jarret LaCoste RB Aiden Schneider K Cody Carriger DL
No. 11 12 1 13 29
Name Addison, Bralon Alie, Taylor Allen, Chance Allen, Devon Amoako, Stephen
Pos. WR QB WR WR DB
Ht. 5-10 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-11
Wt. 190 175 200 185 185
Cl.-Exp. Jr.-2L Fr.-RS* So.-1L* Fr.-RS* So.-SQ*
Hometown (Last School/HS) Missouri City, TX (Fort Bend Hightower) Eugene, OR (Sheldon) Missouri City, TX (Fort Bend Elkins) Phoenix, AZ (Brophy Prep) Arlington, TX (Martin)
9 51 84 56 31
Armstead, Arik Ava, Isaac Bair, Stetzon Balducci, Alex Bassett, Kenny
DL ILB DL DL RB
6-8 5-10 6-9 6-4 5-9
290 265 290 310 185
Jr.-2L Sr.-2L* Jr.-1L* Jr.-2L Sr.-2L*
Sacramento, CA (Pleasant Grove) Ewa Beach, HI (St. Louis) St. Anthony, ID (Iowa Western CC/South Fremont) Portland, OR (Central Catholic) Beverly Hills, CA (Beverly Hills)
81 36 27 57 15
Baylis, Evan Benoit, Kani Bieber, Jeff Brenner, Doug Brown, Jalen
TE RB WR OL WR
6-6 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-1
250 205 178 305 188
So.-1L* Fr.-RS* Fr.-HS Fr.-RS* Fr.-HS
Centennial, CO (Grandview) Phoenix, AZ (Phoenix Thunderbird) Beaverton, OR (Sunset) Portland, OR (Jesuit) Phoenix, AZ (Mountain Pointe)
85 44 39 42 87
Brown, Pharaoh Buckner, DeForest Carew, Tanner Carriger, Cody Carrington, Darren
TE DL LS OLB WR
6-6 6-7 6-1 6-6 6-2
250 290 200 240 191
Jr.-2L Jr.-2L Fr.-HS So.-1L* Fr.-RS*
Lyndhurst, OH (Brush) Waianae, HI (Punahou) Chino Hills, CA (Damien) Butte, MT (Butte) San Diego, CA (Horizon)
33 73 19 45 8
Coleman, Tyson Crosby, Tyrell Daich, Austin Daniel, T.J. Daniels, Reggie
OLB OL WR DL DB
6-1 6-5 6-3 6-6 6-1
235 310 200 270 205
Jr.-2L* Fr.-HS So.-SQ* So.-1L* So.-1L*
Lake Oswego, OR (Lake Oswego) Henderson, NV (Green Valley) Aptos, CA (Watsonville) Oakland, CA (Bishop O’Dowd) Chandler, AZ (Hamilton)
4 67 5 71 93
Dargan, Erick Davies, Tanner Dixon, Issac Eggert, Braden Alec Eickert
S OL DB OL PK
5-11 6-3 5-11 6-6 5-10
210 294 197 320 175
Sr.-3L* Fr.-HS Jr.-2L* Fr.-HS Jr.-TR
Pittsburg, CA (Pittsburg) Eugene, OR (Sheldon) Opa Locka, FL (Monsignor Pace) Napa, CA (Napa) St. Charles, IL (Taylor University/Aurora Christian)
14 26 52 75 30
Ekpre-Olomu, Ifo Eugenio, Casey Faulhaber, Ivan Fisher, Jake Forde, Ayele
CB RB/WR OLB OL RB
5-10 5-8 6-2 6-6 5-7
195 176 224 300 181
Sr.-3L Fr.-HS Fr.-RS* Sr.-3L Sr.-3L*
Chino Hills, CA (Chino Hills) San Clemente, CA (JSerra) Eugene, OR (Sheldon) Traverse City, MI (Traverse City West) Victorville, CA (Silverado)
21 96 38 74 55
Freeman, Royce French, Christian Garrity, Mike George, Elijah Grasu, Hroniss
RB OLB OLB OL OL
6-0 6-5 6-1 6-5 6-3
229 245 235 275 297
Fr.-HS Jr.-2L* Sr.-SQ* Fr.-RS* Sr.-3L*
Imperial, CA (Imperial) Cedar Rapids, IA (John F. Kennedy) San Carlos, CA (Archbishop Riordan) Las Vegas, NV (Arbor View) Los Angeles, CA (Crespi)
3 48 6 32 13
Ty Griffin Hardrick, Rodney Harrison, Dominique Heard, Eddie Hill, Troy
QB ILB DB OLB CB
6-0 6-1 5-11 6-3 5-11
191 247 175 245 175
Fr.-RS* Jr.-2L* Jr.-JC So.-JC Sr.-3L*
Powder Springs, CA (Georgia Tech) Colton, CA (Colton) Tracy, CA (Contra Costa College/Tracy) Oakland, CA (Laney College/McClymonds) Youngstown, OH (St. Boneventure [CA])
31 78 25 20 97
Hollins, Justin Hunt, Cameron Ihenacho, Glen James, Tony Jelks, Jalen
OLB OL DB RB DL
6-6 6-4 5-11 5-9 6-6
220 290 185 180 268
Fr.-HS So.-1L Fr.-HS Fr.-HS Fr.-HS
Arlington, TX (Martin) Corona, CA (Centennial) Carson, CA (Serra) Gainesville, FL (Gainesville) Phoenix, Ariz. (Desert Vista)
53 64 37 80 99
Johnson, Connor Johnstone, Tyler Jones, J.J. Ka’ai, Koa Kamp, Sam
LS OL RB TE DL
6-3 6-6 5-9 6-4 6-4
222 289 170 245 290
Fr.-RS* Jr.-2L* So.-SQ* Jr.-2L* Jr.-2L*
Moorpark, CA (Oaks Christian) Chandler, AZ (Hamilton) Los Angeles, CA (Harvard-Westlake) Honolulu, HI (Kamehameha) Mesa, AZ (Mountain View)
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON DUCKS
2014 OREGON FOOTBALL FALL ALPHABETICAL ROSTER Pos. WR DL DL RB QB
Ht. 6-2 6-2 6-8 5-11 6-2
Wt. 185 275 220 199 200
Cl.-Exp. Jr.-2L* Fr.-RS* Fr.-HS Jr.-TR* So.-1L*
Hometown (Last School/HS) Fresno, CA (Central) Happy Valley, OR (Southern Oregon/Clackamas) Sherwood, OR (Sherwood) Albany, OR (College of the Siskiyous/West Albany) Alamo, CA (Monte Vista)
OL WR WR QB DL
6-5 5-9 5-8 6-3 6-1
308 186 165 195 313
Jr.-JC Sr.-3L* Sr.-HS* Fr.-HS Fr.-HS
Fremont, CA (College of San Mateo/Washington) Portland, OR (Jesuit) Las Vegas, NV (Bishop Gorman) Kentfield, CA (Marin Catholic) American Samoa (Centennial [CA])
22 37 8 9 3
Malone Jr., Derrick Manns, Michael Mariota, Marcus Marshall, Byron Mathis, Dior
ILB DB QB RB CB
6-2 5-11 6-4 5-10 5-9
220 172 219 205 179
Sr.-3L* So. -SQ* Jr.-2L* Jr.-2L Sr.-3L*
Colton, CA (Colton) Molalla, OR (Molalla) Honolulu, HI (St. Louis) San Jose, CA (Valley Christian) Detroit, MI (Cass Tech)
46 57 90 70 21
Mattingly, Danny McCandless, Ryan McCreath, Jake McFadden, Matt McGraw, Mattrell
ILB OLB TE OL DB
6-5 6-2 6-3 6-4 5-10
235 225 242 300 180
Fr.-RS* Jr.-SQ* So.-JC* So.-SQ* Fr.-HS
Spokane, WA (Mead) Santa Rosa, CA (Cardinal Newman) Ripon, CA (Modesto JC/Ripon) Novato, CA (Marin Catholic) New Orleans, LA (John Curtis)
36 63 92 83 6
Devin Melendez Davis Miyashiro Mondeaux, Henry Mundt, Johnny Nelson, Charles
LS OL DL TE WR
6-2 6-2 6-5 6-4 5-9
205 300 256 250 170
Fr.-HS Fr.-HS Fr.-HS So.-1L Fr.-HS
La Habra, CA (La Habra) Honolulu, Hawaii (Punahou) Portland, OR (Jesuit) Modesto, CA (Central Catholic) Daytona Beach, FL (Seabreeze)
26 62 76 68 86
Oliver, Khalil Pierson, Matt Pisarcik, Jake Prater, Jamal Prevot, Torrodney
DB OL OL OL OLB
6-1 6-6 6-2 6-4 6-3
197 285 295 296 222
Fr.-HS Jr.-1L* Fr.-RS* Jr.-SQ* So.-1L
Meridian, ID (Rocky Mountain) West Linn, OR (Jesuit) Medford, NJ (Shawnee) Etiwanda, CA (Etiwanda) Houston, TX (Alief Taylor)
27 2 34 41 82
Ragin III, Johnny Robinson, Tyree Roseberry, Lane Schneider, Aidan Schuller, Zac
OLB DB RB K WR
6-3 6-4 6-1 6-4 5-10
225 200 233 240 180
So.-TR Fr.-RS* So.-1L* Fr.-HS Jr.-JC
Wilsonville, OR (California/Wilsonville) San Diego, CA (Lincoln) Bly, OR (Lakeview) Portland, OR (Grant) Moss Beach, CA (City College of SF/St. Ignatius)
10 93 48 1 88
Seisay, Chris Sloan, Jason Solis, Eric Springs, Arrion Stanford, Dwayne
DB DL K DB WR
6-1 6-3 5-10 5-11 6-5
187 210 192 203 201
Fr.-RS* Fr.-RS* Sr.-SQ* Fr.-HS So.-1L*
American Canyon, CA (American Canyon) Salem, OR (McKay) Panorama, CA (Notre Dame) San Antonio, TX (Roosevelt) Cincinnati, OH (Taft)
95 54 40 61 84
Stark, Spencer Stevens, Hamani Stinson, Taylor Stoehr, Brigham Stolzenburg, Jeff
DL OL TE OL WR
6-2 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-4
270 307 225 274 195
Fr.-HS Sr.-3L* Fr.-HS Fr.-RS* Sr.-RS*
Modesto, CA (Central Catholic) Hemet, CA (Hemet) Happy Valley, OR (Clackamas) Moorpark, CA (Moorpark) Beaverton, OR (North Central College/St. Charles [IL] North)
18 55 89 59 24
Swain, Jimmie Talia, Tui Tewhill, Chris Thompson, Grant Tyner, Thomas
ILB DL WR ILB RB
6-3 6-5 5-8 5-11 5-11
225 285 180 230 215
Fr.-HS Jr.-JC So.-RS* Sr.-2L* So.-1L
Olathe, KS (Olathe North) Concord, CA (Diablo Valley College/Ygnacio Valley) Corte Madera, CA (College of Marin/Marin Catholic) Cottage Grove, OR (Cottage Grove) Aloha, OR (Aloha)
79 35 91 38 17 49 43 72
Voeller, Evan Walker, Joe Washington, Tony Wheeler, Ian Williams, Juwaan
OL ILB OLB K DB
6-5 6-2 6-3 6-0 6-0
295 240 250 200 190
Fr.-RS* Jr.-1L Sr.-3L* Fr.-RS* Fr.-RS*
West Linn, OR (West Linn) Palos Verdes, CA (L.A. Harbor College/Palos Verdes) Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Los Osos) Demorest, GA (Habersham Central) Tucker, GA (Tucker)
Wogan, Matt Yim, Bronson Yruretagoyena, Andre
K DB OL
6-2 5-10 6-5
210 185 290
So.-1L Jr.-SQ* Jr.-1L*
Indian Trail, NC (Porter Ridge) Kapahulu, HI (St. Louis) Scottsdale, AZ (Chaparral)
*Utilized Redshirt Year
NUMERICAL
No. Name Pos. 43 Bronson Yim DB 44 DeForest Buckner DL 45 T.J. Daniel DL 46 Danny Mattingly LB 48 Rodney Hardrick LB 48 Eric Solis K 49 Matt Wogan K 50 Austin Maloata DL 51 Isaac Ava LB 52 Ivan Faulhaber DE 53 Connor Johnson LS 54 Hamani Stevens OL 55 Hroniss Grasu C 55 Tui Talia DL 56 Alex Balducci DL 57 Doug Brenner OL 57 Ryan McCandless DE 59 Grant Thompson LB 61 Brigham Stoehr OL 62 Matt Pierson OL 64 Tyler Johnstone OL 67 Tanner Davies OL 68 Jamal Prater OL 70 Matt McFadden OL 71 Braden Eggert OL 72 Andre Yruretagoyena OL 73 Tyrell Crosby OL 74 Elijah George OL 75 Jake Fisher OL 76 Jake Pisarcik OL 77 Haniteli Lousi OL 78 Cameron Hunt OL 79 Evan Voeller OL 80 Koa Ka’ai TE 81 Evan Baylis TE 82 Zac Schuller WR 83 Johnny Mundt TE 84 Stetzon Bair DL 84 Jeff Stolzenburg WR 85 Pharaoh Brown TE 86 Torrodney Prevot OLB 87 Darren Carrington WR 88 Dwayne Stanford WR 89 Chris Tewhill WR 90 Jake McCreath TE 91 Tony Washington DE 92 Henry Mondeaux DL 93 Jason Sloan DL 94 Jonathan Kenion DL 95 Spencer Stark DL 96 Christian French DE 97 Jalen Jelks DL 98 Jordan Kurahara DL 99 Sam Kamp DL
GENERAL INFORMATION
No. Name 23 Kelley, B.J. 94 Kenion, Jonathan 98 Kurahara, Jordan 41 LaCoste, Jarret 17 Lockie, Jeff 77 Lousi, Haniteli 7 Lowe, Keanon 10 Loyd, Johnathan 16 Mahalak, Morgan 50 Maloata, Austin
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2014 FOOTBALL ALMANAC
2014 OREGON FOOTBALL PREVIEW Returning Starters
GENERAL INFORMATION
Marcus Mariota - 6-4, 215, Jr.-2L Career - 26 g, 475-722-10 (.658%), 6,342 yds, 63 TDs
202 car, 1,487 yds, 14 TDs, 90 pts
Other Key Returnees
Jeff Lockie - 6-2, 200, So.-1L
Career - 9 g, 8-13-1 (.615), 57 yds, 0 TDs 5 car, 22 yds, 1 TD, 6 pts
Newcomers
Morgan Mahalak - 6-3, 194, Fr.-HS, Kentfield, CA
Departures
Jake Rodrigues - 6-3, 217, So.-1L Career - 7 g, 3-6-1 (.500), 67 yds, 1 TD, 6 pts
Returning Starters
Byron Marshall - 5-10, 201, Jr.-2L Career - 255 car, 1,485 yds, 18 TDs,
1,671 all-purpose yds, 18 TDs, 108 pts
Other Key Returnees
Thomas Tyner - 5-11, 215, So.-1L
Career - 12 g, 115 car, 711 yds, 9 TDs, 54 pts 845 all-purpose yds, 9 TDs
Ayele Forde - 5-7, 181, Sr.-3L
Career - 30 g, 98 car, 538 yds, 2 TDs, 12 pts. 547 all-purpose yds, 2 TDs
Kenny Bassett - 5-9, 182, Sr.-2L
Career - 13 g, 33 car, 74 yds, 0 TDs Kani Benoit - 6-0, 210, Fr.-RS
Newcomers
Royce Freeman - 5-11, 227, Fr.-HS, Imperial, CA Tony James - 5-9, 179, Fr.-HS, Gainesville, FL
Departures
De’Anthony Thomas - 5-9, 171, Jr.-3L Career - 37 g, 243 car, 1,890 yds, 26 TDs
113 rec, 1,296 yds, 15 TDs 5,345 all-purpose yds, 46 TDs, 278 pts
Quarterbacks
The return of junior quarterback Marcus Mariota once again provided the Ducks’ claims as conference and national championship contenders instant credibility as few signal callers in the country have been better when he was operating on all cylinders. The two-time first-team Pac-12 all-conference honoree threw for 3,665 yards a year ago – second all-time at Oregon – and was the Ducks’ second-leading rusher with 715 yards. Yet each of his nine rushing touchdowns occurred during his first seven games despite running for 133 yards in the Alamo Bowl win over Texas. After eight games, Oregon’s offense averaged 632.1 yards per game of total offense (2nd nationally) and 55.6 points per game (2nd in the country). It finished the season averaging 565.0 total yards (2nd) and 45.5 points (4th), signifying the impact of the first player in school history to eclipse 4,000 yards of total offense (4,380) in a single season despite not playing beyond the third quarter in his first five appearances. Yet he refused to step aside for very few snaps during the final month of the regular season despite being at less than full strength. The semifinalist for last year’s Manning, Maxwell, Davey O’Brien and Walter Camp awards - who regained his explosive touch through the spring - will be looking to become only the second player in school history to lead the Ducks to a third-consecutive post-season victory. Sophomore Jeff Lockie looms as the program’s only other experienced quarterback in the wings, connecting on eight of his first 11 pass attempts through his first eight collegate appearances. Walk-on redshirt freshman Taylor Alie impressed coaches with his play during the spring while incoming freshman Morgan Mahalak - who threw for 2,795 and 38 touchdowns as a high school senior, and rushed for 575 yards and seven more scores - could potentially join the battle for playing time behind Mariota.
Running Backs
Oregon must find a way to compensate for the early departure of De’Anthony Thomas to the NFL, with the electrifying speedster leaving behind 5,345 all-purpose yards and 46 touchdowns from the last three seasons. However the Ducks find themselves in an envious position with the return of a pair of running backs who have both received Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award attention this off-season, as well as the influx of newcomers who could force their way into the mix as well. Byron Marshall was up to the task of taking the baton from the program’s previous record-setting ball carriers who had since taken their craft to the NFL. Marshall ran for 1,038 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago in his first season in a starting role despite carrying the ball only three times in the final two regular-season games, and finds himself as the Pac-12’s top returning rusher. He was complemented by Thomas Tyler, who added 845 all-purpose yards and nine scores while improving as the season wore on. Included was a single-game high 140 yards in the regular-season finale vs. Oregon State while his season-ending 711 rushing yards represented a school record by a true freshman. Former walk-ons Ayele Forde and Kenny Bassett have both converted their dedication and hard work into scholarships primarly through their play on special teams, but are capable of providing bursts in relief. Redshirt freshman Kani Benoit will be given an opportunity to make his mark while newcomers Royce Freeman and Tony James bring with them credentials that rival any incoming newcomers in the country.
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON DUCKS
Offensive Line
Tight Ends
While the development of a few of those at the position may have been accelerated more than anticipated at the beginning of last year, the Ducks should reap the rewards from that experience in 2014. Junior Pharaoh Brown, as well as sophomores Evan Baylis and Johnny Mundt all enjoyed their moments when thrust into battle, and each brings something a little different to the table. Yet the combination of their talents could offer Oregon the opportunity to employ multiple tight ends into the game at the same time, which is something that always hasn’t been the case in the past. Brown and Mundt both have drawn attention from the John Mackey Award selection committee (awarded to nation’s top end) but it may have been Baylis who was the most consistent by the season’s end. Mundt raised eyebrows as a true freshman when he caught five passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns vs. Tennessee. Baylis combined to take only seven snaps in the first two games yet was in the opening lineup for his final two appearances. Brown has battled to remain healthy at times and missed the majorty of spring practice. Mundt led the trio with 16 catches for 281 yards and three TDs last year, Baylis paced the group with a 17.8 yards-per-catch average, while Brown possesses a physical presence that can be imposing with more consistency.
Returning Starters
Hroniss Grasu - 6-3, 297, Sr.-3L Career - 40 g, 40 gs Jake Fisher - 6-6, 299, Sr.-3L Career - 38 g, 22 gs Tyler Johnstone - 6-6, 283, Jr.-2L Career - 26 g, 26 gs Hamani Stevens - 6-3, 307, Sr.-3L Career - 33 g, 25 gs Cameron Hunt - 6-4, 285, So.-1L Career - 13 g, 7 gs
Other Key Returnees
Andre Yruretagoyena - 6-5, 284, Jr.-1L Career - 11 g, 0 gs Matt Pierson - 6-6, 280, Jr.-1L Career - 10 g, 0 gs Doug Brenner - 6-2, 305, Fr.-RS Elijah George - 6-5, 272, Fr.-RS Jake Pisarcik - 6-2, 295, Fr-RS Evan Voeller - 6-5, 295, Fr.-RS
Newcomers
Tyrell Crosby - 6-5, 303, Fr.-HS Braden Eggert - 6-6, 328, Fr.-HS Haniteli Lousi - 6-5, 295, Jr.-JC
Departures
Everett Benyard - 6-7, 308, Sr.-3L Career - 41 g, 2 gs Mana Greig - 5-11, 287, Sr.-4L Career - 35 g, 10 gs
Returning Starters
Evan Baylis - 6-6, 252, So.-1L Career - 12 g, 4 rec, 71 yds, 0 TDs Pharaoh Brown - 6-6, 255, Jr.-2L Career - 21 g, 12 rec, 165 yds, 2 TDs, 14 pts Johnny Mundt - 6-4, 252, So.-1L Career - 13 g, 16 rec, 3 TDs, 18 pts.
Other Key Returnees Koa Ka’ai - 6-4, 240, Jr.-2L
Career - 15 g, 18 yds, 0 TDs
Departures none
GENERAL INFORMATION
All five starters returned from an offensive line that paved the way to a school record 7,345 yards of offense in 2013, with the Ducks’ average of 565.0 per game also a UO single-season record. Emphasizing the impact that unit could play in 2014 as well as the esteem that others from around the country have placed on their potential lies in the fact that Oregon is one of only four schools in the country - and the only one other than the reigning national champion or from the SEC to land three offensive linemen on the pre-season Outland Trophy watch list - given to the nation’s best collegiate interior lineman. Center Hroniss Grasu opted to remain in school rather than test the NFL draft waters and figures to be among the best in the country after the three-time Rimington Trophy contender (country’s best center) was a semifinalist for the award a year ago. Right tackle Jake Fisher has been a mainstay since playing as a true freshman, and Tyler Johnstone is another potential three-year starter at left tackle. Each of the three standouts were cited for their hard work and excellence by the Football Writers Association of America. Add into that mix senior guard Hamani Stevens and that quartet started 11 of 13 games together last season. Cameron Hunt was added to the starting rotation for the final seven games in 2013, becoming the Ducks’ first true freshman offensive line starter in 16 years. Andre Yruretagoyena benefitted from gaining a lot of repetitions during spring workouts while Johnstone works to return to full strength while redshirt freshmen Doug Brenner and Jake Pisarcik are expected to battle for the opportunity to provide relief for Grasu as well as step into that void in the future. Junior college transfer Haniteli Lousi joined the group from the College of San Mateo during winter term and took advantage of the opportunity for early indoctrination into the program and looks to push the incumbents for playing time at the guard positions. Not to be overlooked is walk-on Matt Pierson, who has spent three years developing physically, with redshirt freshman Evan Voeller also making strides during spring drills.
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2014 FOOTBALL ALMANAC
Returning Starters
Bralon Addison - 5-10, 190, Jr.-2L
GENERAL INFORMATION
Career - 26 g, 83 rec, 1,133 yds, 10 TDs 24 pr, 300 yds, 2 TDs 1,498 all-purpose yds, 12 TDs, 72 pts
Keanon Lowe - 5-9, 186, Sr.-3L Career - 34 g, 40 rec, 477 yds, 6 TDs
18 kr, 378 yds, 0 TDs 855 all-purpose yds, 6 TDs, 36 pts.
Other Key Returnees
Dwayne Stanford - 6-5, 205, So.-1L Career - 13 g, 11 rec, 106 yds, 0 TDs B.J.Kelley - 6-2, 183, Jr.-2L Career - 19 g, 7 rec, 116 yds, 2 TDs, 12 pts Chance Allen - 6-2, 200, So.-1L Career - 9 g, 5 rec, 98 yds, 1 TD, 6 pts Devon Allen - 6-0, 190, Fr.-RS Darren Carrington - 6-2, 192, Fr.-RS
Newcomers
Jalen Brown - 6-1, 187, Fr.-HS Johnathan Loyd - 5-8, 163, Sr.-HS Charles Nelson - 5-9, 170, Fr.-HS Zac Schuller - 5-10, 180, Jr.-JC
Departures
Josh Huff - 5-11, 199, Sr.-4L Career - 49 g, 144 rec, 2,366 yds, 24 TDs 3,598 all-purpose yds, 26 TDs, 156 pts
Wide Receivers
Graduation took a heavy toll, with Josh Huff off to the NFL after setting an Oregon record with 1,140 receiving yards last season. The Ducks also lost running back De'Anthony Thomas, who played extensively out of the slot, and top reserve Daryle Hawkins. Additionally, Eric Dungy opted to finish his career elsewhere. Bralon Addison is back following a breakout 2013 campaign that saw him catch 56 passes for 842 yards and seven touchdowns. But his status for the start of the season is in question after being sidelined early in the spring due to injury. Senior Keanon Lowe has been a master in a complementary role, grabbing 18 catches for 233 yards and three touchdowns and proving to be a devastating downfield blocker. He has accepted the challenge of paving the way for a group of talented, yet relatively unproven, youngsters while honing his own skills as one of the program’s top leaders. The elder statesman among the remainder of the corps is junior B.J. Kelley, who played in 10 games a year ago but caught only one pass. Sophomore Dwayne Stanford jumped out to a promising start as a true freshman in 2012, grabbing 11 passes for 106 yards in the first four games before remaining silent the rest of the season and redshirting last year. Chance Allen caught five passes in 10 games and one score in 2013. The rest of the cast also overflows with promise but has yet to step foot in a game at the BCS level. The most intriguing prospect is redshirt freshman Devon Allen, who set the national track & field scene upside down. Training part-time while also taking part in spring football drills, Allen set the second-fastest 110-meter hurdles mark in collegiate history by winning the NCAA title in Eugene before coming back to win the event at the USA Championships. While he has yet to display his gridiron talents in a game, he did catch two passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns in May’s Spring Game. Also worth watching could be redshirt freshman Darren Carrington, who fought through injuries to have an impressive spring. Add to the mix true freshman Jalen Brown, who enrolled at Oregon in January after accruing Arizona’s Gatorade Football Player-of-the-Year kudos; former Oregon point guard Johnathan Loyd, who joined the football program after exhausting his eligibility on the hardwoods, and late JC signee Zac Schuller. Freshman Charles Nelson is the wildcard and could be utilized in a similar role to De’Anthony Thomas as both a slotback or in the backfield.
Defensive Line
Returning Starters
DeForest Buckner - 6-7, 286, Jr.-2L Career - 26 g, 27 ua, 68 tt, 6 tfl-24 yds, 3.5 QBX
Other Key Returnees
Arik Armstead - 6-8, 296, Jr.-2L Career - 26 g, 16 ua, 41 tt, 4.5 tfl-13 yds, 1.5 qbx
Alex Balducci - 6-4, 305, Jr.-2L Career - 17 g, 10 ua, 19 tt, 0 tfl, 0 qbx
Sam Kamp - 6-4, 287, Jr.-2L Career - 18 g, 4 ua, 14 tt, 0.5 tfl-2 yds, 0 qbx
T.J. Daniel - 6-6, 275, So.-1L Career - 9 g, 0 ua, 2 tt, 0 tfl, 0 qbx
Stetzon Bair - 6-9, 290, Jr.-1L Career - 4 g, 1 ua, 1 tt, 0 tfl, 0 qbx
Newcomers
Jalen Jelks - 6-6, 268, Fr.-HS Austin Maloata - 6-1, 313, Fr.-HS Henry Mondeaux - 6-5, 256, Fr.-HS Tui Talia - 6-5, 270, Jr.-JC
Departures
Taylor Hart - 6-6, 287, Sr.-4L
Career - 53 g, 97 ua, 173 tt, 22.5 tfl-84 yds, 16 qbx
The interior defensive line also was hit hard by graduation, with starters Taylor Hart and Wade Keliikipi and reserve Ricky Havili-Heimuli moving on for shots to make NFL rosters. That said, the cupboard is far from bare. The Ducks return starter DeForest Buckner along with two-year backups Alex Balducci and Arik Armstead - guys with ample experience in big-time situations. They were also among the guys who most took to heart Oregon’s desire to get bigger and stronger in the trenches. The trio solidified their roles with the first unit during the spring and demonstrated a drive to counter the critics who questioned the defense’s fortitude the last month of the regular season. Buckner brings the most starting experience into 2014, but Balducci displayed the similar traits in the middle that the Ducks utilized with Keliikipi. But it was Armstead who displayed signs of reaching his potentially dominating potential after leaving the basketball program in mid-winter and focusing solely on preparations for the 2014 football season. He was a force in the Spring Game, as was Buckner, with the pair combining for two quarterback sacks, an addition 1 ½ tackles for loss, a forced fumble and one fumble recovery. In addition to Armstead, the breakout guy at the position group in the spring was T.J. Daniel, with the converted tight end finishing as the defense’s scout-team player of the year last fall. He demonstrated a scary mix of length, explosiveness off the line and athleticism during the 15 spring practices. Junior college import Tui Talia joined the team for spring drills and also looked quite comfortable in his debut at the BCS level. Junior Sam Kamp made the adjustment to the inside of the defensive line in the spring and should benefit from the additional time to acclimate himself to the additional 30 pounds before the start of fall camp. Junior Stetzon Bair played multiple positions across the line in the spring, with the versatility expected to serve both Bair and the Ducks well.
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON DUCKS
Inside Linebackers
Outside Linebackers
Similar to the situation on the inside, the departure of 2013 first-round NFL pick Dion Jordan certainly left questions to be answered. But incoming senior Tony Washington definitely answered the call a year ago, with the team’s fourth-leading returning tackler (60) rating third in the conference with four forced fumbles and tied for ninth with 7.5 quarterback sacks. He also led the Ducks with 12 tackles for loss and was included on this year’s watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s top defensive player. Opportunities have never been better for Christian French to fulfill his potential with significant contributions as he domonstrated at times during the spring. He finished last season with 10 tackles but is coming off his most extensive playing time of the year in the Alamo Bowl win over Texas. The Ducks did lose starting outside linebacker Boseko Lokombo but have two promising younger players in line to replace him in Tyson Coleman and Torrodney Prevot. Coleman looms as Oregon’s most experienced reserve on the perimeter and offers the flexibility of having played on the inside as well. His contributions were accentuated the first half of the season, accumulating 17 of his 21 tackles during the first eight games. Prevot made huge strides in the spring in his development under new position coach Erik Chinander, and displayed the athleticism as a crucial playmaker on the perimeter and on special teams last year as a true freshman. He was credited with 2.5 quarterback sacks among his 14 tackles in addition to breaking up two passes, recovering one fumble and forcing another. Prevot demonstrated solid growth and maturity in the spring and could be a force to reckon with if he is able to elevate some of his other skills to the same level as a pass rusher. Eddie Heard was a late signee from the junior college ranks (Laney College) and certainly could attract interest in his first appearance in an Oregon uniform this falll, as could freshman Justin Hollins.
Returning Starters
Derrick Malone - 6-2, 220, Sr.-3L Career - 39 g, 77 ua, 161 tt, 4.5 tfl-17 yds, 2 qbx Rodney Hardrick - 6-1, 231, Jr.-2L Career - 26 g, 49 ua, 84 tt, 6 tfl-14 yds, 0 qbx
Other Key Returnees Joe Walker - 6-2, 237, Jr.-1L
Career - 13 g, 25 ua, 37 tt, 3 tfl-26 yds, 2 qbx
Grant Thompson - 5-11, 224, Sr.-2L Career - 13 g, 3 ua, 8 tt, 0 tfl, 0 qbx
Danny Mattingly - 6-5, 235, Fr.-RS
Newcomers
Jimmie Swain - 6-2, 218, Fr.-HS
Departures
Rahim Cassell - 6-0, 223, Jr.-2L
Career - 26 g, 21 ua, 51 tt, 2 tfl-16 yds, 1 qbx
Returning Starters
Tony Washington - 6-3, 250, Sr.-3L Career - 36 g, 55 ua, 98 tt, 14 tfl-54 yds, 8.5 qbx
Other Key Returnees
Tyson Coleman - 6-1, 240, Jr.-2L Career - 24 g, 26 ua, 55 tt, 4 tfl-23 yds, 1.5 qbx
Cody Carriger - 6-6, 245, So.-1L Career - 6 g, 2 ua, 2 tt, 0 tfl, 0 qbx
Christian French - 6-5, 244, Jr.-2L Career - 20 g, 10 ua, 23 tt, 1.5 tfl-1 yd, 0 qbx
Torrodney Prevot - 6-3, 220, So.-1L Career - 12 g, 8 ua, 14 tt, 2.5 tfl-23 yds, 2.5 qbx
Newcomers
Eddie Heard - 6-3, 242, So.-JC Justin Hollins - 6-6, 215, Fr.-HS
Departures
Boseko Lokombo - 6-3, 232, Sr.-4L
Career - 53 g, 100 ua, 171 tt, 17 tfl-67 yds, 7 qbx
GENERAL INFORMATION
Predictably after the loss of Michael Clay and Kiko Alonso, the inside linebackers endured a transition year in 2013. New starters Derrick Malone and Rodney Hardrick both had ample experience as backups but replacing Oregon’s top two tacklers from the previous year was thought to be another matter. What the Ducks may have missed were some of the impact plays their predecessors made – timely tackles for loss and forced turnovers. But their successors were up to the challenge. The good news is, both of those new starters from 2013 return in 2014 another year wiser. Malone led all tacklers last season, with his 105 takedowns trailing only one other former Oregon standout over the past six years in additionn to a gameclinching interception return for a touchdown in the Alamo Bowl. He was named to the season’s preliminary list of contenders for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in the country. Hardrick finished with 65 tackles and was third in the Pac-12 with a trio of fumble recoveries. This sets up as one of Oregon’s most stable defensive position groups not only due to the returning starters but because of depth. Joe Walker played a considerable amount behind the inside linebackers, and talented redshirt freshman Danny Mattingly showed flashes of the potential that was projected of him in the spring. One variable could be the addition of sophomore Johnny Ragin, who played as a true freshman at California last year before transferring to Oregon for the start of the winter term. He is likely to sit out the year in residence but the possibility of his immediate eligibility was being explored. His contributions from the line of scrimmage as well as special teams would be a definite asset, as well as projections for incoming freshman Jimmie Swain.
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2014 FOOTBALL ALMANAC
Returning Starters
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu - 5-10, 195, Sr.-3L Career - 40 g, 118 ua, 181 tt, 5.5 tfl-14 yds, 7 int, 1 fr
GENERAL INFORMATION
Other Key Returnees Troy Hill - 5-11, 175, Sr.-3L
Career - 35 g, 78 ua, 98 tt, 2.5 tfl-2 yds, 2 int, 1 ff
Erick Dargan - 5-11, 212, Sr.-3L Career - 33 g, 54 ua, 93 tt, 3 tfl-7 yds, 6 int, 2 fr, 2 ff
Dior Mathis - 5-9, 175, Sr.-3L Career - 28 g, 27 ua, 41 tt, 4 tfl-9 yds, 3 int, 1 blk
Issac Dixon - 5-11, 193, Jr.-2L Career - 14 g, 14 ua, 24 tt, 0 tfl, 1 int
Reggie Daniels - 6-1, 205, So.-1L Career - 9 g, 3 ua, 6 tt, 0 tfl, 0 qbx
Tyree Robinson - 6-4, 200, Fr.-RS Chris Seisay - 6-1, 180, Fr.-RS Juwaan Williams - 6-0, 190, Fr.-RS
Newcomers
Dominique Harrison - 5-11, 185, Jr.-JC Glen Ihenacho - 5-11, 179, Fr.-HS Mattrell McGraw - 5-10, 176, Fr.-HS Khalil Oliver - 6-0, 197, Fr.-HS Arrion Springs - 5-11, 200, Fr.-HS
Departures
Brian Jackson - 5-10, 197, Sr.-4L Career - 51 g, 91 ua, 183 tt, 2 tfl-3 yds, 3 int, 2 fr, 2 ff
Terrance Mitchell - 6-0, 189, Jr.-3L Career - 40 g, 85 ua, 144 tt, 3 tfl-7 yds, 7 int, 1 fr, 4 ff
Avery Patterson - 5-10, 189, Sr.-4L Career - 50 g, 114 ua, 198 tt, 9 tfl-19 yds, 7 int, 2 fr
Returning Starters
Matt Wogan - 6-2, 210, So.-1L Career - 7-9 fg, 42-44 PATs, 63 pts
Other Key Returnees
Connor Johnson - LS, 6-3, 222, Fr.-RS Eric Solis - PK, 5-10, 192, Sr.-SQ Ian Wheeler - 6-0, 200, Fr.-RS
Newcomers
Tanner Carew - LS, 6-1, 196, Fr.-HS
Departures
Alejandro Maldonado - 5-10, 187, Sr.-3L Career -13-23 fg, 124-127 PATs, 165 pts, 45 p, 39.6 avg.
Defensive Secondary
The Ducks had a lot of work to do in the spring following the graduation of starting safeties Avery Patterson and Brian Jackson and the early departure by cornerback Terrance Mitchell to the NFL. Fortunately, the best of the bunch, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, opted to return for his senior season. The other good news was, as is usually the case given Oregon’s deep defensive game rotations, the potential new starters have ample experience. In addition, no position group looks to be as stockpiled with the amount of talent as John Neal’s defensive backs. And certainly there is no better place to start than with Ekpre-Olomu, with the two-time first-team all-conference honoree looming to close out his collegiate career as one of the best defenders in the country. The second-team Walter Camp All-American and one of Oregon’s surest tacklers was second in stops last season (84) while adding five tackles for loss and three interceptions. The third-year starter was named a semifinalist for both the Jim Thorpe Award and the Bednarik Award in 2013 while also earning a spot on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, and again finds himself in the company among the nation’s best heading into his final year. Senior cornerbacks Troy Hill and Dior Mathis have played extensively in nickel situations over the last couple years, with Mathis really making strides late in 2013, and found themselves at the forefront for the opportunity to start opposite Ekpre-Olomu at the beginning of last spring. And senior safety Erick Dargan was a starter late in 2012 after Patterson suffered a knee injury. There were also some new faces figuring to be in the mix last spring, including redshirts Chris Seisay and Tyree Robinson, and JC transfer Dominique Harrison. From the beginning of off-season workouts, Mathis and Dargan made it clear they were going to fight to the finish to win first-string jobs. Mathis might have been the best player on the field the first week of spring drills, and Dargan was good for about an interception a day the first three or four weeks. Harrison looked increasingly comfortable over the course of the spring, the highlight coming on a 100-yard interception for a score in one scrimmage. He, along with Hill and Seisay, figure to continue pushing Mathis and to compete for time at nickel. But for the most part, the veterans held firm during the five weeks of practice. A couple of young safeties also emerged early on, with Robinson getting the bulk of the reps with the first-teamers to start the spring, and Juwaan Williams receiving a lot of looks after redshirting at corner last fall. Not to be discounted is Reggie Daniels, who also is in the middle of the competition to play alongside Dargan at safety. In the spring game, Robinson had an interception and Daniels broke up three passes. Their continuing battle is expected to be one of the intriguing focal points in August. Robinson is a highly touted redshirt freshman who was a scout-team standout last fall, but Daniels has been waiting in the wings for his chance and might be poised to break out. A quartet of talent freshmen will join the fray for the start of pre-season camp and cannot be overlooked. Glen Ihenacho, Mattrell McGraw, Khalil Oliver and Arrion Springs are all perceived to possess the talent to overcome their inexperience. At the very least, their presence can be expected to push the veterans to be at their best throughout the year in addition to leaving the secondary in exceptional hands in the future.
Special Teams
One of the biggest questions during fall camp could be the utilization of sophomore kicker Matt Wogan. An accomplished placekicker in high school, his forte was actually that of a punter. Yet after initially sharing the placement duties with Alejandro Maldonado for the majority of the year, Wogan claimed the duties outright for the final five games of the year. With the graduation of Maldonado, the question now is does Wogan take on the punting role as well. There will be plenty of candidates in line to assume the duties as kick returners with the departure of Thomas, including Keanon Lowe; Thomas Tyner, Johnathan Loyd, Devon Allen, Dior Mathis, Troy Hill, and B.J. Kelley, as well a handful of newcomers. Incoming freshman Tanner Carew will have the opportunity to fill the role of long snapper - a role secured by Drew Howell for the last four years.