10/8/2015 Emerald Media - Gameday

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OREGON’S MOST PRECISE KICKER IN THREE DECADES STARTED IN SOCCER.

Aidan Schneider’s path to football likely wouldn’t have happened if not for a text message and some ambition.

KICKING THE COMPETITION Q&A WITH RB COACH GARY CAMPBELL

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Running backs coach Gary Campbell works with a talented backfield this season.

(Emerald Archives)

One thing became apparent by the end of Oregon’s 41-24 victory over Colorado last Saturday: this team wants to run the ball.

With the quarterback situation in flux, the focus of the offense turned towards the running backs, giving sophomore starter Royce Freeman 27 carries against the Buffaloes.

Freeman, who has racked up 613 yards and seven touchdowns this season, leads the group.

Steadily growing into a featured back is freshman Taj Griffin, who had a season-high 110 yards to go along with a touchdown against Colorado.

Tony Brooks-James and Kani Benoit have also contributed this year, helping the Ducks collect 1,502 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the season.

With such a talented backfield, Oregon running backs coach Gary Campbell talked with the media after practice to discuss his plans for the group going forward.

Emerald: How many times can you give Royce

Freeman 27 carries?

Gary Campbell: I don’t know; we will find out.

When we started the game I asked if he could carry it 35 times, and he said, ‘yeah.’ My plan was to see if he could carry it at least 30, and I think he carried it 27 and caught three passes, so he touched it 30 times. I think he proved he can do that.

E: So you factor in the receptions?

GC: Well, no. That was just a number I thought would be good for him. 25-30 I think is feasible for him.

E: Are you worried about the long-term effects of giving Freeman the ball that much?

GC: No, we got three other backs that I think can carry it too. So if need be for him to carry it that many times, I think he can handle it. He is a big, strong, physical kid — he is a lot more mature this year. I look around the country at guys that run the ball and those guys are carrying it 25-26 times.

➡ CHRISTOPHER

E: It seems like since Tyner went out, you have been looking for that number two back.

GC: I don’t care who it is and there isn’t a certain style that I am looking for. I just want a guy who can go in, produce and run the offense.

There’s not a particular body type or anything.

Obviously Royce can do some things that Taj can’t do, and Taj does some different things.

That may be good as a change up, I don’t know.

Just the same, it may be good to have a guy just like Royce, another guy like Tyner to come in and continue that same style of running.

But as long as the guy is productive, that is what counts.

E: Are Tony and Kani competing with each other for that other Tyner look, whereas Taj is the change-of-pace back?

GC: No, they are all competing to start. That is the way I want them to practice and think every day. Nobody is competing to be second or third, they are all competing for the number one spot.

E: How do you decide who is going to be number two in a given week? Is it based on practice or on the defense you are going to face?

GC: It is based on practice. Obviously there are always some things we would like to do in a game, and we factor those things into practice.

The guy who does it best is usually the guy who is going to be in that role in the game.

E: What do you like about Taj so far this season?

GC: I like what I’ve seen from him this season.

The whole holdback for him has been the learning process, him really getting the offense down, lining up in the right spots and being able to protect the passer.

E: How is he doing in the protection phase of the game?

GC: He is getting better. He still has some glitches now and again, but as I said, he is improving in all areas.

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WASHINGTON STATE’S AIR-RAID OFFENSE

PRESENTS LEGITIMATE THREAT FOR OREGON ➡ JUSTIN

(Emerald Archives)

WISE, @JUSTINFWISE

After a 41-24 win at Colorado last Saturday, Oregon comes into this week a 20-point favorite against a 2-2 Washington State team, according to OddsShark. But when considering the threats the Cougars pose on offense, this game has all the ingredients to be a matchup nightmare for the Ducks.

Washington State quarterback Luke Falk is averaging over 50 pass attempts per game this season, and his 72.6 completion percentage indicates that he’s not just heaving the ball at will. He’s also averaging 364.8 passing yards per game.

For an Oregon secondary still trying to find its footing, this presents a legitimate concern.

On the other side of the ball, Oregon’s situation at quarterback only seems to be getting more unstable. The Ducks featured virtually no threat throwing the ball downfield on Saturday, and by night’s end, the team had rushed the ball on 60 of their 81 plays.

While the oddsmakers may have written off this game as a convincing win for Oregon, there still exists too many question marks on both sides of the ball to agree with them.

Here’s how Oregon and Washington State stack up: OREGON OFFENSE VS. WASHINGTON STATE DEFENSE

WASHINGTON STATE OFFENSE VS. OREGON DEFENSE

Head coach Mark Helfrich said he’d be comfortable using a two-quarterback rotation again, and offensive coordinator Scott Frost said Monday that a quarterback depth chart doesn’t quite exist at the moment. The lack of a depth chart shows where the state of the position is right now, as Vernon Adams Jr. recovers from his broken index finger, and Jeff Lockie and Taylor Alie try to find a rhythm guiding the offense.

Washington State’s defense isn’t exactly stout, though.

The team is allowing 26.5 points per game on defense and ranks 112th in passing efficiency. But, it likely won’t be the passing attack that the Cougars will have to contain. With quarterback play the issue that it is now, the Ducks turned to the ground game against Colorado. Royce Freeman carried the ball 27 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

In addition, true freshman Taj Griffin showed off his speed, rushing for 110 yards on 11 carries.

The Emerald is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the independent nonprofit media company at the University of Oregon.

Formerly the Oregon Daily Emerald, the news organization was founded in 1900.

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DESIGNERS RAQUEL ORTEGA JARRED GRAHAM GINA MILLS JACK GRAHAM

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SPORTS EDITORS JUSTIN WISE H AY D E N K I M KENNY JACOBY

MANAGING PRODUCER SCOTT GREENSTONE AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR KIRA HOFFELMEYER

NEWS EDITORS JENNIFER FLECK F R A N C E S A F O N TA N A LAUREN GARETTO

Oregon allowed just seven points in the second half and forced three turnovers in its contest last weekend.

It may have been the best performance by the defense this season. But Washington State’s offense will be an entirely different beast for this inexperienced secondary.

Defensive backs coach John Neal told reporters Monday that Cougars head coach Mike Leach invented the type of air-raid offense they run “to create nightmares for people like me.” Despite the fact that Washington State lost to FCS Portland State in its opener, the Cougars have the strengths to match the Ducks’ weaknesses.

Falk passed for 389 yards last week in the team’s 34-28 loss to No. 23 Cal – a game that was tightly contested until the end of regulation. Oregon’s cornerbacks should also pay close attention to wide receiver Gabe Marks this week. The junior has 35 receptions for 414 yards and three touchdowns so far this season.

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**Editor’s Note: Each week during football season, we feature an essay from the opponent’s student newspaper on why Oregon will lose.

Stroup is a staff writer at the Daily Evergreen.** Oregon (3-2 overall, 1-1 Pac-12) and Washington State (2-2 overall, 0-1 Pac-12) face each other this Saturday at Autzen Stadium. Both teams have dealt with major disappointment so far this season.

The Cougars started off the season with a demoralizing loss against Portland State, an FCS team. WSU outgained the Vikings 411 yards to 294, but were outscored 24-7 in the second half. The Cougars rebounded nicely in an exciting comeback win on the road against Rutgers, with redshirt sophomore quarterback Luke Falk throwing the game winning touchdown pass with 13 seconds left in regulation.

WSU returned to Pullman, Wash. the following week to face Wyoming. After the Cowboys posted two first quarter touchdowns, they were shutout in the final three frames, leading to the Cougars’ 31-14 win. Last weekend featured another disappointing second half collapse against No. 23 Cal, where WSU dropped their first Pac-12 contest by a score of 34-28. The Cougars led 21-13 in the first half but critical special teams mistakes ruined their chances of an upset.

WSU continues its road trip this weekend to take on the Ducks, a high-powered team that is coming off a 41-24 win against Colorado. The two teams played each other close in Pullman last year, but the Ducks came out on top, 38-31, in what was Oregon’s eighth straight win over the Cougars.

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In order to return to Martin Stadium with a victory, the Cougars defense and special teams will need to play fast and avoid the mistakes that have doomed them this season.

WSU currently ranks ninth in the conference in scoring and total defense, while the Ducks sit in the top three in offensive scoring and yards.

The Cougars are ranked slightly better in rushing defense, coming in at sixth in the conference, but will need to play better than that to stuff Oregon’s top ranked rushing attack.

The game will come down to who can limit mistakes, and turnovers may be the difference maker.

The Cougars will need Falk and company to give their best performances of the season if they are going to win on the road. He currently leads the conference in average passing yards per game with 364, thanks to his talented receivers and the pass-happy offensive scheme.

Keep an eye on junior receiver Gabe Marks to make another big impact, as he currently leads the conference in receptions per game and is second in yards per game.

In order to win, the defense will need to match its effort from last season and stuff the Ducks’ potent rushing attack. If the defense can prevent long Oregon drives, it will give the offense a chance to win it.

Falk, Marks and the rest of the squad will have to get going early and score at least 41 points in the end to secure the upset.

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Oregon kicker Aidan Schneider (41) kicks a field goal during the game against Georgia State in Eugene, Oregon on Sept. 19. (Adam Eberhardt)

“THE THING WITH AIDAN THAT IS SO GOOD IS THAT NOTHING COLOR PHASES HIM.” Yellow

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Mishitting the ball is something Schneider didn’t have to worry much about. He finished his senior year with 13 field goals in 16 attempts, with a long of 40 yards. He then told his family he wanted to walk-on to the Ducks football

team. His mom’s response: “Well, good luck.”

“I had no idea he’d make that happen,” Causgrove said.

Yellow He entered his freshman season behind Matt Wogan on the depth chart, a high school USA Today first-team All-American rated as the nation’s No. 2 prep kicker and punter by Chris Sailer’s Black academy. The Indian Trail, North Carolina native nailed 42of-44 PATs and 7-of-9 field goals the season before.

Green But late in that season, during the Pac-12 Championship, the Rose Bowl and the College Football National Championship, Schneider took three steps back, lined up, took two steps left and nailed 6-of-7 field goals, his only

miss coming against Arizona.

“The thing with Aidan that is so good is nothing phases him,” special teams coordinator Tom Osborne said. “He doesn’t give a hoot. We could get guys rushing if the edge that we didn’t block — it doesn’t phase him, he doesn’t flinch.”

He finished 11-for-12 on field goals in 2014 — the only Oregon kicker since 1985 who has missed just one attempt in a season (minimum five attempts). He’s currently 8-for-8 through five games.

“Sometimes I think he doesn’t really know what he’s doing,” Osborne said. “He just goes out there and goes ... He’s a different cat.”

When Oregon doesn’t go for it on fourth down, Schneider takes the field with a silent mind. Then it’s three steps back, aim, two steps left and let his right foot loose — kicking with a soccer cleat, as always.

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SPECIAL TEAMS

BECOMES DANGEROUS FOR OREGON FOOTBALL ➡ WILL

DENNER, @WILL_DENNER

When Byron Marshall was injured while returning a kickoff against Utah, it was just another instance of an important offensive player hurting himself on special teams.

Oregon running back Thomas Tyner injured his shoulder while returning a kickoff against Washington last season. He opted to have surgery in August, ending his 2015 season before it ever began.

On the opening kickoff of last season’s Rose Bowl, Devon Allen tore his ACL while trying to make a cut on the return. His injury sidelined him for much of the offseason, and although he has recovered, Allen is still reentering the fold of the Oregon offense.

Injuries to talented offensive players returning punts and kicks have become widespread at Oregon over the last year, which is why, when Marshall was carted off the field, many expected the worst. As it turned out, Marshall’s undisclosed injury required surgery, likely ending his senior season prematurely.

“If players get hurt on special teams, I feel just sick to my stomach,” special teams coach Tom Osborne said. “But guys get hurt playing football all over the place.”

Still, the number of Oregon players injured while playing special teams as of late is noteworthy– if not alarming.

“We have had a number of guys hurt in the last couple years – that is unusual,” Osborne said.

“I’ve done this a long time and we’ve had more returners hurt than I can remember in years.”

To a certain degree, injuries on special teams are inevitable.

Players such as Allen recognize the risk of speed and strength

running full speed at each other.

“In special teams in general, it’s pretty dangerous,” Allen said.

“It’s a hard thing because athletic trainers argue all the time to take special teams out of the game.

The majority of injuries we see in football are on kickoff and punt return.”

Oregon’s coaching staff has long maintained an approach to put the best athletes on punt and kick return, regardless of their role on offense or defense. But is the risk of a focal player getting injured on special teams greater than the reward?

“That’s a great question, and we debate it all the time around here,” University of Washington head coach Chris Petersen said. “When there’s a guy that’s really special with the ball in his hands, you’d like to put him back there... But you probably have to minimize them on other special teams because they’re probably a starter already.”

Marshall’s injury has opened the door for several players to return punts and kicks. Charles Nelson took Marshall’s vacated spot last week against Colorado.

Osborne also hinted at Tony Brooks-James and Kirk Merritt getting into the rotation.

And then there’s Allen, who expects to be returning kicks again as early as Saturday’s game against Washington State. Some players in Allen’s position would be hesitant to return to special teams, doing the exact same thing that got them injured in the first place. That’s not the case with Allen. “[Kickoff] is a big part of the game,” Allen said. “That’s a huge play. And I feel like, if I catch the ball on kickoff return, I’m gonna score every time I get it.”

Byron Marshall was injured during a kickoff return in the home game against Utah. He’s one of a number of recent Oregon players injured while playing on special teams. (Adam/Emerald)

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UNCERTAINTY AT QB

➡ JUSTIN

WISE, @JUSTINFWISE

(From left to right) Jeff Lockie, Taylor Alie and Vernon Adams are all in the running for the spot at quarterback for Oregon. (Cole Elsasser & Adam Eberhardt)

Trailing 14-7 in the second quarter at Colorado last Saturday, Bralon Addison took a reverse pitch from Royce Freeman and darted towards the opposite side of the field. But, rather than continuing his stride, the former high school quarterback settled in the pocket and launched a 39-yard strike to a streaking Charles Nelson for the score.

It was the type of razzle-dazzle play often associated with the Ducks. However, this one had a distinctly different taste to it, and with one quick glance at Twitter, you would understand why.

Calls for Addison to become the starting quarterback came from every direction on the social media site. Even a @BAforQB2 account was created during the game, including the hashtag #BAforQB. Despite the Ducks regaining some rhythm offensively and beating Colorado 41-24 that night,

one truth was too hard to dismiss: Addison may have thrown the best pass of the game.

That is the state of the quarterback position at this point in the season.

While head coach Mark Helfrich said things like, “I should have to pay to watch that guy play,” in post-game press conferences last year when talking about Marcus Mariota, this year it seems he should be rewarded complimentary Advil when reaching the podium.

Jeff Lockie, a two-star recruit coming out of high school, according to ESPN, and Taylor Alie, a walk-on from Sheldon high in Eugene, split reps throughout the game Saturday. The two combined to complete just 12 passes and by the second half, were really just there to hand the ball off to the Ducks’ running backs.

And with Vernon Adams Jr.’s status still uncertain, the issues at quarterback could persist for much longer than the team, coaches or fans could have ever expected coming into the year. After all, the Ducks were ranked No. 7 in the preseason AP poll.

With the Adams’ injury, the Ducks have now displayed just how extreme the gap in talent was between Mariota and his backups the last few years. It also seems to further indicate that a program with a three-year starter, especially

nowadays, can lead to a tougher sell for incoming quarterback recruits.

“We’d love to recruit guys and have them be great players and stay five years and redshirt, but it’s just not realistic,” Helfrich said on Sunday. “I think from whatever inputs these guys get today, that as soon as someone else is on campus, the other guy has to transfer. We have guys who are committed, so guys on our team should transfer.

“Across the country right now, there’s transfers playing everywhere, there’s graduate transfers playing everywhere.”

According to the way Oregon acted this offseason, it was supposed to be starting a graduate transfer too.

But it hasn’t worked out that way.

And now Helfrich may be planning on a quarterback rotation for the second consecutive week.

If Twitter had anything to say about it, he’d be including Addison in that rotation as well. And while it can be clever to think that way, it illustrates the headache that the quarterbacks’ performance the last two weeks has provoked.

From a sheer talent standpoint though, the individuals behind center have never shown the potential – at least in a college game – to lead Oregon to what its fans were expecting at the beginning of this season.

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TONY BROOKSJAMES RUNNING LIKE LAMIKE

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Tony Brooks-James is staying true to Oregon’s history of strong running backs. (Cole Elsasser)

Tony Brooks-James, a four-star prospect out of Gainesville, Florida, prepares to become one of Oregon’s next great running backs.

Before Tony Brooks-James arrived on Oregon’s campus, he was touted as a top 10 running back recruit in the state of Florida.

Known for his breakaway speed in the open field and elusiveness as a runner, Brooks-James, 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, earned a four-star rating from Scout.com.

As a freshman, Brooks-James excelled on Oregon’s scout team, prompting Mark Helfrich to name him Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year.

A dual sport athlete, BrooksJames also ran the lead leg for third fastest 4x100 relay in school history last year at the NCAA West Regional Meet in Austin, Texas.

It took some time before Oregon fans were fully introduced to Brooks-James on the gridiron.

While track fans were aware of his impressive debut season, football fans had to wait until this season to get a hint of his entertaining skill set.

The wait was worthwhile.

In the Ducks’ season opener against Eastern Washington, Brooks-James ran for a season-high 63 yards and two touchdowns.

Against Georgia State, he added 67 total yards with a collegiate-best 17 receiving yards. When starter Royce Freeman was briefly sidelined against Michigan State, BrooksJames rushed the ball three times for 20 yards, finishing as Oregon’s second leading rusher.

“There’s no pressure if you know what you’re doing, and I know what I’m doing,” Brooks-James said.

Needless to say, Brooks-James,

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who has welcomed general comparisons to all-time leading rusher LaMichael James, has provided running backs coach Gary Campbell a good problem with Taj Griffin and Kani Benoit also in the mix.

“He hasn’t become as physical a runner as LaMichael (James) was yet,” Campbell said. “Tony and I have talked about his role of becoming more of a physical runner than just an open field, slashing kind of guy. I think we’re going to see more of that as the season progresses.”

Said Helfrich: “They’re competing, they’re both tough guys – Taj and Tony. Nothing but great things to come for both of them.”

Brooks-James chose Oregon for its rich history of running backs, especially in the past decade.

“I’ve seen them on TV and I’ve seen De’Anthony [Thomas]. During my recruiting, [Coach Campbell] told me I could be one of those guys and play at the slot and backfield as well,” Brooks-James said. “I could either come here and produce or go somewhere else and sit. I took my chances here.”

While Oregon’s season hasn’t gone according to plan, BrooksJames and Campbell both have high expectations for their talented backfield.

Brooks-James, who will continue to develop alongside the next crop of Oregon backs in Griffin and Benoit, has continued to embrace that high-level competition.

“When I recruited him, it was my thought that he was going to be a factor in our offense,” Gary Campbell said. “He’s stepping up and living up to the expectations I had when I recruited him.”

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