GAMEDAY
GAMEDAY, the Daily 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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(On The Cover) PlayStation 5 is one of the two consoles on which people can play "NCAA 25." A Playstation 5 controller is held outside Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. (Molly McPherson Emerald)
(Right) Tez Johnson straddles the sideline while avoiding a tackle. The University of Oregon Ducks Football team defeated the Portland State University Vikings in a home match at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, on September 2, 2023. (Eric Becker/Emerald)
WEEK 1 TEAM ROSTERS: OREGON IDAHO
OREGON OFFENSE
PLAYER
GABRIEL, DILLON
MOORE, DANTE
JAMES, JORDAN
WHITTINGTON, NOAH
JOHNSON, TEZ
HOLDEN, TRAESHON
STEWART, EVAN
BRYANT JR., GARY
DICKEY, JURRION
FERGUS, TERRANCE
CONERLY JR., JOSH HARPER II, MARCUS
LALOLULU, IAPANI
BEDFORD, MATTHEW PICKARD, CHARLIE CORNELIUS, AJANI
No. 8 No. 5 No. 20 No. 6 No. 15 No. 1 No. 7 No. 2 No. 13 No. 3 No. 76 No. 55 No. 72 No. 77 No. 70 No. 65
OREGON DEFENSE
PLAYER
BURCH, JORDAN
CALDWELL, JAMAREE
HARMON, DERRICK
WARE-HUDSON, KEYON
UIAGALELEI, MATAYO
TUIOTI, TEITUM
JACOBS, JESTIN
BOETTCHER, BRYCE
BASSA, JEFFREY
WINSTON, EMAR'RION
ALEXANDER, KAM
JOHNSON, TYSHEEM
SAVAGE, KOBE
MUHAMMAD, JABBAR
JOHNSON, BRANDON
MANNING, DONTAE
# No. 8 No. 5 No. 20 No. 6 No. 15 No. 1 No. 7 No. 2 No. 13 No. 3 No. 76 No. 55 No. 72 No. 77 No. 70 No. 65
YEAR
SR/TR
SR/TR
JR/TR
RS-SR SO SO
RS-SR/TR
RS-SR/TR SR
RS-SO
SR/TR
SR/TR
SR/TR
SR/TR
SR/TR SR
OREGON SPECIAL TEAMS
SAPPINGTON, ATTICUS
JAMES, ROSS
BASSO, LUKE
PLAYER
BEA, HOLDEN JOSIFEK, NICK
IDAHO OFFENSE
BUCHANAN, DESHAUN CUMMINGS, ELISHA
MCCRANEY, MARQUAN HIGGINS, TRAIS HARSTE, TONY
DWYER, JORDAN PETERS, ORION
BOGAN, CHANCE VINING, LAYTON EVANS, LEON HENSON, KIEGAN
GREEN, ALEX
FOSTER, JACK FALEALO, SONE
No. 5 No. 18 No. 8 No. 20 No. 0 No. 3 No. 4 No. 6 No. 11 No. 13 No.50 No. 51 No. 52 No. 54 No. 55 No. 58
IDAHO DEFENSE
PLAYER
JASKOWIAK, MITCHEL
JAMES-NEWBY, KEYSHAWN
LARMOND, JAHKARI
WILLIAMS, MALAKAI
IBE, DIVINE
DONNERBAG, WILEY
KING, ISIAH
ECK, JAXTON
BARNES, SYRR
JOHNSON, ZACH
BAKER, KAMARI
THOMAS JR., CORRY WILLIAMS, ABRAHAM TRUJILLO, K.J. MARSHALL, ANDREW BARNES, JOSHUA
No. 46 No. 1 No. 5 No. 15 No. 16 No. 23 No. 4 No. 6 No. 10 No. 11 No. 12 No. 0 No. 2 No. 3 No. 7 No. 8
IDAHO SPECIAL TEAMS
FORSMAN, OWEN HARM, LJ FISCHER, DYLAN
20
47
46
IDAHO COMES TO TOWN
Previewing Oregon’s first opponent of 2024
By BECK PARSONS Sports Reporter
Oregon will begin its 2024 college football season on Saturday, Aug. 31 against the visiting University of Idaho Vandals. Duck fans have been looking forward to what seems a promising year of football and will get their first look at the muchhyped 2024 squad when the season opener kicks off at 4:30 p.m.
Oregon is listed as a 44.5 point favorite against the Vandals, who haven’t beaten the Ducks since 1950. Oregon has won the last 23 matchups and holds an all-time record of 52 wins, four ties and three losses when facing Idaho.
Idaho will be led by third-year head coach Jason Eck, who holds a record of 16-9 across two winning seasons in the Big Sky Conference and seems to have turned the program around.
2022 was the team’s first winning season since 2016, and a 9-4 record in 2023 resulted in the team’s first two consecutive winning seasons since the 1998 and 1999 seasons.
Idaho will see eight starters return from a defense that led the Big Sky in yards allowed per game last year. However, this year’s Vandals offense has undergone some changes.
Last year’s starting quarterback, Gevani McCoy, transferred to Oregon State University before his junior year. Both of last year’s leading wideouts, Hayden Hatten and Jermaine Jackson, moved on in pursuit of NFL careers.
Our O-line and D-line is really back, pretty much intact, I think those guys have really come along, and I think that’s really the recipe to win in FCS football.
- Jason Eck, Idaho football Head Coach
Eck began his coaching career as an offensive line coach at Idaho in 2004 and served as an offensive line and/or tight end coach at various FCS programs until 2022, when he returned to Idaho to assume his first head coaching position. Eck recently signed an extension that will keep him coaching the Vandals until 2028.
“Getting that was awesome, and it was good to see the appreciation for what we had done,” Eck said at the Big Sky Conference’s Preseason Media Day. “We’re excited about what we’ve accomplished here.”
In 2023, the Vandals reached the FCS playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1995.
Following last year’s success, Eck’s Vandals are ranked third in Big Sky Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll and seventh in the preseason FCS Coaches’ Poll, which considers 129 teams from 13 conferences.
Also gone from Idaho’s 2024 roster is Anthony Woods, who was a major weapon last year as the Vandals’ starting running back. Last year, Woods tallied 207 carries for 1,155 yards (10th most in FCS) and 16 touchdowns (fourth most). Now a junior, Woods will play for the Big 12’s University of Utah Utes in 2024. Despite these departures, Eck has plenty of returning players to be confident about. “Our O-line and D-line is really back, pretty much intact,” Eck said. “I think those guys have really come along, and I think that’s really the recipe to win in FCS football.”
Third-year sophomore quarterback Jack Layne will step into the spotlight this year after redshirting his freshman season and appearing as McCoy’s backup in 2023. Layne started once last season against Idaho State University, where he completed 20 of 26 passes for 275 yards and six touchdowns and turned in a 63-21 victory.
Layne’s main offensive weapon is not yet clear. Sophomore wideout
Jordan Dwyer could step up after taking 20 catches for 328 yards and four touchdowns a season ago. In the backfield, juniors Elisha Cummings and South Dakota State University transfer Nate Thomas will likely compete for snaps.
“This team has to make its own identity,” Eck said.
That identity will face a tough first test in Eugene on Saturday, when Eck will face off against Dan Lanning and the No. 3 ranked Oregon Ducks.
Oregon
A FLOCK OF PRESEASON HONORS
As Ducks Football enters a new season, many of the players were named to preseason award watch lists
By JACK LAZARUS Sports Reporter
The hype surrounding the upcoming season of Ducks Football revolves around the star-studded roster assembled over the years by Dan Lanning and his staff.
As a team, much is expected of the Ducks this year, and many found themselves on preseason watchlists for the sport’s most prestigious awards.
DILLON GABRIEL
WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF THE YEAR, HEISMAN TROPHY, MAXWELL AWARD, SECOND-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN AND ALL BIG-TEN.
The current favorite for the Heisman, Gabriel also found himself on the watchlist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, AP second team All-American, All Big-Ten and the Maxwell Award, which is given to the best quarterback.
Gabriel needs to post career-high stats this season in order to bring any of the individual honors back to Eugene, but the talent around him can push him to the next level and help him achieve an awardwinning season.
JEFFREY BASSA
DICK BUTKUS AWARD AND BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY
The leader for the Ducks’ defense was named to the All-Pac-12 Second team last season after finishing with a career-high 72 tackles. Bassa captained an impressive Oregon defense, and enters his fourth year as a starter in Eugene.
No Duck has ever won the award, and given the profile of both himself and this team, Bassa has a real chance to become the first. Along with the Butkus, Bassa was named to the Nagurski Trophy watchlist, which is the award given to the best overall defensive player in college football.
TERRANCE FERGUSON
JOHN MACKEY AWARD
Ferguson only improved over the last year in Eugene, and was named as a first team All-Pac-12 selection. Often Bo Nix’s safety blanket, the tight end is in contention for the nation’s best and will hope to provide the same security to Gabriel.
Ferguson currently sits 33 receptions and two touchdowns away from both those Oregon tight end records, and may finish as its best ever in the position after this season.
JABBAR MUHAMMAD
JIM THORPE AWARD AND BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY
A second team All-Pac-12 selection with Washington, Muhammad finished second in the country with 19 passes defended last season.
The Thorpe Award is given to the nation’s best cornerback, so the redshirt senior was an obvious choice for the watch list. As Oregon’s No. 1 corner, he will be leaned upon heavily this season.
TEZ JOHNSON
BILETNIKOFF AWARD, ALL BIG-TEN
Emerging from the shadows of being “Bo Nix’s adopted brother,” Johnson is slated for his best
season yet. Johnson enters this season as the No. 1 receiver after posting an Oregon-record of 86 receptions last season.
The dazzling speedster also became the second Duck named to the All Big-Ten squad, so Johnson is expected to tally another record-breaking season and take home the Biletnikoff as the nation’s best receiver.
JORDAN JAMES AND NOAH WHITTINGTON
DOAK WALKER AWARD
Both sides of Oregon’s run game are featured on the watch list for the Doak Walker Award — given to the best running back in the country.
James appeared last season as the primary backup option to Bucky Irving, and made his case for the starting job entering this season. James led the Pac-12 with 7.09 yards per carry last year, and will improve with starter-level volume.
Whittington saw his 2023 cut short with a seasonending knee injury and used a medical redshirt.
AJANI CORNELIUS
SECOND TEAM ALL-AMERICAN AND OUTLAND TROPHY
Cornelius started every game for the Ducks in 2023 and didn’t allow a single sack in the process — making him an obvious pick for the Outland Trophy watch list, which is given to the country’s best offensive tackle.
Cornelius was also the second Duck named to the AP second team All-American, and hopes to improve as he now protects Gabriel’s blindside.
Jeffrey Bassa evades a defender. The University of Oregon Ducks Football team defeated the Portland State University Vikings in a home match at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on Sept. 2, 2023. (Eric Becker/Emerald)
"COLLEGE FOOTBALL 25" CONNECTS FANS, PLAYERS BACK TO THE SPORT
After a decade away, EA Sports’ iconic title returned to record-breaking sales, and a national infatuation
By OWEN MURRAY, JACK LAZARUS Sports Reporters
In February 2021, an out-of-theordinary post appeared on social media.
An image of a confetti-strewn field filled the screen with the caption, “For those who never stopped believing…” and five words spread across the image: “College Football is coming back.” Those two sentences sent the world
of college football into rapture. In the decade since the last edition of a college football videogame was released in 2014, the game has changed endlessly. That 2014 edition, no matter how many updates and modifications fans made, could no longer suffice.
The promise of a new outlet for those who sought to fill that void with more than just Saturday’s gameday offerings guaranteed a nationwide obsession. It’s been just that.
Since the announcement, the world of college football has been overcome by an offseason obsession. Players, whose new name, image and likeness rights deal drove the game’s
production, have become overnight superstars. Fans who’ve never watched the sport before were suddenly immersed.
The obsession even spurred X users to create an account chronicling whether the game had been released or not — everyday spawning a “No” post until the fateful July 15 release date, when a “Yes” garnered 7.6 million views. When the game was released for early access in July, a stunning 700,000 players were reportedly
Players can take control of various college football athletes, including Oregon’s Jurrion Dickey, Dillon Gabriel, and Kenyon Sadiq in “College Football 25.” A PlayStation 5 controller, one of two consoles on which the game can be played, is held outside Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. (Molly McPherson/Emerald)
featured in the 2013 release, but they received no commission nor special deal, and their description offered nothing more than a position and
In the new iteration, with a (Alston v. NCAA) that allowed athletes to exercise their NIL rights in the books, that’s no more. “QB No. 8” is now Dillon Gabriel — complete with his real-life face, hair and name.
Of course that matters to the fans — but it matters even more to the players.
“Me and my boys dreamed of stuff like that,” Oregon wideout Jurrion Dickey said. “As kids, we always talked about moments — you know, ‘I want to have myself in the game, I want to be able to use myself and actually play and score the touchdowns.’ When the board comes up showing who scored, your name pops up. It’s been amazing. It’s just been a dream come true.”
$600…and a copy of the game, an offering taken by a reported 11,000
This 'deal' also includes some incredible benefits outside of the money. While not an undervalued prospect by any stretch of the imagination, receiver Evan Stewart had lost Instagram followers for two of the three weeks leading up to the
Within the two weeks after release, Stewart gained 2,638 followers on his Instagram, which could be attributed to coincidence, but the more likely explanation comes with his in-game rating of 95 speed and 98 acceleration — all in-game attributes range up to 99.
Stewart unfortunately hasn’t had the opportunity to live up to these ratings due to injury issues that kept him off the field in spurts during his first
Upon noticing these stats, gamers foamed at the mouth thinking of how dominant a player like Stewart could be. The trend that this follows demonstrates how video games change the perspective of certain players based on their virtual ratings. Due to the school’s notoriety and media coverage, Oregon is a weak example of this phenomenon, but the same fact rings true
Me and my boys dreamed of stuff like that... 'I want to have myself in the game, I want to be able to use myself and actually play and score the touchdowns.' It’s been amazing. It’s just been a dream come true.
- Jurrion Dickey, Oregon wideout
for the rest of the country — fans now have their eyes on more players than ever before, and the game’s popularity only increases that attention.
The game created a way for players who had received little to no fame during their college careers to gain traction in the public eye and use that to their advantage.
With future releases of the game on the horizon, college athletes can continue to capitalize on the opportunities the game presents. It’s going to be nothing short of a cultural phenomenon.
EA Sports’ big-name franchises, the “Madden NFL” and “EAFC” titles, regularly release updated editions each year. What comes with that, though, is an ability to attract young fans. Much of the population that plays these games haven’t been tied to a school yet — either they don’t have one through their family or just don’t find college football to be ‘their sport.’
The game opens a door to a larger group of fans than ever before. Those who fall in love with the Central Michigan University Chippewas will watch one game — and then another, and another. It’s a net win for the sport. And for those who’ve been watching? It’s time to get back in the game.
Jurrion Dickey (99), catches a ball in pre-game warm-ups. The Washington Huskies defeat the Oregon Ducks football team in the Pac-12 Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Dec. 1, 2023 (Molly Mcpherson/Emerald)
AUTZEN’S AURA
Why Oregon doesn’t lose non-conference games at home
By JOE KRASNOWSKI Sports Reporter
From the outside, the south side of Autzen resembles a spaceship overhang with the sound echoing down onto the field. With the seating enveloping the players below and the smaller stature leaving fans closer to the field, there’s a unique atmosphere that playing at Autzen truly has.
With chants of “O’’ echoing down, the largest video board in college football and the crisp wind off the Willamette river, it truly captures all five senses.
Add in the deafening sound and atmosphere surrounding the 54,000-seat fortress, and it’s any opponent's nightmare. Oregon’s players, however, love it.
“We can’t wait to get out there in front of the fans,” linebacker Jeffery Bassa said.
There’s little doubt of what will happen in Week 1 for the Ducks, who enter a 44.5-point favorite over University of Idaho per FanDuel Sportsbook. The Ducks' preparation is very likely to be too much with the cash the program has committed too daunting and the transfer-portal recruits too talented.
And still, there’s an overarching theme that makes that proclamation even more of a surething, as any sportsbook or NIL budget will suggest. Oregon is undefeated over its last 32 home
non-conference games. Since 2020, the Ducks have outscored opponents by a whopping 32682, a 244-point disparity that has left fans and analysts aghast.
That’s not a typo, and there’s no sure reason to point to the Ducks’ home domination.
It could be that Oregon’s physicality and preparation over the past 16 years is superior, a fact that is even more remarkable given the Ducks’ five head coaches over the span of the record.
“One of the things that I wanted to get better at was my physicality,” transfer cornerback Jabbar Muhammad said in a post-practice interview. “And we have no choice but to do that here.”
Or, point to the Ducks’ strength of schedule — but 32 games in a row is immune to trap games or better opponents.
However, the “Autzen Aura” that the stadium creates speaks for itself.
Oregon is known for its theatrics, and its commitment to themed games is yet another example.
For example, in last year’s Pac-12 opener against Colorado, the university called for a stripe-out, a decoration that only further confused the Buffaloes amid the 42-6 beatdown.
Or in the Ducks’ black-out vs USC, the 7:30 kickoff only further fueled the Autzen crowd.
“How about that crowd,” Lanning said after Oregon’s win over the Trojans. “Absolutely electric group, that made that moment really special.”
Indeed, 2024 brings a new conference, new team and new uniforms, but the atmosphere — which will perhaps peak with the Ducks black-out game against Ohio State — will remain the same.
First though, will come another seemingly predetermined home non-conference slate. With Idaho and Boise State University serving as small roadblocks for the Ducks to burgeon over.
“We have to trust the process and know that we have to set the bar for us,” Lanning said in the opening statement of his Week 1 press conference.
“We always talk about our biggest opponent is Oregon and we have to be the best version of Oregon we can be.”
Helping, of course, will be the Autzen Stadium environment, a raucous crowd that will do everything in their power to push the Ducks forward — winning streak be damned.
“I’m really excited to see our fans,” Lanning said. “They did an unbelievable job selling out the crowd, and I think we will have awesome support at Autzen this year.”
So when you see another lopsided score in the early going of the season, remember there might be another factor involved than just the Ducks’ prowess on the field.
Oregon Ducks Football takes on University of California at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 5, 2019. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
FOOTBALL, IN COLOR
By MAX KOEBEL Sports Reporter
The Oregon Ducks assign a color theme to each of their football games every season. Most of the away games are assigned white, because in football the visiting team almost always wears white.
time in over a century, one thing that has remained true in this matchup is that regardless of which team is hosting, the Beavers always wear orange and the Ducks always wear green. The home games are spaced out mostly with green and yellow along with one or two blackouts and occasionally, a pinkout.
before the fall term begins, which means the student section won’t be very crowded. That said, the rest of Autzen is a sellout
crowd and will be filled with green and
It has become a tradition for the Ducks to assign blackout games to big matchups. Last season, the sole blackout came in the final game against the then-reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams
This season, fans will wear black for two games. The first will come in Week 2 against the Boise State Broncos. This is a 7:00 p.m. game, which means it will be under the lights and the night sky. The Ducks usually assign blackouts to night games, but sometimes aren’t able to when the game time is announced only
The second blackout will be in Week 7. The time of that game has not been announced, but it is easily the biggest game of the season. The No. 3 ranked Ducks will be hosting the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes for the first time as conference opponents in the Big Ten. This game will play a major role in the standings for the College Football Playoffs and, regardless of the result, the two could play a second time in
The remaining home games are evenly split between green and yellow. Joining the Ducks in their move to the Big Ten are their all-time foe, the Washington Huskies. They will come to Autzen for the regular season finale to a sea of green as the Ducks look for their first win over the Huskies since 2021. Ducks fans will also wear green in their early November
In Week 6, the UO student body will finish its first week of fall term with a Friday night trip to Autzen where crowd will highlight the stadium with yellow as the Michigan State Spartans come to town. Then, on Homecoming Weekend, the fans will be in yellow again as the Ducks host the Illinois Fighting Illini.
As the new colors of Big Ten opponents fill Autzen Stadium, one thing will remain the same: Oregon fans will be decked out in their finest gear, clinging to the edge of their seats in a pivotal season. 1 7 2 8 3 9 4
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THE NEW COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
The 12-team format makes its debut this season, but what will it look like?
By BRADY RUTH Sports Editor
The era of the four-team College Football Playoff is behind us. The debates on which teams are the most deserving of an ever-elusive slot will be minimized as the new CFP format makes its debut.
A dozen teams from across the country will now have the chance to vie for a National Championship. Instead of three total playoff games, college football fans will have 11 games over four rounds to glue them to their televisions.
THE FORMAT
The 12-team format will heavily reward conference champions while also including one Group of 5 team. Five of the 12 spots will be reserved for the five highest-ranked conference champions. This will — almost certainly — consist of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Southeastern Conference, Big Ten and Big 12 champions, as well as the highest-ranked
winner from a G5 conference. The final seven spots will be awarded to the next seven highest-ranked teams in the country, regardless of conference.
A team’s ranking, however, doesn’t necessarily determine its seeding. The top four highest-ranked conference champions will receive a first-round bye. Seeds 5-12 will be determined by the highest-ranked teams left in the field.
This means a couple things. First, University of Notre Dame is independent, so it can’t be a conference champion, so it can’t earn a bye. Second, even if a non-conference champion is ranked higher than a conference champion, it cannot receive a bye. So, Oregon could be the Big Ten runner-up and ranked No. 3 nationally, but would not be eligible for a first round bye.
The quarterfinal round will consist of the winners of the on-campus games against the four conference champions that received byes.
It’s important to note that teams will not be reseeded, and the winner of the 5-12 seed game will play the No. 4 seed, the 9-8 seed winner will play the
No. 1, the 10-7 winner will play the No. 2 seed and the 6-11 winner will get the No. 3.
The quarterfinal round will not be held on campus, but in four of the six standard “New Year’s Six” games. Across Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game and Allstate Sugar Bowl will host playoff contests.
Only then do we reach the four-team format that’s been standard for the past decade. The Capital One Orange Bowl and Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will host semifinal games on Jan. 9-10, and the National Championship Game will take place in Atlanta on Jan. 20 of next year.
It’ll be a grind for any team that makes the playoff, with a possible four postseason games required to hoist the National Championship Trophy.
THE PROJECTIONS
As mentioned, the top four conference champions will receive byes. FanDuel Sportsbook projects Georgia (+170), Florida State (+290), Ohio State (+150) and Utah (+280) to win the SEC, ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 respectively.
The G5 teams with the best National Championship odds are Liberty University, Boise State University and The University of Memphis, each at +50000.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR OREGON
The Ducks’ easiest path is simple: win the Big Ten. Oregon has the second-best odds to do so at +220. But should the Ducks stumble, they can surely afford to lose one game and make the CFP. It’ll get hairy if Oregon loses a trap game and ends the season with two losses (unless one comes in the Big Ten Championship).
The bottom line is that the hope of seeing the Ducks in the playoffs is absolutely realistic. Barring a season that severely differs from expectations, it could even become reality.
The NCAA National Championship trophy in Autzen Stadium. The University of Oregon Ducks Football team defeated the University of Colorado Buffaloes 42-6 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., Sept. 23, 2023. (Kai Kanzer/Emerald)
OREGON’S OFFENSIVE LINE HAS PERSONALITY — AND IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY
Behind the grit and grind is one of the most amusing groups on campus
By JOE KRASNOWSKI
Sports Reporter
Every game you see the huge, human frames and the jerseys barely covering the bellies. Their arms covered with scrapes and bruises, their helmets scratched and beat down from the contact, the paint chipped with opposing players slamming into them.
Every snap looks almost the same: the ball gets snapped and then, wham, a human car crash.
After every big gain, it's the running back that gets the most credit. Who in their right mind would want to be an offensive lineman?
They’re battering rams. They’re the biggest guys on the field.
They’re also the funniest, the tightest knit, the glue that keeps a team together.
Forty-eight hours before fall practice where Oregon players will drag each other to the ground and linemen will thud viciously into one another, there were plenty of laughs.
Wearing black shorts and polos adorned with an Oregon logo on the chest, offensive linemen made their way to their stations within Oregon’s Autzen Club. A usually tight-knit community of fans who can pay the prettiest penny for the nicest of amenities.
On Oregon Media Day, however, the club was
home to Oregon’s offensive lineman, a gregarious group of the “tightest-knit” guys in the locker room.
"As an O-Line, naturally, we're already real tightknit," Marcus Harper II said. "Now we kinda just do our thing. Whenever it's a bus of O-Linemen we're going to be some of the funniest people on the bus, we're going to be one of the loudest groups. I think it's all just an expression of what the team is through and through. We just happen to be one of the focal points of it and I think we just take that on."
The football part, too, is paramount for the Ducks who notably lost Rimington Trophywinning center Jackson Powers-Johnson (who was full of personality himself) last year to the NFL draft.
“Some of these guys, of course, are asking me about playing in the Big Ten,” Indiana University transfer Matthew Bedford said.
Others however, could not quite replicate Bedford’s enthusiasm.
“I’m definitely not like Matt, I don’t know if I have energy like Matt,” lineman Ajani Cornelius said. “But I’ve got my own kind of swag, an east coast vibe. [I’m] definitely like the cool vet.”
The next time we see these lineman, they may be going toe-to-toe in the trenches, bashing heads and working in the trenches. After all, Oregon’s offensive line did allow just five sacks in all of 2024, a minuscule 0.36 sacks allowed per game. And there will be a time to criticize them, penalties
will be called and sacks (probably more than five) will be allowed.
But media day was a great reminder of how in the unforgiving world of college football, where NIL dominates and the transfer portal reigns supreme. There was a group of some of the strongest men in the world talking about just how connected they feel.
“I’m like this all the time. That’s just my energy bro,” Bedford said. “I bring it every single play. I’m a huge proponent of if you’re not like that all the time then you don’t have to fake it. Fake energy is not really energy. It’s just who I am, the way my folks made me to be."
It might not always result in wins — although Oregon only lost twice by a combined six points to the national runner-up, and is largely expected nationally to be even better. But having a tandem like the Ducks’ hard-hitting human frames is always a plus.
“I always say the offensive line group is one of the tightest groups on campus,” head coach Dan Lanning said. “But it’s clearly very tight here.”
Even Josh Conerly Jr. is considered the quiet one of the group, and even Bedford admits that “When Josh talks, we all listen.”
When the offensive linemen are at the podium, so do we.
Marcus Harper II (55) drops back to defend against the pass rush. The University of Oregon Ducks Football team defeated the University of Washington Huskies in an away match at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Wash., on Oct. 14, 2023. (Eric Becker/Emerald)
