10/19/17 Emerald Media - Gameday Edition

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MOVEMENT INJURIES HAVE FORCED THE DUCKS to lean on inexperienced underclassmen. Now, they are becoming part of the team’s identity.

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WATCH PARTY October 21st DUCKS VS UCLA • 1 PM

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ON THE COVER

Braxton Burmeister runs with the ball in the game against Washington State on Oct. 7.

Photograph by Adam Eberhardt

GAMEDAY

PLAYERS TO WATCH BY: Kylee O’Connor @kyleethemightee

UCLA Quarterback: Josh Rosen Bruin quarterback Josh Rosen has been the starter since he was a freshman, but a shoulder injury sidelined him for much of the last season. The junior returned this year and leads the Pac-12 in passing yards per game with an average of 392.3 and is third in passing efficiency. Rosen has led his offense to score a lot of points, but the UCLA defense hasn’t been able to keep up. The Bruins currently sit at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in Pac-12 play. You can expect a big game from Rosen against the Ducks as he attempts to lead his team to their second Pac-12 win and increase his diminishing odds of a Heisman.

Wide Receiver: Jordan Lasley A great wide receiver usually comes with every elite quarterback. Lasley and Rosen have found their rhythm, connecting for three touchdowns and over 500 yards so far this season. Lasley also leads the Pac-12 in receiving yards per game, averaging 108.6 yards. Rosen has been unstoppable and Lasley has been his favorite target. It will be up to the Oregon defensive line to pressure Rosen and the Oregon secondary to keep Lasley from making big plays.

Oregon Kicker: Aidan Schneider Schneider, the kicker from Grant High School in Portland, Oregon, could potentially play a large role against UCLA. As the Oregon passing offense continues to struggle without quarterback Justin Herbert, the Ducks must score points in a different way. If the Ducks can get the ball downfield enough, Schneider, who is the most accurate kicker in Oregon history, may have the chance to prove his accuracy.

He has made 2-of-3 field goals so far this season, with a long of 42 yards. Oregon will need every point it can get against a UCLA team that needs this win just as much as the Ducks, and Schneider may be the guy to make the difference.

Cornerback: Thomas Graham Jr. It’s been the storyline since Herbert got hurt: The Oregon defense must step up, and they have, considering the injuries and freshmen getting significant minutes. One of those freshmen is Thomas Graham Jr., the Rancho Cucamonga, California, native. He’s done well in the secondary for the Ducks, but must be at the top of his game to stop Rosen’s high-powered passing game.

The Bruins are second in the Pac-12 to Arizona in scoring offense, with an average of 39.5 points per game, and they lead the conference in total offense, averaging 527.2 yards per game.

In addition, they are ranked second in passing efficiency. This is a chance for the freshman to show what he’s made of.

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IT’S UP TO THE OFFENSIVE LINE NOW

GAMEDAY

The Oregon offensive line prepares to snap the ball during the game against Southern Utah.

BY: Jack Butler @Butler917 | PHOTO: Phillip Quinn Oregon’s O-line is the engine of the offense.

It isn’t the flashiest part, but it makes it move.

Oregon’s offense is stalling with freshman Braxton Burmeister at quarterback. His inability to make plays with his arm makes it easy for the opposing defense to gameplan against the Ducks. They stack the line of scrimmage and stop the run, making the offensive linemen’s jobs difficult.

All season, they’ve been the consistent force of the offense, but now they face a new challenge with a new quarterback and injuries plaguing the O-line.

After leading the country in scoring with Justin Herbert as quarterback, the Ducks have scored 17 points over two games.

The offense and the O-line need to learn how to adapt.

“I think I’ve been home once in the past 14 days, you know, trying to sleep in the office, trying to find that stuff, and there are a lot of things,” offensive line coach Mario Cristobal said.

Oregon’s quarterback problems peaked against Stanford. The Ducks threw the ball only 13 times, and at one point called 25 consecutive running plays.

Even without a passing game, Oregon ran the ball well throughout the game. The Ducks ran for 279 yards even with a number of long runs negated by penalties. With all the pressure on them to move the offense, the O-line performed.

“The offensive line – they played their asses off,” running back Royce Freeman said.

“Those guys make me look good. … We were able to make a lot of things happen in the run game today.”

The offensive line was good against Stanford, but left tackle Tyrell Crosby and right guard Jake Pisarcik both suffered concussions and are considered day-to-day.

Redshirt sophomore Brady Aiello and redshirt freshman Jacob Capra filled in – another twist for the offense. The same five offensive linemen have played all season, accounting for 480 snaps through six weeks, so Aiello and Capra will need to adjust.

“This week, it’s just going to be coming together as a unit and finding that cohesiveness and improving all around,” right tackle Calvin Throckmorton said.

Finding cohesiveness is important for a unit that is filled with inconsistencies.

The quarterback position has struggled since Herbert went down, and the wide receivers who haven’t gone down with injuries have made little impact without a consistent quarterback.

“The O-line as a whole – we kind of feel like we want to lead the offense,” Throckmorton said. “We want to guide the team and the offense on where it wants to go. We definitely take on that role.”

Crosby and Pisarcik were the two lone seniors on the O-line. Now it’s mostly redshirt sophomores and one redshirt freshman.

“A lot of young guys are playing and they naturally make mistakes,” Throckmorton said.

“So it’s just all about having that much higher of a focus this week. It’s a lot of just cutting down on little mistakes. Penalties are always true. We can cut those down by a lot.”

Despite lacking overall offense throughout the two games without Herbert, some Ducks feel like they’re close to finding a groove, even with the little mistakes throughout the game.

“It’s a shame because the effort is high,” Cristobal said. “And you see some plays that are about an inch away for busting for big gains and being a positive thing.”

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GAMEDAY Oregon quarterback Braxton Burmeister (11) takes a snap against Washington State.

FRESH

FOR THE

FIGHT

BY: Shawn Medow @ShawnMedow | PHOTOS: Adam Eberhardt Braxton Burmeister probably did not expect to play, let alone start, in any games this season.

But in the fourth quarter of Oregon’s matchup with Cal, the Ducks needed to call on the true freshman. Starting quarterback Justin Herbert had left the game with a fractured collarbone and backup Taylor Alie had left the game with a concussion. Burmeister — who, by entering the game, burned his redshirt — hadn’t seen any action all season and was suddenly being thrust into the game and a situation no one at Oregon could have predicted.

Oregon’s offense has struggled in its two games with Burmeister at quarterback, compiling only 17 points over that span.

While more could be expected out of the former four-star recruit, he is still a true freshman who

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wasn’t expected to play much, if at all, this season.

Inexperience is, of course, a concern that comes with young players, and the Ducks have had to deal with that all season. Taggart said he has never played this many freshmen before, but this season it’s part of Oregon’s identity.

Other than in Oregon’s 33-10 loss against Washington State, where Burmeister went 15of-27 for 145 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, the freshman has been reluctant to throw the ball.

He threw two interceptions, one on his second pass attempt, against Stanford and finished 3-of-8 for 23 yards. Taggart said that Burmeister was “shook a little bit” after the first interception. It showed as he attempted more rushes than passes for the rest of the game.

“I think he just has to play better and let confidence come and just be sure when you go back and throw,” Taggart said.

Taggart did say that he’s been impressed with Burmeister’s ability to run. Oregon’s lone touchdown against Cal came on a 1-yard run from the true freshman, who finished with nine rushes for 31 yards.

“That was the one thing he looked really comfortable doing when he did run the ball for us,” Taggart said. “He did some good things from that standpoint.”

The Ducks could have avoided playing a true freshman quarterback this year if Travis Jonsen or Terry Wilson Jr. had not transferred. Making sure those players stick around is difficult, especially when the starting quarterback is a true

sophomore, like Herbert. But having either Jonsen or Wilson Jr. could have been a big boost for the Ducks’ offense.

“You can’t do anything about anyone that wants to go anywhere else and play,” Taggart said.“That’s all right, and you wish them nothing but the best.”

For Burmeister, being a young quarterback is hard enough, but aiming for young receivers doesn’t make it any easier for him.

Senior Charles Nelson and sophomore Dillon Mitchell have both missed a handful of games this season with injuries, meaning other players have had to step up. Freshman Johnny Johnson III and sophomore Brenden Schooler have both moved into lead receiver roles; however, the Ducks’ offense just has not produced in the passing game since Herbert’s injury.

“For us as a passing game, as a wide receiving corps, all we can do is run our routes, get open and try and provide as many opportunities as possible to have completions,” wide receiver coach Michael Johnson said.

The Ducks have even had to rely on running backs to play as receivers, starting with the game against Cal when Herbert was hurt. Tony Brooks-James led the Ducks in receptions with four against the Golden Bears.

Oregon’s run game wouldn’t be as dominant as it is without its offensive line. Made up of predominantly redshirt freshmen, it is one of the Ducks’ youngest units but probably its most talented.

With injuries adding up as well — both Tyrell Crosby and Jake Pisarcik picked up injuries against Stanford — Oregon’s reliance on the younger pieces on the O-line is even more stressed than before. The offensive line creates holes for the Ducks’ reliable run game, which Burmeister has been thrust into.

“I know it sounds cliche,” offensive coordinator Mario Cristobal said, “But you’ve got to find ways where that quarterback feels comfortable, where the protections are solid, where the running game can help him out and take some pressure off of him and put it all together so we can keep moving the chains.”

On the other side of the ball, the Ducks’ defense has been a surprising strong suit this season with many

young players stepping up.

The defensive line includes freshmen linemen Jordon Scott and Austin Faoliu, and the secondary has seen big improvements as well.

Though led by redshirt senior safety Tyree Robinson, senior cornerback Arrion Springs and junior cornerback Ugo Amadi, the secondary has relied on the play of several impactful youngsters.

Freshman cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. made an early impression against Nebraska with two interceptions in the Ducks’ 42-35 win at Autzen in early September. He hasn’t recorded an interception since then, but his four broken up passes ranks third on the team through seven games.

“Thomas is really a special player,” Springs said. “He’s got great hands, great ball instincts. I’m just helping him out, Ugo [Amadi’s] just helping him out.

We’re just making sure he’s just ready to play.”

Not only is Graham Jr. stepping up at cornerback, freshman safety Nick Pickett is playing an advanced role. Graham Jr. and Pickett each had six total tackles in the Ducks’ loss at Stanford.

Pickett’s importance in the defense has increased as the season has dragged on, and the Ducks have had to rely on the defense more and more as injuries have added up on the offensive side of the ball.

“Nick is a physical player,” safeties coach Keith Heyward said. “He gets lined up and he gives us some range in running just like Tyree [Robinson] does.”

The freshmen haven’t been perfect by any stretch, but their contributions this season have been valuable all the same.

If anything, this season will provide needed experience for the years to come.

“There is no better experience than game experience,” head coach Willie Taggart said. “You take your lumps, especially when you’re playing against a winning program with some veterans on the other side of the football.”

The youth has become a vital part of Oregon’s team this season and that won’t change when they go up against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. With Burmeister expected to start again alongside many of his fellow freshmen, the youngsters will have to make the difference for the Ducks to beat the Bruins.

Oregon defensive lineman Jordon Scott (34) waits in between plays during the game against Washington State.

Oregon defensive lineman Austin Faoliu (99) chases after Washington State quarterback Luke Falk.

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DEEP DIVE:

GAMEDAY

UCLA

BY: Zak Laster @zlast3445 | PHOTO: Emerald Archives

A week after facing the nation’s leader in rushing yards, Oregon’s defense will face another big challenge this week: this time through the air. UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen enters the game ranked third in the nation in passing yards with 2,354.

“He’s a really good quarterback and he’s smart,” Oregon safeties coach Keith Heyward said. “I think he does a very good job of his pre-snap reads of the secondary and [knowing] where he’s going to go with the ball.”

This is the second time in three weeks that Oregon will face a quarterback ranked within the top five nationally for passing yards.

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than UCLA at stopping the run.

Head coach Willie Taggart announced that Braxton Burmeister will start against the Bruins, despite his struggles in the two games.. Last week against Stanford, he completed just 3-of-8 passes for 23 yards, and he has thrown two interceptions in each of his starts.

“If there was one thing that I would like Braxton to do, it’s take care of the football, and everything else will take care of itself,” Taggart said. “You’ve got to be smart with the football, take care of it and get it to the guys that can make plays for you.”

If Burmeister can find the same openings running against the Bruins defense that Tate did, it could be another way for the freshman quarterback to build his confidence.

The officiating crew for Saturday’s game better have their flag-throwing arms ready to go, as this game features two of the most penalized teams in the nation. The Bruins have been penalized an average of 9.33 times per game, which ranks 125th out of 129 teams in the country. Oregon ranks 128th, being penalized 10.14 times per game.

“This team is going to find a way to bounce back,” Taggart said after the loss to Stanford. “We have good kids that work their tail off. This is the first time that we’ve had back-to-back losses, and we’ve got to find a way to stop it.”

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GAMEDAY Oregon offensive linemen prepare for the snap during the game against Cal.

PENALTIES BECOME A TREND BY: Zak Laster @zlast3445 | PHOTO: Adam Eberhardt Oregon is one of the most penalized teams in college football. Only South Florida, Willie Taggart’s former team, has had more penalties called against them.

With quarterback Justin Herbert still injured and true freshman Braxton Burmeister struggling in his absence, Oregon is already at a disadvantage. Adding so many penalties to the equation makes it even more difficult on a team hoping to get to a bowl game.

In Burmeister’s first career start against Washington State, center Jake Hanson said that he needed to work with Burmeister about being louder when communicating at the line of scrimmage because Oregon was flagged for two straight false start penalties to start the game against Washington State.

They also had penalties during the first two offensive possessions against Stanford that set them back. It’s a trend the Ducks want to stop.

“Sometimes you’ve got to take those lumps with the young guys being in there,” head coach Willie Taggart said of Burmeister’s communication during

the Washington State game.

Learning how to be efficient at the most critical offensive position on the football field can only help limit offensive penalties. The upcoming game against the UCLA Bruins will be the third start for Burmeister as he continues to grow as quarterback.

“We’ve got an opportunity to go down to LA and try to get back in the win column,” head coach Willie Taggart said after following the Ducks 49-7 loss to No. 22 Stanford. “But we’ve got to play a hell of a lot better if we’re going to do that. We can’t hurt ourselves, and we’ve got to be more disciplined.”

The Ducks have relied on contributions from several freshmen, which could explain why so many penalties have been called against the Ducks this season. For Taggart, having to rely on kids playing early in their career is nothing new.

There’s a learning curve that takes time for young players who are adjusting to playing college football.

“Everywhere I’ve been, we’ve played a lot of freshmen and they got better,” Taggart

said. “There’s no better experience than game experience.”

With the speed the Ducks possess, they like to utilize the outside on runs, which requires wide receivers to turn into blockers. The problem with this is when a play goes to the outside where there are more youthful players than other positions, there is a higher likelihood of an inexperienced player committing a holding penalty against their defender.

“I think we just have to lock in and pay attention more to detail,” running back Royce Freeman said. “We can’t be selfish, we just have to go out there and we just got to limit penalties better.”

With six combined underclassmen lining up at wide receiver, including a converted safety in Brenden Schooler, the Ducks have had a challenge avoiding penalties when the running backs try to break away for a big play.

“It’s frustrating, but I appreciate them going out there and even trying to block,” Freeman said.

“We just have to clean up some things and be smarter about how we go about blocking.”

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PA G E 9

GAMEDAY

THREE SEASONS IN, JALEN JELKS IS FINALLY LEADING THE WAY FOR THE DUCKS’ DEFENSE Oregon Ducks defensive lineman Jalen Jelks (97) reaches up to block the pass of California Golden Bears quarterback Ross Bowers (3).

Oregon defensive lineman Jalen Jelks (97) and Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) celebrate after sacking Washington State quarterback Luke Falk.

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BY: Cole Kundich @ckundich | PHOTO: Adam Eberhardt

Jalen Jelks has seen it all during his time as a Duck.

After spending the 2014 season as a redshirt and watching the Ducks advance to the National Championship game, three defensive coordinators in the following three seasons have forced Jelks and the Ducks to learn different schemes and undergo many adjustments.

Jelks saw plenty of action during the 2015 and 2016 campaigns, but had yet to make a start. Even so, when Willie Taggart was brought in to be the head coach of the Ducks, he had high expectations for the 6-foot-6 defensive lineman.

“Our defense definitely needs a vocal leader,” Taggart said prior to the start of fall camp. “I think Jalen Jelks [can be one of those guys].”

Seven games in, it’s clear that Taggart wasn’t kidding. Jelks has started all seven games in a defining 2017 season. Not only has he been one of the top performers for the Ducks’ defense, his play has put him in the ranks with some of the best defensive linemen in the country.

“Using what you use at practice, it kind of translates into the game,” Jelks said. “I’m just trying to take it one series at a time to help my teammates.”

In the Ducks’ first game of the season versus Southern Utah — also Jelks’ first career start — his impact was felt right away; he recorded five tackles and blocked a field goal attempt.

It was at Arizona State on Sept.

23, though, in which Jelks had his breakout game. A graduate of Desert Vista High School in Phoenix, Jelks’ homecoming game was one to remember: nine tackles (seven solo), five tackles for loss, and three sacks

— the most by a Duck since 2008. “[His] energy, just the love for the game,” defensive line coach Joe Salave’a said of Jelks.

“It’s just making the most of the opportunities.”

In his first full season at Oregon as a starter, Jelks is taking advantage of those opportunities and those outside the program are taking note. Pro Football Focus has Jelks ranked as the No. 2 defensive end nationally in pass rush, No. 4 in run defense nationally and the No. 2 overall defensive lineman in the Pac-12, even as a player who is a bit undersized for his position.

“I just have to do everything different than everybody else,” Jelks said. “I’m about 20 pounds lighter than everybody else. You have to compensate and do things better.”

Even with the increased attention surrounding Jelks and his NFL prospects, elevating the Ducks is still priority number one. Following his breakout performance at Arizona State, Salave’a said that Jelks “would’ve traded it for a win.”

With Oregon shorthanded without quarterback Justin Herbert, the Ducks’ defense has a much taller task. Yet, Jelks is still holding them accountable.

Jelks’ impact on the defense goes further than the stat sheet might show, too. In addition to his 4.5 sacks on the season, absorbing double teams has allowed others on the line to put pressure on the backfield.

From a redshirt to spotted playing time to a full-time impactful player, Jelks’ rise has mirrored that of the Ducks’ defensive turnaround. For a unit that is looking for increased consistency moving forward, Jelks is setting the tone and leading the way.

GAMEDAY

DUCKS INJURY UPDATE BY: Jack Butler @Butler917 | PHOTO: Theo Mechain

The Ducks have suffered a myriad of injuries this season. Wide receivers Charles Nelson and Dillon Mitchell returned for the Stanford game, but other injuries plagued Oregon during the game and throughout the week.

Here are some updates as of Wednesday.

Justin Herbert Herbert suffered a fractured collarbone against Cal and was expected to miss 4-6 weeks. He made news on Tuesday when he appeared during the open period of practice.

He was limited, but it came as a surprise to some.

After the Stanford game, head coach Willie Taggart stated that Herbert was throwing recently, and though maybe he wasn’t supposed to be, he is improving.

“Justin really wants to get back as soon as possible,” Taggart said. “He’ll come by; he’ll always joke, ‘Hey coach, I get to practice next week.’ … knowing that he can’t.”

Tyrell Crosby and Jake Pisarcik Oregon’s two senior offensive linemen suffered concussions against Stanford.

Crosby, Oregon’s most consistent offensive lineman, and Pisarcik are both considered day-to-day, according to offensive line coach Mario Cristobal.

If they’re absent during the UCLA game, the offensive line would feature four redshirt sophomores and one redshirt freshman, Brady Aiello, who took the place of Crosby when he left during the Stanford game. Aiello last started back in 2016, in place of Crosby when he was out for the

season with an injury.

Inside Linebacker Troy Dye is a steady force at inside linebacker, but the starter at the position next to him is anyone’s guess. A.J. Hotchkins began the season as the start, but he suffered an ankle injury against Arizona State and has yet to return.

Kaulana Apelu took over but fractured his ankle against Cal and will miss the rest of the season. Blake Rugraff was out for the Stanford game, so Jimmie Swain took his place. Rugraff’s status is unknown, but Swain played well in his absence against Stanford.

“We kind of move them around all the time, so you just kind of keep moving them and do the best you can,” defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt said.

Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Tyrell Crosby (73) awaits the snap during the third quarter of the season opener for the Oregon Ducks.

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STARTING STARTING STARTING ATwinter ATwinter ATwinter Any Any 4Any non-holiday 4 non-holiday 4 non-holiday days days days this this this

$289 $289 $289 $289 $289 $289 STARTING STARTING STARTING AT AT AT

Tickets Tickets Tickets && passes & passes passes available available available exclusively exclusively exclusively at:at:at:

FRIDAY, FRIDAY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER OCTOBER OCTOBER 272727 10:00 10:00 10:00 a.m. a.m. a.m. toto 6:00 to 6:00 6:00 p.m. p.m. p.m.

PA G E 1 2

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

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THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY, OCTOBER OCTOBER OCTOBER 1919 19 SATURDAY, SATURDAY, SATURDAY, OCTOBER OCTOBER OCTOBER 28 2828

11:00 11:00 11:00 a.m. a.m. a.m. toto to 7:00 to 7:00 7:00 p.m. p.m. p.m.

10:00 10:00 10:00 a.m. a.m. a.m. to 6:00 to6:00 6:00 p.m. p.m. p.m.

T H U R S D AY, O C T O B E R 1 9 , 2 0 1 7

Student discounts available and most insurances accepted.

2233 Willamette Street Building G Eugene, OR 97405 Phone 541.484.2136 Fax 541.484.0960 eugeneoralsurgery.com

The Fifth Street Public Market is the area’s premier shopping destination. Here you’l find a colorful collection of unique and enchanting stores, restaurants, and cafés, as well as a boutique hotel.

The Fifth Street Public Market is the area’s premier shopping destination. Here you’ll find a colorful collection of unique and enchanting stores, restaurants, andPublic cafés,Market as welisl asthea area’s premier TheThe FifthFifth Street Street Public Market is the area’s premier bouti q ue hotel . PublicHere shopping destination. you’ll findarea’s colorful shopping destination.

Here you’ll aa colorful The Fifth Street Market is the premier collection of unique and enchanting stores, collection of unique and enchanting stores, restaurants, cafés,asaswell well as as a restaurants, andandcafés, boutique hotel. boutique hotel.

shopping destination. Here you’ll find a colorful collection of unique and enchanting stores, restaurants, and cafés, as well as a boutique hotel.