5 Storylines To Watch: Oregon-Nevada

EUGENE, Ore. – The No. 16 Oregon football team opens its 2019 home slate Saturday, when the Ducks welcome Nevada to Autzen Stadium at 4:30 p.m.

The Ducks are looking to rebound from a season-opening loss to Auburn, 27-21, in a game played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Nevada opened the season with a dramatic victory over visiting Purdue, 34-31, on a 56-yard field goal as time expired.

The game will be televised by Pac-12 Network, with Roxy Bernstein handling play by play, Anthony Herron providing analysis and Jill Savage with reporting from the sidelines.

1. The biggest question all week has been, how well can the Ducks bounce back?

For the UO football program, this isn't uncharted territory. In 2011, Oregon also opened the season against an SEC opponent – in that case LSU – in AT&T Stadium, dropped a competitive game and then returned to Eugene for the home opener against Nevada. Those Ducks beat the Wolf Pack 69-20, with offensive fireworks from Darron Thomas, LaMichael James and De'Anthony Thomas.

"The guys were sharp," UO coach Mario Cristobal said Wednesday, following Oregon's final practice of the week in full pads. "They've been sharp since Sunday." The Ducks' coach felt they had the right mindset to bounce back from the Auburn loss all week. Now, it's time to show it on the field.

2. Players on both sides have a chance to put together encore performances after big-time season debuts last week.

For Oregon, Jevon Holland seems poised to break out as a star some time soon, not just regionally but perhaps even on a national scale. His performance last week – 131 punt return yards plus an interception – hadn't been done on the college level since 2007. A couple more moments like those Holland enjoyed last week, and he could be a household name among college football fans.

On the Nevada side, freshman quarterback Carson Strong will make his second career start after leading the Wolf Pack to victory over Purdue last week. Strong threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns. And how about Nevada's defense? That unit forced five Purdue turnovers, perhaps the biggest key to the Wolf Pack's ability to come back from a 17-point deficit.

3. Speaking of that Nevada defense, the Wolf Pack are led by linebacker Gabriel Sewell, the older brother of Oregon's left tackle, Penei Sewell.

Yes, the fact they play on either side of the ball means Penei could find himself having to block his older brother at times Saturday. "I don't think it's really hit me yet," Sewell said this week. "I've just been going through my daily routine. Probably when we step on that field together, to see him across, it'll probably hit me."

"I'm sure they're not gonna play patty cake," Cristobal said. "Those two guys have probably had more physical, violent wrestling matches in their household than they'll have on Saturday. I don't think either one is going to hesitate."

4. For the Oregon receiving corps, are any reinforcements on the way?

Senior receiver Juwan Johnson and junior tight end Cam McCormick weren't able to play in the opener. Each was sidelined by a preseason camp injury that lingered into last Saturday; McCormick was in pads and warmed up for the game, while Johnson did not.

This week, Cristobal said they remain "a toss-up" to participate against Nevada. Whoever is running routes, UO offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo hinted this week they might see more action; he said that, in hindsight, he might have been overprotective of the young, injury-thinned receivers in the opener.

5. Cristobal was very pleased with the play of the eight true freshmen who saw action against Auburn, and the coach said more freshmen could be in line to play soon, too.

The most likely candidates? One might be tight end Patrick Herbert, who, like Spencer Webb, has the athleticism to flex out into the slot and attack defenses down the field. Running back Sean Dollars is knocking on the door for playing time despite a depth chart ahead of him that's stacked with veterans. And defensive tackle Keyon Ware-Hudson is practicing with the travel squad should the need arise for another body up in the front seven.

A couple transfers also could be in line to make their season debuts this week. Cristobal said sophomore defensive lineman DJ Johnson merited consideration for playing time despite not getting off the bench against Auburn, and offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu looks ready to provide depth on the interior up front.