Saturday, September 16
Eugene, Ore.
5:00 PM
University of Oregon
vs
Hawai'i
Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com
Ducks Return Home To Host Hawai'i
09/12/23 | Football
The Matchup
#13 Oregon vs. Hawai'i
Saturday, September 16, 2023
5:12 p.m. PT | Pac-12 Network
Autzen Stadium | Eugene, Ore.
#13 Oregon Ducks (2-0)
AP/Coaches Rank: 13/13
Head Coach: Dan Lanning (William Jewell College, 2008)
Record at Oregon: 12-3 (2nd Season)
Career Record: Same
Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (1-2)
AP/Coaches Rank: NR/NR
Head Coach: Timmy Chang (Hawai'i, 2009)
Record at Hawai'i: 4-12 (2nd Season)
Career Record: Same
TV: Pac-12 Network
Play-By-Play: Ted Robinson
Analyst: Yogi Roth
Radio - Oregon Sports Network
Local: KUJZ-FM 95.3 (Eugene) | KFXX-AM 1080 (Portland)
Sirius: 133 | XM: 197
Play-by-Play: Jerry Allen
Analyst: Mike Jorgensen
Sideline: Dusty Harrah
Pre-Game Show: Joey McMurry
Series History
All-Time Series Record: Oregon leads, 4-3
Last Meeting: Hawai'i won, 36-16 (1994)
Numbers To Know
5 - After forcing four turnovers last week at Texas Tech, Oregon is tied for fifth in the nation with a plus-5 turnover margin.
6 - Troy Franklin has caught a touchdown pass in six consecutive games, and has at least one reception in 19 straight games.
10.47 - Bucky Irving is one of six FBS players averaging at least 10.0 yards per carry, ranking fifth at 10.47 (15 carries, 157 yards).
14 - Oregon has won 69 straight games when holding its opponent to fewer than 14 points.
23 - Bo Nix is just 23 completions away from 1,000 for his career, and 75 rushing yards away from 1,500.
31 - With Alabama's loss at home to Texas last week, Oregon now owns the nation's longest active nonconference home win streak at 31 games.
35 - Tez Johnson has caught at least one pass in 35 straight games, tied for the nations's sixth-longest active streak.
40 - Oregon has played 40 total newcomers in the first two games, including 12 FBS transfers and 26 true freshmen.
49 - Bo Nix is the most experienced quarterback in the nation with 49 career starts.
53.3 - The Ducks have held opponents to a completion percentage of just 53.3, second in the Pac-12 and 26th nationally.
59.5 - Oregon leads the nation in scoring at 59.5 points per game, fueled by its modern-day program record 81 points vs. Portland State.
86 - Junior running back Bucky Irving needs just 86 rushing yards to reach 2,000 for his career.
100 - Troy Franklin needs just eight more catches to become the 30th Duck in the 100-reception club.
TEAM NOTES
Home Sweet Home
Oregon returns home following a thrilling comeback win at Texas Tech, welcoming Hawai'i to Autzen Stadium to wrap up its 2023 nonconference schedule. The No. 13 Ducks will look to protect what is now the nation's longest active nonconference home winning streak at 31 games, after Alabama lost to Texas last week in Tuscaloosa. Oregon extended its streak to 31 with a record-breaking 81-7 win over Portland State on Sept. 2 to open the season, and has not lost to a nonconference opponent in Autzen since Sept. 20, 2008.
A Win Would...
» Make Oregon 3-0 for the fifth time since 2017.
» Improve UO's nonconference home win streak to 32 games.
» Be the Ducks' first over Hawai'i since 1969.
» Be Oregon's 16th straight over unranked opponents.
Ducks Storm Back For Road Victory
Trailing 27-18 through three quarters, the Ducks erupted for 20 fourth-quarter points last week to avoid heartbreak and escape Lubbock with a 38-30 win over Texas Tech. Bucky Irving's rushing touchdown on the second play of the fourth got Oregon within two, and the UO defense got a turnover on downs when Texas Tech tried to go for it on fourth down in its own territory. Camden Lewis put Oregon up 28-27 with a field goal before the Red Raiders responded with one of their own to regain the lead, but Bo Nix marched the offense down the field and once again set Lewis up for a field goal that gave Oregon a 31-30 lead with 1:10 remaining. Former UO quarterback Tyler Shough looked poised to lead Texas Tech down the field for a game-winning field goal, but Brandon Dorlus applied pressure and forced Shough into a pick-six by Jeffrey Bassa that all but sealed the win for the Ducks. Shough and TTU made one final comeback attempt, but Bryan Addison pulled in an interception at the goal line and sent Oregon back to Eugene with a victory.
They Won By How Much?
74 points! Oregon's 81-7 season-opening win over Portland State marked the fourth-largest margin of victory in program history, and the largest since a 97-point win over Willamette in 1916. The Ducks set the modern-day program scoring record and the Autzen Stadium scoring record, becoming the first FBS team since 2015 and just the 12th since 1996 to eclipse 80 points in a game. Oregon scored 50 points in the first half, its most in a half since scoring 52 in the first half against Oregon State in 2017, and tied for the fourth-most in a half by UO since 1948.
Home Cookin'
Oregon has won 31 consecutive home nonconference games, now the longest active streak in the nation after Texas ended Alabama's streak at 43 last week in Tuscaloosa. The Ducks have not lost a nonconference home game since Sept. 20, 2008, and will look to extend their streak into next season on Saturday as they close their nonconference schedule against Hawai'i. Oregon has been dominant in Autzen Stadium over the last 15 years, going 81-11 (.880) at home since 2009. The Ducks matched the longest overall home win streak in program history last season at 23 in a row before falling to No. 25 Washington on Nov. 12, and they secured the longest conference home win streak in program history at 17 games.
Active Home Nonconference Winning Streaks (Last home nonconference loss)
1. Oregon - 31 (9/20/2008)
2. Utah - 29 (9/8/2007)
3. Penn State - 24 (9/21/2013)
4. Michigan - 21 (9/20/2014)
West Virginia - 21 (9/24/2011)
Fresh Faces
The 2023 Ducks feature 63 total newcomers, making up 49.6 percent of the 127-player roster. Among those 63 newcomers are 18 transfers who combined to make 213 starts at the collegiate level prior to arriving in Eugene, as well as a group of freshmen that made up a consensus top-10 recruiting class in the nation. Oregon's 63 newcomers are tied for the third-most in the nation with Oklahoma State, trailing only Colorado (88) and Arizona State (79). Thirty-seven of those 63 newcomers saw action in the season opener, including 25 true freshmen.
» Oregon has played 40 total newcomers through the first two games, including 37 in the season opener.
» 26 true freshmen have seen action so far for the Ducks, including 25 against Portland State.
» Six true freshmen have played in each of the first two games - P Luke Dunne, OL Iapani Laloulu, DB Cole Martin, OLB Matayo Uiagalelei, OLB Blake Purchase and TE Kenyon Sadiq.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
O Yeah
Oregon's offense has been firing on all cylinders through two games this season, leading the nation with 59.5 points per game and ranking second with 600.5 total yards per game. After dropping a modern-era record 81 points in the season opener vs. Portland State, UO's offense came away with three offensive touchdowns and three field goals against Texas Tech in one of the nation's toughest environments. The Ducks own an 80.1 overall offensive grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 23rd in the FBS.
» Oregon has reached the end zone 14 times in 24 drives (58.3%) and come away with points on 18 different drives (75.0%).
» The offense has gained 10 or more yards 39 times, tied for 14th in the nation, out of 147 total plays (26.5%).
» 29 of UO's 39 plays of 10-plus yards have come through the air.
» 8.17 yards per play is the eighth-best average among FBS teams and third in the Pac-12.
» The Ducks average 29.5 first downs a game, second in the Pac-12 and 14th in the country.
Historic Start
Oregon set a modern-era program record with 81 points in its 74-point victory over Portland State in the season opener, eclipsing the previous record of 77 points (Sept. 7, 2019, vs. Nevada & Sept. 2, 2017, vs. Southern Utah). The Ducks reached the end zone in each of their first nine drives - including all seven in the first half - on their way to tying a school record with 11 total touchdowns, and Oregon came away with points on 12 of its 13 total drives. The Ducks racked up 729 yards of total offense, headlined by 348 rushing yards. The rushing total marked the most by Oregon since rushing for 351 yards against Stanford a season ago, while the 729 yards of total offense were the most for the Ducks since Oct. 29, 2016, vs Arizona State (734) and seventh-most since at least 1996.
Hot Out The Gate
Bo Nix has picked up where he left off last season while leading the Ducks to a 2-0 start, completing 55-of-71 passes for 646 yards and five touchdowns through two games. Nix ranks seventh in the nation with 323.0 passing yards per game, and his 77.5 completion percentage is tied for eighth in the FBS after he ranked second with a UO single-season record 71.9 mark in 2022. Nix was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week after leading Oregon's comeback win over Texas Tech last week in Lubbock.
» 32-of-44 for 359 yards and two touchdowns in Oregon's 38-30 comeback win at Texas Tech.
» 32 completions tied for the second-most in UO single-game history; fourth career game with 30-plus completions.
» Eighth career game with 300-plus passing yards, and fourth as a Duck.
» 23-of-27 for 287 yards and three TDs in season opener vs. Portland State, playing just the first half and one series in second half.
» 85.2 completion percentage vs. PSU was best of Nix's career and second-best in UO single-game history.
» Nix now owns three of the top six single-game completion percentage performances in Oregon history.
» In seven career games at Autzen Stadium, Nix is 146-of-200 (73.0) for 1,796 yards and 20 touchdowns, along with six rushing TDs.
» First completion of the season went to Tez Johnson, Nix's adopted younger brother.
» 55 completions have gone to nine different players - four receivers, three running backs and two tight ends.
Picking Up Where They Left Off
Despite having to replace four primary starters from an offensive line that led the nation in 2022 with just five sacks allowed, Oregon's new-look unit hasn't missed a beat through two games in 2023. The O-line has posted a pass blocking grade of 90.8 according to Pro Football Focus, which ranks third in the nation. The Ducks have allowed just one sack (three yards lost) and five quarterback hurries in 82 pass attempts. In 2022, UO's offensive line ranked fourth nationally with a pass-blocking team grade of 84.8.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, who has started the first two games at center after primarily playing guard in 2022, ranks fourth in the country among all FBS centers (minimum 100 snaps) with an offensive grade of 77.7 from Pro Football Focus. He has allowed just one quarterback pressure in 81 opportunities this season. Last season, Powers-Johnson's overall PFF grade of 84.1 ranked third among all FBS guards.
Franklin Emerges As Elite Target
Troy Franklin has become the go-to target for quarterback Bo Nix, putting together a tremendous 2022 season and picking up right where he left off with back-to-back 100-yard outings to open 2023. After leading Oregon with 61 receptions for 891 yards and nine touchdowns last year, Franklin paced the Ducks with seven catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns in UO's historic win over Portland State. He followed that up with a six-catch, 103-yard performance in the Ducks' 38-30 win at Texas Tech, including a career-long 72-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
» Five career 100-yard receiving games and two career games with multiple touchdown receptions.
» First Duck since 2020 with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games.
» At least one reception in 19 consecutive games, and multiple receptions in 14 of his last 15 games.
» Six straight games with a touchdown reception dating back to last season, scoring seven times during that stretch.
» Eight receptions away from becoming the 30th Duck with 100 career catches.
» 43 receptions for 611 yards and eight touchdowns in last seven games at Autzen Stadium.
Rush Week
Four Oregon running backs gained 50 or more yards to fuel the Ducks' 348 rushing yards against Portland State, headlined by an incredibly efficient day by starter Bucky Irving. The junior needed just four carries to rush for 119 yards, breaking loose for touchdown runs of 52 and 56 yards in the first half. Sophomore Jordan James saw the most action with 10 carries, running for 86 yards and three touchdowns to tie for the FBS lead through week one. Talented freshmen Dante Dowdell and Jayden Limar also each found the end zone to give Oregon seven total rushing touchdowns, tied for the second-most since at least 1996.
» Irving is tied for the FBS lead with two rushes of 50-plus yards, and now owns four such runs in his career.
» Irving's 56-yard touchdown run in the second quarter vs. PSU was the third-longest of his career.
» Irving rushed for multiple touchdowns for the second time as a Duck and third time in his career.
» Irving notched his fifth 100-yard rushing game as a Duck and eighth of his career.
» James rushed for touchdowns of nine, four and nine yards for the first multi-TD game of his career.
» Dowdell rushed eight times for 55 yards and a score, and Limar carried the ball eight times for 51 yards and a TD.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
No Fly Zone
The strength of the Oregon defense this season has been its ability to defend the pass. Through two games, the Ducks are limiting opponents to a completion percentage of just 53.3 - ranking second in the Pac-12 and 26th in the country - while giving up just 167.0 yards per game through the air. Oregon came away with three interceptions last week at Texas Tech, including a pick-six by Jeffrey Bassa in the final minute to extend the lead and a goal-line pick by Bryan Addison on the final play of the game. In the season-opening win against Portland State, Oregon held the Vikings to just 52 passing yards, the fewest since holding Washington State to just 51 in 2009.
Bassa Leads The Way
Now a junior, inside linebacker Jeffrey Bassa has taken on the leadership role within the Oregon defense. Bassa transitioned from defensive back to inside linebacker early as a freshman in 2021, and is now comfortable in the middle after racking up 119 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions over the last two seasons. Bassa is Oregon's leading returning tackler from 2022, when he finished with 62. He had at least five tackles in each of the final four games of 2022, including six tackles and a sack in the Holiday Bowl, and he set a career-high with 10 tackles in Oregon's win at Washington State. Bassa was dominant in the Ducks' comeback victory at Texas Tech last week, leading the team with nine tackles while adding a tackle for loss. The defensive leader also had the play of the game when he intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown with 35 seconds left, extending what was just a one-point Oregon lead and all but sealing the win for the Ducks. Through two games, Bassa leads the Oregon defense with 13 total tackles.
Disruptive Dorlus
Defensive end Brandon Dorlus is once again a focal point on the Oregon defense in 2023 after establishing himself as one of the most disruptive defenders in the Pac-12 over the last few seasons. Dorlus was an all-Pac-12 second-team selection in 2022 after leading Oregon with a career-high 9.5 tackles for loss and ranking second with a career-high 2.5 sacks. Dorlus was a two-time Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week in 2022, and he enters Saturday with 86 career tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 45-career games.
» Led all Pac-12 defenders in Week 2 with four QB hurries, and tied for the most with five total pressures. Dorlus' most crucial QB hurry of the game led to the victory-sealing pick six by Jeffrey Bassa.
» Tied for eighth among all Power 5 defenders with 40 QB hurries in 2022, according to PFF.
» Earned a 74.8 overall grade from PFF in 2022 with a 72.8 pass-rush grade.
Pick Party
The Ducks were all over the Texas Tech passing game in Week 2, intercepting three passes on the night including a lead-extending pick six by Jeffrey Bassa late in the fourth quarter. The Ducks have now intercepted 13 passes over the last nine games dating back to last season, when UO tied for 10th nationally with 16 picks. In 2022, Christian Gonzalez led the Ducks with four picks on his way to being the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, andTrikweze Bridges was right behind with three picks to make Oregon one of four Pac-12 teams with multiple players with three or more interceptions. The trend is nothing new for Oregon, which has been the best team in the nation over the last decade-plus at coming away with interceptions. UO leads all FBS teams with 209 total interceptions since 2010, 11 more than second-place Iowa and 15 more than Alabama.
Boettcher Trades Bat For Pads
Baseball outfielder Bryce Boettcher joined the Oregon football team last season, carving out a role with his physicality and relentless effort. Boettcher bulked up to 220 pounds over the offseason to move from defensive back to inside linebacker, and he earned his first career start in the season opener against Portland State. The Eugene native made a big impact in front of his hometown crowd, logging four tackles and recovering a muffed kickoff return in the second quarter to give his team the ball deep in opponent territory. He followed that up last week by strip-sacking Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough in the second quarter, the first sack of his career. Boettcher played in 12 of 13 games last season for the football team, making two tackles while playing 91 snaps on special teams, and he played a key role in Oregon baseball's run to the Super Regionals in 2022 while playing in 51 games and starting all three Super Regional games in center field.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
Lewis Chasing All-Time Scoring Record
Kicker Camden Lewis is looking to make history as a fifth-year senior in 2023. He entered his final season just 82 points shy of the Oregon all-time scoring record held by Royce Freeman (384, 2014-17), and now sits 61 points away after making four field goals and nine PATs through two games this season. Lewis' 41 career field goals are the fourth-most in program history and just 10 short of Aidan Schneider's (2014-17) program record of 51. Lewis was an all-Pac-12 honorable mention selection in 2022 after earning second-team honors in 2021.
» Made two go-ahead field goals in the fourth quarter last week at Texas Tech, including a 34-yarder with 1:10 remaining that gave Oregon the lead for good. Tied career-high with three field goals made.
» 4-for-4 on field goals to begin 2023, with a long of 41 yards coming against Portland State.
» Finished 14-of-16 on field goals in 2022, ranking second in the Pac-12 and fifth in UO single-season history in field-goal percentage (.875).
Gotta Go For Two
Oregon has made use of the "swinging gate" formation on extra point attempts this season, giving them a unique ability to catch their opponents off guard after scoring a touchdown. The Ducks have had successful two-point conversions in each of the first two games, striking with a rushing attempt in the first quarter against Portland State and a Patrick Herbert-to-Terrance Ferguson passing connection in the first quarter against Texas Tech. The Ducks are one of just two teams in the nation with multiple successful two-point attempts (Illinois) and are the only team to have a perfect conversion percentage on multiple attempts with a perfect 2-for-2 mark. Going for two is nothing new for Oregon, as the Ducks lead the nation in 2-point conversions since 1996 with 56, nine more than any other school.
#13 Oregon vs. Hawai'i
Saturday, September 16, 2023
5:12 p.m. PT | Pac-12 Network
Autzen Stadium | Eugene, Ore.
#13 Oregon Ducks (2-0)
AP/Coaches Rank: 13/13
Head Coach: Dan Lanning (William Jewell College, 2008)
Record at Oregon: 12-3 (2nd Season)
Career Record: Same
Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (1-2)
AP/Coaches Rank: NR/NR
Head Coach: Timmy Chang (Hawai'i, 2009)
Record at Hawai'i: 4-12 (2nd Season)
Career Record: Same
TV: Pac-12 Network
Play-By-Play: Ted Robinson
Analyst: Yogi Roth
Radio - Oregon Sports Network
Local: KUJZ-FM 95.3 (Eugene) | KFXX-AM 1080 (Portland)
Sirius: 133 | XM: 197
Play-by-Play: Jerry Allen
Analyst: Mike Jorgensen
Sideline: Dusty Harrah
Pre-Game Show: Joey McMurry
Series History
All-Time Series Record: Oregon leads, 4-3
Last Meeting: Hawai'i won, 36-16 (1994)
Numbers To Know
5 - After forcing four turnovers last week at Texas Tech, Oregon is tied for fifth in the nation with a plus-5 turnover margin.
6 - Troy Franklin has caught a touchdown pass in six consecutive games, and has at least one reception in 19 straight games.
10.47 - Bucky Irving is one of six FBS players averaging at least 10.0 yards per carry, ranking fifth at 10.47 (15 carries, 157 yards).
14 - Oregon has won 69 straight games when holding its opponent to fewer than 14 points.
23 - Bo Nix is just 23 completions away from 1,000 for his career, and 75 rushing yards away from 1,500.
31 - With Alabama's loss at home to Texas last week, Oregon now owns the nation's longest active nonconference home win streak at 31 games.
35 - Tez Johnson has caught at least one pass in 35 straight games, tied for the nations's sixth-longest active streak.
40 - Oregon has played 40 total newcomers in the first two games, including 12 FBS transfers and 26 true freshmen.
49 - Bo Nix is the most experienced quarterback in the nation with 49 career starts.
53.3 - The Ducks have held opponents to a completion percentage of just 53.3, second in the Pac-12 and 26th nationally.
59.5 - Oregon leads the nation in scoring at 59.5 points per game, fueled by its modern-day program record 81 points vs. Portland State.
86 - Junior running back Bucky Irving needs just 86 rushing yards to reach 2,000 for his career.
100 - Troy Franklin needs just eight more catches to become the 30th Duck in the 100-reception club.
TEAM NOTES
Home Sweet Home
Oregon returns home following a thrilling comeback win at Texas Tech, welcoming Hawai'i to Autzen Stadium to wrap up its 2023 nonconference schedule. The No. 13 Ducks will look to protect what is now the nation's longest active nonconference home winning streak at 31 games, after Alabama lost to Texas last week in Tuscaloosa. Oregon extended its streak to 31 with a record-breaking 81-7 win over Portland State on Sept. 2 to open the season, and has not lost to a nonconference opponent in Autzen since Sept. 20, 2008.
A Win Would...
» Make Oregon 3-0 for the fifth time since 2017.
» Improve UO's nonconference home win streak to 32 games.
» Be the Ducks' first over Hawai'i since 1969.
» Be Oregon's 16th straight over unranked opponents.
Ducks Storm Back For Road Victory
Trailing 27-18 through three quarters, the Ducks erupted for 20 fourth-quarter points last week to avoid heartbreak and escape Lubbock with a 38-30 win over Texas Tech. Bucky Irving's rushing touchdown on the second play of the fourth got Oregon within two, and the UO defense got a turnover on downs when Texas Tech tried to go for it on fourth down in its own territory. Camden Lewis put Oregon up 28-27 with a field goal before the Red Raiders responded with one of their own to regain the lead, but Bo Nix marched the offense down the field and once again set Lewis up for a field goal that gave Oregon a 31-30 lead with 1:10 remaining. Former UO quarterback Tyler Shough looked poised to lead Texas Tech down the field for a game-winning field goal, but Brandon Dorlus applied pressure and forced Shough into a pick-six by Jeffrey Bassa that all but sealed the win for the Ducks. Shough and TTU made one final comeback attempt, but Bryan Addison pulled in an interception at the goal line and sent Oregon back to Eugene with a victory.
They Won By How Much?
74 points! Oregon's 81-7 season-opening win over Portland State marked the fourth-largest margin of victory in program history, and the largest since a 97-point win over Willamette in 1916. The Ducks set the modern-day program scoring record and the Autzen Stadium scoring record, becoming the first FBS team since 2015 and just the 12th since 1996 to eclipse 80 points in a game. Oregon scored 50 points in the first half, its most in a half since scoring 52 in the first half against Oregon State in 2017, and tied for the fourth-most in a half by UO since 1948.
Home Cookin'
Oregon has won 31 consecutive home nonconference games, now the longest active streak in the nation after Texas ended Alabama's streak at 43 last week in Tuscaloosa. The Ducks have not lost a nonconference home game since Sept. 20, 2008, and will look to extend their streak into next season on Saturday as they close their nonconference schedule against Hawai'i. Oregon has been dominant in Autzen Stadium over the last 15 years, going 81-11 (.880) at home since 2009. The Ducks matched the longest overall home win streak in program history last season at 23 in a row before falling to No. 25 Washington on Nov. 12, and they secured the longest conference home win streak in program history at 17 games.
Active Home Nonconference Winning Streaks (Last home nonconference loss)
1. Oregon - 31 (9/20/2008)
2. Utah - 29 (9/8/2007)
3. Penn State - 24 (9/21/2013)
4. Michigan - 21 (9/20/2014)
West Virginia - 21 (9/24/2011)
Fresh Faces
The 2023 Ducks feature 63 total newcomers, making up 49.6 percent of the 127-player roster. Among those 63 newcomers are 18 transfers who combined to make 213 starts at the collegiate level prior to arriving in Eugene, as well as a group of freshmen that made up a consensus top-10 recruiting class in the nation. Oregon's 63 newcomers are tied for the third-most in the nation with Oklahoma State, trailing only Colorado (88) and Arizona State (79). Thirty-seven of those 63 newcomers saw action in the season opener, including 25 true freshmen.
» Oregon has played 40 total newcomers through the first two games, including 37 in the season opener.
» 26 true freshmen have seen action so far for the Ducks, including 25 against Portland State.
» Six true freshmen have played in each of the first two games - P Luke Dunne, OL Iapani Laloulu, DB Cole Martin, OLB Matayo Uiagalelei, OLB Blake Purchase and TE Kenyon Sadiq.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
O Yeah
Oregon's offense has been firing on all cylinders through two games this season, leading the nation with 59.5 points per game and ranking second with 600.5 total yards per game. After dropping a modern-era record 81 points in the season opener vs. Portland State, UO's offense came away with three offensive touchdowns and three field goals against Texas Tech in one of the nation's toughest environments. The Ducks own an 80.1 overall offensive grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 23rd in the FBS.
» Oregon has reached the end zone 14 times in 24 drives (58.3%) and come away with points on 18 different drives (75.0%).
» The offense has gained 10 or more yards 39 times, tied for 14th in the nation, out of 147 total plays (26.5%).
» 29 of UO's 39 plays of 10-plus yards have come through the air.
» 8.17 yards per play is the eighth-best average among FBS teams and third in the Pac-12.
» The Ducks average 29.5 first downs a game, second in the Pac-12 and 14th in the country.
Historic Start
Oregon set a modern-era program record with 81 points in its 74-point victory over Portland State in the season opener, eclipsing the previous record of 77 points (Sept. 7, 2019, vs. Nevada & Sept. 2, 2017, vs. Southern Utah). The Ducks reached the end zone in each of their first nine drives - including all seven in the first half - on their way to tying a school record with 11 total touchdowns, and Oregon came away with points on 12 of its 13 total drives. The Ducks racked up 729 yards of total offense, headlined by 348 rushing yards. The rushing total marked the most by Oregon since rushing for 351 yards against Stanford a season ago, while the 729 yards of total offense were the most for the Ducks since Oct. 29, 2016, vs Arizona State (734) and seventh-most since at least 1996.
Hot Out The Gate
Bo Nix has picked up where he left off last season while leading the Ducks to a 2-0 start, completing 55-of-71 passes for 646 yards and five touchdowns through two games. Nix ranks seventh in the nation with 323.0 passing yards per game, and his 77.5 completion percentage is tied for eighth in the FBS after he ranked second with a UO single-season record 71.9 mark in 2022. Nix was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week after leading Oregon's comeback win over Texas Tech last week in Lubbock.
» 32-of-44 for 359 yards and two touchdowns in Oregon's 38-30 comeback win at Texas Tech.
» 32 completions tied for the second-most in UO single-game history; fourth career game with 30-plus completions.
» Eighth career game with 300-plus passing yards, and fourth as a Duck.
» 23-of-27 for 287 yards and three TDs in season opener vs. Portland State, playing just the first half and one series in second half.
» 85.2 completion percentage vs. PSU was best of Nix's career and second-best in UO single-game history.
» Nix now owns three of the top six single-game completion percentage performances in Oregon history.
» In seven career games at Autzen Stadium, Nix is 146-of-200 (73.0) for 1,796 yards and 20 touchdowns, along with six rushing TDs.
» First completion of the season went to Tez Johnson, Nix's adopted younger brother.
» 55 completions have gone to nine different players - four receivers, three running backs and two tight ends.
Picking Up Where They Left Off
Despite having to replace four primary starters from an offensive line that led the nation in 2022 with just five sacks allowed, Oregon's new-look unit hasn't missed a beat through two games in 2023. The O-line has posted a pass blocking grade of 90.8 according to Pro Football Focus, which ranks third in the nation. The Ducks have allowed just one sack (three yards lost) and five quarterback hurries in 82 pass attempts. In 2022, UO's offensive line ranked fourth nationally with a pass-blocking team grade of 84.8.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, who has started the first two games at center after primarily playing guard in 2022, ranks fourth in the country among all FBS centers (minimum 100 snaps) with an offensive grade of 77.7 from Pro Football Focus. He has allowed just one quarterback pressure in 81 opportunities this season. Last season, Powers-Johnson's overall PFF grade of 84.1 ranked third among all FBS guards.
Franklin Emerges As Elite Target
Troy Franklin has become the go-to target for quarterback Bo Nix, putting together a tremendous 2022 season and picking up right where he left off with back-to-back 100-yard outings to open 2023. After leading Oregon with 61 receptions for 891 yards and nine touchdowns last year, Franklin paced the Ducks with seven catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns in UO's historic win over Portland State. He followed that up with a six-catch, 103-yard performance in the Ducks' 38-30 win at Texas Tech, including a career-long 72-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
» Five career 100-yard receiving games and two career games with multiple touchdown receptions.
» First Duck since 2020 with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games.
» At least one reception in 19 consecutive games, and multiple receptions in 14 of his last 15 games.
» Six straight games with a touchdown reception dating back to last season, scoring seven times during that stretch.
» Eight receptions away from becoming the 30th Duck with 100 career catches.
» 43 receptions for 611 yards and eight touchdowns in last seven games at Autzen Stadium.
Rush Week
Four Oregon running backs gained 50 or more yards to fuel the Ducks' 348 rushing yards against Portland State, headlined by an incredibly efficient day by starter Bucky Irving. The junior needed just four carries to rush for 119 yards, breaking loose for touchdown runs of 52 and 56 yards in the first half. Sophomore Jordan James saw the most action with 10 carries, running for 86 yards and three touchdowns to tie for the FBS lead through week one. Talented freshmen Dante Dowdell and Jayden Limar also each found the end zone to give Oregon seven total rushing touchdowns, tied for the second-most since at least 1996.
» Irving is tied for the FBS lead with two rushes of 50-plus yards, and now owns four such runs in his career.
» Irving's 56-yard touchdown run in the second quarter vs. PSU was the third-longest of his career.
» Irving rushed for multiple touchdowns for the second time as a Duck and third time in his career.
» Irving notched his fifth 100-yard rushing game as a Duck and eighth of his career.
» James rushed for touchdowns of nine, four and nine yards for the first multi-TD game of his career.
» Dowdell rushed eight times for 55 yards and a score, and Limar carried the ball eight times for 51 yards and a TD.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
No Fly Zone
The strength of the Oregon defense this season has been its ability to defend the pass. Through two games, the Ducks are limiting opponents to a completion percentage of just 53.3 - ranking second in the Pac-12 and 26th in the country - while giving up just 167.0 yards per game through the air. Oregon came away with three interceptions last week at Texas Tech, including a pick-six by Jeffrey Bassa in the final minute to extend the lead and a goal-line pick by Bryan Addison on the final play of the game. In the season-opening win against Portland State, Oregon held the Vikings to just 52 passing yards, the fewest since holding Washington State to just 51 in 2009.
Bassa Leads The Way
Now a junior, inside linebacker Jeffrey Bassa has taken on the leadership role within the Oregon defense. Bassa transitioned from defensive back to inside linebacker early as a freshman in 2021, and is now comfortable in the middle after racking up 119 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions over the last two seasons. Bassa is Oregon's leading returning tackler from 2022, when he finished with 62. He had at least five tackles in each of the final four games of 2022, including six tackles and a sack in the Holiday Bowl, and he set a career-high with 10 tackles in Oregon's win at Washington State. Bassa was dominant in the Ducks' comeback victory at Texas Tech last week, leading the team with nine tackles while adding a tackle for loss. The defensive leader also had the play of the game when he intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown with 35 seconds left, extending what was just a one-point Oregon lead and all but sealing the win for the Ducks. Through two games, Bassa leads the Oregon defense with 13 total tackles.
Disruptive Dorlus
Defensive end Brandon Dorlus is once again a focal point on the Oregon defense in 2023 after establishing himself as one of the most disruptive defenders in the Pac-12 over the last few seasons. Dorlus was an all-Pac-12 second-team selection in 2022 after leading Oregon with a career-high 9.5 tackles for loss and ranking second with a career-high 2.5 sacks. Dorlus was a two-time Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week in 2022, and he enters Saturday with 86 career tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 45-career games.
» Led all Pac-12 defenders in Week 2 with four QB hurries, and tied for the most with five total pressures. Dorlus' most crucial QB hurry of the game led to the victory-sealing pick six by Jeffrey Bassa.
» Tied for eighth among all Power 5 defenders with 40 QB hurries in 2022, according to PFF.
» Earned a 74.8 overall grade from PFF in 2022 with a 72.8 pass-rush grade.
Pick Party
The Ducks were all over the Texas Tech passing game in Week 2, intercepting three passes on the night including a lead-extending pick six by Jeffrey Bassa late in the fourth quarter. The Ducks have now intercepted 13 passes over the last nine games dating back to last season, when UO tied for 10th nationally with 16 picks. In 2022, Christian Gonzalez led the Ducks with four picks on his way to being the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, andTrikweze Bridges was right behind with three picks to make Oregon one of four Pac-12 teams with multiple players with three or more interceptions. The trend is nothing new for Oregon, which has been the best team in the nation over the last decade-plus at coming away with interceptions. UO leads all FBS teams with 209 total interceptions since 2010, 11 more than second-place Iowa and 15 more than Alabama.
Boettcher Trades Bat For Pads
Baseball outfielder Bryce Boettcher joined the Oregon football team last season, carving out a role with his physicality and relentless effort. Boettcher bulked up to 220 pounds over the offseason to move from defensive back to inside linebacker, and he earned his first career start in the season opener against Portland State. The Eugene native made a big impact in front of his hometown crowd, logging four tackles and recovering a muffed kickoff return in the second quarter to give his team the ball deep in opponent territory. He followed that up last week by strip-sacking Texas Tech quarterback Tyler Shough in the second quarter, the first sack of his career. Boettcher played in 12 of 13 games last season for the football team, making two tackles while playing 91 snaps on special teams, and he played a key role in Oregon baseball's run to the Super Regionals in 2022 while playing in 51 games and starting all three Super Regional games in center field.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
Lewis Chasing All-Time Scoring Record
Kicker Camden Lewis is looking to make history as a fifth-year senior in 2023. He entered his final season just 82 points shy of the Oregon all-time scoring record held by Royce Freeman (384, 2014-17), and now sits 61 points away after making four field goals and nine PATs through two games this season. Lewis' 41 career field goals are the fourth-most in program history and just 10 short of Aidan Schneider's (2014-17) program record of 51. Lewis was an all-Pac-12 honorable mention selection in 2022 after earning second-team honors in 2021.
» Made two go-ahead field goals in the fourth quarter last week at Texas Tech, including a 34-yarder with 1:10 remaining that gave Oregon the lead for good. Tied career-high with three field goals made.
» 4-for-4 on field goals to begin 2023, with a long of 41 yards coming against Portland State.
» Finished 14-of-16 on field goals in 2022, ranking second in the Pac-12 and fifth in UO single-season history in field-goal percentage (.875).
Gotta Go For Two
Oregon has made use of the "swinging gate" formation on extra point attempts this season, giving them a unique ability to catch their opponents off guard after scoring a touchdown. The Ducks have had successful two-point conversions in each of the first two games, striking with a rushing attempt in the first quarter against Portland State and a Patrick Herbert-to-Terrance Ferguson passing connection in the first quarter against Texas Tech. The Ducks are one of just two teams in the nation with multiple successful two-point attempts (Illinois) and are the only team to have a perfect conversion percentage on multiple attempts with a perfect 2-for-2 mark. Going for two is nothing new for Oregon, as the Ducks lead the nation in 2-point conversions since 1996 with 56, nine more than any other school.
Players Mentioned
CB/WR
/ Football
ILB
/ Football
ILB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
DT
/ Football
RB
/ Football
P
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
K
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DE
/ FootballAutzen Awaits | Oregon Football College Football Playoff Prep
Thursday, December 18
2025 Oregon Football Uniform Reveal | James Madison
Thursday, December 18
Dan Lanning | CFP Preview
Wednesday, December 17
Bryce Boettcher | CFP Preview
Tuesday, December 16
