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ON THE COVER Aaron Schneider (41) and Devin Melendez (66) Photo by Kaylee Domzalski

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PAGE 4 |EMERALD EMERALD THURSDAY,GAMEDAY |AUGUST THURSDAY, 8, 2016 MONTH XX, 2016 WEEKLY STACK-UP

OREGON VS. VIRGINIA Written by: Ryan Kostecka @Ryan_Kostecka | Photo by : Kaylee Domzalski Oregon Ducks wide receiver Darren Carrington II (7) protects the ball from UC Davis Aggies defensive back Darryl Graham (21).

Oregon began the season last week with team that went 2-9 last year. a less-then enthralling 53-28 victory over The Ducks will look to improve in all fac- FCS foe UC Davis. While a 25-point victory ets of the game when they host the ACC’s may look good on paper for the Ducks, it Virginia, a team coming off a 37-20 loss to wasn’t dominant enough against an Aggies FCS Richmond last weekend.

Here’s how the teams stack up. OREGON VIRGINIA

OFFENSE: Advantage: Oregon OFFENSE: Oregon’s offense looked good under new quarterback Dakota There were some good and bad notes after Saturday’s loss against Prukop. Prukop took a while to settle in to the game but once he did, Richmond. The good news is that quarterback Kurt Benkert looked he finished 21-for-30 for 271 yards and three touchdowns while adding very efficient behind center for the Cavaliers. He threw for 264 yards 11 carries for 36 yards and a score on the ground. Royce Freeman only and three touchdowns while spreading the ball out to nine different ran the ball 11 times for 87 yards and two scores so hopefully he gets receivers. Olamide Zaccheaus and Keeon Johnson were his top targets, more carries against the Cavaliers. Oregon’s offensive line struggled at each catching five passes and a score. However, the ground game times, something to be expected when starting four redshirt freshmen. was non existent. Virginia ran the ball 21 times for a total of 38 yards, The return of veterans Cameron Hunt and Tyrell Crosby should shore averaging 1.8 yards per carry. To have any luck against Oregon, the up the line, giving Freeman more holes and Prukop more time. If the Cavaliers will have to throw and run the ball with more success. Ducks can pick up the pace on offense, they should run away with the game.

DEFENSE: Advantage: Oregon DEFENSE: The new 4-3 defense was met with mixed reviews over the weekend. Not much can be said for the Cavaliers giving up 37 points and 524 Yes the Ducks gave up 28 points, but seven of them came after a fumble yards of total offense to an FCS school. However, the defense was put deep in their own territory for the Aggies only score of the first half. If into tough situations as the Cavaliers offense coughed the ball up not for that, Oregon jumps out to a 33-0 lead early in the third quarter. four times. This led to Virginia’s defense being on the field for two- Freshman Troy Dye was a sensation in his first college game. He thirds of the game and defending 76 plays. Linebackers Micah Kiser finished with 11 tackles, 4.5 for loss as he was named Pac-12 defensive and Zach Bradshaw were the stars on defense as Kiser led the team player of the week. However, the Ducks were prone to giving up big with 14 tackles an Bradshaw was second with nine. Kiser also forced plays and allowed UC Davis to convert on 41 percent of its third downs. two fumbles and Bradshaw caused another but Virginia didn’t recover The secondary showed improvement but not enough to compete any of them. The Cavaliers will need another big game from Kiser against better competition. and Bradshaw, including a few forced turnovers, to pull out the upset in Eugene.

THURSDAY, MONTHPAGE XX,5 EMERALD2016 | EMERALD THURSDAY, GAMEDAY AUGUST | 8,PAGE 2016 5 Players to Watch

Written by: Ryan Kostecka @Ryan_Kostecka | Photo by : Adam Eberhardt & Emerald Archives

Two different teams with different styles will enter Autzen stadium on Saturday night but only one will leave with a win.

The Ducks will be looking to get to 2-0 and gain some mo- mentum before next week’s showdown with Big-10 power Nebraska. Meanwhile, Virginia is looking to notch it’s first win under new head coach Bronco Mendenhall and give the ACC a big-time victory over a power-five conference. OREGON

Royce Freeman, RB Jake Hanson, OL Tyree Robinson, DB

The Ducks should have two things on their offensive As the Ducks’ starting center, Hanson is key to Robinson is the key to Oregon’s pass defense. He’s mind this week; faster tempo and give the ball to Rolls Oregon’s offensive line. If the line can function as a the undisputed leader of the secondary and in charge Royce. Freeman was only given the ball 11 times last singular unit and make the right reads, it allows the of making sur this teammates are on the same page week and considering he’s the star of Oregon’s offense, offense to play at a much faster pace, thus leading and in the right spots. The Ducks had breakdowns in 11 times is no where near enough. He did average 7.9 to more points and essentially, a victory. Oregon the secondary last week that led to several big plays yards per carry with two scores last week. Freeman quarterback Dakota Prukop said UC Davis came for the Aggies. Virginia can sling it so Robinson is go- is one of the top running backs in the nation and he at Oregon with a lot of blitzes last week and he had ing to have to make sure the Ducks are ready to go if combines speed and quickness with power to be ef- trouble reading them, thus slowing down the tempo. improvement is going to be seen fective. The Cavaliers gave up 187 rushing yards last Expect Virginia to bring pressure so Hanson will have week so expect Freeman to have a big day and start his to make the right reads and calls. Heisman campaign. VIRGINIA

Kurt Benkert, QB Micah Kiser, ILB Taquan Mizzell, TB

Benkert needs a big day if the Cavaliers are going Kiser was a one-man wrecking crew for the Virginia Mizzell is an all-purpose player for the Cavaliers, to pull off the upset. It’s that simple. It’s somewhat defense last week, leading the Cavaliers with 14 tackles, rushing seven times and catching four passes last crazy to think you’ll stop the Oregon offense one sack and two forced fumbles. You can expect the week. He is Virginia’s blend of speed and power and completely so your best bet is to outscore them. Ducks to get Freeman going early and often so it will be its bets playmaker in open space. He can outrun If Benkert can stay under control and composed, up to Kiser to keep the 230-lound bruiser from running linebackers and overpower defensive backs so sustaining drives with the correct reads, the crazy. If Kiser can maintain gap control and contain getting Mizzell as many touches as possible is a Cavaliers will put a lot of pressure on the Oregon Freeman, it’ll force Prukop to beat Virginia, and that’s key for the Virginia offense. With Mizzell run and defense. Benkert throwing to nine different receives what the Cavaliers want. catching like crazy, the Cavs will have a chance to last weekend shows he can spread the ball around keep pace with Oregon’s offense. and keep opposing defenses honest. A big day from Benkert could lead to the upset.

PAGE 6 |EMERALD EMERALD THURSDAY,GAMEDAY |AUGUST THURSDAY, 8, 2016 MONTH XX, 2016 OFFENSE $ OFF STORE HOURS: open 8am –- 9pm9pm 5 purchase of $25 or more Easy to find. Easy to save! Just 3 miles east of campus 160 South 14th St., SPRINGFIELD

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Written by: Jack Butler, @butler917 | Illustration by : Brandon Montes-Nguyen

Legally, they can’t rent a car or drink Steve Greatwood was not nervous about a beer, but Oregon’s 2015 offensive line the lack of experience. recruiting class has the weight of a divi- “The young guys picked it up,” Great- sion one offense on its shoulders. wood told reporters after the game. Left tackle Brady Aiello, left guard “All-in-all, we’ve got a lot of work to do, Shane Lemieux, center Jake Hanson but I was pleased with the guys [...] The and right tackle Calvin Throckmorton guys were dialed in and focused.” were four redshirt freshmen starters Brenner, Morgan and Voeller did ro- against UC Davis. Football is won and tate in along the left side of the line, es- Downtown Eugene • 181 E Broadway • 541.342.6107 lost in the trenches, so trusting players pecially when the lone starting senior Facebook/footwiseeugene • Mon-Sat 10-6 & Sun 11-5 with no experience is risky for any of- Cameron Hunt went down with cramps. fense, no matter how talented the skill Greatwood has faith in these young positions are. players, and he was particularly NOW USING Four young players, starting over pleased with the chemistry that they WALKING HUNGRY NEW upperclassmen like Zac Morgan, Doug played with. DISTANCE DUCKS Brenner and Evan Voeller shows the When Oregon signed the 2015 of- FROM HOURS! faith that the coaching staff has in their fensive line recruiting class, it was 6am-8pm young players. heralded as its most talented group in CAMPUS! GLUTEN “They’re not playing like fresh- years. When they arrived on campus, FREE WED-SUN men,” offensive coordinator Matt Lu- Greatwood and the rest of the offensive PANCAKES! (6AM-3PM MON-TUE) bick told reporters. “They have a lot of coaching staff decided to redshirt them confidence, and the reason they have to allow them to grow. a lot of confidence is because they are “Our whole scout team [last season] having success.” were all the freshmen, so we got to know As confident as they may be, inexpe- each others weaknesses and strengths,” rience still produces nerves, and they Lemieux said. “We got to know each oth- were present for the UC Davis game. er as friends because we didn’t travel, so On the first offensive play for Ore- we got to hangout on the weekends; we gon, the UC Davis defensive linemen got to build some chemistry.” were switching, and Lemieux’s nerves Zach Okun is another member of the and excitement got the better of him. He 2015 class, but he was hurt during fall false started. practice and the timetable for his re- It got better from there as the offen- turn is unknown. Okun was performing sive linemen got their nerves to settle well until his injury, meaning anoth- OPEN down, and the offense began to click. er redshirt freshman could have seen “After the first series or so it just playing time. SINCE started to feel like practice. We start- All focus for these players is on per- 1965 ed moving the ball,” Lemieux said. “We forming well this season, but the poten- got more comfortable and we got the tial of this group rises every snap they jitters out.” play this season. Down the road, the Aiello was allowed to start because starting offensive line may be five mem- senior Tyrell Crosby was sidelined with bers of the 2015 recruiting class, so it is a foot injury, but offensive line coach best they get the nerves out now. 541-343-7523 • 782 East Broadway, Eugene Corner of Alder & Franklin Blvd. NOW ADDITIONAL PARKING BEHIND CAFE YUMM! WEEKENDS ONLY LOOK FOR SIGN

THURSDAY, MONTHPAGE XX,7 EMERALD 2016 | EMERALD THURSDAY, GAMEDAY AUGUST | 8, PAGE 2016 7 DEPTH CHART

Ducks remain at No. 24 after win OREGON over UC Davis DEPTH CHART Written by: Jonathan Hawthorne @jon_Hawthorne GAME 2 —­ VIRGINIA Oregon football’s 53-28 win over UC Davis in the opening game of the 2016 season wasn’t enough for a jump in the AP Top 25 Poll, which was released on Sept. 6. DEFENSE The Ducks debuted at No. 24 in the 92 HENRY MONDEAUX preseason poll and remain ranked DE 91 T.J. DANIEL OFFENSE No. 24 in the second release of the weekly poll. 88 DWAYNE STANFORD 47 REX MANU WR 13 DEVON ALLEN Alabama remains at No. 1 with DT 74 ELIJAH GEORGE 4 ALEX OFODILE Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State and 6 CHARLES NELSON Michigan rounding out the top five. 50 AUSTIN MALOATA WR 82 CASEY EUGENIO Other Pac-12 teams ranked include DT 90 DRAYTON CARLBERG 7 DARREN CARRINGTON No. 7 Stanford and No. 8 Washing- WR 15 JALEN BROWN ton, which leapfrogged from No. 14 11 JUSTIN HOLLINS after its season-opening win against DE 97 JALEN JELKS LT 73 TYRELL CROSBY Rutgers. The Huskies received their 66 BRADY AIELLO highest ranking since 2001. UCLA and 28 JOHNNY RAGINII 68 SHANE LEMIEUX USC both dropped out of the AP Top WILL LG 79 EVAN VOELLER 25 after season-opening losses. 54 DE’QUAN MCDOWELL 55 JAKE HANSON 55 AJ.. HOTCHKINS C 63 DAVIS MIYASHIRO-SAIPAIA MIKE 46 DANNY MATTINGLY 78 CAMERON HUNT Here’s a look at the entire poll: 35 TROY DYE RG 57 DOUG BRENNER SAM 3 JONAH MOI 1. Alabama RT 54 CALVIN THROCKMORTON 2. Clemson 14 UGO AMADI 70 ZAC MORGAN CB 23 MALIK LOVETTE 3. Florida State 85 PHARAOH BROWN TE 83 JOHNNY MUNDT 4. Ohio State 2 TYREE ROBINSON S 5. Michigan 8 REGGIE DANIELS QB 9 DAKOTA PRUKOP 10 JUSTIN HERBERT 6. Houston 1 ARRION SPRINGS CB 7. Stanford 43 BRENDEN SCHOOLER 21 ROYCE FREEMAN RB 29 KANI BENOIT 8. Washington S 17 JUWAAN WILLIAMS 9. Georgia 26 KHALIL OLIVER 10. Wisconsin 11. Texas 12. Michigan State SPECIAL TEAM 13. Louisville 14. Oklahoma PK 41 AIDEN SCHNEIDER 15. TCU 49 MATT WOGAN

16. Iowa 49 MATT WOGAN 17. Tennessee KO

18. Notre Dame 38 IAN WHEELER P 19. Mississippi 42 BLAKE MAIMONE 20. Texas A&M 6 CHARLES NELSON 21. LSU KR 20 TONY BROOKS-JAMES 22. Oklahoma State 6 CHARLES NELSON 23. Baylor PR 24. OREGON 23 MALIK LOVETTE 25. Miami (FL) LS 58 TANNER CAREW

H 12 TAYLOR ALIE

PAGE 8 |EMERALD EMERALD THURSDAY,GAMEDAY |AUGUST THURSDAY, 8, 2016 MONTH XX, 2016 THIS WEEK’S

MATCHWritten by: Ryan Kostecka, @Ryan_Kostecka UP

88 DWAYNE STANFORD 13 DEVON ALLEN 4 ALEX OFODILE VS

Does Oregon get the win over Virginia, making a statement that the Ducks are ready to go?

Is this the week Royce Freeman gets his Heisman campaign going?

Does Oregon’s defense stiffen up and make the day rough on the Cavaliers?

There is so much to look forward to in Saturday’s game but here are the top three matchups to watch. Oregon RB Royce Freeman vs. Virginia LB Micah Kiser This is a battle of physicality versus physicality. Both players are big, strong and athletic and they both lead their respective units. Without a doubt, Oregon relies on Freeman to extend drives by picking up the tough yards between the tackles while Kiser is asked to be the big man in the middle, containing players like Free- man. Oregon only gave the ball to Freeman 11 times in the opener so it’s safe to say that the Ducks are going to feed the beast more this week in hopes of jump-start- ing his season and Heisman campaign. Meanwhile, Kiser had 14 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles last week in Virginia’s season opener so he’s no stranger to being the most physical player on the field. If Freeman runs wild and gets the bet- ter of Kiser, expect the Ducks to light up Virginia. But, if Kiser can contain Freeman, Oregon’s offense could struggle, thus opening the door for an upset. Oregon Secondary vs. Virginia Wide Receivers In last week’s opening season loss, Virginia had nine different players catch the ball with three of them scoring touchdowns. Together, they totaled 264 yards and constantly kept the chains moving for the Cavaliers offense. Keoon Johnson is a big receiver, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 215 pounds while Olamide Zaccheaus and Taquan Mizzell are quicker and more explosive. These three will be a hand- ful for Oregon’s secondary who struggled last week UC Davis receivers. Expect Oregon to move safety Tyree Robinson to the corner position to match up with Johnson. Oregon’s secondary struggled mightily last year but a good performance in shutting down Virginia’s receivers will notably lead to victory, and to a better mindset heading into the rest of the season. Returner Charles Nelson vs. Virginia Special Teams Last week, Nelson was a hit and miss in the return game. He did some great things by getting big returns and giving Oregon great field position. He also had two turnovers — one on a punt return and the other on a kickoff return — that gave UC Davis great field position and led to seven points. Against a better team like Virginia, Nelson can’t afford to put Oregon’s defense in a bad position. You can expect the Cavaliers special teams unit to be flying hard at Nelson and trying to strip the ball. If Nelson can hang on and continue to be a spark plug for the Ducks, look to Oregon to run away with the game. If he coughs up the ball, expect Virginia to keep this game close. startatlane.com

THURSDAY, MONTHPAGE XX,9 EMERALD2016 | EMERALD THURSDAY, GAMEDAY AUGUST | 8,PAGE 2016 9 FEATURE

AIDAN SCHNEIDER The most accurate41 field goal kicker in Oregon history

Written by: Gus Morris @justgusmorris

Photo by : Kaylee Domzalski

Oregon Ducks place kicker Aidan Schneider (41) warming up before the first game of the 2016 season. PAGE 10 |EMERALD EMERALD THURSDAY,GAMEDAY |AUGUST THURSDAY, 8, 2016 MONTH XX, 2016 As Oregon wrapped up practice shortly ahead of curve once you get more advanced. The little details are what you have to master.” its encounter with TCU in the Alamo Bowl last sea- For specialists — such as Schneider and long-snapper son, head coach Mark Helfrich addressed his team. Tanner Carew — mastering the little details requires a certain approach. Working on a specific craft like field- “We don’t usually do this,” he said, “But any- goal kicking or long-snapping doesn’t always mean pil- one who was an All-American this year, come to ing up the rep counts. As Carew put it, “It’s not about working harder, it’s about working smarter.” the front.” “You don’t want to be out there kicking 100 balls a day, The Ducks’ three All-Americans, defensive end De- wearing your leg out,” Schneider said. “It’s about qual- Forest Buckner (second team), running back Royce ity over quantity. Making sure you’re doing things the Freeman (third team) and place kicker Aidan Schneider right way.” (third team), all rose and took their place at the front. So far, that approach has worked: having only missed Helfrich turned to his team again. three field goals in his tenure at Oregon is proof enough. “How many of these guys aren’t on scholarship?” His work ethic isn’t the only thing that makes Schnei- Helfrich asked. der the capable kicker he is. According to Osborne, it’s Everyone knew the answer: only one. Schneider’s mindset that sets him apart. Schneider, a sophomore at the time, had walked on “The thing with him that’s different than most guys is his freshman year. He was not under scholarship. Not his mental toughness, his mental approach,” Osborne yet, at least. said. “Because he doesn’t let things bother him.” “The answer is zero,” Helfrich said. For some guys, Osborne explained, if something goes The players, understanding what Helfrich was imply- wrong they usually want to overcompensate and that’s ing, lifted Schneider onto their shoulders and celebrat- where things start to go even more downhill. ed. He would no longer be a walk-on player. To Osborne, Schneider is special because, “He doesn’t As Schneider put it, “everyone went crazy.” overthink things.” “It was amazing,” Schneider said of the experience. Before the Georgia State game last year, Schneider It was Schneider’s consistency and success that missed his last three field goal attempts during pre- earned him his scholarship. Now, as he heads into his ju- game warm-up. But he didn’t let it phase him. He shook nior year, Oregon is facing a season of uncertainty, little it off and ended up hitting a career-high four field goals, of which was dispelled after its 53-28 win over UC Davis helping Oregon to a 61-28 victory. last week. But Schneider hopes to build on his consis- tency and success and to eventually help the Ducks back Tools to do it to the College Football playoff, one kick at a time. A walk-on player gaining a scholarship doesn’t hap- pen often. Usually coaches will reward a walk-on a From goalposts to uprights scholarship if the player is a standout or if they haven’t Schneider wasn’t always the dead ringer of a kicker he exhausted all their available scholarships yet. In Schnei- is now. Long before he began kicking footballs through der’s case, it was the former. uprights, he was an avid soccer player growing up in “He earned it,” Osborne said. “We award guys schol- Portland. He started at a young age and played all the arships if they have performed well enough to earn it.” way up through high school. In his two years as a place kicker for the Ducks, “He was always very, very passionate about the game,” Schneider has been the epitome of consistency. his high school soccer coach, Manolis Tjuanakis, said. His 31-yard field goal in the second quarter of Ore- Tjuanakis first coached Schneider in middle school gon’s opener last week gave him 34 for his career, which and again at Grant High School in Portland. He recalls ties him with Paul Martinez for fifth most field goals in Schneider lacked agility but made up for it with his program history. He has the highest field goal percent- sound technique, a strong foot and an innate ability to age (91.8) of any kicker in program history (with over 10 read the game. attempts) and has only missed three times out of his 37 When Schneider was a junior in high school, he tried attempts. Last season, he led the team in scoring with out for the football team at Grant. The team’s kicker had 133 points, 19 ahead of Royce Freeman (114). quit unexpectedly and the captain of the team had sug- He only needs 15 more field goals to claim the title gested he come out. He would spend time after soccer of most in program history. He’s off to a good start this practice kicking with the football team, but his commit- year too, making his only attempt against UC Davis. ment was always with soccer. His goal when he arrived at Oregon was to become a It wasn’t until he attended a summer camp that fo- scholarship player. Now that he has accomplished that, cused on special teams put on by Oregon — the June af- he has his eyes set on loftier goals: the pros. ter his junior year — that Schneider realized his future His success at the collegiate level has been impressive was in football, not soccer. enough to at least attract looks from pro teams. In real- Schneider tried out for Oregon in the fall of his fresh- ity, the odds aren’t exactly in his favor. But that hasn’t man year, which came as a bit of a surprise to Tjuanakis. stopped Schneider before. After all, the slow-footed 6’5” “I thought it was a long shot for him to walk-on and soccer player left the sport he’s played his whole life make the team,” Tjuanakis said. and, not only made the roster of a Power Five football But Oregon special teams coach Tom Osborne school as a walk-on, but became an All-American and felt differently. earned a scholarship for his accomplishments. “You could see right away, the first couple weeks here, With a solid season this year, he could cement himself that he had the unique ability and accuracy of kicking as the best field goal kicker in Oregon history and dra- field goals,” Osborne said. “We were fortunate enough matically improve his draft-stock. that he walked on.” Despite all the odds, Schneider’s success was not a surprise to Tjuanakis. He knows that Schneider is think- Learning Curve ing about playing at the next level and has faith that he’ll The next step for Schneider was to refine his craft. get there. Coming from soccer proved beneficial, but mastering “I know that if that was what he wanted to do, he’s field goal kicking at a Division I level was a bit more of very focused and he’ll do all the work to get it done,” a test. Tjuanakis said. “If he set his mind to it, he has the tools “Having that background of kicking a ball is really to do it.” helpful,” Schneider said. “But there’s still quite a learning

THURSDAY, MONTHPAGE XX,11 2016EMERALD | EMERALD THURSDAY, GAMEDAY AUGUST | PAGE8, 2016 11 OFFENSE

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dakota Prukop (9) hands the ball off to Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21). Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) carries Oregon can fall back on strong running the ball in the second half. backs group while throwing game progresses Written by: Kylee O’Connor, @kyleethemightee | Photos by : Adam Eberhardt In football, every good passing offense Freeman isn’t greedy, but 11 carries isn’t backs coach Gary Campbell reiterated to them needs a good running game, and vise versa, something that he’s used to. If he keeps up this after the game. to supplement one another and cause the op- mellow pace, he will reach 143 carries through Against U.C. Davis, the Ducks were able to posing defense to be on their toes. In Oregon’s 13 games, compared to 283 attempts last year. score a decent amount of points and make case, that is even more true. “Everybody wants more,” Freeman said. “I a few big plays, but for many fans, some- As transfer quarterback Dakota Prukop ad- mean there’s a lot of ball to go around. I defi- thing still looked a bit off: the tempo. Oregon justs to the offense and looks to gain chem- nitely would be accepting of more of a role has been known as one of the top up-tem- istry with his receiving weapons, Oregon will if necessary.” po programs in the country, but that signa- be forced to fall back on their ever-sturdy Freeman said that he was “still fresh” by the ture style of play was something that lacked running game. fourth quarter, but this early in the season, the last Saturday. Oregon is known for having dynamic, Ducks looked to rotate guys in. After the game, Prukop said he wasn’t satis- speedy, play-making backs, but this year its “I mean, 11 carries — I’m more than enough fied with the tempo of the offense. running backs group is something special. Led into the tank still,” Freeman said, “but to have “I don’t think we ever really got into the true by under-the-radar Heisman candidate Royce Tony out there to give it a change of tempo, he mojo that we’ve been getting into in practice,” Freeman, this veteran group of running backs did a great job.” Prukop said. “I don’t think we fully put the gas can contend with the best. Sophomore Tony Brooks-James is another pedal all the way down.” Freeman was the only Pac-12 player to rush member of Oregon’s veteran running backs With four freshmen starting on the offen- more than 1,000 yards while also averaging group. He had five attempts for 57 yards and sive line and Prukop still learning the play- more than six yards per carry throughout last one touchdown in Oregon’s 53-28 win over book, Freeman says, “it’s quite an adjustment.” season — not even Stanford star Christian Mc- UC Davis. “It’s getting adjusted to game speed and Caffrey was able to do that. Another one of the top backs for Oregon is definitely going out there first game, a lot of Against UC Davis on Saturday, Freeman redshirt junior Kani Benoit. He rushed for 34 anticipation, a lot of nerves and everything for rushed for 86 yards, as well as two receptions yards in four attempts on Saturday. a lot of people,” Freeman said. “But I feel like for five yards. A quality amount of rushing “It was pretty solid,” Benoit said about the as we play more games, we’ll develop more of yards for his mere 11 carries, but falling below game against UC Davis. “We had a couple an understanding of game speed.” 100 yards in scrimmage isn’t something that turnovers that hurt often, so obviously you When asked about the tempo against UC Freeman, along with the 53,817 Oregon fans know, we definitely want to get off a lot more Davis, Freeman said they’ll “definitely im- that filled Autzen Stadium, are accustomed to offensive plays.” prove on things like that” against Virginia. seeing. Last season, he was the only player in To get more offensive plays, Benoit said, “It wasn’t sufficient enough in the game,” the nation to gain 100 yards from scrimmage they must decrease turnovers and penalties. Freeman said. “We’re definitely behind in every single game. That is also something Benoit said running our standard.”

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THURSDAY, MONTHPAGE XX, 13 2016 EMERALD | EMERALD THURSDAY, GAMEDAY AUGUST | PAGE 8, 2016 13 GAMEDAY

DUCKS GONE PRO FORMER DUCKS CONTINUE TO FLY IN THE NFL Written by: Kylee O’Connor, @kyleethemightee Over the past few years, Ore- Joey Harrington, ties for a close sec- gon has produced some of the top ond as the third overall pick in 2002 prospects in the National Football with Dion Jordan to the Dolphins in League. Just last year, two Ducks 2013. Mariota is set to begin his sec- were selected in the NFL draft, but ond year as the starting signal caller that is just the beginning of a long in Tennessee this year as he hopes to list of Ducks who have made NFL improve upon the Titans’ 3-13 sea- rosters. son last year. Kellen Clemens is an- A veteran running back on this other former Oregon QB that is still year’s Oregon team, redshirt junior making his rounds in the NFL. This Kani Benoit, said that the Ducks’ season will be Clemens’ eleventh staff prepares its players for the NFL season in the league as he backs up in more ways than one. Phillip Rivers in San Diego. “This is a really good place be- cause they prepare you not only just RUNNING BACKS as a football player, but to know the business side of the NFL and what Talented running backs are a call- to look for, what to stay away from, ing card for the Ducks, and it shows what to avoid,” Benoit said. “So I with all the Oregon talent in the Marcus Mariota in his past Oregon uniform. (Emerald archieves) think coming here probably helped backfield for numerous NFL teams. me for that next stage if possible.” Jonathon Stewart is the number one back for the Carolina Panthers, 2016 GRADUATES De’Anthony Thomas plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, Kenjon Barner This past year, Deforest Buckner is in Philadelphia and LeGarrette (7th overall to the SanFrancisco Blount plays for the New England 49ers) and Joe Walker (251st over- Patriots. all to the Philadelphia Eagles) were drafted, while Bralon Addison, Alex SUPER BOWL 50 Balducci, Christian French, Tyler Johnstone and Byron Marshall were There have been 42 former Ducks all signed as free agents. who have played in a Super Bowl. The Seattle Seahawks released Most recently, in Super Bowl 50 French in August, Marshall was (Broncos versus Panthers), the signed to the Eagles’ practice squad, Ducks had three former players on Balducci was signed to the 49ers the rosters. Jonathan Stewart, Ed practice squad, Johnstone was Dickson and T.J. Ward all played in waived by the San Diego Chargers in last year’s Super Bowl, but Ward was late August and the Denver Broncos the only one to come away with a waived Addison when rosters were ring. Ward joins a group of 32 for- cut to 75. mer Ducks with Super Bowl rings. Joe Walker tore his ACL in August and is forced to miss the upcoming INJURIES season. Buckner on the other hand, is going strong with the Niners and Over the past summer, a few Ducks gained valuable reps in the presea- have unfortunately been plagued son. with injuries. After tearing his ACL while at Oregon, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu tore his ACL again in the beginning QUARTERBACKS of August and was cut by the Dol- phins. Hroniss Grasu, a third round Marcus Mariota may be the most pick in 2015 to the Chicago Bears, notable Duck to ever be drafted. At tore his ACL late in the offseason. second overall in 2015 to the Titans, of August and was cut by the Dol- no Oregon player in history has been phins. Hroniss Grasu, a third round

Marcus Mariota in his Tennessee Titans uniform. (Courtesy of creative drafted higher than Mariota. An- pick in 2015 to the Chicago Bears, commons) other popular Oregon quarterback, tore his ACL late in the offseason.

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THURSDAY, MONTHPAGE XX, 15 2016 EMERALD | EMERALD THURSDAY, GAMEDAY AUGUST | PAGE 8, 2016 15 DEFENSE

PLAYER TO WATCH

TROY DYE delivers breakout performance for Oregon in first collegiate game

Both photos: Oregon linebacker Troy Dye (35) plays in his first collegiate football game.

Written by: Jarrid Denney, @jarrid_denney | Photos by : Adam Eberhardt

After Oregon’s final practice of the week on play and make a few ‘freshman mistakes’ along one-man army and singlehandedly halted sev- Thursday, defensive coordinator Brady Hoke the way. He wasn’t expected to play like the eral UC Davis drives. said that the handful of freshmen who were second coming of Kiko Alonso. “I feel like he’s a junior or something al- slated to take the field for the Ducks in their Dye recorded six of Oregon’s 12 tackles in the ready,” Oregon defensive end Jalen Jelks said. season-opener on Saturday should expectedly first quarter, and landed two crushing tackles “He learns the game pretty quickly and he be a little nervous. for loss on UC Davis’ fourth drive of the game. learned the defense really well. The first day of “If you’re not a little tight then I don’t know if In the week leading up to the game, he said he fall camp, we were doing a box drill with kick- you’re completely ready,” Hoke told reporters. normally doesn’t feel nervous before games offs and Troy was the first guy down the field Apparently, Troy Dye missed the message. and tries to push those thoughts from his head. and was beating running backs.” In the first collegiate game of his career, Dye However, he admitted that he wasn’t sure what While Dye was surprised with his own per- finished with a game-high 11 tackles, includ- kind of emotions and nerves he would feel formance, numerous Oregon players and ing seven solo tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and once he entered the tunnel for his first game. coaches said that they expected this type of a sack in Oregon’s 53-28 win over UC Davis. Whether nervousness played a factor or not, game from the freshman sooner rather than He also added a blocked field goal in the third the former 3-star recruit made his presence later. He was recruited as a safety and has add- quarter for good measure. felt almost immediately. ed nearly 30 pounds since arriving on campus “That’s how [Dye] has been every single day “It was great. It was definitely the atmosphere for spring practices. Teammates have already at practice,” Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich I expected,” Dye said after the game. “But the said that Dye’s study habits are so sharp that said. “Everything he does in individual drills, way I played, I didn’t expect that at all. I just he often knows which plays are coming before he just competes his face off and he’ll hit you. read what I read and played fast and physical they happen. The scary part? He has exactly He’s a guy we’ve been very excited about since like coaches told me to and just had fun.” one career game under his belt. the day he got here.” Hoke, as well as Dye’s teammates, have re- “He’s a very, very good athlete,” Hoke said af- A true freshman from Norco, California, Dye peatedly praised his ability to play at full speed ter the game. “I think his football instinct and was thrust into the spotlight when his name during practice. Dye’s energy and high motor IQ is pretty good. I don’t know if what he did appeared at the starting SAM linebacker spot grabbed the attention of Oregon’s coaches al- absolutely surprised anybody, but there’s a ton on Oregon’s two-deep depth chart a week ago. most immediately when he began practicing of stuff he can do better, too.” As the only Duck true freshman to nab a start- with the team. That same motor was on full ing spot, Dye was expected to provide solid display Saturday afternoon as he played like a

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Oregon defensive back Arrion Springs (1) and linebackers A.J. Hotchkins (55) and Jonah Moi (3) bring down UC The No. 24 Oregon Ducks play the UC Davis Aggies for the season opener at Autzen Stadium. Davis tight end Wesley Preece (45). Oregon defense offers mixed results as Brady Hoke unveils 4-3 scheme

Written by: Jarrid Denney, @jarrid_denney | Photos by : Adam Eberhardt & Kaylee Domzalski

At this point last season, Oregon defensive was ‘nowhere near having a defense’ during above where it was at this point last sea- coordinator Brady Hoke was out of football, the last week of fall camp. Improvement in the son. Outside cornerbacks Arrion Springs and one year removed from a stint as head coach pass rush was apparent from the get-go. Se- Ugo Amadi both made key breakups on huge at University of Michigan. nior defensive end Henry Mondeaux sacked would-be gains, and neither was beaten down Last Saturday Hoke returned to the side- UC Davis quarterback Ben Scott for a 10-yard the sideline like they often were last season. In- line as Oregon’s defensive coordinator and loss on the first play of the game. Throughout, stead, most of the Aggies’ large gains came up watched as his revamped Duck defense deliv- Oregon defenders badgered Scott with a con- the middle, where coverage often broke down. ered a mixed performance in a 53-28 win over sistent pass-rush. “We were there to make the right plays and UC Davis at Autzen Stadium. But for all that appeared different with the we were there mentally and physically, but we At times on Saturday, Oregon’s defense Ducks’ defense, much remained the same just weren’t there with the playbook I guess,” looked like the dominant unit that Hoke imag- on Saturday. The Aggies, who finished in the Oregon defensive end Jalen Jelks said. “Peo- ined when he chose to end his football hiatus bottom half of the FCS Big Sky Conference ple were still kind of misaligned and stuff like and take a shot at rebuilding the Ducks’ abys- last season, netted 392 yards of total offense. that... I think they scored too many points. We mal squad. After surrendering a touchdown on Wideout Doss Keelan broke free several times made the right plays when they needed to be the Aggies’ first drive of the game, the Ducks on third down for substantial gains. It took Or- done, but I think that we can do more.” held UC Davis to 108 yards and kept them off egon all but 1:07 to score on its first drive of the This Saturday, the Ducks welcome a Virgin- the scoreboard for the remainder of the half. third quarter, but the Ducks handed the Aggies ia team that lost badly to Richmond in its sea- Freshman Troy Dye looked like a star in the another touchdown less than two minutes lat- son-opener. The Ducks won’t get away with the making and made plays all over the field in er and allowed them to eat up six minutes of type of defensive performance they displayed the first half. The Norco, California, native re- clock on an 11-play drive that ended in another on Saturday when they begin facing Power 5 corded six tackles in the first quarter alone and touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter. opponents, but Hoke believes at this point that ended with a team-best 11 tackles and 4.5 tack- “Sometimes we looked like we were in a 3-4, he will have plenty to work with once Oregon’s les for loss. However, he was one of the rare sometimes it looked like a 4-3,” Oregon head coaches begin studying film. high-points for Oregon as the Ducks allowed coach Mark Helfrich said. “I thought, opera- In his much anticipated return to the side- the visitors to hang around much longer than tionally, we didn’t get gapped out all of the time line, Hoke, who has been his defense’s loudest they should have. and that led to some of the big runs with the critic all summer, was cautiously optimistic. “We didn’t tackle very well,” Hoke said. “We fly-sweep action and the power. There’s a lot of “We won, and winning is what this is all gave up some big balls down the field and we moving parts to that that certainly other teams about,” Hoke said. “It’s a matter of us going out competed for some of them, but we’ve got to will do against us going forward [...] Most of there this week and having a great week and come away with a few of those also.” that is very simple to look at on the tape and improving.” Oregon’s defense wasn’t nearly as bad as understand what’s going on.” Hoke hinted that it might be. He said Oregon Overall, Oregon’s defense operated a step

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