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Oregon Commit Akili Smith Jr.

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Oregon Commit Akili Smith Jr.


EUGENE – Oregon football class of 2025 Quarterback Commit Akili Smith Jr. is set to compete in the Elite 11 finals. This elite quarterback event provides training and competition for the nation’s most dominant quarterbacks.   

The 2024 Elite 11 finals will feature 20 of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 graduating class. According to the Elite 11 website, these prospects will “receive advanced, one-on-one quarterback instruction in a highly competitive setting.” The event will also incorporate on-field drills, competition, classroom instruction, and off-field development.  

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning leads practice with the Oregon Ducks Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning leads practice with the Oregon Ducks Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA

“Elite 11 alumni feature 28 of the past 32 current NFL starting quarterbacks and 16 of the past 17 quarterbacks who have hoisted the Heisman Trophy.”  

– elite11.com

The Elite 11 final roster was announced on Wednesday. The list featured student-athletes committed to USC, Georgia, Ohio State, Florida, and more. Four-star Oregon commit Smith Jr. is also on the roster.   

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Following the announcement, Smith Jr. took to social media to share the announcement. The post reads, “Blessed and excited to compete!!”   

Smith Jr. is rated by the 247Sports composite as the No. 78 overall player in the class of 2025 and the No. 8 quarterback.   

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound signal-caller, son of legendary former Oregon Duck and former NFL first-round draft pick Akili Smith, committed to Oregon in July 2023.   

Nov 5, 2000; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Akili Smith (11) scrambles with the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Ravens beat the Bengals27-2. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Nov 5, 2000; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Akili Smith (11) scrambles with the ball during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Ravens beat the Bengals27-2. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports / Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The Athletics’ Antonio Morales called Smith Jr. “a high-quality get for the Ducks.”  

Last season as a junior, Smith Jr. Had 148 completions for 2431 yards and 25 touchdowns. He averaged 202.6 yards per game during the season.   

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Smith Jr. Will compete at the Elite 11 finals alongside the following prospects:   

The Elite 11 finals will take place June 18th-20th in Los Angeles, California. Fans can watch Smith Jr.’s performance and see updates online at elite11.com.



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Here’s why Oregon statehood falls on Valentine’s Day

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Here’s why Oregon statehood falls on Valentine’s Day


It’s easy to remember the date when Oregon became a state because it shares it with Valentine’s Day.

Although it would have been sweet if the day was intentionally selected, it was not. That day in 1859 just happened to be when President James Buchanan signed the bill officially admitting Oregon as the 33rd state in the Union.

Oregon is the first state with a Feb. 14 anniversary of statehood. The event was celebrated at the Capitol Saturday with live music by the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association.

The group performed classic American folk songs and fiddle tunes such as “Bile ‘Em Cabbage Down,” also known as “Boil Them Cabbage Down.”

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The earliest known printed version of the song appeared in 1878, meaning it was probably known by people on the Oregon Trail, said Cathy Yale, chairwoman of the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association’s District 8. There are 10 districts.

Oregon’s Anniversary of Statehood was celebrated at the Capitol Feb. 14 with live music by the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association.Kent Spendal

Musicians invited kids to a table to touch an old-fashioned cigar box guitar, autoharp, fiddle and mountain lap dulcimer.

People also had a chance to see the original Oregon Constitution protected in a glass case on view in the Capitol Galleria. The document will be returned to the Oregon State Archives.

For more on Oregon’s birthday, see Oregon-themed valentines created by OregonLive.com. The Peak Northwest podcast, celebrating Oregon’s birthday and beloved places in every part of this state, can be heard at OregonLive.com/podcasts.

Oregon's Anniversary of Statehood was celebrated at the Capitol Feb. 14 with live music by the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association.
Oregon’s Anniversary of Statehood was celebrated at the Capitol Feb. 14 with live music by the Oregon Old Time Fiddlers Association.Kent Spendal



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Oregon bill bars public bodies from helping privatize federal lands

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Oregon bill bars public bodies from helping privatize federal lands


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Oregon legislators are considering a bill that would prohibit public bodies from spending resources to help sell or transfer federal public lands to private interests.

“National public lands belong to all Americans, including all Oregonians,” Fiona Noonan, of Central Oregon LandWatch, said at a hearing on the bill Feb. 2.

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For years, some congressional leaders have sought to privatize federal public lands. The effort has gotten a boost under the Trump administration.

A draft federal budget bill released last summer proposed selling off thousands of acres of Oregon public lands, including Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land. That provision was dropped from the bill.

Significant areas in Oregon, especially the areas around Mount Hood, have been targeted for privatization.

“This profiteering would eliminate public access and permanently degrade recreational experiences, local economies, and cultural and traditional uses throughout Oregon, and thwart long-term conservation management needed to sustain these resources for generations to come,” Ryan Houston, executive director of the Oregon Natural Desert Association, said in written testimony.

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Senate Bill 1590 prohibits public bodies from using state or local funds, data, technology, equipment, personnel or other resources to help sell or transfer certain federal lands to private parties.

“Protecting Oregon’s federal land base, and the rivers that run through them, from privatization is vital to ensuring guaranteed public access for recreation, preservation of important wildlife habitats and ecosystems, maintenance of outdoor economies, and protection of cultural sites and clean water sources,” said Kimberley Priestley, of WaterWatch of Oregon.

The bill applies only to real property managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service or the National Park Service.

It contains multiple exemptions, including for property located within urban growth boundaries, surplus federal buildings, lands held in trust for, or transferred for the benefit of, a federally recognized tribe in Oregon or a tribal member, and transfers for infrastructure, utility or transportation purposes.

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“It’s modeled after the sanctuary promise law that has long protected Oregonians from overbearing activity by the federal government,” said Sen. Anthony Broadman, D-Bend, the bill’s chief sponsor.

No one spoke against the bill at the hearing, although Sen. David Brock Smith, R-Port Orford, testified in favor of a gut-and-stuff amendment that would have replaced it with a bill requiring the Oregon Department of Forestry to make changes to the draft Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan.

The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire voted Feb. 10 to send the bill to the Senate floor. It is not currently scheduled for further action.

Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on X at @Tracy_Loew





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How to watch Penn State Nittany Lions: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Feb. 14

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How to watch Penn State Nittany Lions: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Feb. 14


The Oregon Ducks and Freddie Filione V will duke it out when the Ducks (8-16, 1-12 Big Ten) take on the Penn State Nittany Lions (11-14, 2-12 Big Ten) at Matthew Knight Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m. ET.

We provide more coverage below, including how to watch this game on BTN.

To prepare for this matchup, here’s what you need to get ready for Saturday’s college basketball action.

Oregon vs. Penn State: How to watch on TV or live stream

  • Game day: Saturday, February 14, 2026
  • Game time: 3 p.m. ET
  • Location: Eugene, Oregon
  • Arena: Matthew Knight Arena
  • TV Channel: BTN
  • Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

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Oregon vs. Penn State stats and trends

  • Penn State scores 75.6 points per game and allow 78.8, ranking them 193rd in the nation offensively and 310th on defense.
  • On the glass, the Nittany Lions are second-worst in the nation in rebounds (26.9 per game). They are 174th in rebounds allowed (30.9 per game).
  • Penn State is 271st in the nation in assists (12.8 per game) in 2025-26.
  • In terms of turnovers, the Nittany Lions are 33rd in the country in committing them (9.4 per game). They are 163rd in forcing them (11.5 per game).
  • Penn State makes 7.2 3-pointers per game and shoots 32.7% from beyond the arc, ranking 249th and 252nd, respectively, in the nation.
  • In 2025-26 the Nittany Lions are 14th-worst in college basketball in 3-pointers conceded (9.6 per game) and -1-worst in defensive 3-point percentage (38.1%).
  • In 2025-26, Penn State has attempted 38.1% percent of its shots from behind the 3-point line, and 61.9% percent from inside it. In terms of made shots, 26.7% of Penn State’s buckets have been 3-pointers, and 73.3% have been 2-pointers.

Oregon vs. Penn State Odds and Spread

  • Spread Favorite: Ducks (-6.5)
  • Moneyline: Oregon (-293), Penn State (+233)
  • Total: 147.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Friday at 9:21 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.



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