Oregon
How did new Oregon State quarterback Maalik Murphy perform in the spring game?
CORVALLIS — Even if it was a miss, it was a sign of progress.
New Oregon State quarterback Maalik Murphy took a deep shot on the very first play of Saturday’s spring game, overthrowing a wide open Darrius Clemons on a would-be touchdown.
While Murphy wants it back, knowing he has the touch to finish those plays off, the Beavers are encouraged. After a 2024 season of mostly subpar quarterback play with limited downfield success, they can actually draw up those explosive plays now given the Duke transfer Murphy’s arm talent.
Execution is expected to come with time.
“The competitive part of you wishes you hit more of those vertical throws,” OSU offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson said. “That has been a major point of emphasis for us this spring. There was some good stuff on offense last year, but we were not explosive. We need to hit bigger shots down the field, we need to win, we need to break tackles on long runs just every now and then to be more explosive.”
Murphy was efficient and showcased quick decision-making on short and intermediate throws, particularly up the middle of the field. He took and missed a few other deep shots, and eventually connected with a wide-open Cooper Jensen for a 30-yard touchdown — the only trip to paydirt on the day for the Beavers’ offense as Murphy faced constant pressure behind a banged-up offensive line.
Murphy also utilized his legs, finding gaps to scamper for a pair of quarterback keepers in the second quarter. That won’t likely be a regular thing for the 6-5 Murphy in the fall, particularly with fleet-footed Gabarri Johnson expected to contribute on the ground as the presumptive backup quarterback, but it was a good wrinkle for the Beavers to test regardless.
“Gabarri has had a heck of a spring, and Gabarri is going to play,” OSU head coach Trent Bray said. “Whether he’s QB1 or not, we’ve got two really great quarterbacks who can both be in the game — even at the same time. We’ve got a lot of ways to utilize them, which is exciting in how our playbook can grow with the two of them.”
Murphy’s leadership in the spring was mentioned by both Bray and Gunderson as a positive. His success last season at Duke — including a 9-3 record, nearly 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns to 12 interceptions — appears to have created a foundation of confidence as well.
But it’s a calm confidence, Gunderson explained.
“As you guys can tell with Maalik, big smile, good mood, but when you’re in that huddle, it matters. He is super competitive,” Gunderson said. “He’s got a great personality and great leadership ability, which I thought was an issue for us on offense (last year). I don’t want to be the leader for us on offense. We want to be player-led, and he’s got a spirit about that.”
Murphy acknowledged that the spring game wasn’t perfect, and spoke more about his misses than his hits. He expressed a desire to keep putting in extra work with his new receivers to build a rapport this summer, throwing at night on their own time after completing required work in the weight room.
The line to get autographs and photos with Murphy stretched more than 20 yards on Saturday, even as most players, family and fans had already cleared the field. He made time for each person with an air of humility and kindness, his family looking on while wearing orange and black No. 6 jerseys.
The offense is still a work in progress, but the starting point for OSU’s quarterback position feels much further along and on more solid ground with Murphy.
“Everything takes reps, and of course as spring goes on, I’ve gotten more and more reps,” Murphy said. “I feel like I’ve gotten better, the people around me have gotten better, and the whole offense has gotten better. These last two practices have been our best practices of the spring. Today wasn’t perfect, but we did a lot of good things, and I’m excited for what we can do this fall.”
— Ryan Clarke covers college sports for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at RClarke@Oregonian.com or on Twitter/X: @RyanTClarke. Find him on Bluesky: @ryantclarke.bsky.social.
Oregon
Oregon man sentenced to 77 months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted kidnapping
CORVALLIS, Ore. — A Benton County man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison after prosecutors say he held his brother at knifepoint inside their family home, a confrontation that ended with police shooting the wrong person as the victim tried to escape, the Benton County District Attorney’s office said in a media release.
On Thursday, June 18, John Dakota Lyon pleaded guilty to Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Coercion, according to a news release from the Benton County District Attorney. He was sentenced to a total of 77 months in prison and two years of post-prison supervision.
The case stems from the morning of Jan. 6, when Maverick Lyon was home visiting his parents during winter break from college. Prosecutors said Dakota Lyon, his brother, was living at the home after recently being released from the Department of Corrections.
In February 2023, Dakota Lyon was sentenced to 58 months in prison for convictions of Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon, the release said.
On Jan. 6, prosecutors said Dakota Lyon accused Maverick Lyon of conspiring with their father to do harm to him. Dakota Lyon armed himself with a large kitchen knife and, while holding onto Maverick Lyon’s shirt, pulled him throughout the house, implying he would harm him with the knife, according to the district attorney’s office. Despite Maverick Lyon’s pleadings, prosecutors said Dakota Lyon refused to release him or put the knife down.
Prosecutors said Maverick Lyon convinced Dakota Lyon to allow him to grab his own kitchen knife under the guise that they would leave the residence to confront their father together. Their father, who saw and heard what was happening through a surveillance system set up at the home, called 911 to report the crime, the release said.
Multiple Albany Police Department officers arrived and were able to see two men through a back door window, including one with a knife, according to the district attorney’s office. After a brief conversation between officers and the men, prosecutors said Maverick Lyon broke free and rushed out the back door.
The district attorney’s office said Maverick Lyon still had a knife in his hand as he began to break the plane of the door, and officers were standing near the door. Prosecutors said Maverick Lyon began dropping the knife, but officers, fearing for their lives and the lives of other officers, fired their weapons. Maverick Lyon was struck several times.
An earlier Officer Involve Shooting review by the Benton County District Attorney’s Office found the officers’ use of force was justified, the release said.
Officers rendered first aid, and while being treated, Maverick Lyon said, “You shot the wrong guy,” according to the district attorney’s office.
Dakota Lyon was taken into custody without further incident, and the knife he was believed to have been possessing was located near him, prosecutors said. He has been in custody since Jan. 6.
After surgery and a lengthy recovery period, Maverick Lyon “appears to be doing well,” the release said.
The district attorney’s office said methamphetamine may have played a role in Dakota Lyon’s actions. A urine sample taken from him that day tested positive for methamphetamine, and he was known to use methamphetamine in the past and was believed by those close to him to have recently begun using methamphetamine again, according to the release.
“The tragic shooting was a direct result of Dakota Lyon’s actions. As Dakota marched Maverick around the house at knife point, Maverick feared for his life and wanted nothing more but to escape his drug crazed older brother. But for Dakota’s actions, police would not have been called, Maverick would not be a victim of kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon, and coercion, and the police would not have shot Maverick,” Chief DDA Amie Matusko, who prosecuted the case, said in the release.
At sentencing, Dakota Lyon’s attorney, Christian Strahl, acknowledged Dakota Lyon’s responsibility in Maverick Lyon’s shooting, the release said. Strahl indicated the remorse Dakota Lyon felt, saying Dakota Lyon wished he could have taken the bullets instead of Maverick, according to prosecutors.
“While this sentiment is appreciated, true accountability would be remorse in having raised a knife towards his brother and regret that the lives of Maverick and the family are forever changed,” Matusko said.
Oregon
Who’s visiting for Oregon’s final weekend of official visits?
The biggest and final weekend of official visits is finally here for the Oregon Ducks. The program has made the most of its prior rounds of visits, adding five commitments this month alone.
Dan Lanning and his staff will get a chance to lock in a top-five recruiting class this cycle with another tremendous list of visitors this weekend. Oregon will welcome back a pair of committed gems in the class, including quarterback Will Mencl and edge rusher Rashad Streets. However, the biggest visitors are those who have yet to decide on their college future.
Here’s a look at which recruits are expected to be in Eugene this weekend, as well as where they rank in the Rivals Industry Ranking.
- 5-star WR Xavier Sabb (No. 30)
- 4-star QB Will Mencl (No. 46) (Oregon commit)
- 4-star EDGE Rashad Streets (No. 47) (Oregon commit)
- 4-star WR Tae Walden Jr. (No. 69)
- 4-star LB Brayton Feister (No. 135)
- 4-star DL Brayden Parks (No. 166)
- 4-star TE Anthony Cartwright III (No. 343)
- 4-star RB Caden Waye (No. 359)
- 3-star IOL Lex Mailangi (No. 697)
It’s a loaded weekend for the Ducks, and they are well positioned to land several of the visiting recruits this summer. With Mencl and Streets both in town as well, two of the most vocal recruiters in Oregon’s class, don’t be surprised if the Ducks manage to earn a commitment or two before the weekend is over.
On the heels of adding wideout Dakota Guerrant to their class, the Ducks are the frontrunners for Xavier Sabb, who is making the trip across the country from New Jersey. Sabb, whose brothers both play at Alabama, is one of Oregon’s favorite targets in the cycle, and one that Mencl has publicly called for the Ducks to bring to Eugene.
As a junior, Sabb played both receiver and safety at Glassboro High School. He made 59 catches for 896 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and was named Gatorade Player of the Year in New Jersey. After visiting Alabama last weekend, Oregon will get the last word on Sabb’s recruitment and could add a pair of elite receivers to pair with their star quarterback.
The Ducks are also in great position to finalize a commitment with both linebacker Brayton Feister and tight end Anthony Cartwright III. Cartwright will commit on June 28, and Oregon is already viewed as the leader in the race for the 6-foot-5 pass-catcher from Detroit. Feister is fresh off a visit to Georgia, and the Bulldogs made a big push. However, the Ohio native and No. 10 linebacker in the class has always been strongly linked to the Ducks. An official visit this weekend could be enough to push the recruitment to the finish line.
There are a couple of question marks making their way to campus as well. Wide receiver Tae Walden Jr. and defensive lineman Brayden Parks are both leaning elsewhere, but the Ducks have a reasonable shot in both recruitments. Auburn has led the way for Walden, but a strong visit to LSU last week did make a difference. Oregon could do something similar this week, but as of now, he is thought to wind up in SEC territory.
Parks has been a Notre Dame lean, but the momentum over the past few months has swung between the Irish and the Ducks. Oregon gets the final say this weekend, and it could make the difference. Parks didn’t commit after he visited South Bend last weekend, leaving the door open for the Ducks to swoop in at the final hour before the dead period.
Oregon has been a leader for Mater Dei offensive lineman Lex Mailangi as well, but recent visits to Cal and UCLA have narrowed the gap. The Ducks could use another lineman in their class, with Gus Corsair being the only interior lineman committed. The Ducks have some work to do to regain the lead in the race.
Caden Waye is a late add to the list. Although he has had the Ducks at the top of his list since he narrowed his recruitment in the winter, his list has changed after a trip to UCF last weekend put the Knights in his top three. Oregon already has four-star running back CaDarius McMiller committed and is pushing hard for four-star Landen Williams-Callis. Waye is a bit of a wild card for the Ducks, so it will be interesting to see how his visit to Eugene goes.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Oregon
Deadly officer-involved shooting on Oregon Coast under investigation
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon State Police are investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting that took place in Lincoln County on Wednesday.
Officers from the Newport Police Department, as well as OSP, responded to the 1500 block of the Siletz River Highway just before 4 p.m. to conduct a follow-up investigation, which later escalated into a fatal shooting.
The suspect is dead, and no officers or members of the community were injured, OSP said.
The investigation is ongoing.
-
Alabama2 minutes ago
Kids take center stage at Alabama Shakespeare Festival summer camp
-
Alaska7 minutes agoAlaska Airlines names CFO as new president
-
Arizona14 minutes agoWife turns in Arizona startup CEO husband over fraud allegations
-
Arkansas17 minutes ago
Arkansas men’s track and field celebrates banner season with updated flag | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
-
California22 minutes agoCalifornia lawmakers seek $32M to combat invasive pest found on grapevines sold at Costco
-
Colorado29 minutes agoColorado’s Deion Sanders With Controversial Big 12 Coach Ranking
-
Connecticut32 minutes agoSierra Club Connecticut, State Representatives Host Black Lungs Matter: Juneteenth Press Event – CleanTechnica
-
Delaware37 minutes agoFrom blueprint to breakthrough: Tackling affordable housing in Wilmington