Oregon

Oregon thumping Michigan left little doubt Ducks belong as college football’s No. 1

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2024

Oregon thumping Michigan left little doubt Ducks belong as college football’s No. 1

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Oregon’s Rob Mullens and Michigan’s Warde Manuel, now colleagues in the Big Ten, found themselves sharing an Uber after a meeting of the league’s athletic directors. The conversation turned to Manuel’s role as chairman of the College Football Playoff committee, a job Mullens had in 2018 and 2019.

The chairman’s job is to go on TV and condense the sentiments of everyone in the room into a coherent message. When controversy ensues, as it inevitably will, the chairman is the one who takes the heat.

“You’re representing 13, but you become the focal point of angry fans,” Mullens said with a chuckle.

Picking the teams who will play in the inaugural 12-team CFP is going to be a pressurized process with plenty of room for debate and second-guessing. When the committee releases its initial rankings Tuesday night, there should be one obvious and easy call: Oregon at No. 1.

The Ducks rolled Michigan 38-17 on Saturday to improve to 9-0. This isn’t a great Michigan team, as its 5-4 record suggests, but Oregon still made a statement by walking into the Big House and thumping the reigning national champions.

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Top-ranked Oregon remains unbeaten with road win at Michigan: Takeaways

Oregon received all but one first-place vote in last week’s AP Top 25, and the gap between the Ducks and everyone else has only widened since then. No. 2 Georgia struggled to pull away from Florida due to three interceptions from quarterback Carson Beck. No. 3 Penn State lost another top-five matchup against No. 4 Ohio State, a team Oregon beat three weeks ago.

The Ducks don’t have many weaknesses, as Michigan saw firsthand Saturday. Oregon is good on both lines of scrimmage and won the battle up front. The Ducks have a tough running back in Jordan James and weapons on the outside in Evan Stewart and Traeshon Holden, though an injury to wide receiver Tez Johnson was cause for concern.

The player who brings it all together is Dillon Gabriel, the most unflappable quarterback in college football. Gabriel threw for 294 yards, completed 22 of 34 passes and also ran for a 23-yard touchdown. Some of Oregon’s biggest plays happened because he was able to feel pressure and evade it while keeping his eyes downfield. Michigan didn’t sack him once, which means Oregon effectively neutralized the strongest part of Michigan’s team.

“I think everybody in the nation needs to recognize what kind of quarterback we’ve got,” coach Dan Lanning said. “He’s a really, really special player.”

Michigan couldn’t keep up, and that wasn’t a surprise to anyone who has watched the Wolverines this season. Michigan is basically the same team it was in Week 2, when the Wolverines lost by 19 to Texas. Davis Warren has been solid in his return to the starting quarterback role, but aside from cutting down on turnovers, the Wolverines haven’t shown much improvement from the start of the season until now.

The running game has regressed, as Kalel Mullings was held to fewer than 20 yards on the ground for the second game in a row. The defense hasn’t gotten markedly better, and now that the injuries are adding up, it’s not realistic to expect the light will come on in the final month of the season.

Oregon finished with 470 total yards to Michigan’s 270. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

When Warren regained the starting quarterback job, the message was that Michigan didn’t need him to be Superman. Except, well, it kind of does. Or at least it did on Saturday if the Wolverines were going to have any shot at upsetting Oregon. Warren played turnover-free football and threw two touchdowns, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep up with the high-powered Ducks.

“The No. 1 thing that’s asked of us is to win the football game,” Warren said. “That’s just what it comes down to. As an offense, we’ve got to start faster.”

Two plays from Saturday’s game showed why Michigan, in addition to being limited at a few key positions, is losing the strategic battle, too. One was Gabriel’s 23-yard touchdown run on a quarterback draw. Gabriel said the Ducks noticed on film that Michigan likes to play lots of games with its defensive line, with players switching rush lanes after the snap. If players aren’t in the right gaps quickly enough, it can leave a hole in the defense. Gabriel spotted one of those holes and glided into the end zone.

“The touchdown run was something we’d been setting up,” Gabriel said. “(It was) just an advantage, a check we wanted to get to. Guys up front handled the games really well. We talked about that QB draw, expecting games.”

The other play was Michigan’s fourth-and-5 call in the red zone when the Wolverines had a chance to pull within a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The person throwing the ball on a gotta-have-it play wasn’t Warren, who made some nice red-zone throws in the game. It wasn’t Orji, who at least plays quarterback and practices throwing the ball. It wasn’t even Donovan Edwards, who is 4-for-4 in his career as a passer. Instead Michigan had Semaj Morgan, a wide receiver, throwing to Orji in the end zone.

The reason to call that play is to gain an element of surprise. But Oregon spent time studying Michigan’s trick plays after the Wolverines used several of them last week against Michigan State, and edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei did his job by covering Orji when he leaked out of the backfield.

“We spent a lot of time on that, an inordinate amount of time,” Lanning said. “I think that’s an unbelievable play by Matayo that’s going to go a little bit unsung. We talk about farming your land. Do your job, don’t worry about farming somebody else’s land. He did a great job of farming his land on that play.”

GO DEEPER

Oregon used the Big House to help put it on a path to becoming a Big Ten power

Great teams are prepared for everything. Mediocre teams make mistakes like lining up over the snapper on a punt, which Michigan did to give Oregon a free first down after the defense came up with a stop.

For three years, Michigan was the team that did everything right. The Wolverines are a shadow of their former selves, and it’s taken away much of the aura of playing in Michigan Stadium. The Ducks handled the environment with ease, exactly as a No. 1 team is supposed to do, and left little doubt about where they belong in the initial CFP rankings.

“It was going to take our best,” Lanning said, “but our best is good enough.”

(Top photo of Dan Lanning and Dillon Gabriel: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

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Oregon

Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State finds mojo against Penn State, moves back behind Oregon

Published

14 mins ago

November 5, 2024

Press Room

Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State finds mojo against Penn State, moves back behind Oregon

Groundhog Day arrived early in Pennsylvania, where Punxsutawney James (Franklin) saw his shadow, which means another long winter for Penn State after again losing to Ohio State.

The Nittany Lions, who have not defeated the Buckeyes since 2016, dropped behind OSU and Indiana after Saturday’s 20-13 loss. Oregon remains No. 1. The biggest stress points are in Lincoln and Madison, where Nebraska and Wisconsin suddenly are in jeopardy of missing bowl season.

1. Oregon (9-0)

Last week: 1

This week: vs. Maryland

What to know: The Ducks’ voyage to regular-season perfection is smooth sailing with only Maryland, Wisconsin and rival Washington left to play.

2. Ohio State (7-1)

Last week: 4

This week: vs. Purdue

What to know: With their season at a crossroads, the Buckeyes looked both ways against Penn State and then late in the game looked good both ways, on offense and defense.

3. Indiana (9-0)

Last week: 3

This week: vs. Michigan

What to know: Hand the conference coach of the year honor to Curt Cignetti now. No reason to wait. The Hoosiers are 9-0 for the first time in program history.

4. Penn State (7-1)

Last week: 2

This week: vs. Washington

What to know: : Penn State no longer controls its own destiny in the race to make the Big Ten title game, but the playoff remains probable, even if a deep playoff run does not.

5. Iowa (6-3)

Last week: 5

This week: at UCLA (Friday)

What to know: We’re not sure if the Hawkeyes are sneaky good or sneaky bad, but we’re willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

6. Minnesota (6-3)

Last week: 9

This week: at Rutgers.

What to know: A true test to see if the Golden Gophers are as good as their record. We think not, but Rutgers won’t prove us right.

7. Illinois (6-3)

Last week: 6

This week: idle

What to know: Once upon a time this season, Illinois surprised people. We’re no longer surprised. We figured the Illini eventually would fold like a cheap lawn chair..

8. Washington (5-4)

Last week: 11

This week: at Penn State

What to know: The Huskies can take heart in a hopeful stat: Since 2017, Penn State is 3-3 the game after losing to Ohio State.

9. Michigan (5-4)

Last week: 10

This week: at Indiana

What to know: Michigan optimism: Nobody really knows if IU is that good. Michigan reality: Everybody knows the Wolverines aren’t that good..

10. Wisconsin (5-4)

Last week: 8

This week: idle

What to know: The last time the Badgers finished with a losing record (2001), Barry Alvarez still had hair. Don’t look now but a sub-.500 season remains a possibility.

11. Michigan State (4-5)

Last week: 12

This week: idle

What to know: Green. White. Green. White. The chant you hear when Sparty waves the surrender flag on the field.

12. UCLA (3-5)

Last week: 16

This week: vs. Iowa (Friday)

What to know: News flash: UCLA is not awful. Still bad, yes, but not awful. Just ask Nebraska.

13. USC (4-5)

Last week: 13

This week: idle

What to know: Sitting here wondering if Lincoln Riley wishes he were back in Oklahoma. We hear the L.A. media wish he were.

14. Nebraska (5-4)

Last week: 7

This week: idle

What to know: We’re not saying Nebraska is regressing into the Nebraska of Scott Frost, but we’re not not saying it, either.

15. Northwestern (4-5)

Last week: 15

This week: idle

What to know: The Wildcats get a week off to celebrate their overtime win against Purdue. The party deserves to last 30 seconds.

16. Maryland (4-4)

Last week: 14

This week: at Oregon

What to know: The Terps always disappear in late fall, like a golf ball hiding under autumn.

17. Rutgers (4-4)

Last week: 17

This week: Minnesota

What to know: Upset special: the Scarlet Knights are due. The Golden Gophers are doo-doo.

18. Purdue (1-7)

Last week: 18

This week: at Ohio State

What to know: What hurts more? Having to play Ohio State or being 18th in the first year of Big Ten expansion when rival Indiana is 9-0?

roller@dispatch.com

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Oregon

Live updates: Oregon men’s basketball vs. UC Riverside

Published

8 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

Live updates: Oregon men’s basketball vs. UC Riverside

EUGENE — We are live from Matthew Knight Arena for tonight’s season opener between Oregon and UC Riverside.

The Ducks are favored by 16.5 or 17 points at all listed sportsbooks and the over/under is 144.5, according to Action Network.

Oregon is without forward Supreme Cook and guards Dezdrick Lindsay (shoulder) and Oleksandr Kobzystyi tonight.

Refresh this page to follow live updates from tonight’s game (7:30 p.m., B1G+)

HALFTIME: OREGON 51, UC RIVERSIDE 36

— Scoring: Evans 12, Angel, Bamba and Bittle 9 each, Shelstad and Tracey 5 each, Moss 2 | 10-0 UO on fast break, 24-8 UO in paint

— 9-0 Oregon run thanks to 4 UC Riverside turnovers

— UC Riverside racking up fouls in the closing minutes as Oregon picks up press defense

— Three-point play by Nate Bittle make it 47-34

— Kaleb Smith’s third foul with 2:45 to half

— Mookie Cook enters with 3:40 to go, leaving only freshman Jamari Phillips yet to play for UO

— 38-31 Oregon (U4: 3:53): Ducks up to 20-8 advantage in the paint

— Jackson Shelstad with 2 fouls at 5:13. Oregon with 3 fouls in less than 1:00. UC Riverside with two offensive rebounds off missed free throws.

— 8 Oregon players with 1 foul each at 5:26 to half

— 8-0 Oregon run, 34-28 UO. UC Riverside timeout (6:37)

— Tied at 28 (U8: 7:19): UC Riverside 5 of 10 from three. Oregon with 14-6 edge in paint.

— Oregon with a clear size advantage that Nate Bittle and Brandon Angel are exploiting

— Nate Bittle’s first basket of the season is a dunk off a pass from Jackson Shelstad. Snapped 0 for 4 start for Bittle.

— 16-15 Oregon (U12: 12:00): Ducks with 9-6 rebounding edge, 3-0 on offensive boards, but no second-chance points

— 10-9 Oregon (U16: 15:07): Kwame Evans Jr. with 7. Both teams shooting 50% from three early

— Oregon wins the tip

— Oregon starters: Jackson Shelstad, TJ Bamba, Brandon Angel, Kwame Evans Jr., Nate Bittle

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Oregon

No. 1 Oregon set to battle Wisconsin in 2020 Rose Bowl rematch on NBC, Peacock

Published

16 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Press Room

No. 1 Oregon set to battle Wisconsin in 2020 Rose Bowl rematch on NBC, Peacock

Two teams with national title aspirations and two teams fighting to become bowl eligible will be featured on NBC Sports and Peacock during Week 12 in college football.

In a season full of firsts for the Big Ten, the No. 1 Oregon Ducks and Wisconsin Badgers will do battle for the first time as conference rivals when they play on Nov. 16 at Camp Randall Stadium, with coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET and kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

But before Oregon and Wisconsin take the field, the No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will host the Virginia Cavaliers at 3:30 p.m. ET, also on NBC Sports and Peacock.

The later game will be a rematch of the 2020 Rose Bowl, when Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert ran for three touchdowns to help his team beat Jonathan Taylor and Wisconsin 28-27.

The Ducks and Badgers have played six times, including the 2020 duel, with Wisconsin winning the first three games and Oregon winning the last three. Five of the six games have been decided a touchdown or less.

Led by star quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Oregon has been the best team in college football this season. They are 9-0 for the first time since 2012 after beating the Michigan Wolverines 38-17, and they will host the Maryland Terrapins before heading to Madison.

Wisconsin just suffered a big loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes, falling 42-10 on the road and dropping to 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten. Coach Luke Fickell will have a bye week to work on improving his struggling offense and prepare for the Ducks.

Nov. 16 will mark the fifth time Virginia and Notre Dame have ever played. The Fighting Irish have scored at least 28 points and won the previous four matchups, including their most recent meeting, a 28-3 Notre Dame victory in 2021.

Notre Dame is 9-1, the winners of six consecutive games after falling to the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sept. 7. Coach Marcus Freeman’s squad will likely earn a berth in the College Football Playoff if they win their final four games, which include a home matchup with the Florida State Seminoles before a date with Virginia.

Quarterback Anthony Colandrea and the Cavaliers have lost their last three games, sliding to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play. They had a bye to get ready for their Week 11 road game against the 7-1 Pittsburgh Panthers.

How to watch Virginia vs. No. 10 Notre Dame:

When: Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana
Time: Live coverage begins at 3 p.m. ET
TV Channel: NBC
Live Stream: Peacock

How to watch No. 1 Oregon vs. Wisconsin:

When: Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin
Time: Live coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET
TV Channel: NBC
Live Stream: Peacock

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