For those who purchased the dip, you’re possible sitting fairly proper about now as an Oregon Geese’ fan.
The efficiency in Week 1 towards the Georgia Bulldogs had Oregon’s inventory at maybe an all-time low, because the staff struggled mightily on protection and was unable to get into the endzone. Oregon was bounced out of the top-25 based on a number of main polls, they usually noticed doubt forged their manner from nationwide media members and followers alike.
A recreation towards the Jap Washington Eagles supplied a pleasant bounce-back, although, and whereas the Geese’ inventory my not be thought-about blue-chip simply but, it’s on the right track.
In a 70-14 victory, you may guess that there are going to be nothing however constructive while you take a look at particular person performances. That’s principally true, however at Geese Wire, we would like our inventory report back to be goal and correct. Whereas Oregon was nice, there are nonetheless issues to work on. Let’s determine gamers who noticed their shares go up, and some who might need seen a slight dip on Saturday night time:
Inventory Up: Troy Franklin
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports activities
It was a profession night time for sophomore large receiver Troy Franklin, and in a recreation the place the door was open for any skill-position participant to ascertain themselves as one of many foremost offensive choices for this staff, No. 11 stepped as much as the plate.
Franklin completed the sport with 10 catches for 84 yards and a landing. The second-most receptions on the staff was Dont’e Thornton with 4. It was clear early on that Franklin and QB Bo Nix had established a connection, and the 2 went at it play after play, making the Eagles harm.
Oregon’s WR room is deep sufficient that on any given Saturday, a brand new man can step up and take the main function, however Franklin was the man to do it in Week 2, and I’ve confidence that he will be that man for the Geese going ahead as nicely.
Inventory Up: Terrance Ferguson
Very similar to Troy Franklin did for the WR corps, Terrance Ferguson stepped up in an enormous manner for the TE group in Eugene on Saturday night time. Ferguson had two touchdowns on 3 catches for 35 yards. Whereas the numbers are nice, it was the physicality that Ferguson performed with that was most spectacular. It’s clear that the Geese have a extremely good receiving tight finish who can ultimately rise to All-American standing as his profession continues. It’s been made clear early on that Ferguson will possible be an enormous piece of the Geese’ offense.
Inventory Down: Noah Whittington
The general numbers for Noah Whittington aren’t horrible — he had 8 rushes for 29 yards and a landing — however I got here into this season listening to from a number of those that the switch from Western Kentucky was going to be among the many high choices for the Geese. Up to now he has regarded just like the fourth-best RB in a bunch of 5. Whereas I believe that he can serve a pleasant function on this offense and be a productive participant, by two video games I’ve been left wanting slightly bit extra.
Inventory Up: Kenny Dillingham
The primary recreation of the yr left us questioning Oregon’s offense, questioning if we had been bought a false invoice of products after the Geese have been unable to get into the endzone towards Georgia. I believe these worries are gone after Saturday when Oregon managed to drop a 70-spot on the Eagles.
Kenny Dillingham referred to as an incredible recreation, and whereas even a mediocre offensive coordinator possible might have discovered success towards an FCS faculty, the Geese blended in quite a lot of passing and operating to maintain issues recent. After all, there weren’t as many down-field photographs as we’d been led to imagine within the offseason, however I at the very least have sufficient confidence in Oregon’s offense now to be excited to see what they’ll do towards a stable BYU protection subsequent week.
Inventory Up: Bo Nix
In my thoughts, there have been two issues that Bo Nix wanted to do on Saturday night time to make the efficiency a hit: construct a large enough lead that he might take a lot of the second half off, and achieve this with out committing any turnovers.
Examine and test.
Nix regarded just like the man Oregon thought they have been getting out of the switch portal, throwing 28-for-33 with 277 yards and a career-high 5 touchdowns. He was sensible with the ball and ran the offense with a pure poise. As with many of those inventory reviews, it must be stated that that is comparatively simple to do towards a far-lesser opponent, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a mandatory step within the development to being a superb quarterback in a Energy 5 convention.
After watching Nix, I’ve extra confidence that he will be simply that. I’m nowhere close to able to say that he’ll lead the Geese to a Rose Bowl or something like that, however I do really feel that if he performs inside himself and lets the offense run the way it’s purported to, he may give Oregon a profitable season this yr.
Inventory Down: Kris Hutson
Earlier than the beginning of the season, I partook in a “inventory draft” with my good buddies JD Pluid and Shane Potter at The Flock Pod. One in all my draft picks was Kris Hutson as a result of I believe he’s among the many most proficient gamers on the staff and in line for an enormous yr.
We after all didn’t see that come to fruition in Week 1, however I assumed that Saturday was going to be his time to shine in a recreation the place quite a lot of factors have been going to be placed on the board. He didn’t fairly present up, although, catching simply three balls for 10 whole yards. I nonetheless suppose that Hutson can arrive as some of the productive receivers on the staff, however to date, we’ve been left ready.
Inventory Up: Bucky Irving
I got here into this season listening to that each Mar’Keise Irving and Noah Whittington could be two of the primary items within the Oregon backfield. Whereas Whittington should be reaching that designation, Irving has actually stepped up early on. He led the Geese RB group with 8 rushes for 74 yards and a landing on Saturday and was a relentless on the sector early within the recreation. It’s clear early on this season that the Geese actually like what Bucky brings to the staff, and they’re going to possible experience him going ahead.
Inventory Down: Justin Flowe
A variety of us thought that Justin Flowe would have a breakout recreation towards Georgia and introduce himself to the school soccer world. That clearly didn’t occur. I assumed {that a} week 2 recreation towards an FCS faculty would then act as an ideal probability for Flowe to get again into the groove of issues and announce his presence on Oregon’s protection. That didn’t fairly occur both.
As a substitute, Flowe had simply two whole tackles within the recreation. No person on the protection had nice particular person stats although the unit as a complete performed nicely. I nonetheless am ready to see the Flowe that we noticed final yr towards Fresno State. To be trustworthy, I’m shocked it’s taken this lengthy.
Inventory Up: Camden Lewis
Final week whereas he was strolling into apply, I joked with Camden Lewis that he ought to stroll across the locker room with some swagger after the Georgia recreation, touting that he’s the staff’s main scorer for the season. As the one participant to get any factors on the board, Lewis might say one thing no one else might.
After Saturday’s recreation, Lewis ought to nonetheless be strolling round with that very same degree of swagger. The Geese’ kicker was an ideal 10-for-10 on PAT’s, and although he didn’t try a area purpose all night time, I really feel assured in saying that he would have nailed it.
Lewis’s profession at Oregon has had some ups and downs, however I believe Duck followers ought to really feel assured within the man that they’ve in a stress function. Up to now, he’s given no purpose to doubt.