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Takeaways from Michigan’s loss to Oregon

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Takeaways from Michigan’s loss to Oregon


The Michigan Wolverines fell to 5-4 on the season after losing 38-17 to the No. 1 Oregon Ducks on Saturday afternoon.

Here are takeaways from the game.

Kirk Campbell should not call plays moving forward

Offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell had mismanaged the game and got cute far too often. Campbell inserted Alex Orji repeatedly, even when Davis Warren did nice things throughout the game. Nothing was worse from Campbell than a sequence in the red zone with Michigan trailing 31-17 where Campbell dialed up a Kalel Mullings run on 3rd and 7 followed by a trick play with Orji at QB with the ball being handed to Semaj Morgan who went on to throw a horrendous pass out of bounce to Orji. Coaching can win and lose games, and Campbell failed mightily — he did not put his players in the best position to win. Head coach Sherrone Moore proved to be a solid offensive coordinator and play caller under Jim Harbaugh, and Moore should start calling the plays once more. Campbell did a lot of things that simply made no sense and were counterintuitive.

Campbell consistently took the ball out of Davis Warren’s hands against Oregon, opting to run into brick walls instead with the clock ticking down in the fourth quarter. Warren faced plenty of third and longs because of run plays that put Michigan behind the sticks, yet Warren was still a respectful 13-of-23 for 165 yards with two touchdowns. In crunch time Campbell didn’t trust his quarterback, he put the ball into the hands of Semaj Morgan on a pass, a play call that was inexcusable in retrospect and is just one of many poor decisions Campbell’s made this season.

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Wink Martindale is a step behind

Michigan’s defense was expected to be one of the best in college football this season, and they’ve been average at best. Yes, they were down two starting cornerbacks today in Will Johnson and Jyaire Hill, but every level of the defense struggled in the first half, leading to 28 Oregon points. Oregon had 304 yards on offense in the first half, quarterback Dillon Gabriel consistently found soft spots in Michigan’s zone coverage, and when Martindale dialed up blitzes Oregon exploited the aggressiveness via screens, even on 2nd and 15. Michigan’s defense lacks fundamentals and a cohesive scheme. Martindale does not come out of the gate with good game plans. Michigan gave up 24 first-half points to Texas before allowing just seven in the second half. Against Oregon, there were 28 first-half points compared to 10 in the second half. However, in both games, the damage was already done by the time the second half rolled around and the opposing offenses knew to just play turnover-free football with substantial leads.

Martdinale’s scheme looks a lot different than that of former Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who has the No. 1 scoring defense with the Los Angeles Chargers. Martindale’s tenure with the Ravens ended poorly, his performance as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants was even worse, and now he’s the DC of Michigan and his performance has been just as uninspiring. Opposing offenses seem to have the data points on how to attack Martindale’s tendencies and the deficiencies within Michigan’s defense.

Outlook moving forward

Michigan’s now 5-4 on the year and the players and coaching staff haven’t collectively improved as the season has unfolded. Michigan’s remaining schedule included No. 13 Indiana (9-0), Northwestern (4-5), and No. 4 Ohio State (7-1). Michigan will be big underdogs against Indiana and Ohio State and there’s a strong chance that the tilt against Northwestern will decide if this team is even bowl-eligible.

Tough questions are going to need to be answered, starting right now. Big strides are being made via NIL (name, image, likeness) to land top-tier recruits and these recruits will want to be coached by the best staff possible. Sherrone Moore will have some tough decisions to make this offseason, including changes on the coaching staff. No coaching staff remains the same year-to-year whether a team has a successful season or not, but this is a point of emphasis all the more when a team like Michigan is hovering around .500. Turning this thing around in 2025 starts right now. Time to come up with a winning formula from top to bottom.



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Isaiah Sy’s career night lifts Oregon State men to victory over LMU

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Isaiah Sy’s career night lifts Oregon State men to victory over LMU


A career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds from sharpshooting, French wing Isaiah Sy propelled Oregon State men’s basketball to a 76-70 win over Loyola Marymount on Wednesday night at Gill Coliseum.

The Beavers (10-10, 3-4 WCC) also got 21 points from Josiah Lake II in a foul-fest that saw both teams shoot a combined 56 free throws at a 95% clip.

The Lions (11-9, 2-5 WCC) were led by Myron Amey Jr. with 18 points and Rodney Brown Jr. with 17. OSU scored 17 points off LMU’s 15 turnovers.

Despite a poor shooting first half, OSU kept it close with LMU through the first 20 minutes. Brown was hot in the early going, however, scoring 10 quick points to give the Lions an 18-13 lead.

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The Beavers were able to stay in the game by getting to the free throw line, hitting 14 of its 14 attempts in the first half. LMU was also perfect from the stripe in the half, going 11-11.

The Lions committed eight turnovers to OSU’s four in the first half, and after taking a 24-17 at one point, the turnover issue allowed Wayne Tinkle’s team to come back.

OSU retook the lead, 30-29, on a three-pointer by Sy with three minutes left in the half. By the break, it was 37-36 LMU, with OSU shooting just 29% to LMU’s 44%.

Sy came out with back-to-back buckets to open the second half, hoping to energize his team as it took a 41-37 lead. A swished three-pointer by Lake made it 44-37, getting the Gill Coliseum crowd on its feet and forcing an LMU timeout.

OSU rode the momentum and kept forcing turnovers, leading to another three-pointer by Sy to make it 53-42 around the 14 minute mark. The positive energy extended to the OSU bench during a 7-0 run for the Beavers as they surpassed their season-high in steals with 10.

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Sy surpassed his career-high with a fifth three-pointer just as LMU was making a run, extending OSU’s lead to 57-46 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

LMU stormed back over a three-minute period, though, going on a 13-3 run to cut the OSU lead to just one.

A full-court press stymied the rhythm of OSU’s offense, and LMU retook the lead, 59-58, with just over six minutes left.

The teams traded baskets with the score swinging back and forth, and Johan Munch fouled out for OSU on an illegal screen with 3:39 remaining. Two free throws by Sy gave OSU the lead back, 65-63, shortly after.

Trailing by four, Amey missed a three for LMU with just over 90 seconds remaining, and OSU milked the clock as much as it could.

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LMU’s five-minute scoreless streak snapped with a corner three-pointer by Brown, cutting it to 68-66 with 50 seconds left.

But Jorge Diaz Graham and Sy hit their free throws down the stretch, and OSU was able to hang on for the win.

Next game: Oregon State (10-10, 3-4 WCC) vs. Pacific (12-8, 3-4 WCC)

  • When: Saturday, Jan. 17
  • Time: 3:00 pm PT
  • Where: Gill Coliseum, Corvallis
  • Stream: ESPN+



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Oregon Receiver Evan Stewart’s Return Could Shake Up Ducks’ Offense

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Oregon Receiver Evan Stewart’s Return Could Shake Up Ducks’ Offense


EUGENE – The Oregon Ducks advanced further into the postseason than they did a year ago, but the end of the 2025 season still left much to be desired. Several starters were quick to announce their intention to forgo the 2026 NFL Draft and return to Eugene.

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Among the players with major decisions to make about their future was Oregon receiver Evan Stewart. Stewart missed the 2025 season with an injury after being considered an early-round prospect by NFL scouts. Stewart is expected to return to Oregon for another year, per Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.

Wide Receiver Evan Stewart Makes NFL Decision

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Dec 30, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) poses during Rose Bowl media day at Sheraton Grand LA. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Stewart faced a tricky decision back in 2025 when it came to declaring for the NFL Draft or staying in Eugene. It was a decision that he had to figure out once again, with eligibility remaining due to injury.

The wide receiver spent the 2025 season sidelined due to a torn patellar injury. He inched closer to his return during the College Football Playoffs, but never saw the field.

Stewart showed his pro potential during the 2024 season in his first year with the Ducks after transferring. He recorded 613 yards and five touchdowns on 48 receptions in 2024.

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Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Evan Stewart (7) rushes with the football in front of Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) after catching a pass during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

He spoke about his draft decision during the Ducks’ semifinal matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers. The opportunity to finally play with Oregon quarterback Dante Moore seemed to play a factor in whether or not he’d return.

“Me and Dante were going to be something,” Stewart told 247Sports’ Erik Skopil. “I still want to play with him. If he comes back, it’s going to be lit, I know that.”

Moore was projected to be a top-two pick in the draft, with many believing the New York Jets would select him No. 2 overall. He announced on SportsCenter that he would return to Eugene for another season. Ducks fans should have the opportunity to finally see Moore and Stewart in action together in 2026.

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MORE: Fernando Mendoza’s Classy Move After Beating The Ducks Is Turning Heads

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MORE: Two Massive Defensive Players Forgo the NFL Draft to Return to Oregon

MORE: Another Oregon Ducks Quarterback Enters Transfer Portal

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Oregon Ducks’ 2026 Wide Receiver Room

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Oregon wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan carries the ball on a return during an open practice ahead of the Orange Bowl at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon on Dec. 27, 2025. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ducks are set to have a loaded wide receiver room in 2026 with Stewart expected to return. Oregon does lose veteran wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. and its leading receiver in 2025, Malik Benson, due to both players running out of eligibility. Former Oregon wide receivers Justius Lowe, Kyler Kasper and Cooper Perry all entered the transfer portal.

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But the program does return former five-star Dakorien Moore, who will enter his sophomore season. Moore missed some time in 2025 due to injury, but still recorded 497 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns, as well as a rushing touchdown.

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Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Dakorien Moore (1) runs the ball against Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Amare Ferrell (1) during the second half of the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Moore should continue to thrive as a focal point of the Oregon offense. Meanwhile, Ducks wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan comes off a breakout redshirt freshman season. He tallied three touchdowns and 557 receiving yards.

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The Ducks will have a handful a pair of standout freshmen next season. Jalen Lott joins the team after being a consensus top-five wide receiver in the 2026 recruiting class. Former five-star recruit Gatlin Bair will also be part of the wide receiver room after serving on a two-year mission. The program is also set to bring in freshman wide receivers Messiah Hampton and Hudson Lewis.

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Coach Dan Lanning added a former UAB wide receiver from the transfer portal. Iverson Hooks joins the team with two years of eligibility remaining and is expected to work in the slot with Bryant gone. He finished the 2025 season with seven touchdowns and 927 yards on 72 receptions.



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Oregon sues, says Trump transgender order requires it to discriminate

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Oregon sues, says Trump transgender order requires it to discriminate


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Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Jan. 13 over grant funding conditions the state says require it to agree to discriminate against transgender people.

The lawsuit is Oregon’s first against the Trump administration in 2026. The state sued the administration 52 times in 2025.

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“Oregon has worked hard to expand access to medical choice and make sure everyone can get the care they need,” Rayfield said in a statement. “This policy uses federal money to interfere with deeply personal medical decisions that belong to patients, families, and their doctors. Agencies shouldn’t be forced to take care away from people just to keep their funding.”

Eleven other states are parties to the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island. They include New York, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

The lawsuit targets what the states allege is “a novel and ambiguous funding condition” from HHS making receiving some grants dependent on the states following Title IX requirements, including the addition of a Trump executive order.

The order, “Defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government,” calls for the recognition of two sexes and says federal funding cannot “be used to promote gender ideology.”

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The funding goes to federal grants for health, education and research, amounting to more than $300 million for the party states.

The suit argues requiring agreement to comply with the order as a term to receive funding goes against Oregon and other states’ laws that protect against discrimination because of gender identity.

The states’ complaint says HHS has violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the separation of powers and the Spending Clause with the funding requirements.

The suit asks for the gender conditions to be found unlawful and stopped from being enforced.

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Oregon filed four suits in 2025 over gender affirming care or threats to funding over gender affirming language.

Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.



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