Entering Oregon football’s second weekend of the season, it seems as if some of the doomsday talk from fans has died down from the previous week. Several avid Duck enthusiasts are leaning towards the ugly play shown vs. Idaho as simply a fluke, or a needed wakeup call for this years’ squad. Maybe falling from the number three ranked spot to the number seventh will bring a needed chip to the shoulders of these Oregon players.
That chip is much needed, as Oregon enters into their next contest tomorrow against Boise State, who opened their season vs. Georgia Southern last week 56-45. This game will be the first night kick-off for the Ducks, with a 7 p.m. PT kick time at Autzen Stadium, as well as Oregon’s first FBS opponent of the season.
Though the Broncos are a Group Five Mountain West Conference team, there’s some serious talent in the run game that Oregon needs to look out for. Plus, Boise State has been projected several times to be a dark horse competitor in the new 12-team College Football Playoff as the potential fifth conference champion that joins the first playoff round. Boise State is arguably a far better team than Idaho, so leading with 10 points in the second half is simply not acceptable this weekend.
With all that in mind, let’s break down three big areas to focus on during Oregon’s game vs. Boise State.
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Oregon linemen hold the line during a point after kick as the Oregon Ducks host the Idaho Vandals Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
1. Oregon’s Offensive Line
Arguably the biggest sore spot for Oregon during the Idaho game, the offensive line was simply not able to open the gaps needed to propel the run game and wasn’t able to keep quarterback Dillon Gabriel comfortable in the pocket. Gabriel focused on a majority of short passes after he hurt a finger due to pressure the offensive line couldn’t stop. During the Idaho post game press conference, wide receiver Tez Johnson even remarked that Gabriel seemed uncomfortable. Looking at how the line couldn’t protect Gabriel from Idaho defenders, that uncomfort seems founded.
Furthermore, the trenches had several frivolous penalties. Most notably, tackle Ajani Cornelius racked up two illegal formation calls, Josh Conerly Jr. picked up a false start penalty, and Iapani “Poncho” Laloulou got a false start and a holding penalty. Out of the eight penalties for Oregon that cost the team 60 yards, five of those penalties resulting in 30 yards lost were on the offensive line specifically.
The line only allowed 2.9 yards per carry against Idaho’s defense, a miserable statistic that offensive line coach A’lique Terry wore on a shirt during this week’s practices.
Indiana transfer Matthew Bedford was confirmed to be returning for the game by Ducks coach Dan Lanning in his weekly press conference, however Charlie Pickard and Iapani Laloulou continued to take first team reps at center and right guard.
Going into the Boise State game, watch to see if the offensive line is able to improve their communication and cohesiveness to be able to efficiently block Boise State’s defenders.
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Aug 31, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei (10) sacks Idaho Vandals quarterback Jack Layne (2) during the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images / Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
2. Boise State’s Run Game.
A highlight of the Boise State offense, their run game is uplifted by Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty scored six touchdowns against Georgia Southern last game and racked up over 500 yards. Last year, Jeanty was the only NCAA athlete with multiple rushing and receiving touchdowns over 50 yards. In his weekly press conference, Lanning called Jeanty an “NFL guy” and shared he was impressed watching Jeanty’s tape.
Boise State is able to give Jeanty the ability to dominate the run game by allowing a stretch offense and shifting the pocket so rushers like Jeanty are able to navigate more gaps and fake to the outside of the line. Oregon’s task would be to keep Jeanty’s yardage low by having the defensive line cause pressures and allow secondary players, like defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei, contain Jeanty. Against Idaho, Uiagalelei shined with two sacks, and he will certainly be a player to watch for Oregon’s rush defense.
Though a problem in big moments last year, especially during the two games against Washington, Lanning claims work over the off-season has fixed these problems.
So, be on the lookout for if Oregon is able to stop Boise State’s rushing talents.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws out a pass during practice with the Oregon Ducks Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
3. Will back-ups enter the game?
This is the most up-in-the-air topic that will prove interesting if second team athletes see the field. Due to their performance during Idaho being less than lackluster, Oregon’s first team stayed on the field for the remainder of the game to secure a Duck win.
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Many thought before the Idaho game occurred that back-up quarterback and UCLA transfer Dante Moore would get a few snaps, there would be more appearances from wide receiver Kyler Kasper, Evan Stewart would get more than three targets at tight end, some potential runs for running back Jayden Limar, and the well-performing Oregon first team defense would get a break. That was not the case.
For this game, it’d be interesting to see if Oregon’s back-ups and younger players get field time, but that all depends on if the first team can get it together to be in a comfortable lead. If the Ducks are up by three or more scores in the third quarter or two or more scores in the fourth quarter, there may be a chance to see some young blood hit the turf.
Overall, improvement is the real focus for Oregon’s game vs. Boise State. The offense in particular has to show up and show out to avoid a continued “upset alert” label from the media and fans. From Lanning’s press conferences, it seems like Oregon is determined to put out a better product on the field than last week, and one can only hope that they do.
MORE: How To Watch Oregon Ducks vs. Boise State: Channel, Streaming, Big Ten Blackout?
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The University of Oregon’s Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to approve a $1.55 billion operating budget for the next fiscal year.
But they asked university leadership to return with an amended proposal by Dec. 15, when more details about future budget cuts will be known.
FILE — The Board of Trustees recently approved next year’s budget for the University of Oregon. The vote comes several weeks after the school’s president announced that he wants the university to reduce its annual budget as revenues and out-of-state enrollment decline.
Brian Bull / KLCC
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The vote comes several weeks after University of Oregon President Karl Scholz announced that he wants the school to reduce its annual budget by around $65 million.
At a trustees meeting Monday, Scholz said the estimated budget shortfall for next year is just around $23 million. But he said out-of-state enrollment is below historical norms for the second year in a row, and it’s unlikely to bounce back.
“One year can be an aberration. Two years is a pattern,” said Scholz. “And I believe we have to treat it as a new reality.”
Scholz said in May that discussions about the budget would happen over a six-month period. He said no final decisions about cuts would be made over this summer.
On Monday, UO Senate President Dyana Mason told trustees that the Senate had approved a new process to allow for community feedback in the cost-cutting process.
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Mason said the provost will work with the deans on budget proposals, finding “clear rationale” for why programs are considered for elimination.
The provost would then bring those proposals to the Senate Committee for Academic Modifications—which includes staff, faculty and students—for feedback.
Once the plans are nearly finalized, the Senate could then hold a period for public comment.
Mason told trustees that a six-month timeline is better than the three months that frustrated some staff last year, but she recommended taking however much time is necessary.
“The worst situation would be rushing forward to make decisions without appropriate evidence, data, feedback from the people that are most in the know about the impact on our students,” said Mason.
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UO’s Board of Trustees Chair Steve Holwerda said that every week that university delays the decisions could cost them millions of dollars.
Nathan Wilk is a reporter with the KLCC newsroom.This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.
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Oregon’s juvenile justice system has been reshaped in recent years by a sweeping reform law that changed how the state handles minors accused of serious crimes.
Senate Bill 1008, which took effect in 2020, ended automatic transfers of juveniles into adult court and eliminated life without parole sentences for juveniles. The law also created “second-look” hearings and established parole eligibility after 15 years for certain offenders who committed crimes before turning 18.
To help explain the law and its impact, KVAL’s Frannie Pedersen put together a timeline video tracing the history of Senate Bill 1008, from the passage of Measure 11 in 1994 to the reforms that later reshaped Oregon’s juvenile justice system.
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The video breaks down how the law changed, why lawmakers pushed for reform, and how SB 1008 continues to influence Oregon’s justice system today. Viewers can watch the full video for a detailed timeline and explanation of the changes.
PORTLAND, Ore. — A New Jersey man was sentenced to federal prison last Friday for conspiring to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.
Mark T. Eager, 34, was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release.
“This defendant showed a blatant disregard for human life by trafficking fentanyl across the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Bradford. “My office will continue to pursue those who profit from poisoning our communities, and we will use every available resource and partnership to combat fentanyl trafficking and keep Oregonians safe.”
“This investigation brought together law enforcement agencies from across the nation,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Seattle acting Special Agent in Charge April Miller. “Homeland Security Investigations special agents from Portland, Newark, and Houston contributed to the case, along with the Portland Police Bureau and HIDTA HIT officers, who were instrumental in identifying Eager. His 11-year sentence sends a clear message: no matter where you are in the country or the world, if you attempt to sell narcotics online to Americans, we will find you.”
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“Fentanyl trafficking poses a grave threat to communities across the United States, and Homeland Security Investigations is committed to working with our partners to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks responsible,” said HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Lucia Cabral-DeArmas. “This case demonstrates the power of interagency collaboration under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative, leveraging resources from across the country to hold traffickers accountable and protect the American people. We will continue to pursue those who endanger lives through the distribution of dangerous synthetic opioids, and we remain steadfast in our mission to safeguard our communities from the violence and instability caused by transnational criminal organizations.”
“By following this offender’s digital trail, Homeland Security Investigations and our law enforcement partners nationwide executed federal search warrants, dismantled an active dark web fentanyl packaging operation and recovered deadly amounts of fentanyl, thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency, and a trove of electronic devices and packaging materials,” said HSI Newark Acting Special Agent in Charge Spiros Karabinas. “This case is a powerful example of how coordinated, data-driven investigations can disrupt dangerous networks and help protect our communities from lethal synthetic opioids.”
According to court documents, from November 2023 through June 2024, Eager and his co-conspirator sold fentanyl on the Dark Net and Telegram. Eager operated as the vendor WRSEH10 and marketed the fentanyl as “China White Synthetic Heroin.”
In June 2024, HSI agents executed search warrants on two residences associated with Eager in Kearny, New Jersey, and seized over 360 grams of powdered fentanyl, counterfeit M30 pills, drug ledgers, cellular phones, two computers, and drug packaging consistent with three deliveries that were sent to Oregon.
On September 4, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a four-count indictment charging Eager with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution of fentanyl.
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On February 4, 2026, Eager pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.
HSI Portland and HSI Houston investigated this case with assistance from HSI Newark, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Interdiction Task Force (HIT). Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Kerin prosecuted the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey assisted the U.S. Attorney’s in Oregon in obtaining the search warrants that were executed in Kearny.
