Scouting the Ducks

Oregon has a record of 13-1 with victories over South Dakota, Michigan State, Wyoming, Washington State, UCLA, Washington, California, Stanford, Utah, Colorado, Oregon State, Arizona (Pac-12 Championship), and Florida State (Rose Bowl). Oregon lost to Arizona in the regular season but beat the Wildcats in the Pac-12 Conference Championship Game. Oregon averages 241 rushing yards/game, 311 passing yards, and 47 points. The Duck defense allows 156 rushing yards/game, 265 passing yards, and 22 yards.

Offense

Marcus Mariota won the Heisman this season while completing 68% of his passes for 4,121 yards, 40 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Mariota also has 731 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Leading the Ducks in rushing yards is true freshman Royce Freeman with 1343 yards and 18 touchdowns. At receiver are Byron Marshall with 834 yards and 5 touchdowns and Dwayne Stanford with 578 yards and six touchdowns. Marshall was the starting running back last year, and he still take snaps in the backfield, and also returns kicks. Receiver Darron Carrington will miss the game due to a positive drug test. Receiver Devon Allen missed most of the Rose Bowl and will be out again with a knee injury. 

Defense

Senior safety Erick Dargan leads the team with 90 tackles and 7 interceptions in his first season as a starter. Linebacker Derrick Malone has 81 tackles. Linebacker Joe Walker has 8 tackles for loss. Corner back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will miss another game due to a knee injury in December.