Low-key Kenny Dillingham getting Duck fans JACKED for a new-look offense

He said it twice in seven minutes, so he must have meant what he said.

"It's about explosive plays," Kenny Dillingham said, meeting the media after Monday's practice.

Oregon's new offensive coordinator woke the echoes in his brief remarks, providing clipped answers to questions about developing and evaluating the roster, choosing a quarterback, and rotations at running back and receiver.

After three years of ground, pound, and check down, it's sweet music to a fan base energized by 50 years of big-play football, from Ahmad Rashad breakaways to LMJ bolting through the Stanford front 7, Marcus Mariota scurrying through a crease, or Samie Parker burning the Buffaloes for an early six.

At Oregon there is a legacy of exciting offense, but the last few seasons have been dreary by comparison. Too predictable. Too conservative. Too tentative with a lead.

The Ducks used to be innovators. They used to stretch the field, demoralize opposing crowds with big runs, pick sixes and long passes. First down could mean a post pattern for 80 or a slashing, darting run to go the distance.

Somehow that tradition grew cobwebs in the Cristobal tenure. Last year, for example, Oregon had just 10 plays from scrimmage of 40 yards or more, 94th in the country.  In 2010, when the Ducks led the nation in scoring at 47 points a game, they had 24, more than twice as many.

Scoring points and being explosive is a mindset. This off season the Ducks bolstered their offense with targeted transfer portal moves, acquiring wide receiver Caleb Chapman from Texas A&M, 6-5 with a sub-4.5 40, a true vertical threat. They added running backs Noah Whittington, a speedster from Western Kentucky and Mar'Keise Irving, a bruising runner from the University of Minnesota who averaged 5.3 yards a carry as a freshman, gaining 699 yards in spot duty.

Twin sophomore sensations Seven McGee and Sean Dollars are ready for a bigger role in the attack, and both are capable of turning any routine touch into a big play. Lead running back Byron Cardwell displays great recognition, hitting the hole quickly when he has a seam, letting the blocking develop with patience on wide plays. Tall outside receivers Troy Franklin and Dont'e Thornton both flashed big-play capability last season and in the spring game.

Likely starting quarterback Bo Nix has improved his footwork and touch this off season. He's more settled in the pocket and more mature as a leader, a confident, experienced passer who loves to throw the deep ball.

At Florida State last season Dillingham's offense ranked 18th in the nation with 6 plays of 60+ yards, including three TDs of over 75 yards.  At Memphis in 2017 the offense cranked out 45.5 points a game, good for 2nd in the country. In 2018 they averaged 523 yards a game on offense.

Dillingham believes in spreading the field and attacking the defense, and he's never had the array of weapons that he'll have in Eugene. They'll be wide-open and exciting, disciplined and well-taught.

With a new coordinator, a new offense and a new philosophy,  Saturdays in Autzen might feel like coming home to a place that you remember.