Oregon's biggest concerns going into the season were the offensive line and secondary, and both those units are rounding into championship form as PAC-12 play starts in earnest.
Rhode Island transfer Ajani Cornelius has established himself as the anchor and pacesetter on the o-line. The group has allowed just three sacks while rushing for a league-best 232 yards a game, sixth-best in the nation.
In 158 pass blocking snaps, Cornelius has allowed zero pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Mobile and powerful, he and his teammates have paved the way for Bucky Irving to rush for 305 yards on 37 carries, an eye-popping 8.24 yards per attempt.
Bucky Irving numbers through three games.
— CFBLIVE247 (@CFBLive247_) September 30, 2023
37 carries
305 rushing yards
3 rushing touchdowns
• Irving is averaging a mind numbing 8.2 yards per carry@BuckyIrving @SSN_Oregon pic.twitter.com/y3870nY303
Scoring 54 points a game the Ducks rarely punt or kick field goals, but punter Ross James and placekicker Camden Lewis have been nearly flawless to start the season. James has averaged a booming 52.4 yards on his 7 punts, while Lewis, a senior from North Carolina is 6-for-6 on field goals, 20-for-20 on extra points, plus he's booted 29 of 33 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks.
The Oregon kickoff team has allowed only 5 kickoff returns in 4 games, for an average of 17.6 per return, 4th in the conference.
Meanwhile the Oregon defense is number one in the PAC-12 against the pass, allowing just 158.8 yards per game. They've been disruptive, getting to the quarterback for 13 sacks after recording only 18 all last season.
Alabama transfer Khyree Jackson has emerged as a lockdown corner. He's broken up 4 passes and intercepted two, 4th on the team in tackles with 14.
Khyree Jackson had a day. 👀 pic.twitter.com/feVPUdPRiz
— ☘️LegalizeQuack☘️ (@Legalize_Quack) September 24, 2023
Ole Miss transfer Tysheem Johnson leads the team with 24 tackles, Jeffrey Bassa has 19 (plus a game-clinching Pick Six against Texas Tech) and walk-on Bryce Boettcher has 16 tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack.
Former South Carolina Gamecock Jordan Burch is Oregon's sack master with three, Jamal Hill has chipped in two plus a forced fumble. Fresno transfer Evan Williams has been stellar, 11 tackles, 1.5 sacks in three games.
The transfers, Burch, Cornelius, Johnson, Jackson and Williams are at the heart of this 4-0 start. Add receivers Gary Bryant, Traeshon Holden and Tez Johnson, plus consider that Bo Nix and Bucky Irving came via the portal last year, and you can make a case that the Oregon coaches use it as well as anyone. They not only acquire players with talent; they find players who fit and enhance the culture.
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