An Improved Rushing Attack has Expectations for the Oregon Offense Through the Roof
Through the first several weeks of the 2019 season, the Oregon Ducks were able to put some points on the board, but it just didn't feel quite like old times. They had one of the most experienced offensive lines in school history, but there was little production on the ground; they were often struggling to get the rushing attack to produce.
A bye week after Week 4 allowed the coaching staff to take a step back and reassess where the program was at, and it gave them the opportunity to emphasize the run, and establish the fundamentals and synchronicity that was implemented in training camp. Think of it as a 'factory reset' of sorts for the offense; the Ducks re-booted, remembered who they were, and realized the capabilities of the offense when all things would come together.
It appears to have worked.
In the two games since the by week, Oregon has rushed for 512 yards and six touchdowns, with three different backs getting into the end zone. Part of it may be the play-calling, which head coach Mario Cristobal accredited to offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo; part of it may be that the Ducks just finally got healthy and had everything click together. Whatever the formula was, it has the Ducks back in the top half of the Pac-12 in rushing yards per game (176.8), and the three-headed attack of CJ Verdell, Travis Dye and Cyrus Habibi-Likio will keep opposing defenses guessing.
With a top-25 match-up against the Washington Huskies this coming Saturday, look for Oregon to pound the ground game against a defense who is mediocre against the run, allowing over 145 yards per game. If they continue to have success between the tackles, it will open up the entire offense, and then the Ducks will really start to soar.
