Dan Lanning Comments on Status of Oregon Cornerback Jahlil Florence
The No. 6 Oregon Ducks defeated the No. 16 Oregon State Beavers 31-7 on Friday night in Eugene.
The win was fueled by another dominant effort from Oregon's defense, even though they were without starting cornerback Jahlil Florence.
After the game, head coach Dan Lanning was asked about how close both Florence and true freshman Rodrick Pleasant were to being able to play against Oregon State.
"Time will tell really on those guys," Lanning said. "But I think that's where it goes back to strength in numbers for us and what that allows us to have. Guys that can go out there and compete. We had a lot of guys that can perform on our team. When their number's called they're ready to answer that bell."
Florence was seen on the sideline using crutches Friday.
Oregon Ducks cornerback Jahlil Florence at Friday night's game against Oregon State.
Scott Boldt/Ducks Digest
Veteran cornerback Dontae Manning was a player that had his number called in Florence's absence and he came up with an interception.
“I'm really proud of the way he played tonight," Lanning said of Manning after the win. "Obviously have to go back and watch the film, but every time I looked out there, he was stuck on somebody and that’s what you want. Obviously, that turnover was a huge play and there were a couple of aggressive penalties in there that we want to go coach, but that's going to happen at times when you ask guys to play those coverages.”
Oregon Ducks cornerback Dontae Manning (8) celebrates an interception against the Oregon State Beavers.
Darby Winter/Ducks Digest
Looking ahead to the Pac-12 championship game next week, the Oregon defensive backs will play a vital role against the No. 4 Washington Huskies, who have some of the best wide receivers in the country in Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan.
Both Florence and Oregon's other top cornerback Khyree Jackson got shaken up in the first matchup against the Huskies back in October.
Washington and Washington State face off in the annual Apple Cup rivalry on Saturday before the Ducks and Huskies collide in Las Vegas for the Pac-12 championship.
