Dan Lanning Addresses Running Back Makhi Hughes' Playing Time

EUGENE – A week 2 matchup between the No. 6 Oregon Ducks and the Oklahoma State Cowboys is looking more interesting following the interactions that Cowboys coach Mike Gundy and Ducks coach Dan Lanning have had with the press this week.

Lanning met with the media again on Wednesday morning and addressed the playing time of transfer running back Mahi Hughes, as well as several true and redshirt freshmen.

What Lanning Said:

The Thought Process Behind Running Back Makhi Hughes Not Playing Much:

dan lanning oregon ducks oklahoma state jahlil florence makhi hughes mike gundy cooper perry tionne gray teitum tuioti — Oregon running back Makhi Hughes speaks to reporters during Oregon football’s Media Day on July 28, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

“We have a lot of really good players. There were players there. He was in, and we had heavy boxes, and then the ball was thrown. He's in, also in a two-minute scenario, right, where the ball is probably gonna be thrown a little bit more, but we had a lot of really, really talented players, and it's going to be continued challenge for us to figure out, how do we use, guys in proper roles.”

How Hughes Has Responded To The Situation:

“That guy that he works every single day. You haven't heard this guy say anything, but like, look, how can I help the team? Let's go.”

Having A Father-Son Duo In Tony Tuioti And Teitum Tuioti:

“Super special that Tony and Teitum get to be on the field every single day. I don't know. I couldn't imagine what that feeling is like, walking off the field with your son at practice and the pride he has. He wants to see him do it right. There's never, once have you ever heard Tony say, hey, we should put Teitum in for this or do that? Never once, never once in my entire time here, right?”

“Everybody in our program respects the crap out of Teitum because of how he works in what he does. He just does his job. And we've talked enough about saying, hey, the absence of leadership. Leadership has to show up, and our players really own that. We're not talking about that anymore,” Lanning said.

“That's kind of like that was we talked about in January and February, and now it's here, and we've had a lot of guys step up and show that leadership, but gave him super consistent, pretty, awesome dynamic, to be able to say, hey, not only my coach, but I'm also a father of every guy on the team, and that's something that makes you operate with pride.”

What He’s Seen From Defensive Lineman Tionne Gray:

“Just he came in with size, and it's a lack of experience, right? And it's just different from high school ball to college ball, but the really good job of utilizing his hands has been consistent throughout practice. So really proud of his growth.”

Why He Started Cornerback Brandon Finney Jr.:

“Above the line football. He probably takes the work necessary to be good as serious as anybody. This guy grinds. I mean, he's mature beyond his years. As far as how much time does it take to be great, like he puts in the time he's one of the first in the building every morning. He's watching extra film. He's early to practice to get a warm up. I mean, he's gonna do the extra. And because he does the extra and then executes at a high level, it's allowed him to be successful out there.”

What Safety Aaron Flowers Brings To The Team:

“When he first got here, he was waiting for somebody else to communicate right with him, to say, okay, here's what I got to do next. Now, he's the guy that's helping activate that communication. He's the one that has an active role in that. Because of that, it allows him to see things quicker and execute faster. You have a talented player, and he's able to execute fast. It gives him a chance, and that's what he's been able to do so far greater.”

How Wide Receiver Cooper Perry Is Above The Line:

“Cooper had an unbelievable spring, right? He makes plays. He consistently catches the ball. He's in the right spot. He pushes himself really hard to the point of exhaustion, and that's what's gonna allow him to play fast on game day.”

Why Jahlil Florence Didn’t See Much Playing Time:

“He's been able to go and practice. He's been able to do some good things for us in practice. I believe we were able to use him with kickoff and some other situations. You know, time would be a scenario where he'd show up. I think if he keeps attacking reps and opportunities then some of those things can start to go up.”

If He Actively Targets Players Who Will Show Up Early:

“I just think the standards starting to set in here, you know. And there's, there's good examples of leaders that have been here, and know what it looks like. And then there's guys that are really hungry, right?”

“You're looking for ambitious guys. But that are also understand that if I don't do what's necessary, I don't deserve that role. And I think they realize, like, you got to pay rent every single day. We're always looking for that. When we're looking for players, for guys that are ambitious, they love ball. They want to be great. They're infatuated with being great. They see growth moments, and we have a lot of guys on our team like that right now.”

What Stood Out About The Offensive Line:

“I like our group. Probably what's, what's more than anything is that there was a lot of moving parts, right? There was a lot of changing pieces. And the way that they handled that, I was proud of the way they handled that. And again, I thought we blocked with an intensity up front. I think we do a better job spotting some of our runs and making sure we're on the right guys. But they played with great effort.”

PREVIEW

oregon ducks dan lanning mike gundy oklahoma state cowboys theran johnson emmanuel pregnon dillon gresham kawika rogers — Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Gundy Comments On Oregon’s Budget, Lanning Responds

The Cowboys’ coach made some bold comments on the radio about the Ducks’ finances on Monday.

“They spend a lot of money but they’re a good team,” Gundy said. “There’s no doubt about it. Our players, we talked about it today before practice, they’re excited about going out there and playing... I think Oregon spent close to $40 (million) last year alone. That was just one year. Now, I might be off a few million."

Lanning responded to a question about Gundy’s comments with a mic-dropping quote Monday night.

“If you want to be a top 10 in college football, you better be invested in winning. We spend to win. Some people save to have an excuse for why they don't,” Lanning said.

"Ultimately, he's a great coach and they've done an unbelievable job, but I want to be a team that is competing at the highest level, and we're really fortunate to be in that situation,” Lanning continued. “I can't speak to their situation. I have no idea what they've got in their pockets over there. I'm sure UT-Martin maybe didn't have as much as them last week and they played. So, we'll let it play out.”

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During his radio show appearance, Gundy went on to talk about Oregon quarterback Dante Moore’s future with the Ducks, saying that “he’s a really good player” and that “it’ll cost them a lot of money to keep him.”

Oregon Injury Statuses

Offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon exited the first quarter against the Montana State Bobcats and headed to the medical tent. Questions floated around about how long Pregnon would be out for and whether or not he’ll be good to go against the Cowboys.

"I feel confident he's going to be able to go. He was able to move around a little bit today," Lanning said on Monday. "Part of this is where the game was at and us also being able to evaluate, make sure he's in a great position. But I feel good that he'll be back."

Transfer defensive back Theran Johnson and wide receiver Dillon Gresham, meanwhile, entered the game on the injury report.

“Dillon’s going to be down for a little bit precautionary, but he's not able to go right now. And Theran should be back this week,” Lanning said.

Offensive lineman Kawika Rogers also left the game against Montana State. Lanning said on Monday that Rogers was moving around more with the potential to play in week 2.