Oregon Offensive Line Named Semifinalist for Joe Moore Award
The Oregon Ducks offensive line has been named a semifinalist for the 2023 Joe Moore Award, given annually to the top offensive line unit in college football.
The Ducks are one of 12 semifinalists along with schools like Georgia, Florida State, and Michigan, as well as Pac-12 rivals Oregon State and Washington.
Oregon leads the nation in sacks allowed, surrendering just four on the year. The Ducks rank third in tackles for loss with 32.
A'lique Terry's unit is also the top-graded pass-blocking team according to Pro Football Focus at 89.7, while ranking No. 2 in run-blocking grade at 94.2.
Oregon's offensive line play has been phenomenal in 2023 despite losing four starters from a year ago. The Ducks lead the country in scoring at 46.3 points game and rank second in total offense (540 YPG), yards per rush (6.16) and yards per play (7.84).
Here's what the Joe Moore Award Committee had to say about Oregon:
“Man, these dudes out here on the West Coast are trying to hurt people’s feelings. Like it's personal to them. They play with a physicality and finish to them that is glorious to watch. They’ve become a JMA mainstay due to their steady play and ability to grind on teams in the run game. They look to punish and pile drive in pass pro, and display a level of physicality that is rare in today’s college game. Fun unit with the goods to advance, if not win it.”
Jackson Powers-Johnson has established himself as one of the elite centers in all of college football, while new additions like Ajani Cornelius and Iapani Laloulu have given the group depth and versatility this season.
Oregon has been recognized by the Joe Moore Award plenty of times this season, winning the "Pancake block of the week" five different times with three different players.
The Ducks have allowed only 30 quarterback hurries and 36 total pressures through 10 games in 2023. They're also one of only 11 teams to start the same five players along the offensive line in every game.
