The Oregon Ducks have had a pair of closely-tested victories this season, coming in Week 4 against Penn State (30-24 in double overtime) and Week 11 against Iowa (18-16). In both, they scored a handful of points below their season scoring average, which now sits at 38.7 points per game — yet was over 41 prior to the game against the Hawkeyes.
ESPN college football analyst Bill Connelly, as part of an article listing every College Football Playoff contenders’ fatal flaw, thinks that the Ducks’ struggles offensively against good defenses could sink their season.
“Oregon’s defense has rounded nicely into form, and beating Iowa in cold and rain, as the Ducks did Saturday, is a great way to prove your resourcefulness,” he wrote. “But in their five games against SP+ top-50 defense, they’ve scored just 22.0 points per game in regulation, with Dante Moore averaging just 9.2 yards per completion (he averages 15.3 against everyone else). The run game almost always shows up, but can Moore make big throws in a run of big games?”
Moore answered the bell late against Iowa, leading a eventual game-winning drive that resulted in a go-ahead field goal. His 24-yard completion to wide receiver Malik Benson was picture perfect — but prior to that drive, Moore had thrown for just 65 yards. But when they absolutely needed him to make a play, he did.
Connelly is less convinced that he could replicate that, potentially against better defenses in the CFP.
And as he mentioned, the run game has shown up in nearly every contest this season. It was especially effective against Iowa, carrying the offense down the field to the tune of 261 rushing yards on 7.3 yards per carry. They have a talented quartet of backs in Noah Whittington, Jordon Davison, Dierre Hill Jr. and Jayden Limar, all of which have been stars in separate games this season.
The top pass defense and sixth-best scoring defense cannot be forgotten either — if it all comes down to it, the Ducks know that they can rely on their defense and run game.
Moore, who’s immensely talented and can make every throw on the field, is simply a plus to this offense. But he’ll need to make timely plays if Oregon is to make a run, something that Connelly isn’t completely certain he can do.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
