**Editor’s Note: This story appears in the Emerald’s Duck Season magazine, a preview of the Oregon men’s basketball team’s season. It is available for free at all Duck Store locations in Eugene. 

Oregon men’s basketball surprised everyone last season when it went 26-10 and reached the Pac-12 tournament final and the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Behind senior Joseph Young, who averaged 20.7 points per game and was named Pac-12 Player of the year, the Ducks ended their season in a place few would have expected considering the sudden turnover their roster was hit with.

Now a year after Oregon head coach Dana Altman was forced to put three freshman and one junior college transfer into his main rotation, Altman has a considerably more experienced group. But he does lose his top scorer in Young which means this Oregon team won’t be a one-man show, like it was at times last year.

Here are three things to watch for as the season unfolds:

1) Who steps up in Joseph Young’s place? 

It appears that sophomore Dillon Brooks is ready to fill Young’s shoes. Brooks averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last year as a freshman. In addition, this past summer he won a silver medal while playing for the Canadian Senior National team at the PanAmerican games. He scored a team-high 26 points in the team’s opening exhibition and said he feels really comfortable right now.

2) Recent recruits expected to make impacts early

Heralded as one of the top recruits in the country last year, freshman Tyler Dorsey is expected to make an impact for the Ducks in 2015. Dorsey, who averaged 30 points and 10 rebounds as a senior in high school, was ranked the 87th best player in college basketball this season, according to ESPN. He was the only Duck to make it on the list. In addition, junior college transfer Chris Boucher is expected to help the Ducks at the post.

With Jordan Bell nursing a foot injury, the 6-foot-10 Boucher will try to fill the void. And, due to Dylan Ennis’ injury, freshmen Kendall Small and Trevor Manuel will have “a little bit more” playing time than planned, said Altman.

3) How will rule changes effect Oregon 

Since Altman became head coach, Oregon has been known for playing in high scoring contests. Now, with the shot clock changing from 35 to 30 seconds, should we expect those scores to increase? The shot clock alteration is just one of 25 new rule changes incorporated into the game this year. Nearly all of them were instilled to speed up the pace of the game and increase scoring. Other changes include coaches having one less timeout and substitution breaks being shortened.

How that affects Oregon’s brand of basketball remains to be seen.

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Just over a month ago, USC and Oregon were two teams that had not lived up to expectations. The Trojans crawled their way to a 3-3 record and experienced turnover at the head coaching position after Steve Sarkisian was fired. Oregon’s season moved along in similar fashion, and with Vernon Adams Jr. impaired by a finger injury, the Ducks started the year 3-3 for the first time in over a decade.

But things have changed. Saturday’s contest features two ranked opponents and a Trojans team that is in the driver’s seat to win the Pac-12 South. In addition, Oregon is coming off Saturday’s upset against then-No. 7 Stanford.

Expect an entertaining game at Autzen Stadium this week, one that is not short on offensive playmakers. The combination of  Cody Kessler and Juju Smith-Schuster will be the next quarterback-wide receiver tandem to test a young Oregon secondary.

And on offense for Oregon is a group that only seems to be becoming more lethal. The unit scored 38 points on just 48 plays against Stanford, and racing past the Cardinal’s defenders.

Here’s how Oregon and USC stack up:

Oregon offense vs. USC defense

Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich said “time will tell” whether Vernon Adams Jr. is validating himself as the best quarterback in the Pac-12 after Saturday’s 38-36 win over Stanford. Adams went 10-of-12 for 205 yards and two touchdowns, but more importantly manned an offense that appears to be humming like one of the best in the country. The Ducks are averaging 532.6 yards per game and have a chorus of options that will give USC’s defensive coordinator headaches just thinking about.

However, USC has one of the more stout defenses in the conference. The Trojans are allowing just 22.7 points per game and linebacker Su’a Cravens is a semifinalist for the Butkus and Bednarik awards. However, the injury bug could hurt them when they head to Eugene. USC linebackers Cameron Smith and Lamar Dawson will likely be out after sustaining injuries in the Trojans’ win over Colorado last Friday.

USC offense vs. Oregon defense

The Trojans have had what Helfrich termed “hiccups” this year, but the talent on offense may be the best Oregon faces all year. Out wide, the Ducks’ cornerbacks will face off against a pair of receivers — Smith-Schuster and Adoree’ Jackson — that have combined for 87 receptions, 1,542 yards and 12 touchdowns. What’s more, Jackson plays a role similar to the Ducks’ Charles Nelson.

“Adoree Jackson is kind of their Charles Nelson that plays offense, that plays defense, that plays special teams,” Helfrich said. “All of that at a very, very high level.”

True freshman Ugo Amadi, who replaced Tyree Robinson at cornerback after the redshirt junior left last Saturday with an ankle injury, will likely be tested by Kessler frequently. Arrion Springs, who continues to improve, will likely be challenged equally.

Regardless, the matchup between USC’s offense and Oregon’s defense figures to be competitive, especially considering the threat the Ducks’ front seven continues to pose. The group has accumulated 29 sacks this season and ranks in the top half of the conference in rushing yards allowed.

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– After a shocking upset over seventh-ranked Stanford, the Oregon football team returned the AP Top 25 poll Sunday. The Ducks are ranked No. 23, right behind USC, who they play this Saturday at Autzen Stadium.

– Oregon made its way back into the polls thanks to an explosive offensive performance Saturday night. The Ducks reeled together a myriad of plays that went  40-plus yards and were simply too fast for Stanford’s defense.

– Oregon women’s basketball couldn’t have started its season any better. The Ducks traveled to North Carolina Sunday for their season opener and came away with a  79-77 win. 

Lexi Bando led Oregon with 18 points, Lexi Petersen had 14 and Kat Cooper finished with 13 on 3-of-6 shooting from 3-point range. Jillian Alleyne tallied a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. She also had five assists.

– Oregon track and field received commitments from two of the top high school runners in the nation this weekend. Drew Hunter, who according to the Saucony Flo50 cross country rankings is No. 1 in the country, signed first Thursday night, The Oregonian reported. Following his announcement Austin Tamagno declared his decision to also join the Ducks for next year one day later, SI.com reported.

– Oregon men’s basketball may have seen a glimpse of what the rest of the year could look like in its opening contest Friday night. True freshman Tyler Dorsey finished with a team-high 20 points and helped the Ducks defeat Jackson State 80-52. Oregon faces Baylor Monday night at Matthew Knight Arena.

–  Oregon volleyball announced its newest recruits for the 2016 season, which consists of four new players; two from California, one from Arizona and the final from Washington.

– It wasn’t just Oregon’s football team providing an upset this weekend. Arizona shocked Utah, and Washington State won at UCLA. Get a summary of all th

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Amidst a chaotic and noisy visiting locker room Saturday night, Oregon defensive backs coach John Neal saw a somewhat frustrated Arrion Springs among the rest of his teammates. The redshirt freshman defensive back had been tested consistently during the Ducks’ showdown with No. 7 Stanford, and was beaten on numerous occasions – most notably on a touchdown pass that put the Cardinal down two with 10 seconds remaining in the game.

But, “so what,” Neal said to Springs. “We won the game. There’s so many plays that you did make.”

It was the theme of what became a dramatic night for the Ducks, one that will be known for Oregon giving up a number of plays, but making just “enough” to win 38-36 and ultimately destroy the Cardinal’s College Football Playoff hopes and provide what Neal called a “special” moment after the game in the locker room.

Behind explosive runs from a chorus of ball carriers, opportunistic stops from the Ducks’ defense and what simply seems like the mere presence of a healthy Vernon Adams Jr., Oregon bursted free from Stanford and held on in the waning moments to grab its fourth consecutive win. 

“It’s an awesome feeling,” Adams, who went 10-of-12 for 205 yards and two touchdowns, said. “All the doubters out there who thought we couldn’t do it.

“I’m just glad our defense helped us out and we got enough points to win.”

Enough was a word used often by players and coaches to describe its upset of Stanford, but the explosiveness appeared to be the biggest factor for the offense. Oregon ran just 48 plays  – it averaged 81.5 plays per game coming into the game – but scored 38 points and found the end zone on all but one of its scoring drives.

“We knew we had to be efficient,” Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost said. “We figured they’d play keep away, and we knew we had to score on (our) drives.”

It’s exactly how the game moved along. Stanford held the ball on long, methodical drives, and Oregon often answered with a quick strike. The second play after the Cardinal opened the game with a drive that lasted over six minutes and resulted in a field goal, Royce Freeman gauged the Stanford defense on a 49 yard run. On the Ducks’ next drive after a Stanford touchdown, Charles Nelson took the ball on a sweep and busted free for 75 yards and a score.

But, it became apparent in the second quarter that Oregon wasn’t going to move the ball with ease. The Ducks were forced to punt and an Adams fumble on a sack was returned by Stanford inside Oregon’s 10.

However, the Ducks defense made what became a significant stop inside the goal line on the subsequent series, forcing a field goal that put Stanford up 17-14. As was the theme, Oregon responded soon after with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Adams to Carrington – another regular theme during the last four games.

“He’s always open,” Adams said.

But, just getting the quick strike offense on the field became the most pressing issue, as Stanford, behind its Heisman hopeful running back Christian McCaffrey and veteran quarterback Kevin Hogan, continued to eat up the clock. The Cardinal offense was on the field for 42 minutes and six seconds and converted 12 of 17 third down attempts.

In addition, McCaffrey averaged 4.5 yards per rush. But Oregon, thanks to a couple fumbled snaps by Hogan in the second half, forced three turnovers, one three-and-out and made Stanford attempt three field goals – one of which was no good. Despite being on the field for over two-thirds of the game and losing starting cornerback Tyree Robinson to an injury,  it never looked like it.

“We practiced so hard,” senior linebacker Rodney Hardrick, who intercepted Hogan, said. “We get over 100 snaps a day, we’re prepared for these situations.”

Those stops helped Oregon build a 12-point lead in the second half, and one that ultimately was too difficult to overcome. Hogan, despite the fumbles, guided Stanford back into position to tie the game, hitting Greg Tabaoda  for a touchdown with 10 seconds remaining to bring the deficit to two. However, on the two-conversion attempt, Hogan felt pressure early from Hardrick and linebacker Joe Walker broke up his pass in the end zone to seal it. Hogan finished 28-of-37 for 304 yards, but accounted for all of the Cardinal’s turnovers.

It is now the fifth game the Ducks have played that came down to the final play. And now, they’re owners of three wins in those contests.

“We won, all that matters,” Springs, who described the scene in the locker room after the game as electric, said. 

“At this point, we just got to grind them out.”

Oregon’s grinding, but its also enjoying the results. And they’re doing it by following a simple formula based on what the players and coaches are saying.

“To win games, you have to fight and at the very end you have to make plays,” Oregon defensive coordinator Don Pellum said. “There’s a confidence, we can make those plays.”

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The Oregon-Stanford series has been one of college football’s most unpredictable and best series over the last five years. This year’s game only added to that proclamation.

After being much maligned on the season, Oregon’s defense stepped up when needed most.

After giving up a touchdown with 10 seconds left that allowed Stanford to cut the score to 38-36, Oregon’s Tyson Coleman comes up the side untouched to force Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan to throw the ball early. The ball was knocked down by Oregon’s Joe Walker and Oregon left Palo Alto, Calif. with a dramatic  38-36 victory.

Throughout regulation, the Ducks’ offense looked like it had in the past, using explosive plays and quick-strikes to march down the field. Three of Oregon’s five touchdowns scored came on plays of 45 yards or longer.

The game was a back and forth affair. Oregon led 14-10 at the end of the first quarter and then trailed 23-21 at the half.

The Ducks scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 35-23 lead entering the fourth quarter but Hogan and Stanford weren’t done yet. The Cardinal scored a touchdown to cut the deficit to five before Aidan Schneider kicked a 31-yard field goal to put the score at 38-30 with 5:12 to play.

Key Plays: 

— Just one play after a Stanford touchdown, Oregon answered yet again, as two-way star Charles Nelson took a handoff 75 yards for the touchdown. Schneider makes the PAT to give the Ducks the 14-10 lead.

— Utilizing the heavy formation and extra blockers, McCaffrey was able to dance into the end zone virtually untouched for the 11 yard touchdown. Ukropina makes the PAT to give Stanford the 17-14 lead.

— To open the second half Freeman took a pitch from Adams 19 yards for his first touchdown of the game. Schneider makes the PAT to give the Ducks the 27-23 lead.

— Showing patience in the pocket, Adams finds Taj Griffin down the sideline for 49 yards and the touchdown. Schneider makes the PAT to give the Ducks a 35-23 lead.

— Targeting an Oregon defensive back one-on-one, Hogan floats a pass up to Greg Taboada who hauled it in for the three-yard touchdown despite being held on the play. Ukropina makes the PAT to cut the Oregon lead to 35-30.

— In a botched snap, Hogan fumbled as Tyson Coleman was able to dive on the ball for the recovery. Oregon takes over possession on the Cardinal 47.

— Aidan Schneider kicked a 31-yard field goal to give the Ducks a 38-30 lead.

— On the second botched snap of the fourth quarter, Hogan fumbled again and this time Torrodney Prevot recovered the ball at Oregon’s 16-yard line.

— Joe Walker knocks down the two-point conversion with 10 second left to give the Ducks the victory.

Stats

Oregon passing  

Vernon Adams Jr. — 10-f0r-12 for 205 yards, two touchdowns

Stanford passing

Kevin Hogan — 28-for-37 for 304 yards, two touchdowns and one interception

Oregon rushing

Royce Freeman — 16 carries for 105 yards, one touchdown

Charles Neslon — One carry, 75 yards, one touchdown

Stanford rushing

Christian McCaffrey — 33 carries for 147 yards, one touchdown

Oregon receiving 

Darren Carrington — Two carries for 54 yards, one touchdown

Taj Griffin — One catch for 49 yards, one touchdown

Stanford receiving 

Michael Rector — Eight catches for 103 yards

Oregon total offense — 438

Stanford total offense — 506

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No matter how hard the Stanford offense worked in the first half, it seemed Oregon always had a quick answer. As the Cardinal worked down the field methodically for points, the Ducks capitalized on big plays. An example of that came when Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was able to connect on a deep pass for the go ahead touchdown in the final minute of the half. But, Stanford was just as quick to respond every time, and goes into the locker room with a 23-21 lead over the Ducks.

The Ducks turned mostly to the ground attack in the first half, running the ball for 159 yards against a Cardinal defense that has been holding teams to just 123.6 rushing yards per game. Oregon didn’t even attempt a pass until 11:33 left in the second quarter when Vernon Adams Jr. connected with Darren Carrington for a seven-yard completion.

While the Ducks scored on quick strikes, Stanford strung together long drives. They were able to keep the ball moving by capitalizing on third downs, converting 7-of-9. Heisman hopeful Christain McCaffrey had a strong half, collecting 92 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Both teams continued to go back and forth throughout the first half, with neither defense able to generate consistent stops.

Key Plays: 

— After stalling in its opening drive, Stanford turned to place kicker Conrad Ukropina, who was able to nail a 33-yard field goal. Stanford leads 3-0.

— The Ducks answered on the following drive, turning to the running game to march down the field. Kani Benoit capped it off by punching it in from 2 yards out. Aidan Schneider makes the PAT to give Oregon the 7-3 lead.

— On a designed quarterback run to the right side of the line, Stanford’s Kevin Hogan rumbled through the defense for a 22 yard score, including a hurdle over an Oregon defensive back. Ukropina makes the PAT to give Stanford the 10-7 lead.

— Just one play later Oregon answered yet again, as two-way star Charles Nelson took a handoff 75 yards for the touchdown. Schneider makes the PAT to give the Ducks the 14-10 lead.

— Hogan attempted a short pass over the middle but watched as the ball bounced off running back McCaffrey’s hands, falling into the outstretched arms of a diving Rodney Hardrick for the first turnover of the game. Ducks take over on their own 31.

— Utilizing the heavy formation and extra blockers, McCaffrey was able to dance into the end zone virtually untouched for the 11 yard touchdown. Ukropina makes the PAT to give Stanford the 17-14 lead.

Three things to watch heading into second half: 

Is Oregon’s explosiveness sustainable?

Christian McCaffrey is dominating the headlines, but Oregon’s ball carriers stole the the show in the first quarter. Royce Freeman took off for 49 yards on Oregon’s second offensive play and Charles Nelson raced for a 75-yard touchdown on the Ducks’ subsequent drive. Things went south in a hurry for Oregon in the second quarter, though. The offense went three-and-out and committed a turnover on its first two drives of the quarter, but executed on another big play after Adams found Darren Carrington for a 47-yard touchdown. The only question now becomes, can they continue to rely on big play?

Can Oregon find ways to stop Stanford’s offense?

Oregon forced Stanford to settle for a field goal on its first drive and picked off Hogan in the second quarter. It also has managed to at least slow McCaffrey at times. But, the Ducks haven’t found ways to get off the field. Stanford has converted on seven third-downs and has yet to punt. What it’s translated to is McCaffrey getting plenty of touches. The sophomore has  92 rushing yards on 19  carries.

Time of Possession

It always seems to be a theme in this matchup. Oregon had 14 points after possessing the ball for just two minutes and 40 seconds in the first quarter. While that was happening, the Cardinal put together scoring drives that both ate up over five minutes of clock. In total, Stanford has had the ball for over 21 minutes. 

Stats

Oregon passing  

Vernon Adams Jr.  – 6-for-6 109 yards, one touchdown

Stanford passing

Kevin Hogan – 13-of-17 139 yards, one interception

Oregon rushing

Royce Freeman – seven carries, 57 yards

Charles Neslon – one carry, 75 yards, one touchdown

Stanford rushing

Christian McCaffrey – 19 carries, 92 yards, one touchdown

Oregon receiving 

Darren Carrington – two receptions, 54 yards, one touchdown

Bralon Addison – two receptions, 30 yards

Stanford receiving 

Michael Rector – five receptions, 63 yards

Oregon total offense – 268 yards

Stanford total offense – 276 yards

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When asked about Stanford’s Kevin Hogan on Tuesday, Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich revealed how ready he is to prepare for a new Cardinal quarterback.

“He can go any time as far as we’re concerned,” Helfrich said.

His colleague, Oregon defensive backs coach John Neal, gave a similar statement after the Ducks’ 44-28 win Saturday.

“He’s 100 years old.” Neal said. “He’s still there. God Almighty.”

This Saturday, Hogan will face Oregon for the fourth time as a starting quarterback. He’s the owner of a 2-1 record against the Ducks, and although the stat sheet won’t indicate it, has mostly dominated Oregon’s defense.

However, Hogan won’t be the scariest threat for Oregon’s defense on Saturday. That honor undoubtedly goes to the guy he’s handed the ball off to this year, Christian McCaffrey. As a sophomore, McCaffrey has emerged as arguably the most versatile threat in all of college football.

He’s averaging 246.1 all-purpose yards per game and is on pace to break the NCAA record for most all-purpose yards in a season. How he’s done that? By averaging 6.1 yards per carry, 11.6 yards per catch and 28.8 yards per kick return.

It comes as no surprise that Stanford started an official Heisman campaign for him Tuesday. Helfrich would like to have no part of him.

“I think he should take the week off,”Helfrich jokingly said. “Keep him healthy for the stretch run.”

McCaffrey is coming off a game last week in which he ran the ball 23 times for 147 yards while also throwing a touchdown pass.

.@CMccaffrey5 28-yard touchdown PASS to Austin Hooper. Posted in UncategorizedComments Off on Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey poses threat unlike Ducks defense has seen yet