Three Opening Season Offensive Surprises for the Ducks

It’s finally here, a new season with new faces and new surprises. In 2023 it was a surprise to see Bryce Boettcher, a walk on, get the start at linebacker. Since then he has become a household name among Duck fans. This season we had even more new faces making an impact in Game 1. Some of these new impact players were expected, such as Dante Moore getting the start at quarterback. Other players, not so much.

But these new surprises offer a glimpse in what may be in store for this season. Even Mr. FishDuck pulled himself from his study at FanDuel and NCAAF Latest News, to exult in these surprises with me.

Running Back Rotation

Oregon had 12 players take rushing attempts on Saturday, many of whom weren’t running backs — but the RBs themselves were plentiful. Noah Whittington is currently the lead back, as he had a team high of 10 carries and one touchdown. This was not surprising as Whittington was projected to be one of the lead runners for the Ducks this year.

What was surprising was seeing Jayden Limar as the second back on the field, and the first to score for the Ducks. He had three carries for 20 yards and a touchdown. Limar didn’t even register on most people’s depth charts in the two deep, let alone being the second back on the field. Most fans were expecting transfer Makhi Hughes to be one of the feature backs, but he only had one carry for the Ducks on the day.

The two new freshman additions to the running back room both left their mark on the field as well. Dierre Hill had the second most yardage on five carries at 48, good enough for a whopping 9.6 yards per carry. Then fellow freshman Jordan Davidson seems to have found his role as the new short yardage back as he carried the ball six times for only 26 yards, but three touchdowns.

There is no shortage of runners for the Oregon Ducks this year.

Freshman Jordan Davison runs against Montana State. (Photo By: Max Unkrich)

Malik Benson Top Receiver

Malik Benson didn’t come with the same star appeal as Dakorian Moore this season, but he quietly made a mark on the Ducks’ opening game. He had five targets and five catches, totaling 51 yards — all of which were a team high. What stood out with Benson’s play is that he isn’t the most electric or exciting receiver on the field but he did a fantastic job running his route, getting open and making the catch.

Dante Moore didn’t take any real deep shots down the field, and that was probably be design, as the bread and butter of the Will Stein offense is about getting playmakers the ball in space and letting them go to work. Benson did precisely that. Benson is going to be a major part of this Oregon team because he does this well, and will be a reliable target for Moore.

New-ish Formations

On the first snap of the game Moore lined up behind the offensive line under center. After the snap, Moore dropped back and handed the ball off to Whittington. It was not a terribly exciting play, but it was strange seeing the Ducks lined up under center. The quarterback under center was not a frequent occurrence as the game progressed, but it was a wrinkle that showed itself from time to time. It is certainly something to continue to keep an eye on to see how Stein is planning on using Moore.

And this wasn’t the only time the Ducks lined up in an unusual formation, at least for them, as the Ducks’ final touchdown came from a shotgun full house. We saw this sort of formation and play used a couple times last season against UCLA and Michigan State, but it never really came up again. It would seem that maybe this formation is back on the menu, and it will be worth watching just how and when Stein looks to use it.

Oregon lined up at the goal line in the Shotgun Full House seen last year.
(Screenshot from YouTube Fox Sports Media)

There is a whole lot new about this Oregon team, but if they continue to grow, they are going to be a major player in the B1G this season — if not the playoff as well.

David Marsh 
Portland, Oregon
Top Photo By: Scott Kelly

Natalie Liebhaber, the FishDuck.com Volunteer Editor for this article, works in technology in SLC, Utah.

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David Marsh

David Marsh is a high school social studies teacher in Portland, Oregon. As a teacher he is known for telling puns to his students who sometimes laugh out of sympathy, and being both eccentric about history and the Ducks.

David graduated from the University of Oregon in 2012 with Majors in: Medieval Studies, Religious Studies, and Geography. David began following Ducks Football after being in a car accident in 2012; finding football something new and exciting to learn about during this difficult time in his life. Now, he cannot see life without Oregon football.