Oregon Football: Player of the Week Against Montana State

Our Oregon football program opened the season with a trouncing of Montana State, 59-13, in Autzen.

Now, let’s get this out of the way right away: Both Oregon’s offense and defense played outstandingly in week one. This was as good a performance as I’ve seen the Ducks have in at least the last ten seasons, if not more. The offense was clicking, special teams were extra special, and anyone who got the ball gave 115% with it.

So, who could you really say dominated week one? Who made such a game-changing impact that it had to be recognized?

Moore flashed when he got the ball, and even more when he didn’t – Photo Via Scott Kelley

Oregon Football’s Player of the Week: Dakorien Moore

Of the elite play we saw across the board, I was most excited about Dakorien Moore.  An easy pick, but the right one. He looked electric with the ball in his hands and blocked his tail off when he didn’t. Sometimes it was the wrong defender, but I’d rather a freshman be wrong at 100 miles an hour than be right and give low effort.

He may not have shown up on the stat sheet too much, but here’s a fantastic reminder: he translated instantly as a product of Will Stein and Dan Lanning’s coaching. That should be unbelievably exciting for Oregon fans. Expect to see much, MUCH more of him in the coming weeks against more elite opponents.

Honorable Mentions: Kenyon Sadiq & Jeremiah McClellan

I’ve never wanted so badly to give three players awards. If there was one for having more touches as a defender on punt team than a receiver, Jeremiah McClellan would have it. Who gets their hands on TWO punts in the same game, anyway?

As for Sadiq, he is the quintessential kryptonite to any college football defense this season. Have a lockdown corner? Sadiq will out-physical him. Have a playmaking safety? He’s not fast enough. Linebacker that can cover? Sadiq will jump right over him. I’m at the point with this guy that he may be the best playmaker of the conference (looking at you, Jeremiah Smith), as well as the reason Moore (Dante) gets considered for Heisman voting in the months ahead.

Above all this, though—what was the most exciting part of week one? Who stood out the most to you? Who really earned their roster spot on Saturday, and who can’t you wait to see play against Oklahoma State? Let us know in the FishDuck Forum with decorum.

GO DUCKS!

Alex Heining
Los Angeles, California
Top Photo By: Max Unkrich

Alex Heining

Alex Heining is an Oregon alumni from the graduate class of 2021. After studying sports business and media studies, he has moved into the field of digital marketing as a copywriter and content manager in the Los Angeles area. Still, he loves his Ducks and goes to local high school games all over the Los Angeles and Orange County area to check out new recruits of the future (and a SoFi game or two with the pros). On any given Saturday, expect to find him doing martial arts, playing the guitar, or screaming at the tv over a missed holding penalty.