Oregon Ducks' standout proves he can carry the team when it matters most with big game in narrow win
The Oregon offense had plenty of struggles in their game against Wisconsin, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel failing to account for a touchdown, and the team scoring a season-low 16 points. Their first touchdown didn't come until the fourth quarter. With their struggles, one thing certainly worked, and especially in the second half — giving the ball […]
The Oregon offense had plenty of struggles in their game against Wisconsin, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel failing to account for a touchdown, and the team scoring a season-low 16 points. Their first touchdown didn't come until the fourth quarter.
With their struggles, one thing certainly worked, and especially in the second half — giving the ball to running back Jordan James.
The only touchdown scored by the Ducks was when they were trailing 13-6 in the fourth quarter, a situation they haven't been in seemingly at all this season. It was the first time the Ducks came out of the halftime break trailing in a game since their Week 2 matchup with Boise State.
Trailing, needing an answer, Jordan James took a handoff and bounced it to the outside, punching it in from 11 yards out.
James was running hard like he has all season, showing his ability to be the physical bell-cow back that makes the Oregon Ducks an incredibly hard out.
Late in the game, it was James that was the answer. The team needed him to grind out clock and eat up tough yards, and he successfully answered the call. James finished the day with 25 carries for 121 rushing yards and the score against a defense that was playing an incredibly physical and hard-nosed game.
He's done it all year. This game put James over 1,000 rushing yards on the season and brought his touchdown total up to 11. Yes, this offense misses wide receiver Tez Johnson in a big way, but James being able to pound the rock and get what's needed in a tough, physical matchup bodes well for the direction this team is going.
Oregon’s narrow victory over Wisconsin highlights a massive issue that they must fix in order to reach championship goals
They’re going to need to get that sorted.
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on X @JonHelmkamp, as well as follow our main page @AtoZSportsNFL for all the latest news.