The No. 4 Oregon Ducks improved to 3–0 with a 34–14 win at Northwestern in their first Big Ten road test. While the final score suggests a comfortable victory, the game was more uneven than dominant. Oregon controlled the trenches and built a 34–0 lead, but lapses in focus allowed the Wildcats to tack on two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Even so, the Ducks left Evanston with a double-digit win, keeping their perfect record intact. In this week’s Stock Up, Stock Down,we discuss which Oregon players boosted their stock and which players need sharper execution as conference play ramps up.

Dierre Hill Jr.

Hill Jr has been a pleasant surprise as the season rolls on. The true freshman running back has been a gamebreaker in the last two games and scored on long runs in the previous two contests. Hill Jr’s speed, explosiveness, and vision are outstanding, and he has emerged as a player who must play more in the Ducks’ offense. Look for him and Noah Whittington to form an explosive 1-2 duo moving forward.

Jerry Mixon

Mixon, recently named the BIG-10’s Defensive Player of the Year, has been excellent this season as he rotates snaps with Devon Jackson. Mixon has recorded interceptions in consecutive games and has flashed excellent speed and physicality. There was a question about who would step up and replace Jeffrey Bassa, and it appears that player is Jerry Mixon. 

Teitum Tuioti

While Matayo Uiagelelei gets most of the attention among the Ducks’ pass rushers, don’t sleep on Tuioti. He finished Saturday’s game with six tackles, a half sack, and was consistently pressuring the quarterback. He plays with a physicality and energy that sparks the rest of the defense. With BIG-10 play on the horizon, Tuioti’s impact will be paramount as the Ducks look to get after the quarterback. 

Stock Down

Blake Purchase

Purchase was supposed to be a force for the Ducks this year after redshirting last season. He played very well as a true freshman and flashed a ton of juice off the edge. That player has yet to be seen this season, and Saturday was an abysmal outing for the sophomore. Purchase was driven back in the run game and struggled to set a firm edge. He has been unable to get any pressure and is trending down in the Ducks’ pass-rushing rotation. 

Justius Lowe

As the Ducks attempted to replace Evan Stewart, who was out with an injury, Lowe was a player many expected to step up and earn a role in this offense. That has not been the case this season, and he has essentially been a non-factor. It’s surprising, as he made five starts last season when Tez Johnson was out with an injury and played well in those instances. On Saturday, Lowe didn’t even travel with the team, and unless there was an injury that fans didn’t know about, he was passed on the depth chart by players like Kyle Kasper and Cooper Perry.