Key stats show Oregon Ducks' receiver Evan Stewart is emerging as an elite downfield weapon
When the Oregon Ducks brought in wide receiver Evan Stewart in the transfer portal, he was expected to be a huge factor in the passing attack. Stewart didn't get off to the hottest start this season, topping 26 receiving yards just once in his first five games.The last two weeks have been a completely different […]
When the Oregon Ducks brought in wide receiver Evan Stewart in the transfer portal, he was expected to be a huge factor in the passing attack. Stewart didn't get off to the hottest start this season, topping 26 receiving yards just once in his first five games.
The last two weeks have been a completely different story for the explosive wideout, as he's establishing himself as the premier downfield threat for the Ducks.
Stewart had a big game against Boise State in Week 2 with 112 receiving yards and a touchdown, but his averages through five weeks sat at only 3.2 receptions for 36.4 yards per game.
Over the last two weeks, Stewart has turned a corner, totaling 11 receptions for 245 yards and a touchdown in that span.
Maybe it took a little time for he and quarterback Dillon Gabriel to get on the same page. At times in the early going of the season, it didn't seem like Gabriel was looking his way on the deep routes, despite Stewart having the speed, body control, and hands to make plays. Lately, it looks like Gabriel is trusting his new target, going to him for big chunk plays like the one above, which saw Stewart fight through a called pass interference to make a deep catch anyways.
"Sometimes you don't know when your number's gonna be called," head coach Dan Lanning said after the win over Ohio State. "Not every play is designed to go to just one person. But I think Evan did a great job of taking advantage of the opportunities when the ball did get put in his direction, and he had opportunities to go make plays on the ball. There's been some other moments this year where he probably could have had those opportunities, and maybe the ball just didn't go his way. So he took advantage of those opportunities, and I certainly expect him to do that in the future."
The trend is continuing. Stewart being an elite down-field threat opposite Tez Johnson working as more of a possession short-area receiver is a lethal duo, and while both receivers are capable of doing just about everything, they clearly have their defined roles. Stewart lined up out wide on all but one pass play on Friday night.
Stewart and Gabriel getting on the same page and developing a lethal downfield combination gives elite upside to the Oregon offense. This team is firing on all cylinders.
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The Ducks keep rolling.
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