The Oregon Ducks pulled off a big upset in Columbus against the Ohio State Buckeyes, and three individuals stood out and deserve game balls.
The Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes are no stranger to one another, their most memorable meeting being the inaugural playoff national championship. This time, the Ducks finally got their first-ever victory over the Buckeyes with a 35-28 final in Columbus. Before this, Oregon had never defeated Ohio State (0-9).
Without star defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Ducks rode the legs of running back CJ Verdell and a stout offensive line against a formidable Buckeye front seven to move to 2-0 on the season and put Ohio State in an uncomfortable spot just two games into the season. In contrast, the Ducks looked like a sharp contender for the College Football Playoffs.
That said, the Ducks deserve some game balls, and there are three to distribute after a much-needed victory.
Oregon football: 3 Players that should receive game balls for their performance.
3. Anthony Brown, QB
Though CJ Verdell will get the lion’s share of the credit, a piece of the pie must be reserved for Anthony Brown, given how he orchestrated much of the game with ease. Throwing for 236 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 65 yards is quite impressive.
On the other hand, the highest honor is that Brown quarterbacked the first-ever Oregon team to beat Ohio State, and he did it in Columbus nonetheless. Moreover, given that this is the first time the Ducks had a shot at avenging their 42-20 loss in the national championship game, it only makes this victory for Brown all the more sweeter.
2. The entire Oregon offensive line
There’s an old saying in college football; the game is won by the team that best controls the line of scrimmage. In this case, it happens to be the Ducks offensive line. By paving the way for CJ Verdell to run wild and allow Anthony Brown to operate in a clean pocket and find players such as Spencer Webb and Devon Williams, the Ducks will leave Columbus with one of the better wins in their school’s history.
If Oregon winds up making it to the College Football Playoff this season, they will do it behind the strength of their offensive line, who turned in one of their finest performances against a team that historically has had their number.
1. CJ Verdell, RB
Was there any other obvious choice for who should receive the game ball? Verdell’s performance will go down in Oregon history as one of the best by rushing for over 161 yards and two touchdowns while also registering a receiving touchdown and lead the team in receiving with 34 yards. Additionally, his style of running complements Oregon’s fast pace approach.
Furthermore, this victory vaults Orgeon into the discussion for potentially making it to the College Football Playoff for the first time since they made the inaugural tournament and played in the national championship game. Best of all, this is a sweet victory for the Ducks, and Verdell has a lot to do with it.
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