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Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson celebrates a touchdown as the No. 6 Oregon Ducks host California Nov. 4, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.
Oregon’s first season under offensive coordinator Will Stein was a rousing statistical success for the Ducks.
Those 12 wins looked pretty good as well.
With NFL-bound upperclassmen like quarterback Bo Nix, running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Troy Franklin pacing the attack, Oregon led the nation in touchdowns (83), passing touchdowns (49), passing yards per game (346.9) and completion percentage (77.2%).
The Ducks were also second nationally in points per game (44.2), total offense per game (531.4 yards) and passing yards, both per game (343.5) and overall (4,857).
Despite that, the Oregon offense wasn’t perfect according to Stein, who said part of his offseason will be spent taking a hard look at how the team performed in 2023.
“We’ll obviously look at deficiencies in the offense and where that was,” he said. “We’ll have wrinkles next year. What those are, I don’t know yet. I have to decompress from the season and then dive into the tape and our self-scout and really look and what we were good at.”
Stein will have a new quarterback in 2024, as Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel is the projected replacement for Nix, and will need to find a new starter at wide receiver and running back, as well as depth at each position.
“It’s a players’ game, and we have exceptional players that prepare like pros and who practice their tails off,” Stein said. “They’re a joy to coach. They’re a joy to be around.”
Here are five key players who are returning on offense for the Ducks in 2024.
Tez Johnson — wide receiver
Johnson’s decision to play in 2024 guaranteed Gabriel a No. 1 receiver in the huddle from the start of the season.
As impressive as Johnson was in 2023 — a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/5-key-players-returning-oregon-120312376.html
Author : The Register-Guard
Publish date : 2024-01-11 12:03:12
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