Oregon quarterback Bo Nix celebrates a landing towards Washington on Nov. 12, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. Nix was successful in Eugene after transferring from Auburn. Andy Nelson, Related Press
Alabama large receiver Traeshon Holden (11) throughout recreation, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Oregon Geese snagged Holden out of the switch portal. Vasha Hunt, Related Press
Editor’s be aware: Second in a sequence previewing every group within the Pac-12.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning’s first season on the helm began inauspiciously with a 49-3 drubbing by the hands of eventual nationwide champion Georgia.
However by early November, the Geese have been vying for a Pac-12 title and a shot on the School Soccer Playoff.
Then got here a few brutal losses as quarterback Bo Nix handled an harm. Oregon squandered leads towards each Washington and Oregon State, with a house win over eventual Pac-12 champion Utah sandwiched in between. These setbacks ended any hopes of a Pac-12 title and a CFP berth.
Nonetheless, the Geese posted a 10-3 document final season.
One of the best offseason information for Oregon got here when Nix, who turned a Heisman Trophy contender and engineered a high-powered offense after transferring from Auburn a 12 months in the past, determined to return for an additional season.
“There’s all the time room for enchancment. I didn’t wish to go away faculty with nothing to indicate for it,” he mentioned. “I wish to actually do a superb job this season and go in there and win quite a lot of video games.
“I simply wished to exhaust every part I had in faculty. I didn’t wish to have any regrets,” Nix added. “I used to be lucky, each have been nice alternatives. Proper now, now that I selected Oregon, it’s all-in. It’s gonna be an incredible season, extra time to develop myself and get higher.”
However can he keep wholesome? Does he have sufficient items round him to enhance on the 2022 marketing campaign?
Additionally returning are operating backs Noah Whittington and Bucky Irving, who mixed to hurry for 1,837 yards final season. The Geese added some weapons from the switch portal — receivers Traeshon Holden from Alabama and Tez Johnson from Troy.
Different playmakers at Nix’s disposal embody large receiver Troy Franklin and tight finish Terrance Ferguson.
Oregon signed a pair of offensive linemen — Texas switch Junior Angilau, who hails from Salt Lake Metropolis’s East Excessive, and Ajani Cornelius, a switch from Rhode Island.
Lanning additionally employed a brand new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Will Stein, changing Kenny Dillingham, who left to change into the top coach at Arizona State.
Defensively, the Geese return starters Jeffrey Bassa, Brandon Dorlus and Casey Rogers.
Oregon restocked by including cornerback Khyree Jackson (Alabama); linebackers Connor Soelle (Arizona State) and Jestin Jacobs (Iowa); edge rusher Jordan Burch (South Carolina) and safeties Tysheem Johnson (Ole Miss); and Evan Williams (Fresno State).
After the spring recreation, Lanning acknowledged there are some questions he desires answered.
“Do we actually really have the depth to play as many gamers as we’d prefer to play?” he mentioned. “We’re gonna return and , proceed to guage that. How do issues kind out actually on the offensive line for us? I believe we have now to take a tough take a look at that and work out the place we’re the very best there and there’s simply quite a lot of items, proper? Quite a lot of items of the puzzle.”
Oregon visits Washington on Oct. 14 and Utah on Oct. 28. The Geese host USC on Nov. 11.
2022 document: 10-3 (7-2 Pac-12).
Utah ties
- LB Jeffrey Bassa (Kearns HS).
- OL Junior Angilau (East HS).
- DL Taki Taimani (East HS).
- OL Jackson Powers-Johnson (Nook Canyon HS).
2023 schedule
- Sept. 2 Portland State.
- Sept. 9 @ Texas Tech.
- Sept. 16 Hawaii.
- Sept. 23 Colorado.
- Sept. 30 @Stanford.
- Oct. 14 @Washington.
- Oct. 21 Washington State.
- Oct. 28 @Utah.
- Nov. 4 California.
- Nov. 11 USC.
- Nov. 18 @Arizona State.
- Nov. 24 Oregon State.
Alabama large receiver Traeshon Holden (11) throughout recreation, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Oregon Geese snagged Holden out of the switch portal.
Vasha Hunt, Related Press