Oregon’s offense looked sharper with a new voice on the headset, and that has naturally pushed the Ducks’ search for Drew Mehringer’s replacement into sharper focus.
Against then-No. 20 Northwestern, Oregon piled up 441 total yards and 34 points in a 34-26 win, with assistant quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson handling the play-calling duties. That performance gives the Ducks something real to evaluate as they sort through the next move at offensive coordinator.
One name to watch is Florida State coach Mike Norvell, who just became available after seven seasons and a 3-5 start. Norvell still could land another head coaching job, but his résumé is substantial: a 79-54 record and six bowl appearances between Memphis and Florida State, including the 2023 Orange Bowl. He also has a direct connection to Dan Lanning, since Lanning worked on Norvell’s Memphis staff during the 206 and 2017 seasons.
Norvell’s offense would fit the kind of tempo Oregon likes. He leans on an RPO system that plays fast, and he also makes heavy use of tight ends, including 12 personnel looks.
That could appeal to future Ducks who want to follow the path of Terrance Ferguson, Kenyon Sadiq or Jamari Johnson. Norvell’s time in Tallahassee produced mixed results, but there’s no question about his offensive background.
Johnson made a strong case in his emergency stint, too. Oregon’s passing game got a lift, with Dylan Raiola throwing for 336 yards and Dakorien Moore finishing with 128 receiving yards.
The Ducks averaged 7.5 yards per play and converted six of 14 third downs. Brandon Smith also emerged as a bright spot, rushing for 82 yards and averaging 10.2 yards per carry.
That mattered because Oregon had been stuck below 5.8 yards per play over the previous three games. Johnson pushed the unit back above seven against a defense that entered the game ranked 24th overall.
Still, one game does not lock him into the job long term. The final four games will carry weight, starting with No.
10 Ohio State.
Northwestern offensive coordinator Chip Kelly also had a return to Autzen Stadium, and he did it with a productive offense of his own. The Wildcats totaled 456 yards, including 175 on the ground, and Kelly even unveiled a new wrinkle in the game plan.
Kelly’s future is worth monitoring as well. Northwestern may have a difficult time holding onto him, and schools with openings such as Baylor and Maryland could be in the mix.
Another Pac-12 name in the conversation is Oregon State offensive coordinator Dahlen. His offense produced 450 total yards on Halloween at Fresno State, though the Beavers fell 38-22.
Oregon State also managed to hold wide receiver Jesse Legree under 100 yards and kept him out of the end zone. Dahlen has helped turn Oregon State into a top 10 offense, but the loss left some questions about whether he is ready for a bigger jump in the new Pac-12.
Boise State offensive coordinator Nate Potter is another rising candidate. The Broncos have scored 27 points or more in every game, and only Oregon has held them to their lowest scoring output this season. Potter is a Boise State alumnus, which could make a move less likely, but the program has had trouble keeping young offensive coordinators in the past, including Zak Hill and Bryan Harsin.
The list also includes Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Sean Brophy, who has worked with quarterback Drew Mestemaker at North Texas and helped build the Big 12’s best offense with Eric Morris. Oregon has already seen that system in Week 2. Brophy also has western ties, having spent one season as a graduate assistant at Washington State in 2022 and played junior college football in Glendale.
In Other News...
Oregons Win Brought Back Chip Kelly And A New Offensive Concern
Oregons comeback win over Northwestern at Autzen carried a little extra edge because Chip Kelly was back on the sideline, this time as the Wildcats offensive coordinator and not the coach who once helped define the Ducks modern identity. After Oregon pulled out the 34-26 victory, Kelly spent time postgame with Dan Lanning and Dante Moore, a reminder of how much history still hangs around these matchups even when the uniforms have changed.
The bigger concern for Oregon may have been what happened on the field, where running back Jordon Davison left with a leg injury and is expected to have his status updated soon. In a game the Ducks had to climb back into, any injury in the backfield adds another layer of uncertainty as they move deeper into the season, especially with the offense still trying to settle in after a physical opener. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Just Landed A Surprising New Name In Its OC Search
Florida States decision to fire Mike Norvell after the loss to Clemson has already sent ripples through the coaching carousel, and it comes at a moment when Oregon is trying to steady its own offensive staff. The Ducks recently moved on from offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, leaving Dan Lanning with a major hire to make as the program continues to chase stability and continuity on that side of the ball.
Norvells name has now surfaced in the discussion around Oregons opening, largely because of his previous working relationship with Lanning. It is still only speculation, but it adds an unexpected wrinkle to a search that figures to draw plenty of attention, especially if Oregon wants an experienced voice with ties to its head coach rather than a more conventional outside candidate. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona Suddenly Has A Real AP Poll Problem
The latest AP Poll is headed for a shakeup after USC, still unranked, stunned No. 2 Ohio State and sent ripples through the top of the rankings. Oregon and Iowa, both of whom had fallen out of the poll, also took care of business in their recent games, putting themselves back in the conversation as voters sort through a weekend that featured wins from Georgia and Texas Tech along with a handful of losses elsewhere.
For Oregon, the timing matters. A strong response after dropping out of the rankings can quickly change the tone around a team in a crowded Big Ten race, and the Ducks now have a realistic path back into the poll when the new rankings are released. With so many results moving in different directions, the bigger question is how far the reshuffle goes and which teams get caught in the middle of it. [Read more 🡒]