Oregon’s offense has changed fast enough to make the Ducks’ coordinator search feel a lot less open than it did a couple of weeks ago.
After a rocky 4-3 start to a season that was supposed to put Dan Lanning’s team in the national championship conversation, Oregon’s early issues were hard to ignore. Losing both coordinators to head coaching jobs in the offseason was easy to overlook at first, but once the year got rolling, the impact showed up. Chris Hampton eventually settled in, but Drew Mehringer and the offense never really found their rhythm.
Then came the loss to Illinois, and Lanning said he made a mistake by firing Mehringer. Since then, though, the Ducks may have stumbled into a much cleaner answer.
Jay Johnson, the interim playcaller, is building a real case to keep the job.
Only Lanning and the staff know exactly how much of the weekly game plan Johnson is driving, but if he’s the one steering the offense, the results have been hard to miss. Oregon has now put together back-to-back Top 25 wins, and the offense has been a big reason why.
Saturday’s 41 points were tied for the second-most the Ducks have scored this season, matching the USC game and trailing only the 84-point outburst against Oklahoma State. Over the last two games with Johnson calling plays, Oregon is averaging 37.5 points per game. Under Mehringer, the offense averaged 24.67 points per game if Portland State is excluded, or 33.14 if it’s included.
After the win, Lanning didn’t hide his appreciation for what Johnson has done.
"I mean, he’s been outstanding. I think he did a really good job, and there’s some plays that he’ll want back from tonight.
I think the collective effort. I think the way he’s communicated with our quarterback and helped create confidence.
And then just the volume. We were able to hit on a lot of plays that we practiced over and over and over again tonight.
But yeah, he’s done a great job, and certainly is somebody that has to be considered."
A big part of Oregon’s offensive jump has been the way Johnson has helped Dylan Raiola settle in. Against Ohio State, Raiola turned in another strong performance, going 25-for-40 for 257 yards and two touchdowns, even with a couple of potential interceptions dropped by the Buckeyes.
That matters because Oregon may soon have a quarterback decision to make. If Dante Moore leaves for the NFL, the Ducks will need to figure out who runs the offense next.
If the staff believes in Raiola, Johnson could be the cleanest fit. He appears to understand what Raiola does well and how to get the most out of the Ducks’ playmakers.
The next three games could end up shaping the whole decision. Michigan, Michigan State, and Washington are still ahead, and if Oregon keeps winning with the offense humming, the Ducks could push into the College Football Playoff picture. If that happens, Johnson will have earned plenty of credit.
Two games is a tiny sample, and nobody should pretend otherwise. But if Johnson keeps stacking performances like the ones against Northwestern and Ohio State, he’ll be making a very strong case to be Oregon’s next offensive coordinator.
In Other News...
Dan Lanning Just Got Fresh Bulletin-Board Material Before Oregons Biggest Test
With Oregon heading into one of its biggest tests, the chatter around Dan Lannings program has already spilled beyond the field. Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham used a radio appearance to talk about Oregons recruiting reach and the kind of NIL resources the Ducks can bring to bear, while also giving Lanning credit for the way he has built the roster.
It is familiar territory for Oregon, which has heard versions of this before from opposing coaches and has often turned those comments into fuel. Whether the Ducks need any extra motivation is one thing, but remarks like these tend to linger in the building, especially when a marquee matchup is right around the corner. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Just Lost Another Key Defender At The Worst Time
Oregons defense took another hit at a point in the season when every body matters. Linebacker Teitum Tuioti has been ruled out for the rest of the year after suffering a knee injury in a recent game, a blow head coach Dan Lanning confirmed after Tuioti was carted off the field. It is the kind of loss that changes how a defense is built on the fly, especially for a player who had become a steady presence in the middle of the unit.
Tuioti leaves behind a productive season that included 44 total tackles, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble, production that helped give Oregon some edge and disruption from the linebacker spot. The Ducks now have to absorb the loss without one of their more reliable defenders, and the timing only adds to the challenge as they try to keep the defense intact down the stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Dakorien Moore Just Earned The Kind Of Praise Oregon Fans Notice
Dakorien Moore gave Oregon a moment worth replaying when he reached up for a one-handed touchdown catch against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium, a play that stood out even in a high-profile setting. It was the kind of grab that travels fast, and it quickly drew attention beyond the Ducks own sideline.
Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys legend who had also been at Moores last high school game, praised the receiver publicly on social media after the performance. Moore acknowledged Bryants support and reflected on having him there in high school, a small but meaningful connection for a young player whose biggest moments are already starting to get noticed far beyond Eugene. [Read more 🡒]