Evan Stewart left no doubt that Oregon’s ceiling is still on the rise, even after the Ducks put 84 points on Portland State.
That kind of scoreboard usually tells the whole story. Oregon’s wideout wasn’t interested in treating it like a finished product.
After the No. 21 Ducks rolled past the Vikings 84-0 on Saturday, Stewart made it clear he believes this group still has another gear.
"This team overall, I think we still have a level we haven't reached," said Stewart. "I think we're determined. I think we're in good hands with good coaching, and I think the more and more we just keep pouring into it day by day, week by week, I think it's going to be something to see in November beside the end of the season, for sure."
Against Portland State, Oregon got a huge afternoon from Dante Moore, who threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns in one half. Stewart did his part too, finishing as the Ducks’ leading receiver with three catches for 72 yards and a score before leaving the game.
For Oregon, the blowout came with a clear purpose: reset after the loss at Oklahoma State. The Ducks are 2-1 after falling 39-31 on the road in Week 2, a game that exposed some issues on both sides of the ball. The offensive line and run game still have questions, while the defensive line - despite featuring four potential NFL Draft picks in the starting group - has not consistently created the kind of pressure Oregon needs.
That setback also came with consequences in the polls. Dan Lanning’s team opened the season at No. 2 in the AP Poll and has since slipped to No. 21, but the path to the College Football Playoff is still there.
Stewart sounded encouraged by the way Oregon answered the Oklahoma State loss, especially with a major test ahead. The Ducks travel to Los Angeles to face No. 12 USC on Sept. 26, a game that looms as a key measuring stick for both teams.
"I think it was a good bounce back game for sure, especially with what happened last week," said Stewart. "I think just building up the confidence and just getting that rhythm with this game and just catching our feet again just definitely made a difference and made an impact with all of us.
Just building on top of that, going into next week, knowing that we got a big week coming. So it was pretty good."
The lopsided win also left Stewart with a rare perspective. He said the 84-point total caught him off guard.
"Honestly, it didn't feel real at first. I've never really blown out a team that bad, honestly.
I was at A&M. We won.
I mean, Oregon, we won whenever I was here in 2024, but I don't think we ever did that. So, I mean, last year, whenever we beat O-State (Oklahoma State), 69-3, that was kind of like my first taste of a big blowout.
But yeah, seeing 84 on that scoreboard was an eye-opener. And I know we can definitely make a big difference this year," said Stewart.
He also had praise for some of the younger players who got their chances and delivered. Stewart singled out Messiah, calling him "My dog" and "my little young'un," while noting the freshman’s New York ties and the energy he brings.
He also pointed to JJ, another New York player, saying, "He say that's that 585 stuff. That's his little brother thing there.
We just try to hype him up. Seeing him make plays makes us happy.
You're the prince of New York, for sure."
Stewart said the reserves were ready when their numbers were called, especially with JJ out.
"Yeah, they really stepped up. I mean, when JJ was down, we told them that their numbers are going to be called and we were going to need them in the C-Gap.
You know, we call them the C-Gap CEOs. So we just needed them to own the C-Gap and just do their part.
And they definitely did that."
He closed by crediting the work those players put in before the game ever arrived.
"I mean, every single day in practice, they were detailed. They came prepared.
They were taking notes. And honestly, Kendre definitely took a big step, especially being a younger fella and Olesh coming from a different school and, you know, meeting our standard.
He's been a good idol and a good role in there," Stewart said.
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The concern for Lincoln Rileys team is hard to miss after Rutgers piled up 460 yards and reached the end zone five times, exposing a defense that still has work to do. Riley pointed to the defensive issues and penalties as areas that need cleaning up, and while USC has the record it wanted entering conference play, the way it won left little doubt that better tests are ahead. [Read more 🡒]
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The Trojans got the result they needed, but the defensive issues that showed up again against Rutgers are hard to brush aside with Oregon next on the schedule. Other Big Ten contenders such as UCLA and Iowa took care of business, and the updated power rankings reflect that separation beginning to form. For USC, the concern is no longer just winning games, but whether the defense can travel well enough to survive a much tougher stretch ahead. [Read more 🡒]