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Oregon Football: Ducks and Michigan State Know Each Other Well

By Justin Phillips

CORVALLIS, OREGON - NOVEMBER 23: Running back Travis Dye #26 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OREGON - NOVEMBER 23: Running back Travis Dye #26 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Oregon Football faces the Michigan State Spartans on Monday in the Red Box Bowl. The game marks the third time the teams have seen each other over the last five years.

Both teams played in 2014 and 2015. The Ducks season started and ended on a high note in 2014 with an appearance in the College Football Playoff. This season, both teams had their struggles. The Spartans are 7-5 losing on the road to Michigan and Nebraska. The Ducks road struggles this season are well documented with losses at Washington State being the biggest of note.

Over the last week, three players on the Oregon Offense have announced they will return for the 2019 season. The biggest, Quarterback Justin Herbert. Two others, Calvin Throckmorton and Shane Lemieux will also be back to protect Herbert on the Offensive Line next season. (the Ducks have yet to hear from Wide Receiver Dillon Mitchell and Defender Troy Dye on their intentions.)

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Oregon Football also had a scare on Sunday as Miami Head Coach Mark Richt announced his retirement from Miami following a 7-6 season. Head Coach Mario Cristobal was among the potential candidates, but he told players that he was remaining with the Ducks.

Michigan State puts up just over 220 yards per game through the air and runs the ball just over 100 yards on average. The Offense is led by Quarterback Brian Lewerke who has just under 1900 yards on the season. The key to the success for the Spartans this season has been their Defense.

The team enters the matchup with Oregon leading the country in Rush Defense and Oregon will attack with several players including Freshman CJ Verdell and Senior Tony Brooks James as well as change of pace player Travis Dye. Verdell is just 25 yards away from the 1000 yard mark for the season.

Wide Receiver Dillon Mitchell has had one of the most impressive season’s in Oregon Football history and is just 27 yards away from setting the all-time mark for receiving yards in a season. Of course, catching the ball from Justin Herbert is not a bad thing either. The Herbert-Mitchell connection should be seen quite a bit on Monday.

Oregon meet Michigan State in the Red Box Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Kickoff is set for Noon on FOX.

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