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Oregon Football: How each 2021 position group compares to 2020

By Connor Muldowney

EUGENE, OREGON - MAY 01: Noah Sewell #1 and Verone McKinley III #23 of the Oregon Ducks pose for a photo during the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium on May 01, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON - MAY 01: Noah Sewell #1 and Verone McKinley III #23 of the Oregon Ducks pose for a photo during the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium on May 01, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Marcus Arroyo helped pick apart the best defense in the Pac-12 in rout to the conference title over Utah.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 06: Running back CJ Verdell #7 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after he scored on a three yard touchdown run against the Utah Utes during the first half of the Pac-12 Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium on December 06, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Running back

Verdict: Better than 2020

Just like the receiving corps, the backfield returns its leaders from a season ago. The two players who shared carries last season are both back and one of them has set a lofty goal of 2,000 yards for himself this season.

Verdell is one of the nation’s top backs and although he had an off-year in 2020 with 285 yards and three touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry, he rushed for over 1,000 in his first two seasons.

Travis Dye will be his No. 2 this season and he’s coming off a big year as he rushed for a team-best 443 yards and a touchdown on 6.9 yards per touch. A duo of Dye and Verdell will strike fear into every defense and should make up the best backfield in the Pac-12 maybe outside of Arizona State.

Sean Dollars suffered an injury this spring but he showed promise in short stints in 2020 and Trey Benson, Byron Cardwell, and Seven McGee will add depth to the position group.

No losses and only solid additions? Yeah, this group will be better.

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