Oregon Football: 3 takeaways from pull-away win over Washington State

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Nov 13, 2021; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Anthony Brown (13) hands the ball off to running back Travis Dye (26) against the Washington State Cougars during the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

2. This run game is elite

I could sit here and talk about how the defense disrupted Jayden de Laura’s timing all night long, leading to a couple of picks and a shaky performance despite passing for nearly 300 yards, but the run game deserves its props.

Not often does a team lose a Heisman-caliber running back and continue to run the ball at a high level and win games because of its rushing attack, but Oregon is that deep in the backfield.

Travis Dye has been solid just as we all suspected he would be when CJ Verdell went down with a season-ending injury, but Byron Cardwell has broken out as the next star in the backfield, adding two touchdowns on Saturday night against the Cougars. And then you add in a dual-threat like Anthony Brown who had over 120 rushing yards against Washington State and that makes up an elite rushing attack.

Dye finished the night with 88 rushing yards and a touchdown and 29 receiving yards and another score and Cardwell had 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.

Don’t look now, but this rushing attack is as strong as it’s been all year despite not having Verdell healthy.

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