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Oregon Ducks must get run game going against Hawaii

By Justin Phillips

The Oregon Ducks football team will host Hawaii, shown here, this week.
The Oregon Ducks football team will host Hawaii, shown here, this week. /
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Oregon Football is 2-0 after a gritty win at Texas Tech and welcome a 1-2 Hawaii team averaging just under 30 points per game this season. The Ducks are putting up an average of 60 per contest after dropping 81 points in Portland State two weeks ago,

The run game will look to get back on track against Hawaii after being handled by a stout defensive front at Texas Tech. They were able to manage just over 100 yards on the ground in that game. Oregon likes to move the ball by playing shifty on the ground, not just running north to south. The Ducks could not find any wiggle room. I expect a rebound of sorts against the Rainbow Warriors. Oregon has one of the deepest running back rosters in the country. They will find a way.

Quarterback Bo Nix, despite a lackluster performance through the air vs Texas Tech, did put in work on the ground, leading the charge last week with 46 yards. I expect the air attack to get back on track this week against Hawaii. The Ducks rush defense is giving up 161 yards per game. The Rainbow Warriors are giving up 107 yards on the ground and have allowed four rushing touchdowns.

Despite their record, Hawaii Quarterback Brayden Schager leads the country with 972 passing yards on the season. Keep in mind, Hawaii has also played three games. Shager has thrown for ten touchdowns and five interceptions. In looking at their statistics, the numbers are not there.

Hawaii’s lead rusher has just 11 carries for 76 yards on the ground for the season. Through three games they have put up under 300 yards. Tylan Hynes, Jordan Johnson, and Landon Sims lead the way out of the backfield.

Pofele Ashlock and Steven McBride have put up the bulk of the yards through the air this season. They combine for over 500 yards of offense and eight touchdowns through the first three games of the season.

Despite it appearing Oregon has better numbers on offense, this will be another test for the Ducks. Yes, they lead the country with close to 70 points per game, but the defense needs to continue improving. Head Coach Dan Lanning cannot look ahead and does not have that type of mindset, but a big game looms in the Pac-12 next week vs Colorado.

Oregon and Hawaii meet on Saturday at 5 p.m. PT inside Autzen Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network.

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