A Star Is Born: Jeremiah McClellan announced his arrival as Oregon's newest superstar

Given how much Oregon struggled against Boise State, it can be difficult to find many positives to take away from the game. There are certainly areas where the Ducks need to improve, and they'll have to play at a much higher level once Big Ten play begins, but there were also some encouraging performances worth highlighting. Among the biggest positives was the fact that several Oregon offensive players delivered stellar performances.

Coming into the season, the big debate was over who would be the Ducks' leading wide receiver. Between Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah McClellan, and Iverson Hooks, it was expected that Dante Moore would feed the hot hand. Instead, it appears that the Ducks have clear WR1 moving forward.

Jeremiah McClellan announced himself as Oregon's true WR1

On Saturday Afternoon, the best performance by a player on either team came from Ducks wide receiver Jeremiah McClellan. When the Ducks offense needed someone to step up and start moving the chains, Jeremiah McClellan was the one to get the unit going. When the Ducks were battling late, McClellan made several big plays to help put the game away.

Jeremiah McClellan finished the game with 6 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown, leading the offense. The most impressive part is that the performance could've been even bigger, as Dante Moore just barely overthrew him for another touchdown while Evan Stewart underthrew him on a beautifully designed trick play.

After the game, Dante Moore raved about Jeremiah McClellan's work ethic and the growth he's shown thus far.

"I’m not surprised at all. I mean, J-Mac (Jeremiah McClellan) has had a great offseason. He always comes to my house watching film. We’re always bowling together. I mean, this is a guy that has been so dialed into this process when it comes to the weight room, on the field, things like that. And he actually didn’t get caught short at the one-yard line this time. He actually scored, so he did a great job making sure he finished the play."

Dante Moore

Jeremiah McClellan emerging as the wide receiver to lean on isn't only great for the offense, but it's especially great for Dante Moore. This season, Moore personally is looking to win the Heisman Trophy and become the No. 1 overall pick, and if he has an elite receiver to lean on, it's only going to make those goals more attainable.

Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart are going to have big games and make plays, but both are more of big play threats than true leading receivers. McClellan has the skill set to be the constant chain mover this offseason needs, and Week 1 was a great development for the Ducks' goals on offense.

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