Makhi Hughes was a preseason sensation for the Ducks, a big part of the story. The No.1 running back in the transfer portal after rushing for 2,779 yards and 22 touchdowns in two seasons at Tulane, he was supposed to replace Jordan James the way James had replaced Bucky Irving, the big-play guy and spearhead of a physical Oregon running game.
In the spring reporters asked Dan Lanning what he had seen from the 5-11, 210-pound junior running back. "Physicality," Lanning said, "I think he's still learning the system. It's really hard, to pick it up. He's a big back that runs tough and a willingness to work. He's kind of a quiet warrior out there on the field, but, but certainly pushing to be good."
From Birmingham, Alabama, Hughes is tough and determined, a runner with great balance and shiftiness who had 1,982 yards after contact with the Green Wave in the American Conference, a Group of Five school.
After Hughes ran for a career-high 195 yards on 30 carries against North Texas last October, Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall said, “He is a beast. He’s just an absolute stud. He’s a workhorse. He just chews yards up and is physical and plays the game the right way. Everybody on our team watches him play and is just in awe of him he plays because he’s so physical and tough.”
Yet in Oregon's first two games of 2025, Hughes' role has been severely limited and underwhelming. He lined up for 15 snaps against Oklahoma State, just a handful the week before against Montana State, two games where the Ducks outscored their opponents 128-16 and rushed for 566 yards.
In the two lopsided wins the Ducks have used 12 different ball carriers including receivers and quarterbacks. As a team they're averaging 7.4 yards per running play with seven runs of over 20 yards and three of over 30 yards, the last figure tied for best in the country..
In all five different players are averaging over 11 yards a carry to start the season for the Quack Attack:
Oregon Rushing Leaders, through two games:
Name | CAR | YDS | AVG | LNG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Noah Whittington | 14 | 159 | 11.4 | 59 TD | 2 |
Jayden Limar | 9 | 107 | 11.9 | 53 | 2 |
Dierre Hill | 6 | 67 | 11.2 | 28 | 1 |
Luke Moga | 2 | 47 | 23.5 | 25 | 0 |
Dakorien Moore | 3 | 42 | 14.0 | 25 |
Behind this group Hughes has languished, getting a few touches in decided games behind a rotating offensive line. He's begun his Oregon career with 10 carries for 32 yards, 3.2 yards a carry and a long run of six yards.
Jordon Davison, the 6-0, 236 freshman from Mater Dei has been the workhorse at the goal line with 9 carries for 32 yards and four touchdowns. QB-1 Dante Moore has shown his improved speed and mobility, keeping the ball or scrambling five times for 29 yards.
Hughes has one catch out of the backfield, in the second half against Montana State for four yards.
Hughes role in the Oregon offense may be evolving. Dan Lanning said Monday that he wants to take all seven running backs to Northwestern, on a traveling squad of 74 as mandated by Big Ten rules.
Experts expected him to be a key player for the Ducks. In his preseason evaluation for Ducks Rising, former NFL offensive lineman and college football analyst Geoff Schwartz praised his tough-running ability and vision. "When he gets his shoulders square, he's not going to be tackled very often with the first guy," Schwartz said.
In spite of the expectations, Whittington and Limar stayed ahead of him in Fall Camp. Hughes had a bit more trouble adjusting to the playbook and a different style of offense. Limar's proven to be an effective blocker, while Whittington made a crucial blitz pickup on the 65-yard touchdown pass to Dakorien Moore.
The 5-8, 203-pound senior from Fort Valley, Georgia has improved his burst and his ability to pick up his feet and avoid leg tackles as he breaks through the line of scrimmage.
NOAH WHITTINGTON 59 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 💨💨💨 @OREGONFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/FvXxblaB4j
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 6, 2025
So far Will Stein has done an amazing job of mixing up the play calls and establishing all the weapons in the Oregon offense. They've spread it around brilliantly and attacked for big plays. Hughes has been largely left out of the party, but it doesn't mean he won't have a bigger role in other games.
In their 1-1 start this season Northwestern is next-to-last in the Big Ten in run defense, giving up 170 yards a game and 5.23 yards per carry. Duck fans could see more of Hughes and certainly more of a running attack that's been brutally effective.