Oregon Ducks place two on Big Ten first team offense

From one of the most potent and exciting offenses in the country, the Ducks placed two on the Big Ten all-conference announced Thursday morning from Indianapolis.

Dan Lanning's 11-1, playoff-bound squad earned all-league nods for road-grading guard Emmanuel Pregnon and tight end Kenyon Sadiq, though the freak athlete from Idaho Falls, Idaho placed on the team in a mealy-mouthed tie with Ohio State's Max Klare.

Objectively the tie makes no sense. Despite missing a game with injuries and being limited in another, Sadiq grabbed 40 passes for 490 yards and a nation's-best eight touchdowns. Klare found the end zone two times, 41 catches for 420 yards.

While both are good football players with NFL futures, the oak leaf stickers on the silver helmet can't be the decider on this one. Sadiq was more explosive on an offense that was hampered by injuries to six scholarship receivers. By the end of the season, Sadiq was drawing double coverage.

The 6-3, 245-pound tight end's value doesn't end there in the Webfoot offense. He was a crunching lead and downfield blocker as well.

A transfer from USC, Pregnon prove to be a pivotal addition for the Law Firm this season. Oregon's inside running game was potent, gashing defenses for a Big Ten-best 5.8 yards a carry, 218 yards a game.

The senior didn't allow a sack this season while allowing two pressures and zero quarterback hits. He posted a PFF pass block grade of 91.3, playing his way into the first round of the NFL draft.

The Ducks placed center Iapani Laloulu on the second team and junior guard Dave Iuli on the third team. Curiously neither Dante Moore or a single Oregon wide receiver or running back received an all-conference nod, though Moore, Alex Harkey, Dakorien Moore, Isaiah World, Jamari Johnson, Jordon Davison, Noah Whittington received honorable mention.

USC's Jayden Maiava was the third-team quarterback.