Poncho Laloulu, Oregon o-line named finalists for top awards

In the trenches, recognition is rare and hard-won. Linemen most often get noticed when their number is called for a penalty.

On Tuesday Second team All-Big-Ten center Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu was named a finalist for the Polynesian Player of the Year while the Joe Moore Award selection committee tabbed the Duck offensive line as a finalist for the third year in a row.

Indiana, Iowa and Oregon are the three finalists, announced by the foundation this morning. The Ducks have made the final group four times since 2019; Iowa won in 2016. Army won last year.

Oregon earned the recognition by completing an 11-1 season in which the Ducks rushed for 218 yards a game and 5.8 yards a carry, fifth in the country. Despite injuries they received the highest team pass blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, 89.3. They allowed 14 sacks all season while protecting the No. 7 offense in the FBS for passing efficiency.

The starters are right tackle Alex Harkey, guard Dave Iuli, guard Emmanuel Pregnon, center Iapani Laloulu and left tackle Isaiah World. Filling in admirably when starters went down were Charlie Pickard, Fox Crader, Gernorris Wilson and Kawika Rogers. Trent Ferguson, Zac Stascausky, Matthew Bedford, Auston Mims, Matthew Bedford, Douglas Utu, Lipe Moala, Devin Brooks, Bryce Boulton, Demetri Manning, Beau CressAllen and Ziyare Addison also share in the recognition.

Laloulu books a busy award season

Junior center Laloulu was named a finalist for the Polynesian Player of the Year along with Utah's Spencer Fano, Jacob DeJesus, Cade Uluave and Caleb Lomu, also of the Utes. From Farrington High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, the 6-2, 329 road grader and offensive line captain has started 26 straight games for the Ducks, destined to be an early round pick in the NFL draft.

The 2023 Under Armour All-American has allowed just one sack and six pressures in over 1,000 pass-blocking sacks as a Duck. He's also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, the highest honor for centers.