PLAYERS TO WATCH:
–RB CJ Verdell must show up in a big way if Oregon wants any chance of ending its two-game skid. With quarterback Justin Herbert and wide receiver Dillon Mitchell potentially out for Saturday’s contest with UCLA, Verdell is the best remaining weapon the Ducks have on offense, a unit that has been subpar the past two weeks. Verdell leads the team in rushing with 600 yards on 115 carries and four touchdowns. A big game by Verdell allows for whoever is playing quarterback to settle and keep defenses from sitting back in coverage.
–DE Jalen Jelks has been largely underwhelming in his senior season from a statistical point of view. After a breakout junior year where he finished with 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and seven passes defended, Jelks has totals of five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and one pass defended through more than halfway this year. Although he does see double-teams a lot, or teams go away from him, Oregon needs him as a senior leader to be the one to step his game up and help the Ducks out of their funk.
–WR Johnny Johnson III will play a big role in against the Bruins if Mitchell is a scratch with the concussion. Johnson, who has two catches for 17 yards in the last four games, has had a case of “butterfingers” over the season but he flashes major potential of being a deep threat and possession receiver, as evidence by his four touchdowns on the year. Mitchell is nearly 1/3 of Oregon’s receiving offense but with him potentially out, Johnson must fill those shoes.
–OC Marcus Arroyo is now under a microscope after the questionable play-calling he’s chosen the past two weeks. The offense has been largely anemic, becoming very predictable with no excitement or flair the Ducks had when they were winning. Now with Herbert potentially out with a concussion, Arroyo must become even more creative with freshman Tyler Shough or sophomore Braxton Burmeister taking the reins. Arroyo is potentially coaching for his job because with all the talent off offense, Oregon should average more than 17.5 points per game over a two-game span.
SERIES HISTORY: UCLA leads 39-28. The Bruins won last year’s matchup 31-14, a game in which Herbert was out injured and Burmeister was the starting quarterback. He finished the game 8-of-15 for 74 yards with an interception and two rushing touchdowns while running back Royce Freeman ran for 160 yards on 29 carries. Prior to that loss, Oregon was on a six-game winning streak from 2008-14, including a 60-13 win in 2010.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Take accountability and responsibility, everyone in the organization. Zero pointing fingers, just get at it but get at it responsibility and intelligently. It’s not just blind work … it’s not just go grind.” — Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal, on how the Ducks need to respond from their two-game losing skid.
