The Oregon Ducks will face the Utah Utes on Saturday to open both teams’ Pac-12 slate.
The Ducks have already faced a physical Michigan State team early in the season, and the Utes pose a similar challenge. Led by running back Devontae Booker, who rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns last Saturday against Fresno State, Utah has size at seemingly every position.
“(Booker) is fast, physical—he’s just a great back,” Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich said Tuesday. “He never gets tackled by one guy, ever. His power and his ability to stay on the move but still have the leverage to finish runs is really impressive.”
The Ducks know what they’re facing in Booker, but the Utes’ quarterback situation remains in flux. Travis Wilson sat out last week after spraining his left shoulder, and back-up Kendal Thompson started in his place. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham remained tight-lipped on Monday about naming his starting quarterback. Helfrich and his team are preparing to defend both Wilson and Thompson.
“It starts with their run game,” Helfrich said. “Whether it’s weighing Travis Wilson’s packages a little different than Kendal Thompson’s, they’re a lot more similar than they are different. But they are different, so you have to be ready for all of it.”
Oregon is also staying quiet on its quarterback situation. Vernon Adams Jr. diagnosed himself at about “80-percent” healthy on Monday, but it remains to be seen whether his index finger is healed enough to absorb contact on Saturday. Jeff Lockie now has a game of starting experience, but Adams offers more upside for the Ducks’ offense if he can go.
“(Adams) looks very similar to last week,” Helfrich said. “It will be right up until the end of the week before we make that call.”
Regardless of who is starting for the Ducks, the offensive line is tasked with protecting its quarterback against a physical front-seven.
“They are very physical,” Helfrich said. “Their job is try to out-physical you in all three phases. You have to be ready for that.”
The Utes lost linebacker Nate Orchard to the NFL after last season, but they still have linebacker Gionni Paul and defensive end Hunter Dimick, whom Helfrich called one of the most underrated players in the Pac-12.
Michigan State challenged the Ducks with size and physicality, but perhaps Utah could do so even more.
“They’re a big-man team—heavier than any team we’ve played thus far,” offensive line coach Steve Greatwood said. “If you do break it open in the running game, or even the passing game, you’re in for some long runs. Hopefully we can catch them in those situations, our receivers can get open and our (line) can protect them to get open.”
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