It’s finally time.
The Oregon Ducks begin their run to the national championship with a home-opener against South Dakota, a team out of the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
Led by All-Americans Marcus Mariota on offense and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu on defense, the Ducks look poised to dominate in every facet of the game while the Coyotes will counter with sophomore running back Trevor Bouma and linebacker Auston Johnson on defense.
Here’s how the teams stack up:
OFFENSE
Oregon: It’s hard to argue if there is a team with a better quarterback or a better offense in the country than the Ducks. Marcus Mariota spurned the NFL to come back for his junior season and is now a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, but believe it or not, most eyes won’t be on him when the Ducks take the field. Rarely has there been this much hype surrounding a freshman running back, but Royce Freeman is drawing raves from his coaches and teammates and is listed as a co-starter at the running back position. The Ducks will need to sure up a few things on the offensive line and at receiver with the losses of Tyler Johnstone and Bralon Addison, so taking on a weaker Coyote team is just the thing needed to get in sync.
South Dakota: The Coyotes come into the 2014 season with their leading passer, receiver and rusher all returning. Trevor Bouma was the workhorse on the ground for South Dakota last year, amassing 781 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. Likewsie, Kevin Earl was the primary quarterback last year, 52.5-percent of his passes for 1,920 yards and nine touchdowns while his big-play target, Riley Donovan, returns. Donovan papered in only six games last year, but averaged 17.8 yards per catch with two touchdowns.
Advantage: Oregon
DEFENSE
Oregon: With all the talent Oregon has on offense, the Ducks might be more explosive on the defensive side of the ball. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is an absolute ball-hawk and declined the NFL and millions of dollars to return to Eugene for one more year. Earning the starting spot opposite the All-American is redshirt senior Troy Hill, a savvy player who has finally tapped into all the potential he possesses. The true strength of the defense lies within the front seven with juniors Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Alex Balducci taking over the defensive line. Tony Washington and Derrick Malone lead a talented group of linebackers who all have one year under their belt and are poised to break out.
South Dakota: If the Coyotes are lacking anywhere, it’s on the defensive side of the ball. They lost their top-two tacklers and top-two interception leaders from last year’s team and have no one ready to step up and replace them.
Advantage: Oregon
SPECIAL TEAMS
Oregon: The Ducks are led by strong-footed sophomore Matt Wogan in the kicking department while Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and speedster Thomas Tyner will handle the kick return duties.
South Dakota: Miles Bergner returns as the kicker for the Coyotes after going 12-for-21 last year and a long of 43 yards.
Advantage: Oregon
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka