The Oregon Ducks football program is known for its prolific offense and why not, it certainly puts up huge numbers. But when you really take a look at the numbers of some of the Ducks offensive leaders and compare them to some of the Arizona’s offensive leaders, they reveal some surprising things fans might not realize.
Hill ranks 8th in the nation in receiving yards.
First and probably least surprising is at the quarterback position. Matt Scott ranks fifth in the nation in passing yards at 995 yards this season. The Ducks quarterback, Marcus Mariota, ranks just behind Scott…at 46th in the nation with 674 yards. When it comes to Rushing yards Scott has Mariota beat as well with 190 yards rushing to Mariota’s 108 yards this season. Granted, Scott’s taken more snaps than Mariota this season, but only because the competition was much greater. In fact, before you can make the argument, remember that Scott basically played a half of football against South Carolina State and still threw for nearly 300 yards. Mariota played against two FCS defenses through three games this season.
When it comes to both Oregon and Arizona rushing leaders the numbers are very close, but Arizona’s top back comes out on top. Arizona’s Ka'Deem Carey ranks 16th in the nation with 344 yards rushing this year. Oregon’s offensive rushing leader is Kenjon Barner, who has 324 yards rushing, placing him 21st in the nation. Their stats are very similar so that makes this weekend very interesting. If Carey can have a career day he can introduce himself to more than just Tucson, especially considering that an Oregon running back is on the cover of SI this week.
When you take both Carey’s and Barner’s receiving stats it is almost the same as the rushing stats. Carey barely edges out the prolific and versatile Oregon back. They both have the same amount of receptions with six. Barner has 45 receiving yards and Carey has 47. Carey also has caught one TD pass this season and Barner has yet to catch any passes for a score this season.
When it comes to Oregon’s receiving stats to Arizona’s, it isn’t even close…
Arizona’s Austin Hill will be the games leading receiver going in with 319 yards receiving, good enough to rank eighth in the NCAA. His teammate Dan Buckner ranks 27th in the nation with 261 yards receiving. Oregon’s top receiver ranks a mere 131st on the list. That is not their top receiver but running back De’Anthony Thomas, who has 154 yards receiving. To be fair, Oregon places much more emphasis on its ground attack, even against top opponents, but it’s still worthy to note that the Wildcats have the statistical advantage heading into Saturday’s showdown in Eugene.
The next receiver wearing a Duck uniform on the list is Keanon Lowe with 92 receiving yards. That ranks him a whopping 318th. Arizona has two more players on the list before Lowe’s name shows up. Both Richard Morrison, who has 127 receiving yards (No. 197) and Terrence Miller, who has 106 yards to ranks 262nd in the nation have had a major impact on Arizona’s team success, statistically.
After analyzing some of the numbers you wonder how much better the “starting” talent is at both programs. We all know that 1-80 the Ducks are better, but when it comes to the actual individuals who will make an impact Saturday night, which team is actually better at each skill position?
- Canyon Allis
- Arizona Insider - 247Sports