CJ Verdell breaks down touchdown runs with Matt Leinart

Oregon running back CJ Verdell broke down his three-touchdown performance in the Ducks’ upset victory over No. 3 Ohio State with FOX analyst Matt Leinart.

“To be honest, everyone knew there was a huge opportunity in front of us and we pretty much just took that head on, wanted to embrace the challenge,” Verdell said. “Obviously, coming in there as the underdogs and people didn’t expect us to do as well as we did. We kinda came in there with a chip on our shoulders and that was really the whole attitude throughout the week.”

In the win, CJ Verdell rushed for 161 and two touchdowns, adding 34 receiving yards on three receptions and another touchdown.

Verdell gave credit to his offensive line for their performance.

“I tell those guys every day, every week how well they are and how blessed we are to run behind such a great O-line,” Verdell said. “Those guys come in and they work hard every day I was really happy for how well they played.”

CJ Verdell’s third touchdown of the day was the longest play from scrimmage all day, as the fourth-year back shot through the middle of the line and outran the Buckeyes defense for a 77-yard touchdown to put the Ducks up 21-7 to start the third quarter.

“Coach (Jim) Mastro always tell us —he got this from Alvin Kamara, the Saints running back— he always says he sees no failure,” Verdell said. “His mindset whenever he gets the ball is that he’s going to score, that’s kind of the same mindset we try and take on as backs. It just parted like the Red Sea right there, so I was just like ‘I gotta hit this as hard as I can.'”

CJ Verdell has seen his name pop up in Heisman conversations after his performance against Ohio State. In Oregon’s first two games, Verdell has rushed for 235 yards and three touchdowns, with 36 yards and another touchdown receiving.

In his Ducks career, Verdell has rushed for 2,758 yards and 24 touchdowns, adding 572 yards and three touchdowns receiving.

The Pac-12 hasn’t had a representative in the College Football Playoff since Washington in the 2016-2017 season, but the Ducks could change that. Oregon’s upset win launched the Ducks into the playoff conversation, as the Ducks now control their own destiny heading into conference play next week. With USC firing Clay Helton, and Arizona State not on the schedule, No. 13 UCLA appears to be the most formidable opponent the Ducks will face through the regular season.