Dan Lanning Previews Oregon vs. USC: 'Will present a great challenge for us'

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning met with the media Monday night in Eugene ahead of the No. 8 Oregon Ducks (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) facing the No. 17 USC Trojans (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) on Saturday afternoon in Eugene.

Below are some of his key quotes regard ahead up this weekend’s rivalry matchup.

Opening statement: “They’re really talented and well coached. Will present a great challenge for us. Obviously exciting weekend for us as well with GameDay coming in our crowd always does an unbelievable job showing up there and then showing up to the stadium as well for our game. So excited to see that all come to fruition, and us get to enjoy some of those moments.”

On how valuable Jamari Johnson is

Lanning: “He’s had an unbelievable attitude. And Roger (Saleapaga) as wel; made some big plays. Obviously made big plays for us in special teams, had a big catch, but Jamari, we’re really satisfied what he’s been able to do for us in the program. He’s playing at a really, really high level and doing a lot of really good things. So that whole tight end group is doing a great job, and that’s credit to Coach Mehringer and those guys.

On Dante Moore‘s big game benefiting the team, building confidence

Lanning: “It’s certainly a huge benefit. And I think I said it, Friday, but I’ll say it again, that Dante had a great game, but there’s some unbelievable catches and some great pass protection and a lot of pieces that go into that. And I think when all those things click, when your quarterback plays like he did in that game. I think that’s a great representation of the entire product of the offense. And guys making unbelievable catches, got a quarterback putting the ball in the right spots, guys protecting the quarterback, all those things have to take place for that to work. Great scheme from the coaches, and it’s awesome when you have those things rolling.”

On what went well vs. Minnesota, what he’s looking to execute against USC’s talented wide receivers

Lanning: “I thought we played a complete game in a lot of ways. There’s certainly some moments that we want to have back. But looking at what USC does, obviously, Makai Lemon is as good as they come. Ja’Kobi Lane does a great job outside. I think this is one of the best receiving corps we’ve seen since we’ve been here, and their quarterback’s playing at a really, really high level as well. They have schemes that challenge you. They do a good job moving the guys around, making it tough to be able to to figure out where they’re at. So it’s a real challenge for us, but one that we’re excited to embrace.”

On what goes into preparing for a player like Makai Lemon

Lanning: “Just preparation. Lots of preparation and film study. Recognizing what he’s good at, and then just being aware of where guys like that are on the field at all times. I think you always have to have an awareness where he’s at.”

On Jordon Davison‘s growth from the start of the season to now

Lanning: “We always talk about don’t wait for your opportunity, be ready for your opportunity. Jordon’s a great example of a guy who’s been ready for his opportunity. Everything we’ve thrown at him, he’s handled really well. I’ve said it several times, h’s a very intelligent player. We can throw basically anything at him and he can attack it. He’s proven to be a dynamic back for us that can help us running the ball, protecting, blocking. He does it all. He’s a jack of all trades.”

On what he attributes to having nation’s No. 1 passing defense

Lanning: “I think growth just overall as a program. Certainly, personnel is a big piece of that. We have good players. I think schematically we’ve gotten better as coaches too of putting guys in good situations. I think it’s also, we have to be aware that we played in some rain games too, where it’s difficult to pass the ball. I think all those things contribute. But our players certainly take pride in it, and that’s a big piece of it.”

On what he saw on film after swapping guards Emmauel Pregnon and Dave Iuli

Lanning: “I thought they handled it well. Again, we’ll continue to move guys around to figure out where our best five are and how that fits, and especially at this point the season, when certain guys are banged up you got to look at different options there.”

On what makes Jayden Maiava unique

Lanning: “He’s not getting enough credit for one. I’ll say that. He’s more athletic than people realize. Throws the ball well, I think he keeps his eyes downfield even when rush is imminent and getting close, and does a really good job. And he can certainly beat you with his legs too in the run game. So he’s a complete quarterback. He plays with toughness. He wants to go get it guy. He’s a guy that’s going to compete till the end and shows up consistently for them.”

On how the Oregon staff has gotten the most out of Bear Alexander

Lanning: “Bear deserves the credit for what he’s done. We certainly coached Bear, and he’s been super receptive and worked really hard to be the best version of himself. And I think he’s come here, and he’s found the best version of himself. But he deserves the credit for what he’s helped create with Coach Tuioti and Coach Lupoi coaching him along the way, and taking that coaching and executing at a high level. And we’ve always talked about what do the reps look like? Not how many of the reps? And I think, Bear’s realized that and it’s certainly made an impact on our team in a positive light.”