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Oregon MVP's of the Game vs Iowa

On3 imageby: Justin Hopkins5 hours ago
Atticus Sappington
Oregon Ducks kicker Atticus Sappington against the Iowa Hawkeyes. (Photo by: © Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images)

We are all still riding high on the sweet taste of victory. But let’s make some immediate emotional picks about who helped Oregon win this game.

Every week there are some players or a unit on the team that steps up. That’s how football works. You count on your studs but sometimes an unlikely hero pulls you through.

I will start with that hero.

Dear Atticus Sappington, we doubted you. I doubted you We closed our eyes every time you walked out on the field. We knew we might need you but we hoped we wouldn’t. And I take it all back.

You went 3/3 in a tough environment, all eyes on you, rain, wind, 40+ yarders and never flinched. You are my overall game MVP. I hope the team carries you out of the stadium. I hope you don’t buy a drink all night. I promise (fingers crossed) to never talk ill of you again.

Even when he was 2/2 and set up for the game-winner, I still had to close my eyes. But in a game where you were needed desperately, you delivered.

Ok, so if I don’t give these guys a shout out, I don’t think you can take this article seriously.

The Oregon offensive line pushed around Iowa’s defensive front. They fueled Oregon to an incredible 261 rush yards and a 7.2 yards per carry. Oregon doesn’t win without this performance up front. They largely kept Dante Moore clean when he needed to pass, but the real work was done in the run blocking game.

Iowa’s defense prides themselves on stopping the run and Oregon, with backup Genorris Wilson at right tackle, took them to the woodshed.

My tip of the cap to the men up front.

What was one of the absolute keys to this game? Stopping the run game from Iowa. Yes, they had some big pass plays and that’s what kept them in this game. But the Ducks kept Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski in check in the run game to the tune of 25 rush yards. A massive key to this game.

If I had to single out one player I would have to give another tip of the cap to Teitum Tuioti. He was everywhere and battled through. But Bear Alexander, A’mauri Washington were also a big key to this win. They limited Iowa to 101 total rush yards and 2.3 yards per rush. That’s a huge part of this win.

In a game like this you want to reward everyone. It’s a total team effort. But this time I’m giving you your flowers Sappington with the O-line and D-line earning honorable mentions.

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