ScoopDuck Predictions: Defensive Player of the Game
Oregon will have its hands full with a potent Oklahoma offense in San Antonio.
And by the way that game is played in just over 9 hours from now.
While you wait, take a look at who we think might be a breakout performer on the defensive side of the ball for the Ducks.
Jarrid Denney: Jeffrey Bassa
Oregon’s true freshman safety-turned-linebacker really started to hit his stride for the Ducks late in the year and has been one of the brightest surprises of the 2021 season. Maybe Wednesday will be his last game at linebacker; Bassa said a few weeks ago that he hasn’t talked with Dan Lanning yet about whether he will shift back to safety in 2022. He said he will worry about which position he is going to play next year once this season ends.
For now, the former 4-star signee is going to be integral for the Ducks as it sounds like they will be missing Jackson LaDuke, Keth Brown, and Dru Mathis against the Sooners. Look for Bassa to rack up tackles and be stellar in the run game against a dangerous Oklahoma offense.
Jhop: Noah Sewell
There seems to be one guy you never have to question the passion. Well there’s a few, but the first one that comes to my mind is almost always Noah Sewell.
The fiery linebacker is a little bit reckless at times but his intentions are good. He plays hard, always and his family will be in San Antonio for the game.
When the lights come on, No. 1 loves to put on a show. I’m counting on Sewell to ‘Smash’ some Sooners.
Joel Gunderson: Bennett Williams
Expecting a player to return to action almost three months after an injury — with barely a few practices under his belt — and make an impact is foolish. However, with the litany of injuries and opt-outs facing the Oregon defense, that’s what is necessary for the team to leave San Antonio victorious.
Bennett Williams, arguably Oregon’s most impactful injury in a season full of impactful injuries, returns to action tonight and will establish himself as one of the top safeties in all of college football for 2022.
It might not be statistically, and it might not come in large swaths of plays, because no one knows, not even Williams, how his foot will hold up once in-game. But his presence alone, as a stalwart, hard-hitting, emotional tentpole, will improve Oregon’s defense, which by the end of the season was a shell of the team that help the explosive Ohio State Buckeyes in check earlier in the year. And even if he fails to make the impact I predict, it will be nice just to see someone, anyone, on Oregon’s defense make a return from injury.
