Dan Lanning provides evaluation of Oregon's running back play

First-year head coach Dan Lanning comes from a defensive background at Georgia but provided his thoughts on the Oregon running back room following Saturday’s spring game. Having seen several of college football’s best backfields on the opposite side as a coordinator, he knows what he wants to see.

During his postgame press conference after the Oregon spring game, Dan Lanning broke down the play of running backs Noah Whittington and Sean Dollars.

“I think Noah continued to do what we’ve seen in practice, run really hard,” said Lanning. “At times I think he needs to be a little bit more patient, but he had some really explosive runs because of that. Sean had a nice run there, I think they got him with a facemask, but he was able to turn that into some additional yards.

“But both those guys did a good job with the ball in their hands today, and they protected the ball which is a big thing.”

Western Kentucky transfer Noah Whittington finished the 2021 season with 101 carries for 617 yards and two touchdowns, adding 12 catches for 58 yards. Dollars did not play in 2021 but has 15 career carries for 128 yards.

The Ducks depth chart will also include sophomore Byron Cardwell, who finished third on the team in rushing yards and fourth in rushing touchdowns last season.

Dan Lanning on quarterbacks

Oregon hosted roughly 42,000 fans for its annual spring game, showcasing star quarterback transfer Bo Nix for the first time in a Ducks uniform. Head coach Dan Lanning had some positive and negative takeaways from his quarterback room’s collective performances in Saturday’s scrimmage in front of the Oregon faithful

“I love the explosiveness,” Lanning said about his quarterbacks. “Obviously, you get excited about that; came out from the jump and hit one really early. I thought they did do a good job of pushing the ball down the field, but you can’t put the ball in jeopardy.

“That’s one that I know every one of those quarterbacks wish they had back. You know, protecting the ball a little bit better is something you walk away with, for sure.”

Nix went 8-for-15 for 230 yards, three touchdowns and one interception to go with four carries for 29 yards. Fellow quarterback Jay Butterfield was the only passer to participate for both squads, combining for 16-26 for 213 yards and an interception. Ty Thompson rounded out the group going 12-for-27 through the air for 168 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.