Oregon spring game: Offensive players of the game
Oregon’s spring game delivered no shortage of exciting offensive performances Saturday as Duck fans got their first glimpse at Kenny Dillingham’s up-tempo scheme.
From the get-go, fans saw just how electric the Ducks’ passing attack might be in 2022. Bo Nix connected with Seven McGee for a 70-yard completion on the first play from scrimmage, and the firework show continued all afternoon.
Between the Green and Yellow teams, Oregon combined for five plays on Saturday that went for 39 yards or more. In total, three different receivers finished with at least 100 receiving yards.
Time will tell which players are ultimately going to thrive in Dillingham’s hurry-up, no-huddle attack.
For now, though, here are three players who stood out from Saturday.
Chase Cota
Oregon’s addition of former UCLA receiver Chase Cota via the transfer portal already looks like a very good pick-up.
Cota has been praised by teammates frequently this offseason for his professional approach and desire to help the Ducks’ young receivers improve. On Saturday, the senior wideout from Medford, Ore., dazzled during his first appearance in an Oregon uniform.
Cota hauled in six catches for 100 yards, including a nice 32-yard link-up with Jay Butterfield.
When Cota announced his decision to transfer to Oregon this offseason, some supporters of the program were skeptical of the move, as Cota never necessarily put up gaudy numbers during four seasons at UCLA.
But on Saturday, Cota displayed the ability to do far, far more than provide some veteran depth. While working with Butterfield and Ty Thompson, he looked like a player capable of being the Ducks’ go-to receiver next season.
Seven McGee
No player looked like he was having more fun Saturday than sophomore receiver Seven McGee.
He broke loose on the first play from scrimmage and nearly scored. Two plays later, Nix found him with a nice throw over the middle, and McGee made a difficult, acrobatic catch for the first touchdown of the game.
Later in the day, he attempted to hurdle cornerback Christian Gonzalez near the sideline. McGee finished the day with six catches for 116 yards and generally looked like a threat to score every time he touched the ball in space.
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As if that wasn’t already enough, McGee spent much of the day chatting on the sideline with one of his idols, former Oregon star De’Anthony Thomas, who served as an honorary coach for the yellow team. Throughout his brief time in Eugene, McGee has frequently been compared to Thomas because of his electric speed and playmaking ability.
“After that first drive I went up to De’Anthony Thomas and shook his hand,” McGee said. “He was pumped up and hyped — it was amazing. Being young and watching De’Anthony Thomas, having him there and being around him was great.”
Dont’e Thornton
Oregon’s receivers make a clean sweep here.
While Bo Nix had the best day of the Ducks’ three quarterbacks, and Noah Whittington also had a nice day on the ground, it was the receiver room that stole the show at Autzen on Saturday.
Thornton was the only player to score multiple touchdowns for either team. He grabbed a 39-yard touchdown pass from Nix on the yellow team’s second drive of the day, and he gave the game its final score when he caught a 70-yarder from Nix midway through the fourth quarter.
Thornton has had a really nice spring for the Ducks and is going to be battling for snaps with Cota, Troy Franklin, and a few others at the outside receiver spots next season.
On Saturday, he tallied 116 yards on just three receptions and showed that he is more than capable of taking the top off a defense.
