The Oregon Ducks pulled off another impressive win Saturday, beating the Northwestern Wildcats 34-14. It was definitely a bit sloppier than the first two weeks, but the Ducks flashed excellence in all the areas that has driven their success so far this season.
The defense showed some small cracks in the run game, but still managed to hold the Wildcats scoreless until the middle of the fourth quarter, when most of the starters were on the bench. The run game was once again a huge piece of Oregon's win, going for 176 yards at 5.9 yards per clip on the ground.
Everyone shined in the run game at some point, but true freshman Dierre Hill Jr. was the brightest, making him this week's Ducks Wire Player of the Game . He was limited to just five carries in the contest, but he made the most of them, tallying 94 yards. The highlight of the day for Hill Jr. came in the third quarter, when he took the ball 66 yards to the house on the first play of the Ducks' drive.
He had a couple more explosive runs throughout the game, flexing the solid ground-and-pound attack that Oregon has cultivated this season. It's been a blessing for the team to have great backs to rely on to relieve the pressure from their young quarterback Dante Moore.
The Ducks should be able to work some play action into the mix later in the season, when tougher competition is keyed on the run. But for now, Hill Jr. and the rest of the running back room have been the main engine of the offense, playing a major factor in the 3-0 start.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks RB Dierre Hill Jr. wins Player of the Game in Week One
