Before I dive into the article, I want to outline a few definitions I’ll refer to:
- Usage – Any player that records a rush or target, excludes sacks.
- Critical Downs – The set of offensive plays in competitive games that are either inside the redzone (any down), or at any spot on the field on 3rd or 4th down .
- Notable Players – Any player that is used on at least 5% of offensive plays
- Most Used Player (MUP) – Player with the highest critical down usage rate on a given team.
Let’s begin:
Going back to 2021, only one team that used fewer than six notable players on critical downs through five weeks
finished ranked in the top 5 in the Coaches Poll (2021 Baylor). As of Week 6 2024, ten of the twelve teams that would go on to make the playoffs showcased at least six players on critical downs – the other two being Tennessee and a Cam Skattebo-led Arizona State team.
At the same time, Oregon featured a heavy dose of Jordan James (34.6% usage rate) on critical downs and highlighted six more as notable players: Noah Whittington, Dillon Gabriel, Tez Johnson, Terrance Ferguson, Kenyon Sadiq, and Traeshon Holden. By the end of the year Oregon’s offense featured more of Evan Stewart and less of Holden and Sadiq with a total of six players above the 5% critical downs usage rate threshold.
One thing has stood out to me five weeks into watching Oregon football in 2025 – Oregon loves to spread the ball around. In all situations Oregon has a plethora of weapons at their disposal.
On critical downs this year Oregon has utilized as many or more notable players than every team in the country, tied for the most with West Virginia. In addition to this, Oregon ranks 2nd to last in the FBS among each team’s most used player usage rate on critical downs. In other words, Oregon doesn’t rely heavily on any one player, and in fact is the least reliant on a single player of any Power 4 team when inside the redzone, and 3rd or 4th downs at any spot on the field.
On the opposite side of the graph you’ll find Notre Dame, who on critical downs gives the ball to their stellar running back, Jeremiyah Love, a nation-leading 44.6% of time, utilizing just three other players regularly. Although having elite skill players to rely on is certainly a benefit, over-reliance due to a lack of alternatives can be a detriment. While Notre Dame and Oregon have had similar success over the season on critical downs, less balanced teams may struggle to find answers when their primary players are contained or worse, injured.
For example, outside of three drives at the end of the game against Penn State, Oregon took away the biggest part of the Nittany Lions attack – allowing just 51 rushing yards through three quarters resulting in three points. Against a talented secondary, Drew Allar passed for only 137 yards in a 2OT thriller, ending the game with an interception hauled in by Safety Dillon Thieneman.
Penn State’s two leading receivers entering the game left with a combined 2 catches for 16 yards. In stark contrast, Oregon’s numerous options is a dream situation for offensive coordinator Will Stein looking to keep defenses off-guard. Defenses won’t be able to plan on taking away one or two players. The other four will beat them with four more ready to rotate in with fresh legs.
This year the list of ten notable critical down players includes Dante Moore keeping the ball himself (13.9%), Jayden Limar, Dakorien Moore, Kenyon Sadiq, Jordon Davison, Noah Whittington, Gary Bryant Jr., Dierre Hill Jr., Malik Benson, and Jeremiah McClellan. The last contending team to have 10 notable players used on critical downs was the 2022 Alabama Crimson Tide led by Jahmyr Gibbs and Bryce Young. However, that Alabama team doesn’t quite profile similarly in terms of each player’s usage.
Alabama relied a lot more on Gibbs – as they should have – than Oregon has shown an inclination for with any given player. Alabama also had an unusual six-headed group with identical critical down usage including backup QB Jalen Milroe.
Oregon in 2025 is deep at the skill positions, the most talented of which may very well be the youngest. This year’s list contains three standout freshmen in running backs, Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison along with the top ranked wide receiver of the 2025 class, Dakorien Moore. Like Dan Lanning says, “If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.” If Oregon needs anything, they need these three to play at a level demanding more usage.
I believe the Penn State game serves as a great indicator of how usage will change over the next seven games. Whether by design or scramble, Dante Moore’s number was called much more to the tune of 25.6% critical down usage rate. Against better competition, I expect we’ll see the QB continue to tuck the ball and run. Oregon tightened up both RB and WR rotations. While Jeremiah McClellan, Jay Harris, and Makhi Hughes (who has elected to redshirt) saw fewer or zero snaps, Dierre Hill Jr. recorded a team high twelve utilized plays, three on critical downs. This represents a sizable increase in overall play usage rate and a slight increase in critical play usage rate. Look for him to continue carving a larger role as the season progresses.
Oregon plays Indiana this weekend in Autzen. Through five games, the Hoosiers’ usage profile looks like a slightly more balanced version of Penn State:
The secondary faces a tougher test in Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. while Indiana’s RB tandem Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby lead the team in both overall play usage and critical down usage, combining for over 43% of critical down usage. Oregon will need another strong performance from the defensive line to stymie Indiana’s offensive attack.
