UC Davis-Oregon Preview Capsule

Posted September 01, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

UC Davis (2-9) at No. 24 Oregon (9-4), 5 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)

Line: No line.

Series Record: First meeting.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

The Ducks will debut new quarterback Dakota Prukop, a graduate transfer from Montana State who the team's coaches said made significant strides in separating himself as the starter in fall camp. Prukop passed for 3,025 yards and 28 touchdowns with 10 interceptions for the Bobcats last year. He also rushed for 774 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Big Sky team that finished 5-6.

KEY MATCHUP

The Ducks' defense v. the Aggies' offense: The Ducks have installed a 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Brady Hoke, the former head coach at Michigan. UC Davis averaged just 22.3 points last season, 11th in the Big Sky. UC Davis coach Ron Gould had yet to name a starting quarterback for Saturday, but both contenders - C.J. Spencer and Ben Scott - have experience from last season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

UC Davis: RB Manusamoa Luuga led the Aggies with 613 yards rushing on 166 carries and six touchdowns. He also led the team with 51 receptions for 371 yards and a touchdown.

Oregon: RB Royce Freeman in knocking on the door to several Oregon records. He needs 21 rushing touchdowns to surpass the Ducks' career record, and 1,882 yards rushing for the team's new career mark. For comparison's sake, last season as a sophomore he rushed for 1,836 yards and 17 touchdowns.

FACTS & FIGURES

Gould played defensive back for the Ducks from 1986-87. ... Former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti played at UC Davis. ... The Aggies are 2-13 over FBS-level opponents over the last 12 years, their last win coming in 2010 at San Jose State (14-13). ... Oregon is 14-0-2 all-time against the Big Sky. ... The Ducks have had at least one running back rush for 1,000 yards in each of the last nine seasons, most of any FBS team. ... Oregon junior Charles Nelson is back on offense as a wide receiver after playing at defensive back for the final eight games last season. He had a pair of interceptions while also playing occasionally on offense.

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AP college football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org

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