Oregon RB depth ravaged heading into Peach Bowl vs Indiana. Where do things stand?
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True to their program identity and history, Oregon has had one of the most explosive offenses in college football this season.
The Ducks enter their College Football Playoff semifinal matchup with Indiana averaging 38 points per game, the ninth-best mark among FBS teams. That attack has been propelled by a number of key contributors, from quarterback Dante Moore, a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, to tight end Kenyon Sadiq, one of the best players at his position in the country.
But heading into the Peach Bowl on Friday, Jan. 9, that prolific unit is dealing with some headaches at one of the most visible and consequential offensive positions.
Oregon’s group of running backs has thinned out considerably over the course of the season and the playoff, with injuries and the transfer portal taking their toll. With a spot in the national championship game on the line, the Ducks are down to just three healthy and available scholarship running backs.
Where do things stand for Oregon? Here’s a closer look at the Ducks’ situation at running back:
Noah Whittington injury update for Peach Bowl
Noah Whittington, Oregon’s leading rusher this season, has been listed as questionable on the latest CFP athlete availability report. He’s the lone Duck listed under that designation, with 12 others declared out.
It marked the first time this week Whittington had appeared on the report.
A sixth-year senior, Whittington has rushed for a team-high 829 yards this season while averaging 6.4 yards per carry and scoring six touchdowns. He’s been an occasional receiving threat, too, with 19 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown this season.
His output has stalled in the playoff to this point, with 55 rushing yards on 17 carries and no touchdowns in wins against James Madison and Texas Tech. In the 23-0 victory against Texas Tech in the quarterfinals, he had 13 carries for 31 yards.
Jordon Davison injury update for Peach Bowl
Oregon’s injury woes in the backfield aren’t just limited to Whittington.
Jordon Davison, the Ducks’ No. 2 rusher this season, is listed as out on the latest playoff player availability report. The Oregonian reported that Davison broke his clavicle in the Orange Bowl victory against Texas Tech.
Davison has rushed for 667 yards this season and has been one of the team’s best, most reliable threats in the red zone, with 15 rushing touchdowns, more than double the mark of his next-closest teammate.
Oregon running backs depth chart
Oregon is down to just three available scholarship running backs heading into its playoff semifinal against No. 1 Indiana — Noah Whittington, Dierre Hill Jr. and Jay Harris.
There’s uncertainty over whether Whittington will play after being listed as questionable on the latest playoff injury report. Davison is out, potentially depriving the Ducks of their top two rushers this season.
Harris entered the transfer portal on Wednesday, Jan. 7, but he is available to play and made the trip with the team to Atlanta for the Peach Bowl. He has rushed for 116 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry this season.
Jayden Limar, Oregon’s No. 4 rusher this season, has entered the transfer portal and is not available for the team against the Hoosiers. Makhi Hughes, a prized addition out of the transfer portal from Tulane last year, is also in the portal, though Hughes rushed for just 70 yards this season and hasn’t logged a carry since Sept. 20. Da’Jaun Riggs, who has 86 rushing yards this season, is also listed as out.
If Whittington can’t go, much of Oregon’s output out of the backfield could fall on Hill, a freshman who has rushed for 570 yards and five touchdowns this season, ranking him third on the team in both categories. Though he had just five carries for 13 yards against Texas Tech, he was explosive in a first-round win against James Madison, with 76 yards and a touchdown on just six carries. He also had a 40-yard reception.
“We just find a way,” Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein said on Wednesday. “That’s what we’ve been focused on, is the guys that are available. Just put the ball down and play. I mean, shoot, it’s football, we’ll figure it out. They hired us for a reason, to figure out situations like this. It’s been the story of our offense all year and I’m excited for the guys that are available to get their opportunities.”
Oregon injury report for Peach Bowl
Here’s a look at Oregon’s injury situation, based on the latest College Football Playoff athlete availability report:
Questionable
- RB #6 Noah Whittington
Out
- DB #0 Daylen Austin
- RB #0 Jordon Davison
- DB #2 Kingston Lopa
- WR #3 Kyler Kasper
- DB #3 Sione Laulea
- WR #7 Evan Stewart
- WR #14 Justius Lowe
- DB #15 Solomon Davis
- RB #20 Makhi Hughes
- RB #21 Da’Jaun Riggs
- RB #27 Jayden Limar
- OL #78 Gernorris Wilson
When is the Peach Bowl: Indiana vs Oregon time, kickoff
The Peach Bowl is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 9.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oregon injuries, portal hurt RB depth chart for Peach Bowl vs Indiana
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