The Oregon Ducks show off impressive running back depth without star RB Noah Whittington and the team may have a freshman standout who is worthy of more carries

Head coach Dan Lanning credited the effort and pointed to areas for improvement.

“Some good, some bad,” Lanning said of the ground game. “There was some explosive plays. Was excited to see Dierre get in there and create an explosive play. He’s proven to be an explosive playmaker. I thought our backs ran hard. I thought they did a good job of getting extra hats at the point of attack. I thought their guys played well on the edge and made it tough for us to establish some of our run game, but we came back with some answers and had some success there.”

Depth on Display

Outside of Hill, the Ducks rotated a steady committee that kept fresh legs pounding away at Northwestern’s defense. Jordan Davison, Jay Harris, Jayden Limar, and Makhi Hughes all saw action, giving Oregon multiple options to throw at a defense that was struggling to defend the run.

The balance wasn’t just about keeping players healthy — it was about showing that Oregon can win on the ground in different ways. Davison provided steady, between-the-tackles runs. Harris and Limar gave change-of-pace bursts. Hughes added toughness and experience to round out the group.

Life After Whittington? No Problem

Whittington’s absence could have raised concerns, but instead it underscored one of Oregon’s biggest strengths: depth. Few programs can lose a veteran starter and still roll out this many capable options. The Ducks rushed the ball effectively, wearing down Northwestern and creating the balance that opened up the rest of the offense.

The real takeaway is that Oregon isn’t dependent on a single back. Hill Jr. might be the headline act moving forward, but the Ducks are loaded with talented young runners who can share the workload and keep defenses guessing.

Looking Ahead

With Oregon State coming to Autzen next week, the Ducks know they have more than enough firepower in the backfield. Whether Whittington returns soon or not, the combination of Hill Jr. and the supporting cast gives Oregon confidence that their rushing attack is built to last — and maybe even led by a future star in the making.