Oregon football vs. Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl: What you need to know

No. 8 Oregon (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12) vs. No. 23 Liberty (13-0, 8-0 CUSA)

When: 10:00 a.m. Monday

Or: State Farm Stadium; Glendale, Arizona

How to watch: ESPN

Odds: Oregon is favored by 17.5

Now, weeks away from seeing its College Football Playoff hopes dashed, No. 8 Oregon football has shifted its focus beyond National Signing Day and the transfer portal window to its second Fiesta Bowl in the last four years, and his fourth overall, over New York. New Year’s Day against the #23 Liberty Flames.

Even though they missed the national title race, the Ducks still have a lot to play for. If Oregon wins, it would be just the sixth 12-win season in program history and would be tied for second for most wins in a season with the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2019.

The Oregon game on New Year’s Day is also an opportunity for younger players to get more meaningful reps and game action ahead of spring ball and the 2024 season.

“Every one of these games, you’re going to see someone who probably hasn’t had a huge impact all season long who will show up in a bowl game,” Oregon coach Dan said. Lanning. “I’m excited to see the progress they make over the next few weeks and then have the opportunity to get on the field and make an impact.”

Playing one of four undefeated FBS teams, the Ducks don’t underestimate their foe — the top-ranked non-Power Five team that earns an automatic berth in a New Year’s Six Bowl game.

The Flames lead college football, averaging over 300 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Kaidon Salter is a former four-star recruit and one of five players in college football to total more than 40 touchdowns, joining Oregon’s Bo Nix, with 43 individual scores.

“A really talented team that runs the ball extremely well,” Lanning said. “The quarterback is really elusive and creates big plays. An explosive attack, they really succeed. There’s a reason they’re undefeated.

A chance to make history for Bo Nix

The fifth-year starter and two-year Ducks captain at quarterback has a chance to break several national and program records in what will be an NCAA record 61.^st start in the Fiesta Bowl.

The 2023 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year has a chance to break Mac Jones’ (Alabama) 2020 completion percentage record of 77.4%. Nix currently sits at 77.2%.

If his career efficiency rating rises to 176.3, that would set a new Pac-12 record, previously held by Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (171.8).

In the Oregon record books, if Nix passes for more than 309 yards, he would surpass Mariota’s single-season passing yards record set in 2014. He has already surpassed Mariota’s single-season passing record with 335 so far, and with three touchdown passes he would break Mariota’s 2014 record of 42.

To date, Nix has completed 336 of his 435 pass attempts for 4,145 yards, 40 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also totaled 228 yards and six touchdowns.

One last time to watch Bucky Irving in Oregon gear

The two-year starter transfer from Minnesota has had as long a run as any Duck in program history.

After declaring himself a candidate for the NFL Draft as an early entrant earlier in December, Lanning confirmed that Irving would still play in the Fiesta Bowl one final time as a Duck.

The junior is a two-time, single-season 1,000-yard rusher and has scored 15 rushing touchdowns and five more receptions in two seasons in Eugene. Irving averaged 6.5 yards per carry as a Duck and had nearly 3,000 yards from scrimmage.

Irving is just the sixth Duck to rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons, with CJ Verdell being the last in 2018-19.

Statistical Comparison by Game of Oregon and Liberty

Significant offense: Oregon, 44.2 points per game; Freedom, 40.8

Notable defense: Oregon, 17.3 points per game; Liberty, 22.7

Total violation: Oregon, 526.6 yards per game; Liberty, 514.9

Total defense: Oregon, 320.3 yards per game; Liberty, 356.4

Rush attack: Oregon, 183.85 yards per game; Liberty, 302.92

Rush defense: Oregon, 97.54 yards per game; Freedom, 111.62

Password infringement: Oregon, 342.8 yards per game; Freedom, 212

Pass defense: Oregon, 222.8 yards per game; Freedom, 244.8

Turnover margin: Oregon, plus-9; Freedom, plus-9

Third down conversion: Oregon, 50.69%; Freedom, 50.34%

Third conversion of the opponent: Oregon, 35.2%; Freedom, 36.99%

Penalties: Oregon, 7 per game; Freedom, 6.3

Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football, volleyball, women’s basketball and baseball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter @AlecDietz.