Oregon’s Messiah Hampton, Jalen Lott join Evan Stewart as out vs. Illinois appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Oregon’s hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff for a third consecutive time seem nonexistent at this point, but theoretically speaking, the Ducks can force the selection committee to pay them serious consideration if they win their final six games. A road victory over Ohio State would look quite compelling. Dan Lanning cannot jump ahead, though. Each remaining Big Ten matchup offers its own unique challenges, beginning with Saturday’s visit to Illinois. Oregon is absurdly shorthanded at wide receiver.
Messiah Hampton and Jalen Lott will both be unavailable in Champaign. They join fellow pass-catchers Evan Stewart and Jeremiah McClellan in being ruled out, per On3’s Pete Nakos. Dylan Raiola, who is slated to make another start in the absence of Dante Moore, could be in for a long afternoon versus the Fighting Illini.
Stewart leads the team with 27 receptions, 352 receiving yards and four touchdowns, and he has amassed that production in just five games. The Memphis, Tennessee native was arrested last weekend and charged with driving with a suspended license. Springfield prosecutors are awaiting evidence to determine if they will charge Stewart with driving under the influence of intoxicants.
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Hampton has 18 catches for 161 yards and two TDs in six games. McClellan is a valuable deep threat who boasts seven receptions for 170 yards and a score. Lott has garnered limited opportunities, but he is still another target Raiola could use.
Oregon offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer will need to get creative in order to compensate for all these injuries. Perhaps Illinois can lend a helping hand. The Fighting Illini are allowing 27.8 points and 375.2 yards per game this season, ranking in the bottom-four of the Big Ten in both categories.
Advantageous matchup aside, it is hard for a backup QB to overcome a thin WR group. Dylan Raiola must remind people that he was a five-star recruit who is capable of leading a squad to victory when necessary. The Ducks may be limping into Gies Memorial Stadium, but they intend to walk out with another conference W.
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