Kayvon Thibodeaux
Alabama defensive back Jordan Battle (9) celebrates his interception of a Mississippi State pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. Alabama won 49-9. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Blue bloods chasing No. 2 Bearcats

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 18, 2021 03:53 AM EDT

Miami head coach Manny Diaz, center, consoles quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (9) following an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Mullen faces scrutiny; No. 2 Iowa upset

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 16, 2021 08:37 PM EDT

California wide receiver Kekoa Crawford is tackled by Oregon cornerback DJ James during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
No. 9 Oregon holds off tenacious California 24-17

By Anne M. Peterson Oct. 16, 2021 02:30 AM EDT

California wide receiver Kekoa Crawford is tackled by Oregon cornerback DJ James during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
California at Oregon 10/15/2021

Oct. 15, 2021 11:53 PM EDT

CORRECTS ID TO ELIJAH HIGGINS NOT JAYLON REDD - Stanford's Elijah Higgins makes a touchdown catch against Oregon during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Stanford rallies late to beat No. 3 Oregon 31-24 in OT

By Josh Dubow Oct. 02, 2021 07:49 PM EDT

Oregon cornerback Mykael Wright (2) celebrates his interception with Oregon safety Verone McKinley III (23) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
No. 3 Oregon takes opportunistic defense into Stanford

By Josh Dubow Sep. 30, 2021 12:23 PM EDT

Oregon cornerback Mykael Wright (2) celebrates his interception with Oregon safety Verone McKinley III (23) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Interceptions a point of pride for No. 3 Oregon Ducks

By Anne M. Peterson Sep. 29, 2021 06:16 PM EDT

Oregon safety Bennett Williams (15) dives to make an interception in front of Arizona offensive linemen Josh McCauley (50) and Donovan Laie (78) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
No. 3 Oregon has big 4th quarter in 41-19 win over Arizona

By Anne M. Peterson Sep. 26, 2021 02:16 AM EDT

Arizona wide receiver Tayvian Cunningham (11) stiff arms Northern Arizona defensive back Trejan Apodaca (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
No. 3 Oregon opens Pac-12 play facing struggling Arizona

By Anne M. Peterson Sep. 23, 2021 02:01 PM EDT

Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown (13) scores as he is hit by Stony Brook defensive back Carthell Flowers (17) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
No. 4 Oregon shakes off slow start to beat Stony Brook 48-7

By Anne M. Peterson Sep. 18, 2021 11:32 PM EDT

Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown drops back to pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 4 Oregon gets tune-up game coming off big Ohio State win

By Anne M. Peterson Sep. 16, 2021 01:01 PM EDT

Oregon quarterback Anthony Brown, right, hands off to running back Travis Dye during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. Oregon beat Ohio State 35-28. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 4 Oregon faces Stony Brook after big win over Ohio State

By The Associated Press Sep. 16, 2021 12:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, file photo, Oregon defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus (3) and linebacker Justin Flowe (10) celebrate a sack of Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener (9) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Eugene, Ore. Flowe, a freshman, is so pumped to play for the Ducks that sometimes he has to remind himself to slow down a bit and be disciplined. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson, File)
Oregon freshman linebacker Justin Flowe out indefinitely

Sep. 13, 2021 06:14 PM EDT

Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal instructs his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Ducks make statement for Pac-12 at OSU

By Ralph D. Russo Sep. 11, 2021 11:04 PM EDT

Oregon running back Travis Dye, center, is tackled by Ohio State linebackers Cody Simon, left, and Teradja Mitchell during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Verdell, No. 12 Oregon stun No. 3 Ohio State 35-28

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 11, 2021 05:03 PM EDT

Oregon defensive tackle Keyon Ware-Hudson (95) recovers a fumble from Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers (20) as Oregon safety Steve Stephens IV (7) comes in on the play during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Cupcakes delayed: Stroud, No. 3 Ohio St host No. 12 Oregon

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 09, 2021 12:38 PM EDT

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) passes against Minnesota in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
No. 12 Oregon gets stiff test on the road at No. 3 Ohio St

By The Associated Press Sep. 09, 2021 12:19 PM EDT

Oregon defensive tackle Keyon Ware-Hudson (95) recovers a fumble from Fresno State running back Ronnie Rivers (20) as Oregon safety Steve Stephens IV (7) comes in on the play during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Flowe, Oregon's defense face big challenge in Ohio State

By Anne M. Peterson Sep. 08, 2021 04:07 PM EDT

Oregon running back Travis Dye scores during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Fresno State, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Brown's keeper gives No. 11 Oregon 31-24 win over Fresno St.

By Anne M. Peterson Sep. 04, 2021 05:36 PM EDT

FILE - Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux poses for photos during the Pac-12 Conference NCAA college football Media Day in Los Angeles, in this Tuesday, July 27, 2021, file photo. Thibodeaux was selected to The Associated Press Preseason All-America first team defense, Monday Aug. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon DE Thibodeaux injured in opener against Fresno St.

By Anne M. Peterson Sep. 04, 2021 04:42 PM EDT