EXCLUSIVE: Oregon Ducks Offensive Line Determined To Protect Dillon Gabriel, Home Turf vs. Ohio State

Oregon Ducks center Iapani Laloulu discusses the Ducks' preparations for the Ohio State Buckeyes, in an exclusive interview with Oregon Ducks on SI's Olivia Cleary. How will Oregon's offensive line battle the Buckeyes in the trenches and protect quarterback Dillon Gabriel?

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu (72) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

EUGENE- The Oregon Ducks offense is gearing up for its biggest challenge of the season yet. The No. 3 Ducks will be facing the No. 1 ranked defense in the nation on Saturday as they host the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes at home in Autzen Stadium. This game is a huge opportunity for Oregon's offensive line to prove themselves worthy of the physicality of the Big Ten Conference. 

“We know that we're gonna go against a really good team. We're just going to have to bring that physicality again,” Oregon center Iapani Laloulu told Oregon SI’s Olivia Cleary. “We have to be physical up front. We have to move guys from point A to point B. The offensive line needs to be sure that we're on the same page so we can protect Dillon [Gabriel] and make sure that the running backs and receivers can do what they do.” 

Laloulu, also known as “Poncho”, has been a real difference maker on the Ducks offense. After Oregon's win over UCLA, Laloulu was graded as the best center in the country for Week 5 by Pro Football Focus.

Sep 28, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning talks to Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu (72) during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Oregon's offensive line has shown tremendous improvement since the beginning of the season. During Oregon's most recent game against Michigan State, the offensive line did not allow a single sack while also helping to limit the Spartans to just 250 total yards and 16 first downs. 

“We just talked about setting our standard. We’ve been saying that every week,” Laloulu told Oregon Ducks on SI. “We have that mindset to come in and dominate and not let anybody come into our house and try to take over our turf.” 

After the 2023 season, Oregon lost some crucial pieces of its top-rated offensive line to the NFL draft, including center Jackson Powers-Johnson. The exit of these difference-makers left Oregon coach Dan Lanning and his staff with the task of reassembling the team’s offensive line. 

In Oregon's first two games of the season, the offensive line struggled to find consistency, allowing seven sacks across the first two competitions. 

“I promise you, nobody looks at it closer than we do, right? We spent a lot of time and effort looking at it,” said Lanning on analyzing the performance of the offensive line. “We see every single rep in practice, which everyone else doesn’t see, so we’ll keep evaluating it. We’ve got guys that we can play winning football with, and that’s the big key—making sure we’re able to utilize those guys.” 

Despite getting off to a rough start, the Ducks seem to have found a consistent combination on the front lines to block for Oregon's elite running backs and protect starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The offensive line has not allowed a single sack across Oregon’s last three games. 

Sep 28, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu (72) during the first quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

Laloulu has been a crucial aspect of the offensive line’s growing success. The sophomore is an extremely versatile athlete and is able to play multiple positions across the frontline. His

“He started at three different positions for us last year. We were really good on the O-line, but he had more snaps at right guard than any other position. He also played some center for us and some left guard,” explained Lanning. 

Last season, Laloulu was a key contributor for the Ducks, playing in all 14 games and making his first start at center in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl. He earned a 79.1 passing grade from Pro Football Focus and was named to 247Sports’ True Freshman All-American team following the 2023 season. 

Laloulu is looking to do even better this season, especially considering the highly anticipated matchup against Ohio State. 

Sep 14, 2024; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Iapani Laloulu (72) and Oregon Ducks defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei (10) leave the field after the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images / Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

“Yeah, man, their defensive line is very stout. You know, watching film on them, they're very good, very versatile, very strong, and great with their hands,” said Laloulu. “It's going to be a battle in the trenches for sure.” 

Laloulu and the Ducks will face the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 4:30 p.m. PT, in a game that will undoubtedly be a battle on the front lines. 

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