Former Oregon Star Calls Out the Ducks' Biggest Flaws

The Oregon Ducks Week 2 loss continues to trend as a hot topic, which even has ex-Ducks pass rusher Bryson Young sounding off.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning looks on as the Oregon Ducks face the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 12, 2026, at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The No. 21 Oregon Ducks enter the week of Sept. 14 overhearing the Oklahoma State result still.

Fans became irate over the then-ranked No. 6 Ducks falling to a past an 0-1 Big 12 team. Let alone a team the Ducks manhandled 69-3 in Eugene one year ago. Now the Ducks dropped down to No. 21 following the stunning 39-31 loss in Stillwater.

Fans and analysts aren't the only ones who became critical of the Ducks' performance. Even Oregon alums have called out some flaws, particularly ex-edge rusher from the late 2010s era Bryson Young.

Ex-Oregon Edge Rusher Points Out Big Flaw

Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker (17) rushes as Oregon's Ify Obidegwu (7) defends in the first half of the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oregon Ducks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept., 12, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Young rises as one who feels the disappointment of the Ducks' loss. Even posting a video of himself getting a midnight lift in in frustration of Oklahoma State's upset.

But that's not the only post that sees him calling out his alma mater. He even busted out some film review during one sequence involving how Oregon played Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker. Particularly in how Mestemaker busted loose in taking advantage of bad eye discipline.

Oregon outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei dives short of the goal line after intercepting a tipped pass as the Oregon Ducks face the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 12, 2026, at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Young then compartmentalized what went wrong in trying to contain the dual-threat quarterback at the Big 12 school.

"This game was insanely hard to watch. Off the bat, I always watch this defense," Young said, before identifying that a basic defensive assisgnment that gets learned in the winter/spring months gets blown up by Mestemaker.

Will forever support my school win or loss but I have to call out what I see in times like this. It’s so early in the season so if they get things cleaned up this can easily be the only loss of the season. Starting THIS WEEK #goducks pic.twitter.com/m1WyDWpLZZ

— Bryson T. Young (@blackhawk32698) September 14, 2026

Young points out edge rusher Teitum Tuioti chasing after the running back, basically trying to control the dive run attempt. However, Young believes that against traditional option offenses even RPOs, the edge rusher must seal off the quarterback's running lane. Young needed to deliver outside containment during his career with the Ducks from 2016 to 2019.

"The defensive end should be responsible for the quarterback," Young added. "It's hard to watch and I hope they get it cleaned up."

Oregon Will Get Tested on the Edge

Oklahoma State's Justin Bowick (0) runs after a catch as Oregon's Na'eem Offord (2) defends in the first half of the college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oregon Ducks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Sept., 12, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Oregon brought back two intriguing edge rushers before the season began. Teammates Matayo Uiagalelei and Tuioti formed one of the nation's most revered and feared defensive tandems.

But now the Cowboys game is proof that offenses won't hesistate to attack them. Especially offenses that execute RPO schemes.

Granted, Portland State doesn't present a deep history of beating the Ducks. But still, the Vikings will more than likely go straight after the outside to test Oregon, and see if coach Dan Lanning and defensive coordinator Chris Hampton can tweak things up immediately.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning talks to Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola on the sideline as the Oregon Ducks face the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 12, 2026, at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

But that's not all. Oregon's Sept. 26 for USC is one that loves attacking on outside zone runs and through quickly distribuiting the ball. Quarterback Jayden Maiava is playing at a high level three games in and is looking more efficient than ever. USC then hits foes with a fast-growing backfield duo of King Miller and Waymond Jordan. Having underneath target and tight end Mark Bowman plus electric freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley additionally helps.

Oregon still has other high-powered offenses to deal with after USC. Ohio State with quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith are still on deck. Even UCLA with new coach Bob Chesney and quarterback Nico Iamaleava are playing at a high-powered level.

Edge contain rises as a big point of emphasis for the Ducks starting on Sept. 14. Young likely will be watching how Oregon addresses its biggest week two problem soon.

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