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Royce Watch: Freeman needs 140 rushing yards to pass LaMichael James as Oregon’s all-time leader

The Duck back had four yards less than Bryce Love on Saturday

By Tony Piraro
Oregon v UCLA Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Royce Freeman almost outshined Stanford running back Bryce Love on Saturday from the Bay Area. The Ducks continue to struggle without Justin Herbert taking snaps, but their senior workhorse is taking it all in stride.

OREGON’S CAREER RUSHING TD RANKINGS

#1 - Royce Freeman (54)

#2 - LaMichael James (53)

Freeman is the Ducks’ all-time leader

UO CAREER RUSHING YARD LEADERS

#1 - LaMichael James (5,082 career rushing yards)

#2 - Royce Freeman (4,943 career rushing yards)

#3 - Kenjon Barner (3,623 career rushing yards)

Freeman is currently 140 yards from being Oregon’s No. 1 running back in program history

PAC-12 CAREER TOUCHDOWNS

#1 - Ken Simonton, 60 (Oregon State)

#2 - Royce Freeman, 58 (Oregon)

Tied - LaMichael James, 58 (Oregon)

#3 - LenDale White, 57 (USC)

#4 - Skip Hicks, 55 (UCLA)

#5 - Charles White, 53 (USC)

Freeman is currently 3 TDs from being the Pac-12’s all-time scoring leader from scrimmage

FREEMAN’S SWAN SONG

  • 133 carries (8th)*
  • 797 rushing yards (9th)*
  • 6.0 yards per carry (59th)*
  • 10 rushing touchdowns (3rd)*
  • 11 catches
  • 144 receiving yards
  • 13.1 yards per reception

*Nationally Ranked

Oregon v UCLA
Royce Freeman and Marcus Mariota celebrate No. 21’s second of two touchdowns vs the UCLA Bruins during the 2014 season. Back then, Oregon was ranked No. 12 in the nation, while UCLA boasted the No. 18 ranked unit. UO advanced to the National Title that year where they lost to Ohio State.
Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SOARING WITH A CARDINAL

UO’s No. 21 recorded 143 rushing yards on 18 carries, while Stanford’s Love had 17 carries for 147 yards and two scores. The latter may be leading the country in rushing yards and further along than Barry Sanders during his historic 1988 season, but he was nearly outgained by Freeman.

Royce started the game with a bang for the Oregon offense. Freeman busted out for a 59-yard gain with Stanford ahead early 14-0. In total, he gained 84 rushing yards on the Ducks’ first scoring drive. Yet, that would be the only points on Saturday for Oregon.

With Braxton Burmeister taking snaps, Freeman was one of three players to catch a pass. The Imperial product caught one pass for eight yards in the loss.

HOMECOMING GAME

Freeman grew up just over 200 miles southeast from Pasadena and the Rose Bowl. This is the closest game to his hometown near the Mexican border. He’s expected to have a large contingent of family and friends in the stands this weekend.

Just 140 rushing yards from Oregon history, including eclipsing the great LaMichael James, there is no better place for him to achieve this feat. What better way to celebrate a milestone than with your loved ones?

The California kid has only played against the Bruins once in his collegiate career. That occurred during his freshman campaign, amid Oregon’s National Championship run in 2014. Freeman amassed 121 rushing yards on 18 carries (6.7 YPC) and two touchdowns in UO’s 43-30 win over UCLA in Pasadena.

This time around, Freeman will be seeking win No. 5 for the Ducks and nothing more. If he so happens to break a record to two, so be it. Shattering records aren’t what motivates this young man, no matter how impressive the record may be.

Oregon (4-3, 1-3) will continue their California trip with a meeting against UCLA (3-3, 1-2) on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. PT from the Rose Bowl via the Pac-12 Network.

Stay tuned, if you want to; Twitter @TheQuackFiend Gram @eugene_levys_eyebrows

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