Mobile, Alabama. Before this week, Jeff Bassa and Tyler Shough had not been on the same field. The Oregon linebacker was returning an interception for a score to help the Ducks defeat the former Texas Tech quarterback. This week’s Senior Bowl brings together former UO players, including some who were briefly colleagues in January 2021.
“You were the one who picked me off, right?” he asked. Bassa stated. I had to shoot it directly at him. Tyler was the first one to genuinely (present himself) at our first offseason practice when I arrived in Oregon, and we reenacted that game while discussing it and the complete circle situation. He eventually left the following day, walking through the portal, but it was a full circle moment to face him this week.
The two former Oregon players who were also invited to this year’s all-star game are UCLA tight end Moliki Matavao and Shough, who finished his career at Louisville after playing at Oregon in 2019–20. Earlier this week, they sat down to dine with former teammates Terrance Ferguson and Bassa, as well as former Ducks Jamaree Caldwell, Josh Conerly Jr., Dillon Gabriel, and Tez Johnson.
We were sitting and eating at a small Oregon crew table, and it was enjoyable to reminisce about those times, Shough added. I was among the first men to voice my concerns about Jeff, Moliki, and Terrance in the weight room. I was accustomed to seeing them as slender freshman, so it was somewhat strange to see them all grown up and transformed into animals.
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Shough, a former four-star prospect and one of UO’s top 150 recruits in 2019, made his UO debut in 2020 despite suffering from injuries for several seasons. During his final season with the Cardinals, he completed 62.7% of his throws for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions—all career highs.
“Going out there and having fun, letting it rip, and playing free has kind of freed me up these past couple of years,” Shough said. Many things can happen, including strange injuries, but how you react is what matters. I consider myself really fortunate to have this chance.
Matavao, who played two years at UO before spending the last two seasons at UCLA, was defeated by Oregon as well. He set career highs this season with 41 receptions for 506 yards and two touchdowns.
This week, Matavao was thrilled to practice alongside his old roommate Bassa and share the field and conference room with Ferguson once more.
According to Matavao, we have all matured and grown significantly. Observing how well we’ve all improved has been enjoyable. I had complete faith in my skills. I ultimately decided to go on since I knew what I could do.
Although I enjoyed my time at Oregon, I ended up here because UCLA provided me with the chance to demonstrate my abilities to everyone. I just needed to go somewhere I could demonstrate my ability, which I’ve always known I possess.
–The Oregon Ducks and Big Ten are covered by James Crepea. Get the Ducks Roundup email or listen to the Ducks Confidential podcast.
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