Nati Harnik

In the run-up to the 2017 college football season, The Oregonian/OregonLive is previewing each of the opponents the Oregon Ducks will meet this fall. Today, it's Nebraska.

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The basics

Game date: Sept. 9

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Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene

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Time/channel: 1:30 p.m. PT, FOX

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Nati Harnik

Coach: Mike Riley, third season (24-15) at NU

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2016 record: 9-4

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Notable 2016 stats

The Huskers' special teams did not live up to their name by allowing three blocked punts, four blocked kicks and averages that ranked 123rd in net punting unit (33.5 yards per punt), 104th in punt return defense and 92nd in kickoff return defense.

Defensively, the Huskers ranked 43rd against the run and 30th in passing efficiency, with a total defense rank of 30 (363.7 yards per game). They also ranked among the top third in the country in both third-down conversions and the red zone efficiency.

Offensively, Nebraska was 82nd in red zone efficiency overall, but scored touchdowns on 62.2 percent of trips inside an opponent's 20-yard line, which ranked 59th. Among FBS quarterbacks Tommy Armstrong ranked an impressive ninth, averaging 14.4 yards per completion, but he has since graduated and been replaced by transfer Tanner Lee as starter. Nebraska was excellent at protecting the football, with 14 turnovers on the season.

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Nati Harnik

Early storyline

Mike Riley’s return to the Willamette Valley, playing less than 50 miles away from his old home in Corvallis, will draw headlines. Yet plenty of attention will be focused on the other sideline, too. Despite Nebraska’s struggle to regain its old foothold among the national elite, it remains a blueblood brand in college football. That’s a ripe opportunity for new UO coach Willie Taggart, who was 2-8 against Power Five schools at South Florida, to build momentum early in his tenure and show the Ducks are perhaps ready for prime time again.

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The offensive player you should know: Tanner Lee, quarterback

A two-year starter at Tulane before transferring to Nebraska prior to the 2016 season, Lee was named Nebraska's starter entering the summer following spring practices. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Lee threw for 190 yards and three touchdowns in the spring game and was named by Sports Illustrated as a player primed for a breakout season.

Former Nebraska defender Josh Banderas described Lee as "just Joe Cool" to the Omaha World-Herald. "He's not jumpy. He's been there, done that. He's just sitting back there. And what I really like about him is people like him. People like him. He's got an ability — when things go wrong or the scout team's messing up — he's got the ability to bring the guys in, calm them down and set them right. He's just smooth. Fit in with anybody."

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The defensive player you should know: Chris Jones, cornerback

Uncertainty surrounds Nebraska's transition from a 4-3 scheme under Mark Banker to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Bob Diaco, but one thing can be counted on — consistency at corner from Chris Jones. The senior from Jacksonville, Florida, earned Big Ten honorable mention honors a year ago and is one of the top cornerbacks nationally entering next year's NFL draft. Jones had three interceptions and 10 pass break-ups last season.

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Nati Harnik

Last year against the Ducks

Tommy Armstrong's 34-yard touchdown run in the final three minutes of regulation, followed by a last-drive stand by the Husker defense, delivered a 35-32 victory against 22nd-ranked Oregon 35-32, in Lincoln. The loss was the first in a five-game UO losing streak. Oregon led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, but with running back Royce Freeman and offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby both injured early and out for the rest of the game, Nebraska ended coach Mike Riley's personal seven-game losing streak to his formal rival while at Oregon State.

Read our full recap from last year here.

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Quotable

"We have an open door, and we have no set date. I don't think it will be this fall, but that's where we are right now." -- Riley on the return of freshman wideout Keyshawn Johnson Jr., who is not currently with the team.

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Previous opponent previews

Southern Utah