The 2016 season is officially over for the Pac-12. We kick off our season review by handing out some grades for each team. Next up: The Oregon Ducks.

Royce Freeman led an Oregon running attack that averaged 226 rushing yards per game. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

OFFENSE: Oregon’s offense wasn’t the biggest problem in a 4-8 season. The Ducks averaged 492 yards per game (second-most in the Pac-12), 6.6 yards per play (second-most in the Pac-12) and 35.4 points per game (fourth-most in the Pac-12). Even with a young -- and often penalty-prone -- offensive line, the Ducks run game continued to produce. Oregon averaged 226 rushing yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry, which is even more impressive when put up against the numbers from the 2014 season -- 236 rushing yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry. The biggest difference? In 2014, Oregon converted 53.5 percent of its third-down rushing attempts (second-best in the Pac-12). In 2016, the Ducks finished last in the conference in third-down rushing conversions (43.6 percent). In the pass game, the Ducks started the season with quarterback Dakota Prukop, who threw for just two touchdowns and two interceptions in his first two Pac-12 starts. Oregon handed over the reins to freshman Justin Herbert, who proved to be the better choice. But as with any freshman there was a steep learning curve. Herbert finished the season with 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. Grade: B-

DEFENSE: The numbers speak for themselves here. Take a look at where the Ducks ranked in defensive statistics against the other 127 FBS teams:

Yards per rush: 5.8 (No. 122)

Opponent third-down rush conversion: 71.1 percent (No. 128)

Rushes of 10-plus yards: 108 (No. 127)

Yards per pass attempt: 7.3 (No. 70)

Opponent third-down pass conversions: 39.8 percent (No. 111)

Turnovers: 12 (No. 118)

Oregon’s secondary improved a lot from last season, but teams also rushed more against the Ducks this season than they did in 2015 (on average, six more rush attempts per game in 2016 than 2015). But overall, this group didn’t do nearly enough to get it a passing grade. Grade: D-

SPECIAL TEAMS: A hat-tip here to Charles Nelson, who helped Oregon lead the conference with 23.7 yards per kickoff return. But it wasn’t all roses. The Ducks' net yards per punt (34.7) was worst among Pac-12 teams, and their kickoff and punt return coverage ranked them in the low-middle of the conference. Kicker Aidan Schneider only attempted 12 field goals all season (made nine) -- a Pac-12 low in each statistic. Grade: C

OVERALL: The Ducks’ 4-8 season fell far below the expectation level in Eugene. It was enough of a disappointment for Rob Mullens to fire the entire coaching staff just two seasons after a trip to the national title game. The offense showed flashes and made improvement as the season went on, but it was hard to say the same -- at least, consistently -- about the defense. And to put a bitter cherry on the world’s worst sundae (for Duck fans) Oregon ended its season with a loss to Oregon State in the Civil War. Grade: C-