Oregon's run-game hasn't been what many expected this season. A frequent finisher near the top or at the top of the Pac-12 rushing leaders, the Ducks rank fourth this season. The struggles have been especially pronounced over the past four games. In losses to Washington State, Arizona and Utah, the Ducks have averaged just 86.3 yards per game.

Yet, the run-game isn't something the Ducks will be moving away from anytime soon, offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo told reporters following Tuesday's practice.

“I think establishing the run philosophically is something that we believe we need to do," he said. "I think we’ve shown that over the course of games this season that we’ll stick with it. That’s part of it.

"You can’t run away from it. You’ve got to work through it. You can’t just put something out to bay and say you’re done with it. You’ve got to lean on it and continue to do it."

Oregon has continued to place a heavy emphasis on running the football even in the losses. In the first half of games, they've run it frequently, but the large deficits they've faced have led them away from the ground game in the second. They've averaged 26.3 carries per game in those losses, as opposed to 45.7 in the other seven games this season.

Arroyo was pleased with the team's second half ground effort, pointing to Jake Hanson's return as a major positive for the success. Much of that production came from freshman Travis Dye, who received an expanded role with CJ Verdell out with injury. Dye finished with 66 yards on nine carries — with all but one carry and yard coming after intermission. Dye figures to play a bigger role once again this week with Verdell and Cyrus Habibi-Likio working through injuries.

"Guys are going to have to step up at all positions with injuries," Arroyo said. "We’ve done that all season. It’ll be no different this game. If someone is banged up, guys will have to to step up.

“They did a nice job [at Tuesday's practice] rotating around. We have to prepare, and those guys have to prepare to do their jobs."

It seems regardless of who is available, the Ducks will try to pound the rock against Arizona State this Saturday in Eugene.

Arroyo also said that this season's run-game has had to overcome a lot with departure of running back Royce Freeman and left tackle Tyrell Crosby from last year's team.

“We’ve got some moving pieces and some young guys," he said. "Establishing that run is something that we’re going to do...

"Last week’s game ironically was one of our most explosive games per play rate. It was 18-percent of our plays were explosive. That’s a goal we look at analytically. We look at some of the big plays and what we’re doing and how we can find more of those. I think that started to show in the second half on some of those runs and staying with it. The backs did a nice job and we did nice job up front. We need to go ahead and continue that. Those are the pictures we’re typing to show our guys to be able to continue that."