Autzen Stadium was on edge. The game was on the line. If Oregon football scored a touchdown, the Ducks would get the win over their rival, Washington.
Quarterback Justin Herbert handed the ball off to running back CJ Verdell, who found a gap in the line and danced untouched into the end zone to win the game 30-27.
“It was an awesome play call,” offensive lineman Brady Aiello said. “Just typical Cristobal. Defense had no idea it was coming. [Jacob Capra] and I did a great job.”
Aiello and Capra, who came into the game for injured linemen Penei Sewell and Dallas Warmack, created the gap for Verdell. Now, with Sewell out for five more weeks and the O-line shifted, Aiello is a starter. He’s been in this situation before and remained ready for it to happen again.
“I know we had to put in Brady and Jake Capra, and they didn’t miss a beat,” Herbert said. “Got complete trust in them and really proud of those guys.”
Aiello possesses plenty of experience from his four years at Oregon, playing in nine games last season and starting in 10 of the team’s 12 games two seasons ago.
“Being here for four years, I’ve kind of grown accustomed to being ready,” Aiello said. “Right now it’s second nature. I played the whole season last year — have to be ready. Doesn’t matter what role. As long as it’s a role to help the team out.”
His teammates and coaches have faith in him. Although the Ducks were run off the field in the first half against Washington State, with Oregon rushing for just three yards, Aiello will still be an integral part of the Oregon O-line going forward.
“Second string right guard, right tackle and they get the game-winning blocks for us,” offensive lineman Shane Lemieux said. “That’s just a statement of our depth.”
For Aiello, the pressure barely affects him. It’s business as usual.
“Same mentality as usual,” he said. “Just be physical, be tough, be the first in the weight room, be the first one in the meeting room. Same thing I’ve been doing for four years.”
Mario Cristobal led the unit under Willie Taggart, but under Cristobal’s guidance as head coach, Alex Mirabal is in charge of the unit that has received special emphasis these past two years.
“We have a great coaching staff to get those guys ready,” offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo said.
Despite the lackluster game against Washington State, Oregon’s run game has been effective this season, averaging 187.9 yards per game. Just like with Verdell’s game-winning touchdown against Washington, much of the run game’s success is thanks to the blockers making those holes for the running backs.
“I call them Moses because, as a group, they just love to open up like the Red Sea,” running back Travis Dye said of the O-line. “I give them all the credit.”
Follow Shawn Medow on Twitter @ShawnMedow