One of the biggest challenges facing Oregon the rest of the season is figuring out how to replace its senior captain and starting linebacker A.J. Tuitele. After having surgery on his broken foot that is expected to sideline him for up to eight weeks, the Ducks’ defense is counting on somebody to step up in his absence.
Good thing the Ducks already have another senior linebacker waiting in the wings in Kwame Agyeman. He played through the Cal game once Tuitele went out in the first quarter and played admirably filling in as a reserve. He finished the game with five tackles, including one for a loss.
“Kwame is a warrior,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. “I think he played unbelievably the last quarter or the last half against Cal. He did a tremendous job.”
Before Tuitele’s injury, Agyeman was used as the fill-in linebacker that would occasionally spell either Tuitele, John Bacon, or Jerome Boyd if any needed some rest during the game. Heading into this week’s game against Washington State, Agyeman is seventh on the team in total tackles with 22, one behind Bacon and one ahead of Tuitele. His three tackles for a loss, however, is more than both Bacon and Tuitele combined. Boyd leads all of the linebackers with 32 tackles, four for a loss.
As a former reserve who is competing statistically with the starters, it’s telling of the type of player Agyeman is. Like Cameron Colvin – who filled in for injured wide receiver Brian Paysinger a few weeks ago – Agyeman is the type of player, who despite not receiving a starting role in his senior year, is still capable of not missing a beat when it’s his turn to step up and fill in.
Agyeman competed with Boyd for the final starting linebacker position in the spring. While Bellotti said at the time that Agyeman was the player with the better knowledge of the defensive schemes, Boyd was more athletically gifted and more a a playmaker on the defense.
Fortunately for the Ducks, Agyeman didn’t seem to take it personally.
“Kwame never dropped his head, never stopped playing or competing,” Bellotti said.
And even though he’s among the starters now, he hasn’t relented on the practice field. Recently, Agyeman took on one of the offensive lineman during a play and the result had most people nearby take notice.
“It was an unbelievable collision and the guys, I think they recognize if you’re going to come try and block Kwame you’d better bring it,” Bellotti said.
Agyeman isn’t the one who’s receiving more playing time after Tuitele’s injury. Many of the other reserve linebacker are expected to see more time on the field.
“Kevin Garrett, Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger are all probably going to see more time,” Bellotti said. “We can still play Kwame at any of the (linebacker) positions and he probably will at some point.”

Agyeman not the only new defensive starter for the Ducks

Last year, former defensive tackle Jeremy Gibbs was a starter on the defense until injuries derailed the majority of his playing time. Like Agyeman, he was outplayed in the spring and didn’t regain a starting role for the start of the season.
But for the defensive line, a starting spot has never been a sure thing. Gibbs had been a part of the defensive line rotation for most of the season until the Cal game when he became a starter again. Only this time, he was starting at a new position – defensive end. Traditionally, guys that approach 300 pounds don’t play as a speed-rushing end, but apparently this Oregon defense is more concerned with plugging running lanes than getting quick pressure on the quarterback.
Although Bellotti’s aware of Gibbs’ unusual size for the position, the lineman is still a good fit at end.
“Jeremy is playing pretty well,” Bellotti said. “Jeremy, I think, has found a home at defensive end. I feel like he’s got quickness and explosiveness coming off the edge plus he’s a little bit bigger and more powerful and used to taking on double teams that he’ll get at the tight end tackle alignment. It’s a little farther to get to the quarterback but his quickness and speed makes him somewhat of a natural.”
While Gibbs may improve the pass rush, it’s not to the point that Bellotti wants to see.
“I think all aspects of our pass rush can improve, to be honest with you,” he said.
With the way Washington State quarterback Alex Brink plays, the defensive line has to improve. If not, Brink may pick apart the defense all game long.
“Pass rush certainly (is key) and containment of Brink keeping him in the pocket because he is dangerous with his mobility also,” Bellotti said. “So I think it’s a huge challenge to our defensive front and to our coverage because a lot of times sacks or pressures come about because of great coverage too.”
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