Heisman Trophy Watch 2017: Upsets shake up pecking order after Week 3

Notables

• Leaderboards: Tied-1st nationally in scoring (18.0 PPG)
• Rushing: 82 carries for 460 yards, 9 touchdowns
• Other: 6 receptions for 109 yards

Royce Freeman has been metronomically consistent this season, churning out three straight 150-yard games on the ground. The running back has helped Oregon reach 3-0 after coming back from an injury-plagued disappointment of a 2016 season. He now leads the country in scoring, averaging three touchdowns per game for the Ducks.

After deciding to return for his senior season in Eugene, Freeman was largely overlooked in the preseason. He had fallen off the map last year, and only belatedly was he added to watch lists. Once the season began, though, it was as though 2016 had never occurred for Freeman. He began to take the next step from his sophomore surge in 2015.

Thanks to his rejuvenated star running back, new head coach Willie Taggart has enjoyed some big offensive performances from the Ducks. Freeman tied LaMichael James for the Oregon all-time rushing touchdown record in the win over Wyoming, his three touchdowns against the Cowboys putting him at 53 for his career.

Oregon has reemerged as a viable contender in the Pac-12 North. A large part of that resurgence is due to the concurrent return of Freeman to prominence. If he can continue to churn out 150-yard, three-touchdown performances week after winning week, the Duck could become Oregon’s second Heisman winner in the past four seasons.