The college football season can’t come soon enough.
The official start time of Oregon’s Lanning era has been announced, as the Ducks will begin the 2022 season against the Georgia Bulldogs on September 3 at 12:30 p.m. PT (3:30 p.m. ET) on ABC.
The Ducks meet the defending champions Georgia Bulldogs, where Lanning previously coordinated the nation’s No. 1 defense and ranked first in yards per game and offensive touchdowns.
While Lanning’s loss to the Bulldogs is notable, Georgia has also lost much of the talent recruited by Lanning and head coach Kirby Smart. 15 Georgia players were selected in the NFL draft, of which five defensive players were drafted in the first round alone.
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Georgia HC Kirby Smart
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Georgia RB Sevaughn Clark
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Notably Travon Walker (Jaguars), GC #1, Jordan Davis (Eagles) and Devonte Wyatt (Packers) will miss the pass rush to Georgia. Linebacker Quay Walker, also the No. 22 pick by the Packers, and Lewis Cine (No. 32 by the Vikings) complete Georgia’s list of retired defensive stars.
The matchup will also serve as the first look at the Oregon defense, which will be led by Lanning and Tosh Lupoi in place of Tim DeRuyter, who has accepted the job of defense coordinator at Texas Tech. On the personnel side, Oregon will do without outstanding defenses in 2021 Kayvon ThibodeauxFifth in draft and safety Verona McKinley III.
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New York Giants OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux
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Oregon will also debut a new offense as Kenny Dillingham will take on play-calling duties for the Ducks. He meets the projected starting quarterback again Bo Nixwho Dillingham named 2019 SEC Freshman of the Year at Auburn before spending the last two seasons at Florida State.
Georgia has the No. 3 recruiting class in 2022, while Oregon holds the No. 15 class, according to 247 Sports. The Ducks are also looking forward to the return of the 5-star linebacker Justin Flowewas the Pac-12 freshman of the week in the one game he played against Fresno State last season before being sidelined with a foot injury.
The game will be the second ever between Oregon and Georgia. The Bulldogs won the first meeting between the two in 1977, 27-16.
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