EmeraldINDEPENDENT JOURNALISM PRODUCED BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTSTHE DAILYFRIDAY, JAN. 9, 2026 transportation.uoregon.edu/busTwo down, two to goAfter winning in the first two playoff rounds, the Ducks move onto a semifinal matchup against the topseeded team in the country.Read story on page 12
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NEWSROOM DAILY EMERALD Friday, Jan. 9 2026 page 3EDITOR IN CHIEFTarek Anthony PRINT MANAGING EDITORRyan Ehrhart DIGITAL MANAGING EDITORYsabella Sosa NEWS EDITORReilly NorgrenINVESTIGATIONS EDITORAna NarayanA&C EDITORClaire Coit SPORTS EDITORJack Lazarus OPINION EDITORGracie CoxPHOTO EDITORSaj SundaramCOPY CHIEFOlivia EllerbruchVIDEO EDITORJake NolanPODCAST EDITORStephanie Hensley SOCIALS EDITORYsabella Sosa VISUALS EDITORNoa SchwartzDESIGN EDITORAdaleah Carman DESIGNERSAsha MohanEllery Burton-TillsonEva AndrewsNina RoseBUSINESSPUBLISHER AND PRESIDENTEric Henry (X317) [email protected] OPERATIONSKathy Carbone (X302) [email protected] OF SALES & DIGITAL MARKETINGShelly Rondestvedt (X303)srondestvedt@dailyemerald. comCREATIVE & TECHNICAL DIRECTORAnna Smith (X327) [email protected] EXECUTIVESTorin Chevalier Camcole Pereira Ava StephanianElliot ByrneTHE DAILY EMERALDThe Daily Emerald is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the independent nonprofit media company at the University of Oregon. Formerly the Oregon Daily Emerald, the news organization was founded in 1900.Emerald Media Group 1395 University St.,#302 Eugene, Or 97403(541)-346-5511By Maddox Brewer KnightOpinion Columnist “Death tax.” While the name conjures up images of the Grim Reaper brandishing a form 1040, the reality of this ominously named tax is far more complex. But what is it really, and why has this loaded term been circulating in Oregon news recently?On Dec. 2, 2025, Gov. Tina Kotek held a press conference about Oregon’s 2026 economic development strategy. The conference, meant to rehabilitate Oregon’s bad business reputation, detailed a plan to court major businesses through reduced corporate taxes. Many big names made an appearance at the conference, including Tim Boyle, the billionaire CEO of Columbia Sportswear and University of Oregon trustee. In a speech lamenting Oregon’s poor business climate, Boyle pointed a finger at the Multnomah County preschool tax and something he referred to as “the death tax.” While it sounds foreboding, this is a deceptive term popularized by Republican political consultant Frank Luntz and former Vice President Dick Cheney. The term, chosen over the original title of “estate tax” to elicit a more negative reaction from voters, actually refers to a tax applicable to estates over $2 million, lowered to a threshold of $1 million in the state of Oregon under the Oregon Estate Tax, excluding estates Brewer Knight: An Oregonian’s guide to the ‘death tax’OPINIONContinue story on page 14By Jack LazarusSports EditorAt this point, “March Madness” might not even be close to the picture. The remainder of Oregon men’s basketball’s season could end up just being about internal wins. While 8-7 overall and 1-3 in the Big Ten won’t drop Oregon toward the bottom of the conference rankings, when looking deeper, it’s clear that things could get a lot worse for this team in the coming months. Oregon men’s basketball limps into new yearSPORTSContinue story on page 21After shaping up to be in the top half of Big Ten teams, the Ducks have faltered at every step and now face a tough road to March Madness.Opinion: The ominously named “death tax” has resurfaced in local news. But what does this morbid name actually entail?Listen today; Sports Dorks podcast with guest host:Dan RubensteinTransfer portal updatesKyler Kasper# POS CLASS3 WR RS-JRFollow along on our website for live updatesRJ Todd# POS CLASS46 LS RS-JRBailey Ettridge# POS CLASS39 P FR
DAILY EMERALD Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 page 4Student Experience Survey sees significant increase in response ratesNEWS & SPORTSBy Katarina IlicNews ReporterAt its Dec. 10, 2025 meeting, the University of Oregon Board of Trustees approved the capital project authorization of the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health and the Prevention Science Institute building. Construction is projected to be completed in spring 2029. The building will be located at the UO Portland campus.The building is projected to be two stories and 54,000 square feet. The construction of the new building will result in the teardown of four buildings the university deems “not cost effective to renovate.”“Really it’s gonna open the campus up significantly, it also gets rid of a bunch of deferred maintenance and that’s why it scored well with the HECC and we got state funding to help build this building,” Darin Dehle, director of design and construction, said. The Ballmer Institute is working toward providing innovative solutions to the child mental health system. It offers an undergraduate degree in child behavioral health and a graduate microcredential in child behavioral health. The institute was launched in 2022 through a lead gift from Ballmer Group Philanthropy in an effort to make the Pacific Northwest a center of “thought and action” for addressing challenges in children’s behavioral health.The Prevention Science program at UO Portland offers a master’s degree in education, a master of science and a doctorate in philosophy. The program provides training in reducing risk and enhancing protective factors in children, youth and families, with hopes to build more resilient communities.The projected budget for construction was approved at $79 million. The university expects to receive funding for the construction from several bonds, specifically $35.5 million from Q bonds and $17.75 million from G bonds, as well as $25.75 million from UO fund matching and philanthropy.Ballmer Institute and Prevention Science building approved by Board of TrusteesA new building that will act as home to the Ballmer Institute and the Prevention Science program is being constructed on the UO Portland campus.34-31 IndianaRowan Shea, Sports WriterThe Ducks have a solid offense and a solid defense, but they can be shakey. And if they’re shakey against this Indiana team, the game will be out of hand faster than you can say Hoosier. The Ducks know what's at stake: an upset and a trip to the National Championship, and they’ll fight hard to get there. The secondary will keep the game close for Oregon; but, if the defensive line can’t handle the Hoosier run game, and if the offense isn’t clicking immediately at kickoff, the game will be close, but I believe Oregon will fall. 31-27 OregonHarry Leader, Sports WriterThe Ducks are coming off a massive blowout game against a Texas Tech team that was one of the highest-ranked defenses in the country. The Ducks' offense was slow to get started, but once the defense started getting takeaways, the confidence skyrocketed. Indiana has proven they can beat just about anyone, including Oregon, but this is the first time they face up against a team that knows what didn't work in their previous meeting. If the secondary can work its magic just like it did against Texas Tech, then the Ducks should pull away with the win.24-14 IndianaJack Lazarus, Sports EditorGoing cynical here, as the Hoosiers are the No. 1 seed in the whole playoff after all. Similar to the Ducks’ contests against other top defenses such as the 18-16 slugfest at Iowa or the most recent 23-0 win in the Orange Bowl over Texas Tech. These teams also know each other, which means that each offense won’t be able to trick the defense as much. The key to the game for the Ducks is limiting Fernando Mendoza, especially on third downs, because Oregon’s offense has proven to be able to score against some of the top defenses in the country. 27-24 OregonHenry Light, Sports WriterOregon’s offense is operating differently than it was at the time of its first meeting with the Hoosiers, mostly out of necessity due to injuries at wide receiver. I believe those changes will work in the Ducks’ favor in the rematch. Oregon’s tight end duo of Kenyon Sadiq and Jamari Johnson has proven an ability to pace the offense down the stretch, and with support from a healthy wide receiver corps, the Ducks now field a formidable passing offense. In a game where I expect both teams to struggle on the ground, this prediction rests on Oregon’s secondary and kicker Atticus Sappington.31-24 OregonRachel McConaghie, Sports WriterIt’s hard to beat this Oregon team once, and beating them twice may be too much to ask for Indiana. Oregon’s offense was left looking for answers in the passing game. I think Will Stein will struggle to command the Ducks offense against the Hoosiers’ with Indiana's proven ability to force Oregon into uncomfortable third-down situations. The Hoosiers also set the tone early last game with an opening drive sack on Dante Moore that led to five total. But, if the Ducks can play clean, stay strong in the secondary, and keep Moore untouched in the pocket, I don’t think Indiana can pull off a win twice.37-24 IndianaJoe Krasnowski, Senior Sports WriterYikes. I’m going to be more ambitious than Jack and take Indiana by a lot here. Not only do I think Dante Moore has had a questionable throw or two in most games down the stretch, I’d argue that Oregon’s defensive back room — that already struggled in game one — being depleted makes a significant difference in this one. Fans also can’t ignore both of Oregon’s coordinators balancing different jobs and the second leading rusher reportedly being out. The Daily Emerald Sports Desk score predictions for Peach BowlBreaking down The Daily Emerald Sports Desk’s score prediction for the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup between the Oregon Ducks and Indiana Hoosiers.(ABOVE) Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2) and Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Devan Boykin (12). The University of Oregon Ducks were defeated by the Indiana University Hoosiers 30-20 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 11, 2025.(Anna Liv Myklebust /Emerald)By Corey HoffmanSenior News ReporterThe Student Experience Survey, which allows students to provide anonymous feedback to instructors on their learning experience, has seen a 23.3% increase fall 2025 from Spring 2025 responses. The final response rate, according to the Office of the Provost, was 49.3% for fall 2025. In spring 2025, the final response rate was 26.1%. Over 60,000 students responded to the survey, more than double the number of responses from the spring, the Office of the Provost told The Daily Emerald in an emailed statement.According to UO’s website, faculty and instructors use the information gathered from the surveys to improve courses and teaching methods. Department heads review survey data to get quality information about courses offered and survey data aids university committees in reviewing faculty performances for promotions, tenure and awards. In spring 2025, the university, which had been struggling to get survey responses since the 2020 pandemic, introduced a new incentive to encourage students to fill out the survey. Through the incentive, students who wish to receive their grades one day early must open the survey and fill it out or actively decline to participate. According to the Office of the Provost, the 60,000 students who responded to the survey in Fall 2025 does not include the small percentage of students who declined the survey to lift the hold on their grades. “This significant increase strengthens our ability to provide meaningful evidence of inclusive and effective teaching at UO. Continued monitoring and refinement will ensure the survey remains a valuable tool for both students and instructors,” the Office of the Provost said in an emailed statement.The Student Experience Survey saw a 23% boost in responses fall term.NEWS SPORTS
OURDOORSAREOPEN.Center on Franklin today! Make an appointment online, or walk in to our Health OURDOORSAREOPEN.Center on Franklin today! Make an appointment online, or walk in to our Health YOUR NON-PROFITCOLLEGE STORE.THE PERFECT JUMPSTARTFREE drip coffee every Friday at the Flagship Campus Duck Store only when you wear your Duck gear!** Limit one free coffee per customer per Friday.The original University of Oregon college store. Dedicated to student success since 1920.From textbooks and supplies to your favorite college tee, The Duck Store is your starting point for University of Oregon essentials. With more than a 100-year history on campus, we’re the original college store and the only one with a non-profit mission to support you and every UO student.QUICK AND CONVENIENTIn-Store Pickup is free, fast and convenient meaning shopping for books and supplies online doesn’t come with added shipping fees or delays. Most orders are ready for pickup the next weekday.EASY ONLINE ORDERINGTextbooks from The Duck Store are available exclusively online. After generating your book list (available in late August), purchase everything online and then choose In-Store Pickup or have them shipped to your home. WHAT YOU NEED, PRICED FAIRLYThe Duck Store is the only store that works directly with UO professors to know exactly what you need for class. We seek out used and digital options to help keep prices as low as possible.
By Bella GrahamAssociate Arts & Culture EditorFrom social climbers to the Hailey Bieber Erewhon smoothie, LA has a certain zeitgeist that people clamor for. At least, influencers and transplants do in “I Love LA.”“I Love LA” — a comedy TV show on HBO — follows Maia (Rachel Sennott), an aspiring talent manager, as she navigates the tumultuous return of Tallulah (Odessa A’zion), an influencer and Maia’s ex-best friend, through the ups and downs of Los Angeles celebrity culture. Completing the friend group that feels hopelessly enmeshed is Alani (True Whitaker), a harmless nepo-baby, Charlie (Jordan Firstman), a celebrity stylist and Dylan (Josh Hutcherson), Maia’s boyfriend.As Maia and Tallulah plunge into codependency, they take bigger and bigger swings career-wise, which don’t always work out for them, through witty and deeply Gen Z-coded dialogue. Sennott created and wrote the show, which premiered in November. It’s been renewed for a second season, but a release date hasn’t been announced yet. Although oddly endearing, none of the main characters are particularly personable, but don’t let that deter you from the show. They’re human, and aren’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but their problems at a very basic level are ones we all deal with: relationship issues, insecurities, work conflicts and more.On top of it all, the writing manages to have you laughing while mocking the rich, privileged and celebrity/influencer culture in general. It’s raunchy, sarcastic and will resonate if you’re chronically online. From Maia and Tallulah getting tattoos that say “the nightmare before business” to Alani’s airheaded and at times confusing commentary, the jokes aren’t throwaways to fill the space. They serve a purpose and make you feel like you’re in on it. Josh Hutcherson is a highlight of the show. For most of the season, he serves as the voice of reason and grounds Maia’s tomfoolery. As the show goes on, however, we find ourselves in Maia’s shoes as we question if his sensible logic is what she needs, or if it’s masking a deep-seated insecurity. The culture of ambition and striving for success is infectious — the vibe that anyone can make it if they work hard enough is felt through the screen. I couldn’t help but root for Maia and her at times misguided creativity, on the off chance that it actually works. What if she does succeed? She might not be the most likable main character, but I easily got sucked in and couldn’t help but hop in for the ride. “I Love LA” provides thoughtful commentary on what it’s like to be a Gen Z adult and has the potential to be a great sitcom like “Friends,” “Girls” or “Sex and the City.” While it’s too early to tell if it’ll be a generation-defining show, it’s trending in the right direction. As the world changes, previously iconic sitcoms become less relatable, which has left us with a vacuum of a show that understands young adults. Rachel Sennott is here to step in — all we need to do is let her fill the space and make it her own. DAILY EMERALD Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 page 8‘I Love LA’ has potential to be the sitcom of Gen ZEuphoria Sundays on HBO are no more — there’s a new hit show in town. Rachel Sennott’s freshman comedy is akin to “Girls” or “Friends,” and it’s a must-watch for any 20-something. ARTS & CULTURE(Camille Pape/Emerald)Art House has a classic-filled schedule for new yearBy Vinny WhiteArts & Culture WriterAs the new year eases in, great new films are scarce. With many of 2025’s biggest blockbusters hitting theaters in December, and January being a generally poor time to release a picture for awards consideration, the beginning of the year can be tough for cinephiles. Thankfully, Art House — the two-screen theater based in a historic church and located in downtown Eugene — has you covered.Art House’s early year schedule is packed with some of the best classic films of all time, which have been neatly divided into series that will show over the course of the year. Art House’s French New Wave series — which features 27 classic films in the genre — is particularly notable, since it took a year-long Kickstarter campaign to make it a reality. While many of the films are over 60 years old, the cost of screening so many movies while their copyrights are still active is high for a small cinema like Art House. “Studios charge licensing fees and/or minimum guarantees for each film screening, and these can add up quickly, often making repertory programming a high-risk venture for smaller cinemas,” the cinema said on its Kickstarter page. “We do our best to predict what our audiences want, but when we’re wrong, we can get stuck with an empty auditorium and a big bill.”For those who are less fond of cigarettes and more fond of weed, “The Green Screen” series is a good place to start. Stoner classics like “Dazed and Confused,” “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” and the Coen Brothers’ masterpiece “The Big Lebowski” will grace the screens of Art House for multiple days in 2026, as well as a few other films in the beloved genre. “Art House After Dark,” offers late-night showings of horror and slasher films curated by the theater. The monthly series is currently scheduled to show “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge,” “An American Werewolf in London” and “Possession” in January, February and March, respectively. Musicals, Noirs, Alfred Hitchcock films and more are also slated to show at the theater in 2026, though their schedule in those series is limited at the moment. Fret not, as there is still much to see. A variety of performers, including William Elliott Whitmore, Stephan Nance’s project “Sparkbird” and David Ramirez will take their tours to Eugene at Art House.Art House is set for a year of great cinema, and certainly has enough screenings to tide over movie-lovers until the early year drought ends. (RIGHT) Art House is a multi-use venue with auditoriums and a cafe. The venue holds showings for films and events in Eugene, Ore. (Alyssa Garcia/Emerald) The two-screen cinema will screen hit films and host performances.
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DAILY EMERALD Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 page 11By Owen MurrayAssociate Sports EditorNo. 5 Oregon faces No. 1 Indiana, the Big Ten Champion, in a regular-season rematch in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9. The Hoosiers dealt the Ducks their only loss of the 2025 season so far, a 30-20 win at Autzen Stadium on Oct. 11, 2025. Since then, both ran the table into the postseason; once in the College Football Playoff, Oregon beat No. 12 James Madison University at home and No. 4 Texas Tech University in the Orange Bowl, while Indiana earned a bye with a Big Ten Championship Game win over No. 2 Ohio State and swept past No. 9 Alabama in the Rose Bowl. The Ducks and Hoosiers face off in Atlanta on Friday with a trip to the National Championship Game on the line.The Daily Emerald’s Owen Murray and the Indiana Daily Student’s Dalton James, Quinn Richards and Conor Banks traded three questions each ahead of Friday’s game:Owen Murray: What are the notable changes Indiana has made since the game in Eugene? The Hoosiers were efficient in that game, ran the ball effectively and hurried Dante Moore regularly — they looked like one of the nation’s best teams. Did they need to change anything? Have they?Quinn Richards: Truthfully, Indiana hasn’t changed much. It’s still a complete team that features a balanced offense and disruptive defense. The Hoosiers passing attack is flashy, spearheaded by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but their running backs set the tone with chunk gains on early downs. Indiana’s defense remains among the most disciplined units in the country and continues to penetrate the backfield with ease. It’s a recipe that worked the first time and, if it can be replicated, will work again on Friday. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Hoosiers show some new looks on both sides of the ball in an attempt to disguise certain playcalls. IDS: Dante Moore had his worst performance of the season in the first matchup. How has he bounced back, and is he more equipped to handle defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ looks this go around?OM: Moore just faced the most pressure that he’s seen since that first Indiana game against Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl — he’s been solid outside of that and able to flash his arm a bit more, but the offense really sputtered in the Tech game. He still threw for 234 yards and didn’t have the same issues with bailing from the pocket that he did against the Hoosiers, but the fragility of the offensive line worries me when the Ducks will face one of similar quality and a better offense. I think the fact he’s seen some of the shifts that Haines’ defense makes will let him stick in the pocket longer, but I’m not sure he’ll be able to generate time without a real run game.OM: How much has the Indiana defense shifted without lineman Stephen Daley? He didn’t record a tackle in the first game between these two teams, but he’s obviously an impactful player who the Hoosiers will miss this time around with a season-ending injury. What did the defense in the Rose Bowl look like without him, and what does Oregon target that weakness with?Dalton James: A multitude of potential strategies existed to replace Daley’s production, whether it was asking Daniel Ndukwe to slot into Daley’s role or move players like Mario Landino and Mikail Kamara into different alignments on the Hoosiers’ defensive line. However, Haines opted to play more three-linebacker sets, composed of Aiden Fisher, Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy, against the Crimson Tide. The move paid dividends, as the trio combined for 17 total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Such a dominant showing wasn’t a first this season, though. When the Hoosiers beat the Ducks in the regular season, the three had their collective best game of the season with 34 total tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks. Although it may be a weakness without Daley in the lineup, Indiana turned in its best overall defensive performance thus far in the Rose Bowl.IDS: Receiver Charlie Becker had just four receptions on the season last time Indiana faced Oregon and had no catches in the game. Since then, he’s become the Hoosiers’ primary deep threat, a key part of their passing attack and a go-to late game target. How will his presence alter the Ducks’ defensive gameplan?OM: Oregon’s secondary has really stepped up — the corners, Brandon Finney Jr. and Ify Obidegwu, have come into their own and Jadon Canady is shining as a nickel. What concerns me is the depth outside of that, even if it won’t be leaned on much. The Ducks have already seen their backup nickel, backup safety and several corners head to the portal, which will affect their ability to put more defensive backs on the field to deal with three-receiver sets. The starters are great, and while facing multiple great receivers — Becker and Sarratt especially — stresses that and opens up opportunities for tight ends to have a huge impact against limited defensive packages, expect Oregon’s five top defensive backs (Finney, Obidegwu, Canady, Dillon Thieneman and Aaron Flowers) to play the vast majority of the snaps on Friday.OM: What’s one thing that you think has to happen for Indiana to win this game?IDS: To win this game, Indiana has to steal Ohio State’s recipe for success against Oregon in last season’s College Football Playoff. The Ducks finished that game with -23 rushing yards to the Buckeyes’ 181. Like Ohio State, Indiana needs to wear Oregon down in the trenches, and break its will — something head coach Curt Cignetti has emphasized to his players throughout the season. Against Alabama, the Hoosiers maintained fresh legs in the backfield, cycling through the running back duo of Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. Both ran efficiently behind an offensive line that was able to consistently generate push up front against a fatigued Crimson Tide defensive front. Indiana needs to replicate this dominance in the trenches to book its trip to Miami.IDS: Indiana had its way in the trenches in Autzen. How has Oregon’s offensive line adjusted since then and what can that unit do to avoid negative plays in the Peach Bowl?OM: The line is great, but it didn’t look fantastic against Texas Tech last week in a huge test. The Ducks couldn’t establish the run against the Red Raiders, which was a major issue the last time these two teams faced off, and really leaned on the tight ends to create out of a ton of third-and-long situations. The best thing that the line can do to avoid negative plays is have a great understanding of what Indiana’s line does post-snap — this is where this being a rematch comes in handy, because pattern recognition starts to click faster for players. If Oregon can get a handle on those stunts early and force the Hoosiers to beat players man-to-man, they’ve got a shot.Kickoff between the Ducks and the Hoosiers is set for 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Jan. 9. The winner will face either No. 6 Ole Miss or No. 10 Miami in the National Championship Game at Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 19. SPORTSTrading questions before No. 5 Oregon football battles No. 1 Indiana in CFP semifinal The Daily Emerald and the Indiana Daily Student broke down the Peach Bowl matchup between the Ducks and Hoosiers. (ABOVE) The Indiana Hoosiers football players stand with their fans after beating the Oregon Ducks 30-20. The University of Oregon Ducks were defeated by the Indiana University Hoosiers 30-20 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 11, 2025.(Anna Liv Myklebust /Emerald)
ON THE COVERWhat’s been working for Oregon; what to expect from CFP semifinal against IndianaAs the No. 5 Ducks move on to the national semifinal against the No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, the Daily Emerald Sports Desk breaks down what’s gone well for the Ducks so far this postseason as well as a preview for the game.PREVIEWRowan Shea, Sports WriterIndiana absolutely demolished Alabama, there’s no questioning that. With a final score of 38-3, everything seemed to be going the way of the Hoosiers. Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza was 14/16 with three touchdown passes, Kaelon Black had 99-rushing yards and the offense put up 407 total yards of offense. But the receiving core wasn’t there. Charlie Becker had the most receiving yards for Indiana with 51, nine less yards than the lead receiver for Alabama, Germie Bernard. Oregon, on the other hand, put up 300+ passing yards against James Madison University, then 200+ passing yards against Texas Tech. The Ducks have been solid in the playoffs in the pass game. When it comes to the game against Indiana, things could be different. Indiana is ranked right behind Oregon in Big Ten receiving metrics with only 53 total receiving yards separating the two. Oregon’s one saving grace is their secondary, which is ranked third best in both total opponent passing yards and opponent passing yards per game. If Oregon can manage to hold Indiana on the receiving side, and put up some good receiving yards of their own, the Ducks have the opportunity to snatch the redemption game. QUARTERBACK COMPARISONMax Koebel, Sports WriterThe Peach Bowl will feature round three between quarterbacks Dante Moore and Fernando Mendoza of Oregon and Indiana, respectively. Mendoza has been on the winning side of each of the first two matchups.The first game between the two came in the final week of the 2023 season between Mendoza’s Cal Golden Bears and Moore’s UCLA Bruins. Moore threw for 266 yards, which topped Mendoza’s 178 yards, but four UCLA turnovers held it to seven points for the game.Both quarterbacks have taken a tremendous step forward since that game. This year, they are the top ranked quarterbacks in college football.Mendoza has thrown for 3,172 yards and 36 touchdowns with six interceptions as he’s led Indiana to a 14-0 season while winning the Heisman Trophy.After sitting behind Dillon Gabriel last year, Moore has come back this year and thrown for 3,280 yards and 28 touchdowns with nine interceptions. His only loss with Oregon was the first matchup with Indiana. Since that loss, he has thrown for over 200 yards in six of its last eight games, including 313 and 234 yards in each of the first two playoff games.Moore’s last two losses as a starter have been against Mendoza, and now he has a chance to avenge them both in the CFP semifinals.RUN GAME VS SECOND-BEST RUSHING DEFENSEHenry Light, Sports WriterHolding Alabama to 23 rushing yards was the crowning achievement for an Indiana defense that sits second in the nation in rushing yards per game this season. Oregon became familiar with the number one defense in that category, Texas Tech, in the quarterfinal, and totalled a lackluster 64 rushing yards against it. Even if Indiana’s run defense regresses to the mean, the Ducks will struggle to move the ball on the ground in the Peach Bowl.The scariest part of the Hoosiers’ domination of Alabama was that they did it without Big Ten tackles for loss leader Stephen Daley, who was listed out for the Rose Bowl. Instead, safety Devan Boykin stepped up to provide three tackles for loss, while linebackers Aiden Fisher, Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones supported with seven, six and four tackles respectively. The Ducks’ running back room will come into the matchup battle-tested after facing JMU’s sixth-ranked rushing defense in the first round, along with four others inside the top 20 in Big Ten play. Oregon ran for 200 plus yards against JMU, 17 ranked Iowa and 15 ranked Wisconsin, but its performance against the leader in the category does not bode well for its matchup with the runner-up.WHAT’S GONE WELLDEFENSIVE LINEJack Lazarus, Sports EditorThe Oregon defense racked up a combined six sacks and 12 tackles for loss in the first two games of the postseason. At home against the No. 12 JMU Dukes, the Ducks overcame a multi-faceted rushing attack and stifled dual-threat quarterback Alonza Barnett III and running back Wayne Knight in a dominant 51-34 victory. Oregon was successfully able to contain the edges throughout the contest, and the defensive backs played much closer to the
DAILY EMERALD Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 page 13What’s been working for Oregon; what to expect from CFP semifinal against Indianaline of scrimmage. The line’s ability to hold the Dukes’ offensive linemen near the point of attack allowed Bryce Boettcher and Dillon Thineman to clean up in the box. The No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders also leaned on the run in a 23-0 shutout loss in the Orange Bowl, but quarterback Behren Morton fell under pressure whenever he dropped back. The Ducks tallied four sacks, all of which were from edge rushers, and Teitum Tuioti was responsible for two of them, as well as consistently pressuring Morton on pass rush. The highlight of the game for the defense came from a Matayo Uiagaeleli strip sack that came off an incredible outside pass rush move which set up the Oregon offense at the Texas Tech seven-yard line. BRANDON FINNEY JRHarry Leader, Sports WriterOne of the Ducks' biggest stars in the secondary this season has been true freshman Brandon Finney Jr., Finney is coming off what is arguably one of the greatest CFP performances of this season after securing three takeaways against Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl: one fumble recovery and two interceptions. Finney's ability to stay hot will be a difference maker in this matchup against Indiana and Mendoza. Finney has been on a tear in the second half of the season, picking up three or more tackles per game since November. In that timespan, he also has three pass deflections and two forced fumbles.Finney was one of the few bright spots for Oregon in the loss to the Hoosiers earlier this season when he picked off Mendoza and took it into the endzone to tie the game 20-20. He also had two pass deflections in that game and four solo tackles.DEFENSERachel McConaghie, Sports WriterOregon’s defense has been one of the defining strengths of the season. By consistently forcing opponents into difficult down-and-distance situations, the Ducks have maintained control of their games. Much of that success starts in the middle with veteran linebacker Bryce Boettcher, who leads the team with 125 total tackles. Boettcher’s presence commands this Oregon team to stay disciplined.Behind him, Oregon’s secondary has continued to make a major impact. Safety Dillon Thieneman has been steady all season, averaging three solo tackles per game and recording a season-high six against Texas Tech. Oregon’s four takeaways against Texas Tech, three of which were recorded by Finney, was the highest single-game total since the Ducks 2023 season. Linebacker Teitum Tuioti has also been a disruptive force off the edge, leading the team with 9.5 sacks while consistently generating pressure and tackles for loss to disrupt opposing offensive rhythm.That defensive consistency will be tested against an Indiana team whose defense performs well under high pressure. The Hoosiers rank third in the country in opponent third-down conversion percentage allowed, making Oregon’s execution on early downs and in third-down situations critical to controlling the flow of the game, to pull off an upset win at home.COORDINATORS BALANCING MULTIPLE JOBSJoe Krasnowski, Senior Sports WriterLong nights and early mornings dictate life for Oregon’s two coordinators, Tosh Lupoi and Will Stein, who are both finishing the season in Eugene before leaving to take head coaching jobs elsewhere. With Lupoi, who is going to coach at the University of California, Berkely, pitching a shutout in the Orange Bowl, Oregon’s 23-0 win over Texas Tech is only more impressive. “I’ve got a light job and a night job,” Lupoi said. “When the [game planning] duties are done, late at night and early in the morning, just trying to do anything possible to put us in a good position for the future.”Stein, who is leaving at the end of the season to coach at the University of Kentucky, carried a similar sentiment. “There’s a lot of buckets to fill at both places,” he said. “That’s what I signed up for. It’s a first-world problem.”Of course, the narrative commending Oregon’s coordinators for balancing both jobs seamlessly could be easily flipped with one Ducks loss. But such is the duality of sports. Or as Stein put it, “that’s a firstworld problem.”(LEFT) Oregon Ducks defensive back Daylen Austin (0) and tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) run out the tunnel together before the start of the game. (BELOW) Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) runs the ball through a small gap created by the Oregon offensive line. (Saj Sundaram/Emerald)(ON THE COVER) The Oregon Ducks run out of their tunnel before the start of the game. The No. 5 University of Oregon Ducks beat the No. 4 Texas Tech University Red Raiders 23-0 in the second round of the College Football Playoff at the Orange Bowl hosted at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. on Jan. 1, 2026.
DAILY EMERALD Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 page 14bequeathed to a spouse or charitable donations.As fiscal conservatives, Luntz and Cheney aimed to poison the public opinion against a tax that most are not wealthy enough to encounter. Unfortunately, their gambit succeeded. Of course, I am not claiming that our state’s estate tax is unproblematic. The $1 million minimum has not been adjusted for inflation since it was set in 2002. Money doesn’t go as far as it used to, especially in a rapidly urbanizing state such as Oregon, and raising this threshold is logical — especially to aid those such as the inheritors of family farms or small businesses, for whom this 10 to 16% tax can be devastating. “A $1 million tax minimum does seem awfully low, especially considering inflation and the rising costs of living in Oregon,” Benni Howard, a UO senior majoring in political science, said. However, I do not believe that it is in Oregonians’ best interests to heed conservative calls to eradicate the estate tax.In his capacity as the Columbia Sportswear CEO, Boyle does not represent the average Oregonian — especially the average millennial or Gen Z Oregonian — who will likely never amass a million dollars. He does not even represent the average Oregonian millionaire. Instead, he represents the interests of billionaires, those most affected by this tax, who want their children to inherit their elite status without lifting a finger.Boyle claims that Oregon’s taxes are scaring away corporations and that to entice CEOs such as himself to stay in the state, we must throw them a bone by lowering taxes. But does having a major corporation centered in your state still guarantee prosperity for ordinary citizens? “I think offering incentives to keep major corporations in our state is in Oregonians’ best interests — so long as they are done in moderation,” Izzy Pope, a UO junior majoring in political science, said. “But with these tax breaks comes an obligation for businesses to give back to local communities. It’s hard to mandate this responsibility, but ultimately having big businesses can stimulate economies.”“Although keeping corporations in Oregon is certainly in the state’s best interest, the devil is in the details,” Howard said. “These issues are rarely black-and-white.”Columbia Sportswear does not create manufacturing jobs for Oregonians, as their factories take advantage of cheaper labor and laxer labor laws in Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh and India. The company’s high-paying, desirable executive jobs are limited and inaccessible to the average Oregonian. The vast majority of jobs available to Oregonians — mostly retail — offer low pay, low benefits and are limited in number. As our institutions suffer from cuts in federal funding, Oregonians are increasingly reliant on corporate tax dollars to keep our state running. If we accept Gov. Kotek’s proposal of personal and corporate tax breaks for the uber-wealthy, what will the average Oregonian stand to gain? Don’t be fooled by their scare tactics: billionaires do not represent our interests, but only their own. Next time you hear the term “death tax,” don’t give in to the knee-jerk repulsion — instead, think critically about what the speaker gains by turning you against it.OPINIONBrewer Knight: An Oregonian’s guide to the death taxMaddox Brewer Knight is an opinion columnist at The Daily Emerald. She is a third-year CHC student pursuing a double major in English and Spanish. As a lifelong Oregonian, Maddox cares deeply about confronting social issues both within UO and in the greater community to make our home region a better environment for all.(Ava Land/Emerald)D is an opinion columnist for The Daily Emerald. She is a fourthyear student and originally comes from Las Vegas, but resides in Houston. Ortega: Fear of moving on (FOMO)By D Ortega Opinion ColumnistMetathesiophobia is the fear of change and the unknown. As I approach the end of my senior year, I have found myself in a constant state of metathesiophobia, especially when it comes to big changes. A big cloud hovers over my head, filled with uncertainties of what lies ahead after college. I know I’m not alone, yet the fear lingers over me as time seems to pass by quickly as I approach graduation. Change is a common thing, yet it always catches me by surprise. As if I’m asking myself, am I really ready for this next step in life?Preparation is key, but how can we prepare for uncertain futures?The answer: we can’t.According to a post by the Strategic Consortium of Intelligence Professionals, “the brain is not a fixed organ (and) it reshapes itself constantly. When faced with novel situations, our cognitive flexibility allows us to assess, unlearn, and relearn — enabling growth and innovation.” But sometimes, stability is how we know we are in control, and if it’s one thing that humans love, it’s control. UO grad student Karlie Guilliot discussed her fear of change when she was an undergraduate.“Change following undergrad can feel impossible. College creates a community bubble that feels impossible to leave. As a senior, the idea of going out into the ‘real world’ was both daunting and exhilarating, but even after gaining two degrees, I realized I was never taught how to exist outside of the liminal space of UO’s campus,” Guilliot said.Although it feels like everyone goes through the same thing, there is still a lack of comfort on how to deal with such shifts in life. We are almost expected to dive headfirst into complete unknowns, making it almost impossible to be prepared for change.“Without addressing the fear of change, I was left feeling stuck in what I thought the world would look like, and the reality I faced,” Guilliot said. “It was when I realized that this change was unique, and a single idea or feeling wouldn’t define my experience. I started to be excited about heading into the unknown.”This fear of unfamiliar territory is common, yet learning how to adapt and relearn how to take control of our lives is something that is useful to combat such uncertainties.UO class of ‘25 alumni Daniel Allen discussed how he transitioned after the end of his undergraduate degree. “I was fortunate enough to have connections for my current position as a graduate assistant at UNLV since I was in high school, so I was set in stone in that way. But I wish I had done a better job of balancing figuring out my future and spending time with people I would never see again,” Allen said. I know for myself, it will take a while to feel like my future isn’t a ticking time bomb that is impending to blow up in my face. Especially with the little time I may have, I will spend it with people I’ve made valuable friendships with here at UO.“I think you just got to pave your own way as best as you can and let the world do its thing,” Allen said.I’d have to agree with Allen – having control of the future is impossible, but living in the moment is the thing we have most control over and worth trying to focus on rather than that fear of moving on.Opinion: As graduation for the class of 2026 looms over, upperclassmen begin to think about what lies ahead next in their professional careers. Assessing the fear of change and lack of control is crucial to understanding ourselves moving forward.Continued from page 3(LEFT) Students and families celebrate at the 2025 University Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony took place at Autzen Stadium, featuring administration and student speakers, a commencement speech by Jana Schmieding — a Native American comedian and actress — and the conferral of degrees to graduating students on June 16, 2025.(Alex Hernandez/Emerald)
www.eugenesflowerhome.com1193 Harlow, Springfield 541-485-3655Go Ducks!University of Oregon Alums! Owned by proudThe University FloristEmeINDEPENDENraT JOURNALISM PRODUCED BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTSld THE DAILYMONDAY, OCT. 20, 2025ARTS & CULTUREContinue story on page 23UO CLUBSContinue story on page 7Mock Trial, Speech and Debate face funding uncertainty UO’s forensics program loses CHC support amid university-wide budget cuts, leaving future of Mock Trial and Speech and Debate uncertain.OPINIONContinue story on page 14Kurihara: Stop hiding it: domestic violence deserves a voice this OctoberUOpinion: Stigma thrives in silence, but niversity of Oregon students can change that – oneconversation at a time. Walktober began this month, events that exhibit Lane County’s history and culture.Take a step foward this WalktoberSPORTSContinue story on page 8Oregon volleyball goes as its freshmen go in Big Ten playBy Henry Light Sports WriterstrWaighhen Oregon lost back-to-back matches in ton at hot smeets to USC on the road and Washinghead coain the third week of Big Ten play, from thecwh Trent Kersten echoed his comments and Oheek before, when his team beat Iowa io State at home.we“Awtanthe end of the day, we’re in the arena that Ten, pt to be in. We’re in the arena of the Big so muclhaying really quality teams and we have Washto grow,” Kersten said after the loss to it befoirne gwton. “We’ve got to be careful not to want Kerse give them enough time to get there.”preachetdenpwas able to do so because he has his teamatience and growth at every turn for new pthat features eight true freshmen and 14 layers total.erSweovrekral of the freshmen have shouldered heaviopposloads six matches into Big Ten play, with ite hitter Alanah Clemente leading the team By Elle KubiaczykNews ReporterofIfnoreenarly September, Trond Jacobsen, the head Clark Hsoinocs since 2013, attended a meeting with pleted travrs College leadership to discuss comInsteadel planning and the upcoming season. gram ha,dhebewas informed that the forensics proen cut.forCmutotcinkg the program leaves funding uncertain facultytrial and speech and debate. Without clubs remleaadership at the head of the program, the in in limbo with their funds.“I was told that they were going to end honors colthen as a faculty member later on,” Jacobsen said.INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM PRODUCED BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTSEmeraldTHE DAILYMONDAY, SEPT. 29, 2025STUDENT GOVERNMENTNEWSDucks men’s basketball bolsters roster with strong additions from transfer portalEverything you need to know 2025 MTV VM about the AsARTS & CULTURE SPORTSContinue story on page 7 Continue story on page 5Read story on page 27 Read story on page 8News Reporter-have implemented stricter regulation by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on investor-owned utilities and prohibited additional -port, being introduced by Sen. David Brock Smith (R-Port Orford) and Sen. Chris Gorsek (D-Gresham), and intended to prevent IOU’s from recovering costs and expenses incurred IOU’s to pay for settlements with victims, lit--ments required by the court after being found at SB 926 would have also imposed conseOregon House’s failure to pass regulation bill on investor-owned utilities raises concerns for ratepayers, wildfire victimsOPINIONKurihapick up ra: You can your trashPost-game laziness is no excuse for littering inContinue Oregonstory on page 13 transportation.uoregon.edu/busASUO’s six- figure deficit in surplus budget A Deadhead history of EugeneEmeINDEPENDENraT JOURNALISM PRODUCED BYlSTUDEdNTS, FOR STUDENTSTHE DAILYMONDAY, NOV. 3, 2025ARTS & CULTUREWomen’s soccer: Looking back at Tracy Joyner’s first seasonSPORTS ARTS & CULTUREContinue story on page 8Día de los Muertos in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum Read story on page 14 Read story on page 5As Ducks donn Grateful Dead-themed uniforms, “Dead Air Radio” Host Deb the classic band and Eugene.By Vinny WhiteArts & Culture Writer-ic shows in the Eugene area to raise money in order to save the Springowned by the brother of their close friend, eccentric artist and University of Oregon alumnus Ken Kesey. established a connection between the Dead and the Eugene area thatpersists to this day. One month later, a chance encounter with Owsley “Bear” Stanley, the sound engineer for the band, led to a young Deb Trist getting an invite to see the Grateful Dead in Jersey City, New Jersey. From that moment forward, Trist, now the host of “Dead Air with Downtown Deb” on 89.7 FM KLCC in Eugene, became forever intertwined with the band.After the shows, she got to meet the band, and the experience leftan impression on her. “It was three nights; it was amazing,” Trist said.After their stint in New Jersey, the band left town andreturned to California. Not too long after, Trist ended up in the same area by complete accident. Trist wanted to move from New York to San Francisco, so she drove west and stopped when she Aiming for San Francisco butending up closer to San Lorenzo, she ended up getting questioned by -Trist may have been in possession of marijuana, criminalized in the began demanding that he be able to search the car, a bystander began “interested in police procedure.” -Community food resourcesin Lane County include:Produce Plus Event305 Coop Ct, First Wednesdays of the month starting at 11:30 a.m. Third Tuesdays of the month starting at 1 p.m.McKenzie Center Produce Plus Event2885 Chad Dr, Eugene OR 97408First Wednesday of the month starting at 9 a.m.West Eugene Produce Plus Event2101 W 11th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402Thursdays starting at1 p.m.Community food resources in Multnomah County include:Multnomah Free Food Market8129 SE Malden St, Portland, OR 97206Every Friday from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Bring your own bags. Food resources inOregon With SNAP resources set to be frozen, local food resources include:Continue story on page 3INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM PRODUCED BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTSEmeraldTHE DAILYTUESDAY, SEPT. 30, 2025ARTS & CULTUREContinue story on page 12 transportation.uoregon.edu/busMeet Belltower: Eugene's indie bluegrass bandBy Claire CoiArts & Cultutre EditLoorve a good house show, but looking a student indie bluegrass band. Formed on the University of Oregon campus, the local music scene. Blending folk, singer-songwriter, jazz and bluegrass, Belltower’s original music is sure to turn heads and get people excited about neo-traditional bluegrass. Unlike most campus bands, Belltower show scene. For many students, they’re probably used to the indie alternative bands such as Bowl Peace, Growing bluegrass to the table, expanding the on-campus music scene to include more diverse genres. band, though. It all began in the fall term of 2022 with Micah Primack, lead singer, banjo player and songwriter for Belltower. Primack initially leaned towards an acoustic folk, singer-songwriter vibe, playing his music with a few peers in the basements of Justice Bean Hall and Hamilton Hall. It wasn’t until he met his fellow band members that the true Belltower sound began to come together. Primack started collaborating with -Farlane (guitar, dobro and production), who layered improvised melodies over his songs to create something new. Later, when Noah Poteet (mandolin) and Gabriel Martinez (double bass) joined the With colorful melodies and talented student musicians, brinBelltower gs bluegrass fusion to life right on campus.Kalapuya Ilihi reopens to studentsContinue story on page 19NEWSNEWSRead story on page 7UO welcomes record- size freshman class onto campus By Joseph ChiuAssociate News Editor Student dormitory Kalapuya Ilihi has reopened following a two-year closure in July2023. Kalapuya Ilihi will be open for all students and will consist of many academic residential communities to serve students of common studies and backgrounds. after discovering cracks in the walls and strucinvolved with the project and the complaint was settled for $7 million and dismissed in AWugust 2025. ith students moving and settling in, Jennifer O’Neal, assistant professor and director of undergraduate studies for Indigenous, Race and Ethnic Studies, said she is excited about the move-in process and the opportunities students will have in their community this year. closed for two years,” O’Neal said. “We have a really great community here, and incredible dailyemerald.com or scan the QR code!
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DAILY EMERALD Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 page 17By Owen MurrayAssociate Sports EditorNo. 5 Oregon football is one of four teams left in the College Football Playoff. It shut out No. 4-seed Texas Tech University in the Orange Bowl, after boatracing No. 12-seed James Madison University at home. It boasts four true freshmen playing significant snaps, a redshirt sophomore quarterback with top-five NFL Draft stock should he choose to declare and an All-American left guard.And yet none of them are fifth-year transfer wide receiver Malik Benson. As of now, he has 696 receiving yards on 41 receptions, six receiving touchdowns, 155 punt return yards and a score there too (all five of those marks are FBS career-highs). He’s taken on multiple roles since joining the Ducks before the 2025 season, become one of quarterback Dante Moore’s go-to options and grabbed a knack for clutch plays that put the Ducks in position to fight for a first national championship in January.Before the 2025 season, Oregon’s wide receiver room was a question mark. It hosted Benson, a transfer who shone at the JUCO level before posting 162 and 311-yard seasons at Alabama and Florida State, alongside five-star freshman Dakorien Moore and veteran Gary Bryant Jr. as projected starters.It’s not a question anymore.Benson’s speed — turn on the tape and watch him run by a JMU corner giving him a 10-yard cushion last month — immediately unlocked quarterback Dante Moore’s elite deep ball. He’s so fast that Moore couldn’t throw him in stride sometimes, a fact he lamented after the JMU game.He’s among Oregon’s most versatile players, too. It’s no easy feat in a program that features a running-back-slashslot-receiver (Dierre Hill Jr.), an edge rusher who catches fake punts (Teitum Tuioti), and Kenyon Sadiq. When Dakorien Moore and Bryant both picked up injuries around the Ducks’ game against Iowa, Benson (the thirdstring punt returner who said he hadn’t returned “big-game” punts since JUCO) stepped up in the rain in Kinnick Stadium. He also connected with Dante Moore for a crucial late-game first down in the same game to set up Atticus Sappington’s game-winning field goal. Two games later, he housed a punt return against USC to break the game open. A game after that, he scored the coffin-sealing touchdown against Washington, in Seattle, and broke a “W” over his knee.He’s impressed off the field, too. Oregon wide receivers coach Ross Douglas told me their story at Orange Bowl media day, and I’m relaying it here.The two have “history together,” Douglas said. When Benson was transferring from Alabama in 2024, Douglas wanted him at Syracuse, where he was coaching wideouts. They talked on the phone, but Benson ended up at Florida State instead. The Seminoles went 2-10 while Douglas and the Orange finished 10-3, and Douglas called again. “Man, I told you you should’ve came and rocked with me,” he told Benson, who thought he was declaring for the NFL Draft after that season until he was granted another year of NCAA eligibility.Douglas then called Benson again from Syracuse University, but he committed to Oregon instead in January 2025. Then, in February, Douglas was hired as the Ducks’ new wide receivers coach. They finally got to work together.“I was just like, we finally linked up,” Douglas said. This season, they’ve shone. Here’s what Douglas told me about Malik Benson, the person. There’s so much, I had to bullet-point the best of it out.“His mom did a heck of a job raising him. He's made of the right stuff.”“He's very selfless.”“He has great energy.” “He always has a smile on his face.”“He never has a bad day.” “He's just a great individual for a lot of people to look at and get inspiration from.”Ultimately, there are arguments for a ton of players on a CFP semifinalist team to reach athlete of the season status, but Benson’s single-season impact in Eugene has been stunning. He added the vertical dimension to an Oregon offense that was lethal at short range and developed a connection with the Ducks’ new starting quarterback that helped turn a could’ve-been-development year into immediate national championship contention. He stepped in on special teams and made game-changing plays. He scored important touchdowns, heated up down the stretch of the regular season and grew as a draft prospect.It doesn’t get much better than that.By Zaida FergusonOpinion ColumnistOn the updated list of professional degrees, Trump seemingly left out some key careers: nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, audiologists, architects, accountants, educators and social workers, all with the theme of being traditionally pink-collar jobs. Jobs predominantly filled by women. As well as women, these fields also have a high population of women of color who face extra barriers because of the intersectionality of their race and gender.How does this impact people seeking pink-collar degrees? It means that they won’t get the same financial support as people seeking “professional degrees,” making it harder to cover the financial cost of going to school. Professional degrees come with different loan expectations and requirements, meaning students in those fields often qualify for more financial support (the ability to take out a higher federal loan). For people pursuing pink-collar degrees, this creates an unfair gap; they don’t receive the same level of loan assistance, making it harder to afford the education required for their career.This shift could ultimately discourage people from entering fields that desperately need them. Kayla Hartman, a chemical engineering student at Oregon State University, said, “I think it’s now a deterring factor, and will make it harder for women to start getting into STEM.”The price of seeking a higher education is getting higher and higher; with the government providing less financial aid, it makes obtaining these degrees all the more daunting. One question raised is whether a degree is considered “professional” will influence how much reimbursement a student receives for their higher education; student loan reimbursement program is when your job gives you money to help pay off student loans. Over the last 30 years, the average tuition for public and private colleges has nearly doubled, adjusting for inflation.The new financial limits on higher education under the One Big Beautiful Bill will leave the United States with fewer nurses to fill the gaps, causing the healthcare crisis to get worse. These restrictions will discourage students from entering these careers simply because the education is too expensive. Ali Ramsey, a senior environmental science major at University of Oregon said, “Without the ability to open up a loan, it makes going to a higher education in these fields difficult.”This declaration is expected to worsen an already growing healthcare crisis, especially as the U.S. faces a major nursing shortage. Some hospitals and clinics have already shut down due to recent healthcare cuts, adding even more of a strain to the system. All of this illustrates how essential these professions are and how important it is to support the people who do this work.These degrees are essential for how the U.S. operates. If policymakers are willing to devalue these degrees, then it’s on all of us to push back by supporting the students pursuing them, demanding fair funding and refusing a future where women are priced out of the professions that hold this country together.OPINION & SPORTSFerguson: Pink-collar degrees are professional Zaida is an advertising major with a minor in philosophy and business at the University of Oregon. She’s passionate about storytelling that amplifies underrepresented voices and critiques systemic issues. Opinion: Despite what the President Donald Trump administration declares, pink-collar jobs still require expertise — and society still desperately needs the people who fill these roles.OPINIONSPORTSAthlete of the season: Malik BensonBenson’s immediate impact, high-value production and a chat with his position coach makes him The Daily Emerald’s choice as the Ducks’ athlete of the season.(LEFT) Ducks wide receiver Malik Benson (4) gestures pregame. The No. 4 University of Oregon Ducks take on the University of Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium in Seattle on Nov. 29, 2025. (Tyler Graham/Emerald)
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DAILY EMERALD Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 page 21While the returning trio of Jackson Shelstad, Nate Bittle and Kwame Evans Jr. are still continuing to produce, the team around them just cannot stay up to standard and help enough to secure wins. The Ducks have just one win against a power four opponent, a Jan. 2 64-54 win over the Maryland Terrapins, who underwent major coaching and roster changes this offseason and haven’t won a Big Ten game yet. It also isn’t the case that Oregon has just run into a buzzsaw of a schedule and needed to face off against some of the nation’s top teams. The Ducks have lost by double digits to San Diego State, Creighton and UCLA and showed even less fight at times in other losses. As the season began, the Ducks prompted questions as to whether they could hang with the best, as they failed to dominate or even play their type of game in wins against teams such as Hawaii, Rice and San Diego State. It didn’t come as a shock that, when Oregon traveled down to Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival, it got blown out by the three teams it faced. “We’re a poorly coached team, this is all on me,” head coach Dana Altman said after that trip. “Our parts are better than what we’re playing like right now. We’ll get better.”Altman tried to exude confidence, but the worry on his face was apparent and became justified when Oregon dropped the following two games. Since then, the situation has definitely improved, as the Ducks have now won four of their last six games. When one looks into it, however, the four wins came against three non-power four schools and a current Big Ten bottom-feeder in Maryland. Still, it’s something to be positive about. “We’ve made a step,” Altman said after the Ducks’ win over Omaha. “We’re probably where we should have been at the end of November rather than end of December Jackson was out six weeks and hadn’t found his flow yet; I thought he’d get going by now.”Altman recognizes that his team is both having success and still remains very far from what they are truly capable of. On the bright side, most of the roster is individually shooting some of the worst splits of their careers, so there’s room to grow and an assumption that growth will happen. He also believes, per usual, that his team needs to move the ball more. “Everything’s geared on ‘If I score, I played great and if I didn’t score, I played bad,’” Altman said. “For example, we need Sean (Stewart) to be the best defender out there and get 13 rebounds, which his athleticism allows him to do. But not if he’s worried about scoring. The points will come.”The key for the Ducks going forward is to find ways to maximize the non-scoring talent of the roster, which can at times be hard when a team has this many shooters. At the same time, Altman’s ball movement idea has been the focal point for any Oregon improvement this season, so there’s a chance that never happens. In the meantime, Oregon’s ability to capture momentum by stringing together wins will come to define its road in 2026. By Joe KrasnowskiSenior Sports WriterWins: interest and investment are the pillars of any successful sports program in 2026. Oregon’s remarkable 2025 season certainly served as a shot-in-the-arm for all three of those proponents.First, the wins, the Ducks won 54 times last season, up from 30 and 38 in the two seasons prior. Not only did they do that, but head coach Melyssa Lombardi’s squad made it to the NCAA Women’s College World Series after selling out Jane Sanders Stadium while hosting a Super Regional.Next, the interest in Oregon’s incredible season has softball in Eugene at an all-time high. Interest around 2024’s freshman class, which was one of the best in the country, parlayed with an exciting brand of speed-centric softball, has almost surely led to an increase in preseason ticket sales.And lastly, and maybe most importantly in the current landscape of college sports, investment. Oregon softball almost surely saw an uptick in NIL investment, with transfer commitments from Elon Butler (University of California, Berkeley), Addison Amaral (University of Notre Dame) and Amari Harper (Texas A&M University), helping retool some of the holes graduations left in Oregon’s roster.“I am impressed with Elon’s power at the plate,” Lombardi said of Butler, who has faced the Ducks each of the past two seasons at Cal, according to GoDucks. “She can change the game with one swing. She has faced elite pitching her entire career and has excelled. She can turn a single into a double with her ability to run. I also like her athleticism and versatility on defense. Elon’s a competitor and will be a great addition to Version 8.”And while buzz and investment alone don’t translate to wins, it does help significantly to separate Oregon from the rest of the Big Ten — a conference not known for its softball prowess historically.UCLA (winners in 2019) and Washington (runner-up in 2018) are the last two now-Big Ten teams to make it to the final. Before then, Michigan was the first Big Ten finalist in 2015.Of course, the newcomers, mainly the Ducks and UCLA, are plenty prolific. Both appeared in the College World Series and are known as modern powerhouses of the West Coast.As for the rest of the conference, Washington, Northwestern and Nebraska are historically solid teams. However, the rest of the conference standings typically fluctuate significantly year-to-year, leaving Oregon in a prime spot to compete annually. The Ducks almost always play in some of the nation’s top nonconference tournaments to get ready for Big Ten play and boost their resume. Lombardi and Co. also benefit from being on the West Coast and being able to recruit from California. Oregon has 11 players from California on its roster currently and had 10 last year.The Ducks will open the regular season against Missouri at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla. on Feb. 6.Oregon men’s basketball limps into new yearOregon Men’s Basketball plays against Gonzaga at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore on December 21, 2025. (Akimba Agbohessou/Emerald)SPORTSContinued from page 3State of the Big Ten: softballHow does Oregon softball compare historically to the rest of the conference?(LEFT)Oregon gathers at home plate to celebrate with the fans at Jane Sanders Stadium. Oregon Softball takes on Stanford to advance to the Super Regionals in Eugene, Ore. on May 18, 2025.(Tyler Graham/Emerald)
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