EUGENE -- Kawika Rogers has been developing behind more experienced offensive linemen for nearly three seasons. He does not appear to be behind anyone this week.
Rogers, who filled in at right guard when Marcus Harper II went down during last week's win at Michigan, practiced with the first team offense this week and could be the next starter for the top-ranked Ducks (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) on a unit that had the same starting five for the past seven games. The redshirt-sophomore could make his first career start on Saturday against Maryland.
"I can't wish for anything more," Rogers said. "I pray for days like this, times like this. I'm having the most fun I ever could have in my life. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I wouldn't want it any other way. ... It'll mean a lot (to start). We have good players in the O-line room; good athletes -- great athletes. It's all in God's plan. Leaving it in God's hands. Making sure everything I do is in his hands."
Rogers tied his season-high with 12 snaps last week, beginning with a third and 13 pass play. Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham got the better of Rogers multiple times in the difficult spot.
"There was some good things and there was some bad things," Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. "I think he'd tell you the exact same thing, but it's certainly a challenge to go out there against that D-line that we played last week. Being able to punch it in for a run there at the end and being able to run the ball effectively at the end when it mattered was certainly a credit to him and the rest of the offensive line."
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No. 1 Oregon (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) vs. Maryland (4-4, 1-4)
Rogers has played 45 snaps this season, most among non-starting scholarship offensive linemen, and 111 snaps the past two seasons. Most of his game reps have been at right tackle, where the 6-foot-5, 325-pound Rogers said he feels at home, but it "more comfortable" at guard because he has help on each side. That assistance from Laloulu came into play last week and could again against the Terrapins, who have most of their most talented defensive players in the front seven.
"I feel like (Iapani Laloulu) really helped me calm my nerves," Rogers said. "I was so excited, I finally got in the game. I was so happy to get in. Shoot, I knew (Graham) was a first-round pick. I knew the guy I was going against. But Poncho told me, 'You're good. don't worry about it. Breath, you're OK.'
"We have this in the O-line room called 'flash stick mindset,' like the Men in Black. You forget about that last play, no matter good or bad, you forget about it and move on to the next."
Rogers regularly practices against Oregon's starting defensive linemen and has an impression to where they're confident in his ability to protect Dillon Gabriel.
"Kawika going to fill that hole in pretty great," nose tackle Jamaree Caldwell said. "That's one guy that when it comes down to effort it's going to be every play ... He's going to keep going. He's got some fight in him. He a dog."
Oregon has other options as well in Dave Iuli, who has yet to play this season but is available after recovering from toe surgery. Behind Laloulu, Iuli played the most snaps of any of UO's non-starting offensive lineman last season and has been practicing the past two weeks, taking reps with the second team earlier this week.
"He's got the most confidence in himself and it's the best thing I've ever seen in my life," Caldwell said. "He's going to bring the energy. I've never seen a day with him without energy. He hurt, spring time he had energy. There ain't a day he never had energy. Ain't never doubted himself. He's going to keep pushing and keep making you work also. He's going to talk a little smack too."
Rogers and Iuli used to be roommates, so while they're competing for an opportunity this week there is plenty of respect and admiration.
"I love Dave's energy," Rogers said. "I love Dave as a person. ... He's balling out. We got good athletes. We got good players in the O-line room. No matter what happens, I know we're going to be OK."