Unfortunately, at least as far as the postseason is concerned, the worst has been confirmed when it comes to a key piece of Oregon’s defensive puzzle.
Wednesday, multiple media outlets reported that cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu sustained what’s believed to be a serious knee injury during practice Tuesday. It was heavily intimated that Ekpre-Olomu had sustained at least an ACL tear, and would be unavailable for the College Football Playoffs.
Thursday, head coach Mark Helfrich confirmed as much, although he hasn’t yet detailed the specific nature of the injury.
Helfrich: "I will confirm (Ifo) won't participate in the playoff."
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) December 18, 2014
That means the senior will miss the CFP semifinal matchup in the Rose Bowl with Florida State, as well as, if the Ducks get past the Seminoles, the national championship game against the winner of the Alabama-Ohio State Sugar Bowl matchup.
Regardless of how you try to parse it, this is a significant loss for the Ducks.
Ekpre-Olomu was recently named first-team All-Pac-12, the third consecutive year he’s been accorded that honor, as well as a first-team Associated Press All-American. He’s started 40 straight games for the Ducks, and was viewed as a likely first- or second-round selection in next year’s NFL draft prior to the injury.
