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No. 1 Oregon football recognizes Penn State ‘ballhawk’ Jaylen Reed, Dante Moore’s former high school teammate

No. 1 Oregon football recognizes Penn State ‘ballhawk’ Jaylen Reed, Dante Moore’s former high school teammate

EUGENE – Although they didn’t play during the regular season, Oregon’s top 15 passing attack provides some insight into Penn State’s top 10 pass defense, especially safety Jaylen Reed.

Ducks backup quarterback Dante Moore played with Reed, the leading tackler for the No. 4 Nittany Lions, for two years while he attended Martin Luther King High School in Detroit.

Reed has 75 tackles (4.5 for loss) with 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble this season. Before the season, Reed said he talks to Moore regularly.

“Dante is a great guy,” Reed said at Big Ten media days. “I’m looking forward to seeing him in Oregon and seeing what he does there. I wish him the best, pray for him. I still talk to him every day; we played NCAA the other day.

“He started competing early. He did a great job of coming in when we were in high school, capturing the starting spot and taking advantage of every opportunity.

Although it’s been four years since they shared a sideline, Moore already provided some insight on Reed to Dillon Gabriel as the No. 1 Ducks (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) began practicing for Saturday’s championship game.

“That’s been talked about,” Gabriel said. “Knowing that he has been a great player and has done very well for himself so far, he is excited about the challenge. He’s definitely a ballhawk; is always on the ball and a very good tackler.”

No. 1 Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 4 Penn State (11-1, 8-1)

  • When: Saturday December 7
  • Time: 5pm PT
  • Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ind.
  • TV channel: CBS
  • Current: You can watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial). If you already have a cable provider, use your login information to watch this game on cbssports.com.
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Tight end Terrance Ferguson will be called upon to block Reed at times and also draw his attention as a receiver.

When Ferguson was informed of Moore’s connection to Reed, he said he would pick on the redshirting quarterback about the “head of their defense.”

“He’s good in coverage and attacks the ball,” Ferguson said. “I’m looking forward to playing against these guys because they are elite players and the best players are playing against the best players.”

While Reed complimented Moore’s abilities in high school, where he started as a freshman, he also said his former teammate did not complete any touchdown passes against him in practice.

“Oh no,” Reed said. “Not on me.”

James Crepea covers the Oregon ducks and Big Ten. Listen to the Ducks confidential podcast or subscribe to the Ducks Roundup Newsletter.