The Oregon Ducks' football program is facing an off-field distraction after star wide receiver Evan Stewart was arrested early Sunday morning in Eugene. According to a report from KATU2, Stewart was booked into jail around 7 a.m. on a charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII).
Stewart was released approximately one hour later, at 8 a.m., to a third party whose name matches that of another Oregon Ducks wide receiver, the report added. The university has not yet issued an official statement, and the football program did not respond to KATU's request for comment at the time of publication.
The arrest comes just hours after the Ducks pulled off a dramatic 17-14 comeback victory over Nebraska at Autzen Stadium on Saturday night. The win improved Oregon to 4-2 on the season, while Nebraska fell to 5-2. The game was a late-night affair that drew the ire of Nebraska fans, who were furious over the brutal kickoff time.
Stewart did not play in Saturday's game, having been listed as "doubtful" on the injury report before kickoff. It's unclear whether his absence was related to the arrest, as no injury details were provided. Prior to Saturday, Stewart had been a key contributor for the Ducks, hauling in 27 receptions for 352 yards and four touchdowns through the first five games of the season. He had scored a touchdown in four consecutive games, including a five-catch, 74-yard performance with a score in the team's loss to UCLA last week.
The timing of the arrest adds another layer of scrutiny to an already eventful weekend for Oregon football. Social media posts had hinted that one or more Oregon players were arrested over the weekend, but the university has remained silent. This incident also follows a recent officiating controversy in the Oregon-UCLA game, which the Big Ten later confirmed was a mistake, as the conference acknowledged the error.
Stewart's arrest is the latest in a string of off-field issues involving college football players. Just last week, former NFL star Cordarrelle Patterson was arrested on a domestic assault charge, highlighting the ongoing challenges teams face in managing player conduct. For Oregon, the focus now shifts to how the program will handle Stewart's situation, both legally and internally.
The Ducks will look to move past this distraction as they prepare for their next matchup. With a 4-2 record, Oregon remains in the hunt for a strong finish, but the team will need to address this incident promptly to maintain focus on the field. Stewart's status for upcoming games is uncertain, and the program's response will be closely watched by fans and media alike.
As the story develops, more details are expected to emerge. For now, Oregon fans are left with more questions than answers about one of their key playmakers.
