PULLMAN, Wash. – The blueprint for stopping Oregon’s spread offense seems very simple: Stop the run.
More specifically, contain highly touted sophomore running back Jonathan Stewart.
Oregon is 4-0 when Stewart starts the game and rushes for more than 100 yards and 0-2 when he starts and does not. Stewart did not start in the victory against Fresno State.
In losses this season to Cal and Washington State, Oregon’s featured back was held to 25 yards and 28 yards, respectively.
In both games, the Oregon offense appeared out of sync, gaining just 70 total rushing yards in a 45-24 loss to Cal and rushing for 104 total yards against the Cougars in a 34-23 loss.
“Give them credit,” Stewart said of the Cougars. “They came out here ready to play and they took advantage of the things we didn’t do.”
Stewart received nine of his 11 carries in the first quarter and was benched after fumbling twice in the first quarter – one on an option pitch and another on Oregon’s two yard line that was negated after an offside penalty on Washington State. Stewart and quarterback Dennis Dixon fumbled on the exchange in the next play, which was credited to Dixon.
Officially, Stewart has fumbled three times this season but it could have been much worse Saturday.
“I just didn’t hold on to the football,” Stewart said. “I’m not sure what that is … I got down a little bit. I tried to keep my head up, but it was a bad day.”
Stewart carried twice in the third quarter gaining three yards. His replacement, Jeremiah Johnson, rushed for 63 yards on 12 carries.
“I was just trying to get my head right during that time because something wasn’t right,” Stewart said of being on the sidelines. “I was just trying to work on me.”
Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said Stewart’s nagging ankle injury from the season opener against Stanford may be one cause for his ball-security issues Saturday.
“One of the problems with Jonathan is that his ankle’s taped up,” Bellotti said. “It creates a little bit less agility. He’s a little bit not on stride sometimes.
“He’s not had a chance to practice as much recently the last couple of weeks. He usually doesn’t get to practice until Wednesday and that’s hard. He’s playing through some injuries and I applaud him in that regard. He was just struggling to handle the football today.”
Stewart also fumbled once against California and once against Oklahoma.
“Jonathan can handle the ball, he’s usually pretty good with that,” offensive coordinator Gary Crowton said. “He’s just got to get back to basics and work on the five points (of contact) of the ball and those things. He knows that. He’s determined.”
Stewart has rushed for 631 yards on 107 carries and scored five touchdowns this season.
Game Notes
Oregon’s offensive line displayed a new look Saturday labeled “Buffalo.” The Ducks first utilized the formation in the first quarter when backed up against their own goal line. In it, the Ducks eliminate the tight ends and insert two extra offensive linemen. Sophomore reserve tackles Mark Lewis and Jacob Hucko manned those two positions Saturday, along with junior guard Pat So’oalo.
Oregon rushed for 47 yards in one drive using the formation before a Stewart fumble gave the ball back to Washington State. Facing a deficit, Oregon did not return to it.
“We did it successfully, but the thing is, it just took time off the clock, time that we really needed in the end,” senior center Enoka Lucas said.
Bellotti said he hasn’t run the formation, primarily used for short-yardage situations, since his time as offensive coordinator at Oregon from 1989-1994 but reinstituted it last week.
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