An island surrounded by vast expanses of ocean is what most people think of when they hear the phrase “shipwrecked.” The island is usually inhospitable, and the overriding theme of the experience is loneliness. One slowly starts to wonder if they will ever be saved from the clutches of despair by a passing ship or plane.
 
Now try to apply that same feeling of being shipwrecked to what a cornerback feels every play on defense. They’re out there all alone, one-on-one, with very little help. They mess up, and the receiver scores a touchdown. One slip or one mistimed jump can be the difference between a broken up pass or losing the game.
 
“You really have to have confidence,” senior cornerback Walter Thurmond III said. “You can’t go out there and be scared. I can remember back to my first game, I was just excited for that game. But as a corner, you have to have a different type of confidence because you’re out there on an island.”
 
The island metaphor is one a lot of defensive backs use to describe their position, but at Oregon, it takes on a whole new meaning because although they’re alone for awhile, they know the other 10 guys on the field are right there to rescue them.
 
Secondary coach John Neal says that is the key concept of his unit and the defense as a whole: togetherness.
 
“We’re playing as a unit right now,” Neal said. “If we’re stopping the run, everyone is stopping the run. If we’re stopping the pass, everyone is. I think that it’s poor judgment by most people to think that this unit should get credit when all 11 pieces have to work together.”
While Neal won’t take credit for the accomplishments the defensive secondary has been a large part why Oregon is ranked No. 25 in the nation in pass efficiency defense. Quarterbacks are averaging a 98.78 QB rating against Oregon, and completing 51 percent of their passes.
 
“Really, we just play aggressive and hard,” said cornerback Talmadge Jackson III. “We are really physical and play as a team.”
 
While Jackson makes it sound simple, the reality has been a lot tougher, considering two of the most important members of the unit are injured. Safety T.J. Ward hurt his ankle during the Boise State game on Sept. 3 and hasn’t played or practiced since, although he is slated to return in the near future. But perhaps the bigger injury is the one Thurmond endured. He tore three ligaments in his right knee on the opening kickoff against Cal last Saturday and he’s out for the rest of the season.
 
It’s a tough break, says Jackson, but football is about the team so he believes the unit will be fine. They have to be.
 
“When you see two guys like that you have to just step up even more than you have earlier in the season,” he said. “You just have to keep staying positive. One day Walter will get back, and we just gotta keep supporting him because he’ll still be supporting us…he’s still going to be our leader.”
 
In Ward’s place, redshirt freshman John Boyett has exceeded expectations. He’s tied for second on the team in tackles with 24. He also made a key interception in the Utah game that stopped a potential game-winning drive.
 
“John’s done a great job,” head coach Chip Kelly said. “I said it the other day, it’s almost like John’s a wily veteran.”
 
“John didn’t expect T.J. to get hurt — no one wanted that — but as soon as it did, we weren’t afraid of who would fill the spot,” Jackson added. “John came in and played like a starter and like he’s been here for a season or two.”
 
Another standout has been sophomore Javes Lewis, who is tied with Boyett in tackles. After his fumble return for a touchdown against Purdue, fans began to notice that there is a wealth of talent in the secondary defense.
 
“(The secondary) was a question mark coming into the season because the only proven players back there were T.J. and Walter,” Kelly said. “And now with the emergence of Willie (Glasper), Javes and Talmadge, it makes you feel better about the depth in the secondary.”
For the rest of the season, the news will be whether or not the Ducks can continue their success without Thurmond. To Neal, however, it’s not whether or not they do — they have to.
 
“We better keep doing it,” he said. “I don’t know how you lose special players like that and remain consistent. That’s why I believe with all my heart that it’s 11 guys and that’s why we’re having success.”
 
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