On paper, No. 24 Oregon (3-0) is a clear favorite against Arizona State (1-2). Oregon wields one of the most potent offenses in the country, while the Sun Devils rank near the bottom in most defensive categories. That’s part of the reason why the Ducks are listed as 14-point favorites, according to ESPN.
However, Arizona State’s nonconference schedule was much tougher than the Ducks’ which explains its current record and statistics. It also begs the question, how prepared is Oregon for Pac-12 play after a relatively light nonconference schedule?
Well, for starters, Oregon is not overlooking the Sun Devils.
“They’re tremendously athletic,” Troy Dye said. “I mean, it’s Pac-12 play now. So we’re going to start seeing a lot more faster offenses, more athleticism, bigger guys, faster guys; you’ll start seeing a lot more of that now. We’re looking forward to the challenge and just ready to show everybody what we’re made of.”
Arizona State posses a number of offensive weapons, including quarterback Manny Wilkins and running back Kalen Ballage. Ballage ran for 62 yards and two touchdowns and racked up 105 receiving yards in last year’s matchup with the Ducks, which Oregon won 54-35. Wilkins didn’t play against Oregon last season after injuring his shoulder the week prior, but he has impressed in three games this season. He’s completed 68 percent of his 101 passes, with seven touchdowns and zero interceptions.
“[That] boy can throw a good deep ball,” defensive back Arrion Springs said. “He really likes deep and outside. Corners can’t really get to it. He’s thrown, like, 100 passes and no interceptions. Man, that’s really impressive.”
Oregon is preparing for a passing attack from Arizona State, which has thrown for 945 yards and only rushed for 291 as a team this season.
“They give a challenge downfield on deep balls and stuff like that but I feel that’s nothing that we can’t handle,” Springs said. “We just have to make plays on the ball when it’s in the air.”
To counter Arizona State’s athleticism, tackling has become a focal point of Oregon’s defensive approach. The Sun Devils’ offense practically runs on receivers or backs making plays in the open field. Oregon defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt hopes to use this weeks’ matchup as an opportunity to work on tackling, an area he thinks has been a mixed bag this season.
“Sometimes good, sometimes not so good,” Leavitt said. “We got to continue to work on it, especially this week because they has got some athletes.”
Faoliu to play, Nelson status still uncertain
Freshman defensive lineman Austin Faoliu started in Oregon’s first two games this season but didn’t travel with the team to play Wyoming. He was apparently held out with a foot injury, but head coach Willie Taggart said at Wednesday’s practice that he would play on Saturday.
Faoliu didn’t record any stats against Southern Utah, but had one solo tackle and one assisted tackle against Nebraska.
Charles Nelson’s status for Saturday’s game is also up in the air. Nelson sprained his ankle in the first half of Oregon’s 49-13 win over Wyoming. Taggart hasn’t updated his status since Monday when he confirmed Nelson’s injury was just a sprain. Nelson is listed as a starter on Oregon’s depth chart this week but reports say he hasn’t participated in practices this week.
Follow Gus Morris on Twitter @JustGusMorris
Oregon players and coaches call ASU most athletic team they’ve faced this season
Gus Morris
September 19, 2017
Adam Eberhardt
Oregon Ducks linebacker Troy Dye (35) celebrates after making a sack. The Oregon Ducks host the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (Adam Eberhardt/Emerald)
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