The following is an excerpt from an e-mail debate between Emerald sports reporter Lucas Clark and Daily Bruin sports reporter Blair Angulo:
Lucas Clark: Over the past four weeks, the Oregon offense has improved dramatically in every facet of the game. Redshirt freshman LaMichael James has proven that he is more than capable of shouldering the running load with back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances against Utah and Cal. He would have easily elapsed the century mark again last weekend had the score been reasonably close, but James also has several talented backups in redshirt freshman Kenjon Barner, junior Remene Alston and senior Andre Crenshaw. And with the passing game picking up as well, the Ducks will be a tough test for a UCLA defense that allows less than 100 yards rushing per game.
Blair Angulo: It’s no secret — Oregon is finally living up its lofty preseason expectations. After losing their opener at Boise State and a pair of close calls with Purdue and Utah, the Ducks were simply dominant against both California and Washington State. Yet, the Bruins, at least defensively, should pose a tougher challenge — even after Stanford’s Toby Gerhart, the Pac-10’s leading rusher, ran at will against them last Saturday. Schematically, UCLA will attempt to force runs to the inside, where junior defensive tackle Brian Price is tough to block. Price weighs 300 pounds and was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection last year.
LC: UCLA free safety Rahim Moore is having a standout sophomore campaign for the Bruins with five interceptions through the first four games, but at six feet one inch and 197 pounds, he as well as the rest of the secondary could have a problem with Oregon’s big and physical tight ends in Ed Dickson and David Paulson. Dickson has recorded 18 receptions for 251 yards and four touchdowns in the Ducks last two games, while Paulson adds another strong blocker on the outside and has some of the better hands on the team. UCLA’s Alterraun Verner will have a better shot at locking down the lanky Oregon receivers on the outside, but I expect another big game out of Dickson.
BA: Physically, Moore looks more like a corner, but his speed and ability to track the ball have been valuable assets at safety. Funny that you mention his size — last week at Stanford, Moore tried to send a message by laying a big hit on a bigger receiver. Instead, Moore suffered a concussion and did not return to action. UCLA redshirt sophomore linebacker Akeem Ayers is typically the one assigned to tight ends in pass defense, while redshirt senior linebackers Reggie Carter and Kyle Bosworth worry more about the run. At six feet four inches, Ayers has the size to match Dickson. The Ayers-Dickson matchup is definitely one to keep an eye on.
LC: I agree. That will be one of the better matchups. The UCLA defense is definitely the team’s strong point in my opinion. But the Oregon defense has been nothing short of remarkable considering the number of injuries they’ve had to deal with. Losing safety T.J. Ward, cornerback and return man Walter Thurmond III, and now the torn ACL to cornerback Willie Glasper has put a big hole in the Oregon secondary. The defensive line, lead by Brandon Bair and Will Tukuafu, has shown great improvement against the run this season, which was one of the Ducks biggest concerns heading into summer camp. Experienced linebackers Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger have provided great leadership and are both great at reading what the offense gives them.
BA: The Ducks have allowed a combined nine points over their last two games — highlighted by a brilliant effort against the vaunted Golden Bears’ offense. The Bruins rank 106th nationally in total offense, but will have the services of redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Prince, who was out three weeks after suffering a fractured jaw in the team’s thrilling win at Tennessee. Prince has the arm strength to stretch the field — something redshirt senior Kevin Craft lacks in his arsenal.
LC: Prince is clearly the better quarterback in my mind, granted he is still only a redshirt freshman. Going three weeks without being able to eat a solid meal, while having his jaw wired shut, says something about his character off the field. He appears to be very dedicated and will be the leader for the Bruins for years to come. My concern lies with the Ducks quarterback situation. Junior Jeremiah Masoli will likely see no action this week, which will leave things in the hands of junior Nate Costa. Costa has won over his teammates and coaches throughout practice and camp over the past few years, but I’m not sold on him just yet.
BA: The fact that Costa will be playing on the road — at the Rose Bowl — does not help, either. Like Costa, Prince has earned his teammates’ respect after earning the starting job during the spring. And despite being sidelined for nearly a month, coach Rick Neuheisel has given him the majority of the reps in practice this week. Offensive coordinator Norm Chow, a renowned quarterback guru, likes Prince’s composure in the pocket and his mobility. The Bruins need a quarterback that can get them into the end zone and Neuheisel, along with the Bruin fanbase, believes Prince can do that. Redshirt junior place kicker Kai Forbath, a Lou Groza Award watch list honoree, has been efficient in going 12-of-13. But even Neuheisel would say that’s too many attempts.
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Points of Debate
Daily Emerald
October 8, 2009
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