The No. 5 Oregon Ducks pitched their second shutout in three games Saturday afternoon en route to the most complete performance seen on the defensive side of the ball this season.
Oregon held the visiting Portland State Vikings to just 140 yards of total offense, while dominating both the ground and passing games.
Portland State finished the game with 74 yards rushing to go along with just 66 yards through the air.
Second-year Oregon head coach Chip Kelly was particularly pleased with the pressure his defense was able to keep on Portland State quarterback Connor Kavanaugh throughout the game.
“He’s a tough kid, and I told him that right after the game,” Kelly said. “I really have a lot of respect for Conner. He hung in there and took some shots.”
The Duck defense sacked Kavanaugh four times as he finished the game with negative seven yards rushing. He completed eight of his 21 pass attempts for 18 yards.
“That’s what we came out trying to do,” linebacker Josh Kaddu said. “Just have pressure on the QB throughout the game and hope we get there. And we did a few times, so we did our job.”
Kaddu was one of seven Duck players to record four or more tackles, finishing the game with five takedowns. Redshirt freshman Brian Jackson led Oregon with eight tackles, forced a fumble and intercepted one pass.
The Ducks held Portland State to just seven first downs in the game, while handing the Vikings a 0 for 18 bid on third-down conversions.
Overall, Oregon’s defensive pressure contributed to an abysmal offensive showing for the Vikings. Portland State moved the ball for just 16 yards in the first quarter, 23 in the second, 49 in the third, and 52 in the fourth.
“Holding them to no points and very few yards is great,” senior Casey Matthews said. “So as a defense, you take that in stride. It’s confidence, and we’ll take that into Pac-10 play.”
Oregon won the turnover battle for the third straight game. The Vikings put the ball on the turf four times and the Ducks were able to capitalize on three of those miscues.
Matthews, sophomore Michael Clay, and redshirt freshman Boseko Lokombo each recovered a fumble.
Up front the defensive line enforced its will yet again, with seven tackles for loss, in addition to the four sacks.
Senior defensive tackle Brandon Bair set new career highs with two sacks and three tackles for loss. He also deflected two passes to bring his team-high season total to five.
With the game well in hand and a cushy 45-point lead going into halftime, defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti was able to clear his bench by the start of the second half. That trend has been a reoccurring theme in the Ducks first three games in 2010, which could prove to be pivotal experience heading into league play next week.
“My mindset will be the same every week, no matter who we play,” Matthews said. “Coach Kelly does a really good job of getting us prepared and ready whether it’s the best team in the nation or the worst team in the nation. So we’ll be ready for Arizona State.”
[email protected]