Oregon defensive backs coach John Neal told The Oregonian that, following the No. 4 Ducks’ 42-31 victory at Arizona State, the defense experienced “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” It’s not hard to see the divisions.
The most obvious good, of course, is that Oregon (4-0, 1-0 Pacific-10 Conference) won the game against the upset-minded Sun Devils (2-2, 0-1 Pac-10). The defense forced seven turnovers, including four interceptions of ASU quarterback Steven Threet. One of those interceptions was returned for a touchdown by John Boyett; a third-quarter lateral pass was picked up and returned for a touchdown by Boseko Lokombo. Another fumble recovered by Casey Matthews could have been returned for a touchdown had it not initially been ruled an incomplete pass by officials.
Oregon has allowed just 11 points per game through four games, which is tied for third nationally. Further, the Ducks have yet to allow a point in the fourth quarter of any game this season.
The bad and the ugly can be chosen from several numbers.
Arizona State gained 597 total yards, 387 from the passing arm of Threet (30 of 53, three touchdowns). The Sun Devils had 10 more first downs than the Ducks and ran 30 more offensive plays. Freshman running back Deantre Lewis was sensational, rushing 11 times for 127 yards (11.5 yards a carry) and a touchdown. Arizona State was kept off the board in the fourth quarter only because Oregon forced three turnovers. The Sun Devils converted nine of 20 third-down opportunities, a stellar percentage against a Ducks defense that allowed eight out of 43 in the previous three games.
One other intangible: The new spread offense Arizona State implemented caught a defense accustomed to seeing the spread off guard multiple times throughout the hot, dry, Tempe night.
Into town rolls ESPN College GameDay, an exciting distraction that will rile up the fan base and bring additional clout to a match-up between No. 4 Oregon and No. 9 Stanford. By the way, the Cardinal are also 4-0 (1-0 Pac-10) and spoiled the Ducks’ bid for a perfect conference record last season in Palo Alto.
The scoreboard read Stanford 51, Oregon 42. With quarterback Andrew Luck again at the helm (this time without backfield mate Toby Gerhart), speculators will once again debate the merits of the Ducks’ defense in what looks to be a classic Pac-10 shootout on a national stage.
Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti’s charges have enviable depth across the board, allowing for substitutions without much drop-off and in-game reprieves for the starters. Additionally, Aliotti and the Oregon coaching staff have proven capable of making in-game adjustments. The Ducks have won every second half this season by a combined score of 86-7.
“That’s what great teams do,” Matthews told The Register-Guard after Saturday’s win. “They fix their mistakes.”
Whether or not the Ducks are a great team will not be determined until December, or even January. What has been proven thus far is that Oregon is a complete team, with the oft-maligned defense capable of having an impact when it’s needed most.
“Throughout a long game and a long season, the other team is going to make plays,” Boyett told The Register-Guard. “We face a lot of great athletes and great teams in this league, and they’re going to make plays. We’ve just got to continue to battle, and we battled in this game.”
Gone is the top national rank in scoring defense. Also, the top national rank in total defense — Oregon is now allowing 294.25 yards per game, 23rd among Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
Stanford comes to Autzen Stadium with its classic pro-style offense, featuring as many as seven offensive linemen and a fullback lined up for the power-running game and a quarterback with good accuracy and arm strength.
Teams will come up with big plays against the Oregon defense, as Arizona State did. The Ducks’ response Saturday night was a positive indicator in a season that only gets tougher from here.
[email protected]