The return of a healthy Devan Long at defensive end will be a welcome sight for the Oregon defense as it prepares to take on Arizona State, one of the nation’s highest-rated offenses.
Long, last year’s team sack leader, is recovering from a leg injury suffered in the season-opener against Houston. The senior was sidelined for subsequent games against Montana and Fresno State and played a limited role against USC.
Long recorded three unassisted tackles and a game-high two sacks against Stanford on Saturday.
“I’m still trying to get back to 100 percent, but I am coming along,” Long said. “It felt good to get back out there,” he added.
Long’s presence helped a defensive line that had struggled to pressure the quarterback in the early season. Entering last weekend, the Ducks had sacked opposing quarterbacks only seven times in four games. Oregon had five sacks against Stanford and limited Cardinal quarterback Trent Edwards to 156 yards passing.
The Duck defense also held Stanford to 220 total yards of offense and 64 yards rushing. Stanford gained a mere 15 yards in the second half and failed to score an offensive touchdown in the third and fourth quarter for the second consecutive week.
“Devan Long makes us whole on the defensive line,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said. “He’s an effort guy and the best pass rusher that we have.”
Getting pressure on the quarterback will be key for the Ducks this weekend against quarterback Sam Keller and a potent Sun Devil offense.
Nationally, Arizona State ranks first in passing yards, fourth in total yards per game and eighth in points per game.
Keller’s favorite target this season has been senior wide receiver Derek Hagan, who, with 593 total receiving yards, ranks second nationally behind Oregon State’s Mike Hass (831).
“[The Sun Devils] have always had a good offense,” Long said. “We have to look at tape and find some tendencies.”
Correctable Mistakes
Though it didn’t hurt them last weekend, the thorn in the Ducks’ side has been penalties. Oregon was penalized an eye-popping 16 times for 170 yards on Saturday compared with Stanford’s 8 for 64 yards.
Oregon’s 46 total penalties rank third highest in the nation, and its 442 total penalty yards rank as the second highest total behind only Texas Tech.
“I don’t like it. I don’t condone it, and we will do everything we can to stop it,” Bellotti said. “But they are things we can learn from and are not things that are set in stone in terms of we’re always going to assume we are going to get penalties.”
Saturday’s game has all the makings of an ugly contest as Arizona State has also been penalized 46 times but for slightly less yardage. The Sun Devils rank fourth highest in the nation with 415 total penalty yards.
Owning the Second
Oregon has outscored its opponents a combined 55-27 in the second quarter this season. The Ducks outscored Stanford 14-3 in last weekend’s 44-20 route.
The Ducks have scored more than their opponent in each quarter except the last, where teams have outscored the Ducks 37-32.
Likewise, Arizona State has outscored its opponents big in the second quarter, holding a commanding 76-22 advantage, and the Sun Devils have outscored opponents in the first half by a whopping 111-29.
Injury Update
Cornerback Aaron Gipson received a concussion against Stanford and was examined yesterday by doctors. The senior leads the Ducks with four interceptions on the season and is only one shy of breaking into Oregon’s top 10 list for career interceptions.
According to Bellotti, Gipson is expected to be available for Saturday’s game.
Both Terrence Whitehead (with a groin injury) and Jonathan Stewart (with an ankle injury) are making steady improvements and should be in the lineup against Arizona State as well, according to running backs coach Gary Campbell. Whitehead was held out of last weekend’s game against Stanford and Stewart carried only five times but scored three total touchdowns.

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