Oregon Ducks Earn A Big Ten-Style Win To Reach 11-0

By SPENCER McLAUGHLIN
Contributor, 750 The Game

Early in the season, the Ducks struggled to a pair of wins against Idaho (24-14) and Boise State (37-34). Those games were chalked up, correctly in my view, to early season woes and incorporating a new QB in Dillon Gabriel.

So what should we make of the Ducks’ 16-13 slugfest victory against Wisconsin in which they didn’t score a touchdown until the fourth quarter? Playing their 8th straight game while the Badgers were at home off a bye? Injuries? Just an off day?

I see it as a mix of all 3. Oregon’s offensive line looked like they got beat on a routine basis against Wisconsin on Saturday night. Jordan James had another 100-yard game, but Oregon ran for just 3.4 yards per carry against a defense allowing 165 yards per game on the ground this year. The Ducks got just 136.

I thought at times offensive coordinator Will Stein was a tad pass happy in the first half, particularly on 1st and goal from the 10. Gabriel made an awful throw that was picked off and stopped Oregon from taking an early 2-possession lead, but getting that close to the endzone and not letting Jordan James have the first crack at getting closer to the goal line wasn’t what I thought the Ducks should have done. 

Then in the second half Stein heard the complaints of Oregon fans on twitter seeking a better rushing attack–only to see the Badgers take that away. James’ longest run went for 14 yards and while he was great as always, once again the Oregon rushing game failed to impress.

Speaking of failing to impress, that just doesn’t apply to Oregon’s defense this season. Their numbers have been great, holding all but 2 opponents (Boise State and Ohio State) to under 20 points. The Badgers were 1-12 (!!) on 3rd down and 1-2 on 4th. Brandon Johnson had a big pass breakup on 3rd and 9 late in the fourth quarter, and who else would seal the game but Matayo Uiagalelei? 

I didn’t mind Dan Lanning calling for the fake field goal to try and ice the game. That shows a good amount of faith in his defense, doesn’t it? That faith was rewarded when Jamaree Caldwell batted the ball in the air and Uiagalelei had the awareness to collect the tipped pass. Tosh Lupoi’s guys held Wisconsin QB Braedon Locke to 96 yards passing with that game-sealing interception.

Oregon didn’t play a great game. They looked tired and had a lot of the same mistakes as last week. Dillon Gabriel didn’t account for a touchdown for the first time all season. He played poorly, but boy did he show up when Oregon needed to. A 4th and 9 needle to Terrance Ferguson and a 3rd and 4 scramble to move the sticks in key spots come to mind.

The Ducks need to get healthy. It’s clear the passing game is missing WR Tez Johnson, and the offensive line doesn’t look the same without Marcus Harper on the interior. The Ducks shuffled the interior rotations again, playing the trio of Nishad Strother, Kawika Rogers, and Dave Iuli at the 2 guard positions. 

Confidence in the defense is, as usual, completely warranted for the Ducks. The offense has things to figure out amidst a timely bye to get healthy and get back on track. After all, the next game is the one Oregon would most like to win if they were on track to have a 1-11 record. They’re not, but you get my point.

Lanning has to beat this Huskies team, and he has 2 weeks to get his team ready. His 11-0 football team, that is. Oregon playing another subpar game but winning on the road is something to be celebrated, not looked down upon.

On to the next, with everything in front of them.

Spencer McLaughlin is an Oregon Ducks football contributor to 750 The Game. He also hosts the “Locked On Oregon Ducks” and “Locked On College Football” podcasts and has work featured throughout the season here.