Duck fans give Talmadge Jackson III a hard time, but give him credit: he led Oregon yesterday with 10 tackles, and he is tied for the team lead on the season with 26 (along with Eddie Pleasant and John Boyett). Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger come next with 24 and 23. Jackson critics will discount the numbers by assuming his tackles came in unsuccessful pass defense, but TJIII is good in run support and a sure tackler in the open field. Jesuit product Owen Marecic led Stanford in tackles yesterday, also with 10.
The balance in the tackle numbers reflect Oregon's balance, depth, and swarming, pursuing defense. Interestingly, Zac Clark and Kenny Rowe come next with 18. Here's the full list of double-digit tacklers:
TJIII 26 Boyett 26 Pleasant 26 Matthews 24 Paysinger 23 Clark 18 Rowe 18 Clay 17 Bair 16 Lewis 15 Kaddu 13 Turner 13 Harris 13 Littlejohn 13 Jordan 12
Gildon 12 Johnson 12 Lokombo 11 Brian Jackson 11
Brian Jackson, Marvin Johnson, Dion Jordan, and Bo Lokombo are invaluable for their contributions on special teams. The coverage teams had an excellent day yesterday, limiting the Cardinal to a 16.6 yard average on 7 kick returns and 1.0 average on two punts. Oregon's special teams have produced a huge advantage in field position all season.
Kenny Rowe had the only sack in the Stanford game, and it came at a crucial time. The game was still close late in the third quarter, and Stanford had a 3rd and 9 on their own 35. It forced their first three and out of the game, and served notice Luck would be harrassed and hurried for the rest of the contest. Luck was never comfortable in the second half after having his way in the first, looking decidedly un-Heismanlike with a fumble and two picks as the Cardinal were outscored 28-0 after the break.
Speaking of awards, I wonder if a second string cornerback has ever won the Jim Thorpe trophy. Oregon's lockdown pickpocket Cliff Harris intercepted two balls yesterday, broke up another pass, and had five tackles. He's a strong tackler for a little guy, and used his leaping ability and textbook instincts in playing Luck for a fool twice. For the season now Harris has 4 picks, including one returned for a td, 8 passes defended, and the 13 tackles.
As a team, the defense has had its lapses this year, but they've allowed a total of 7 points in the second half and have forced 21 turnovers, 11 interceptions and 10 fumbles. Two weeks in a row now they've turned opponents away on fourth down inside the ten, and those stops are like turnovers multiplied. Eddie Pleasant's 51-yard fumble recovery doesn't count as a defensive score but it had the same effect, LaMichael James finishing for him on the next play with a 3 yard scamper. With three defensive scores and three on special teams, Oregon is on pace to have their best year ever in that category.
On offense, seven different Ducks have caught touchdown passes, and speedy, athletic 2nd tight end Brandon Williams is likely to join them as his hand heals. Williams has a 29 yard catch this year, and seven players have a catch of 25 yards or more, including touchdown strikes of 47 to Maehl, 25 to Davis, 29 to Tuinei, 54 to Huff, 61 to Paulson, and 60 to Barner. All but the Barner play were passes downfield, Barner's coming on a screen against New Mexico.
Darron Thomas' increased confidence and comfort level will play huge dividends in the weeks ahead, as the Ducks become even more potent in spreading the field sideline-to-sideline and vertically, creating more pressure on imposing defenses. The Oregon attack is the most effective and entertaining in the country, number one statistically in points and total offense and 2nd in rushing yards.
The anatomy of winning is a very satisfying study.
After Lewis had that fumble, I was really happy to see him redeem himself. That is a lesson he will never forget- to never get too down over mistakes and just keep playing your heart out.
ReplyDeleteDale,
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that it's a good thing for TJIII to be a sure tackler, it might be a good thing if he broke the pass up before the receiver caught it. Look at the column under passes defended. He's got ONE on the entire season. Most of our DL have at least one. If he would work on knocking the pass down, I would live with his tackle totals not being as high.
Steve--
ReplyDeleteWe try to accentuate the positive whener we can, but you know football far better than people who haven't played it. No doubt TJIII has to contest the ball better. Weird thing is, on so many of those plays he's in great position, blanketing the receiver, right on the ball, he just has trouble finding it.
The guy works hard, and I've got to believe John Neal will make him an even better football player as the season progresses. On the other side, Harris and Gildon have displayed some great ball skills, Harris in particular.
Thanks for your comments.
Dale