Pages

Monday, September 4, 2023

Dan Lanning and the Oregon staff employ strategy and subterfuge in 81-7 pasting of Portland State


 In a celebratory hype video by the Oregon media department, Dan Lanning says, “What’s your effort. What’s your level? Our foot's on the gas all game.”

Despite the 81 points, the Ducks didn't run up the score against Portland State. They played 23 freshmen. Thousand-yard rusher Bucky Irving had just four carries (he turned them into 119 yards and two long touchdowns, 52 and 56 yards, the second on a fourth-and-one play after a devastating jump cut.) Bo Nix tossed a touchdown pass on the first drive of the third quarter and didn't take another snap. His backup Ty Thompson turned in a 7-8 passing performance in the third quarter before giving way to true freshman Austin Novosad in the fourth. Running back Noah Whittington was in for one play, the opening kickoff.

In his 47th start as a college quarterback, Nix didn't have a single rushing attempt for the first time in his career. The Ducks were cautious, sitting out injured players and players who were a little banged up. Offensive lineman Nishad Strother, linebacker Jestin Jacobs, DE/OLB Mase Funa, receivers Ashton Cozart and Josh Delgado didn't play. 

On defense the Ducks came out on the first series with a lineup that included walk-on linebacker Bryce Boettcher, Emar'rion Winston and Jake Shipley. The unit struggled a bit on that opening possession, losing contain on the quarterback and missing assignments on a 9-play, 75-yard Viking drive that narrowed the score to 8-7.

In total the Ducks allowed 124 yards in that first quarter. For the rest of the game, they allowed just 76 and an average of 2.1 yards a play. While playing 23 freshmen, who flashed talent and maintained the standard of effort and execution. On a fourth down attempt by PSU, true freshman Blake Purchase provided pressure. Newcomer Daylen Austin broke up a pass. Five-star newcomer Matayo Uiagalelei displayed elite moves and quickness while playing a significant chunk of the game, contributing 3 tackles in his Duck debut.

On the offensive line coach A'lique Terry opened with freshman Iapani "Pancho" Laloulu at center, and he showed the heavy hands and quick first strike that make him so promising. Likely starter Jackson Powers-Johnson took over after that, getting some work on his snaps well into the fourth quarter.

Sack leader Brandon Dorlus didn't play in the first quarter but entered the game in the second. He's quicker as a senior, with a renewed urgency. The Ducks didn't get to Viking quarterback Dante Chachere, but PSU was careful to protect his health, attempting only 14 passes and pulling him in the second half. The few throws they made were mostly quick passes and rollouts. Even then he was hurried and harassed.

The Ducks attempted and made a 41-yard field goal leading 64-7 with 2:08 to play in the third period, but it was important to get that special teams unit on the field, for rhythm and consistency. 

After the game Portland State head coach Bruce Barnum said, “Oregon's opponents will have a hard time finding a weakness in that team. I just watched four quarters of it and they are pretty damn good. They are not just fast, they are a strong football team. ... We were outmatched everywhere.”

Despite the record-setting score the Webfoots ran their 729-horsepower stock car with restrictor plates. They emptied the bench. They ran basic plays. Their advantage in size, speed, strength, scholarship numbers and budget was so great that the points kept piling up.

Next week against Texas Tech Lanning and his staff will take the governor off the carburetor. They'll play their best lineup from the opening whistle. They'll take more than one deep shot. They'll disguise pressure, stunting, blitzing and twisting with inventiveness and abandon. Nix will keep throwing until the game is out of reach. The Ducks opened as 7.5-point favorites. That number is too low.

Posted by Dale Bliss at 5:30 AM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)