Oregon had a brilliant defensive plan for Saturday's 42-6 thrashing of Colorado. Against the starters and rotational players during the first three quarters the 3-0 Buffaloes were shut out, limited to 72 yards, 1.47 per play, a startling -23 rushing yards after sacks were deducted.
Through those first three periods celebrated Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders had completed 15-22 passes for 95 yards, but the Ducks had sacked him six times (Jordan Burch and Casey Rogers would add another one in the fourth quarter.) Demetrice Martin's secondary put the clamps on his receivers, the Front Seven kept him in the pocket, pressured him on play after play. Receivers were tackled immediately with little yardage after catch, so much so that the Buffs trailed 42-0 with only 7 first downs.
In the last period against the Oregon reserves, the visitors put together a face-saving 93-yard drive against the second and third team to avoid the shutout, but still they were held to just 199 yards for the game.
Realize that this was a Colorado team that in Week One shocked college football with a 45-42 road victory over TCU, a team that played in the national championship game last year. In that one Sanders threw for 510 yards and four touchdowns, 38-47 passing.
Defensive back Khyree Jackson is quickly establishing himself as Oregon's lockdown corner. Saturday he had 4 tackles while knocking away three passes, using leverage and elite cover skills to blanket receivers and take away the deep ball.
Khyree Jackson had a day. 👀 pic.twitter.com/feVPUdPRiz
— ☘️LegalizeQuack☘️ (@Legalize_Quack) September 24, 2023
Meanwhile, Oregon's strong inside rushers, Popo Aumavae, Rogers, Taki Tamiani and Teitum Tuioti, regularly pushed Colorado's interior linemen back into the quarterback's face while the edge rushers and blitzing linebackers pinched him from the outside. This resulted not only in seven sacks but numerous pressures and hits.
Watched Oregon's D first today. Colorado's O was in a blender. The Ore pass defense is legit. They've held 3 straight FBS opponents to a negative EPA on drop backs. The entire secondary is playing well.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 24, 2023
My favorite play was two true freshman pass rushers meeting at the QB. pic.twitter.com/TkcfpsHQfF
Connor Soelle led all defenders with six tackles. He did a great job in underneath coverage and limiting passing yards by the backs, which had been a staple of Colorado's early success in their 3-0 start. Safety Evan Williams contributed four tackles and 1.5 sacks, while South Carolina transfer Burch had two sacks.
Also noteworthy is that the Ducks are DEEP on defense. This was a stop in the second quarter with Oregon leading 21-0. Jake Shipley and Bryce Boettcher combine to make a play. Tosh Lupoi is rotating 26-30 guys when the game is still competitive. A full 22 players recorded at least one tackle.
The Oregon defensive end setting the edge is mid 3-star Jake Shipley, and the linebacker making the tackle is walk-on Bryce Boettcher who's on loan from the baseball team. pic.twitter.com/ENcSsqHyxY
— hythloday almond (@hythloday1) September 25, 2023
No. 19 Colorado Buffaloes vs. No. 10 Oregon Ducks Highlights
— Dale Bliss (@DSH_Newton) September 25, 2023
https://t.co/KexKG3FiNN
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