Great F&%#ing Schemes: UCLA Game Review
Chips off the old block.
HEY, YOU! I have the Pac-12 Power Poll right here, and it’s ready for your vote. But read the article first, maybe? And then go vote? Yeah, do that.
The Ducks beat UCLA by 17 points, and somehow the final score was still just 34-31—but forget all that, because Oregon finally looked like the Oregon that travelled to Columbus so many moons ago.
In my infinite, boring logic, I was hyper-focused on Oregon’s run game coming into Saturday, but clearly Joe Moorhead had a totally different idea. Anthony Brown threw for 296 yards and completed 74% of his passes in a masterfully drawn up and executed passing attack that Duck fans have been begging to see.
I was right that Devon Williams, would continue to be a favorite target for AB. Williams and JJ3 both had monster games—especially with a steady diet of well-blocked outside option screen passes.
You wanted a dynamic passing game? It’s here, baby.
Even with all the success passing, Travis Dye still found a way to grab an NCAA record four touchdowns on four straight touches—which, at the time, came on just eight total carries.
And AB (our leading rusher) ran in yet another eventual game-winning score when he busted out a 43-yard monster behind a still-MacGyvered offensive line that blocked their asses off all day.
Still Forsyth-less, Ryan Walk led the charge as he moved over to Center helped to give up just one sack all day. Give Anthony the protection he needs, and you’ll see results.
I told you that Brown had to be even just a little bit better each game, and he’d be exactly what Oregon needed him to be to win. I’d say that held pretty true.
As for the interception(s) elephant in the room…
The picks came at awful times in the game, but they’re also exactly what you invite when you attack through the air at a higher clip. Up until Saturday, AB hadn’t thrown more than 28 passes in a game this year, but he slanged it 39 times on the Bruins.
The first of those picks was all on him, but the second pick was an absolute harebrained play call to begin with, so I put at least half of that one on the also otherwise impressive JoMo.
I’ve been saying that this season is going to be a ride, and AB is going to be both the cause of, and solution to, Oregon’s problems. This UCLA win was huge, and it doesn’t happen if he doesn’t complete 11 straight passes to start the second half and pull the Ducks out from the depths once-a-fricken-gain.
But let’s talk about that defense.
The secondary had their best game of the year, and that could only have been overshadowed by a heroic—dare I say, Heismanic—performance by Kayvon “Fucking” Thibodeux.
In his first full game of the season, KT grabbed a career high 9 total tackles (8 solo), and 4.5 tackles for loss. He also had two big sacks and a forced fumble.
He’s also probably the first person in a long time to get away with saying the “fuck” word on ABC.
Thibs is so obviously the key that unlocks this whole Oregon defense, and it’s no wonder that we were just treading water and waiting for him to make his grand return.
I’m still not entirely sold on the whole “drop KT back in coverage” thing, but just like with everything other part of this team I’ll easily take the fantastic with the nonsensical and enjoy the ride.
With such a wide open Heisman landscape, don’t be surprised if the last half of the season is enough for KT to at least earn an invitation to NYC.
Other big defensive plays included: Dorlus’ QB hit that led to DJ James’ first pick; Verone’s acrobatic, touchdown-saving deflection; Noah Sewell’s knockdown on the QB spy (which he played so well all day); and then, of course, DJ James’ second pick.
We’re still riding the dragon, folks. The Ducks are 6-1, 7th in the AP Poll, and squarely in the driver’s seat for the Pac-12 North.
We’re still riding that dragon, folks.
I wear a watch with a heart rate monitor, and I can tell you that the four to five hours of Duck football every Saturday is clearly leaving it’s physiological mark. Maybe I should get a really good postgame meditation app or something?
Go Ducks.
It’s worth noting that Brown threw 3 interceptions. One was negated by a defensive penalty. He threw 39 times and about 8% were picked off. BTW 0% were TD passes. . What’s it all mean? Ask Joe Moorhead.