Copyright The Oregonian
No. 8 Oregon blew out Rutgers 56-10 on Saturday at SHI Stadium. Here are 10 takeaways from the game as the Ducks (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) prepare to host Wisconsin (2-5, 0-4) on Saturday. 1) Video game numbers No matter how massive a mismatch, how many injuries an opponent has or any other circumstance, when a team puts up the kind of numbers Oregon did, it’s impressive. Against a Power Four conference opponent? It’s almost unfathomable. The Ducks gained the most yards and most rushing yards against any Power Four team this season. If not for the final offensive possession UO’s yards per play would’ve topped 13 and at 12.5 it’s likely a program record and one of the highest in Big Ten history. Add to it a defense that allowed 2.93 yards per play, forced three turnovers and only allowed any points on two drives that started inside its own 40. That level of combined excellence is unheard of. 2) The talent gap was extreme This is not a surprise given the state of each program’s recruiting efforts. But in terms of Big Ten opponents this was likely the least talented team Oregon will face this season. There are very few Rutgers players who would have roles on the UO roster. There is almost no Oregon player who wouldn’t have a significant role on RU’s roster. 3) Very little applies going forward Both of the aforementioned points can be true and therefore it means applying almost anything in terms of individual or collective performances to the future is moot. 4) Except for errors What can be applied going forward is Oregon’s own errors. A fumble by Gary Bryant Jr., interception by Dante Moore, muffed punt by Dakorien Moore and missed field goal are all controllable and avoidable. So too are at least two of Oregon’s penalties. 5) Offensive variety was back Will Stein was back to his usual ways of incorporating a variety of odd formations, reverses, flea flickers and the like. The one touchdown drive capped by a flea flicker pass to Kenyon Sadiq was a sequence of offensive superiority in skill and play-calling. Expecting Stein to push the envelope like this against top 10 opponents like Indiana is not reasonable. For one, more talented opponents aren’t going to fall for some of these tactics as easily. Two, in a largely risk averse business being extremely unconventional has its place until it blows up in your face. Stein has utilized plenty of variety against Ohio State and Penn State over the past two seasons, but asking where such plays were against Indiana is not entirely fair. Latest Ducks news Submit questions for Oregon Ducks mailbag following blowout win at Rutgers No. 6 Oregon reveals ‘Grateful Ducks’ uniforms for Wisconsin No. 6 Oregon opens as colossal favorite against Wisconsin 6) A shorter, tighter RB rotation is starting Some of this was by force with Jayden Limar out, but it’s clear that the order and rotation of the running backs is shifting. Noah Whittington may not get touches on seven of the first eight plays ever again, but when Oregon wants to establish the run it has its leader. Dierre Hill Jr. and Jordon Davison continue to move up. Jay Harris appears to be sliding down. These moves were overdue and may be one of the few personnel moves of note to look to in the future. 7) Havoc delivered Rutgers was the opponent for Oregon’s defense to feast on. If the Ducks didn’t create havoc, it would have been alarming for all the wrong reasons. To so completely derail one of the most potent passing offenses in the country is still an accomplishment. Every level of the defense contributed to disruption and at its best, that’s what Oregon is capable of against even better teams. 8) Alex Harkey is a personality the offensive line has been missing Harkey has physically imposed his will at times this season so that wasn’t new. Moving him to right guard and putting Gernorris Wilson at right tackle was a foreseeable experiment that appeared to go well. But Harkey is the opposing offensive lineman other teams don’t like. He says and does the things that annoy opponents. He’s what Oregon has been missing up front in that aspect. 9) Backup QB questions In a 56-10 game with a historic box score the biggest takeaway many fans had was questioning why Brock Thomas was the second quarterback on the field. Austin Novosad and Luke Moga each traveled and went through warmups with no apparent issues. It will be something Lanning can address this week. 10) Kicking is still an issue Gage Hurych gets a chance at a 44-yard field goal and misses wide left. Oregon simply does not have a reliable field goal option from outside 30 yards.
