GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Oregon Rush Offense vs. Arizona State Rush Defense: It’s no secret that Oregon has struggled to run the ball. Whether it’s been the injuries to the offensive line, injuries to the running backs or a combination of other things, the Ducks’ once vaunted rushing offense has been non-existent in the Pac-12.
Since conference play began, Oregon has the No. 7 rushing offense, averaging 153.4 yards per game on 4.11 yards per rush. In their three most recent losses, the Ducks have averaged 86.3 rushing yards per game.
Despite this lack of productivity, offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo still believes in the philosophy of establishing the run to greater offensive success.
“I think establishing the run philosophically is something that we believe we need to do … I think we’ve shown that over the course of games this season that we’ll stick with it,” Arroyo said. “You can’t run away from it. You’ve got to work through it. You can’t just put something out to bay and say you’re done with it. You’ve got to lean on it and continue to do it.”
Running back CJ Verdell leads the team in rushing with 715 yards on 151 attempts, although not being named starter until a few games into the season. Freshman Travis Dye has also seen role grow, moving amassing 83 carries for 417 yards on the season — he led the Ducks last week with 66 yards on nine carries.
“Travis, he’s a pretty special freshman,” head coach Mario Cristobal said. “Against a team that’s really good at defending the run (Utah), he found some good chunk plays — an eight- or nine-yarder, a 17-yarder. He made some guys miss, hit the holes with speed, was patient to the hole and ran with speed and came out through it with some explosiveness.”
Why this matchup is important is because Oregon might be able to take advantage of a Sun Devils defense ranked ninth in conference play at stopping the run. They give up 165.14 rushing yards per game with an average 4.22 yards per rush.
Making matters worse for Arizona State is that freshman linebacker Merlin Robertson, arguably the best player on the defense, will miss the first half due to a targeting call/suspension received last week. Robertson, who has 66 tackles on the season, is vital in the Sun Devil run defense, showing great instinct and the physicality needed to make plays.
“When you lose a player of his magnitude, we know how he can play football,” Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards said of Robertson. “He’s going to obviously earn some accolades when this season is over, being a freshman and some of the numbers this kid has put up.”
If the Ducks have learned anything over their recent 1-3 skid, it’s that the running game must step up and be successful — helping set up the quarterback Justin Herbert and the passing game is the running game.
Being able to run the ball with success not only keeps pass-rushers from pinning their ears back and rushing at will, it forces defenses to commit more defensive backs to the box, setting themselves up for play-action, a vital part of Oregon’s offense.
The Ducks can no longer rely on Herbert and star wide receiver Dillon Mitchell to be their only source of offense. Verdell, Dye and the offensive line must accept the challenge to be the more physically dominating unit.
DRAFT SLANT
–ILB Troy Dye: Just a junior, it’s still unknown if Dye will leave early for the NFL draft or if he’ll stay for his senior season. A starter since he stepped onto campus, Dye led the Ducks in tackles in both his freshman and sophomore seasons, while leading them this year as well.
One of the most athletic draft-eligible linebackers available, there’s no questioning Dye’s production or abilities. Listed at 6-foot-4, 224-pounds (more like 230), Dye has proven that he’s strong at rushing the passer, running sideline-to-sideline or keeping up with tight ends over the middle. His versatility it what really sets him apart from other inside linebackers who will be in the 2019 or 2020 NFL draft.
In just under three full years, Dye has amassed 287 tackles, 31 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks — showcasing his ability to succeed in the trenches and use his athleticism to make plays. His lateral quickness allows him to stay on top of blockers and not get pinned down, while his quick first-step gives him great burst to shoot through holes and make tackles in the backfield.
Another part of Dye’s game, arguably the most important part with today’s pass-happy NFL, is his productivity in pass defense. For his career, Dye has three interceptions and nine pass break-ups. His height makes it difficult for quarterbacks to throw over him across the middle while his speed on the sidelines allows him to cover the flats. He’s also quick and agile enough to run with tight ends or running backs out of the backfield, a huge positive.
Still, The Sports Xchange lists Dye as its No. 5 inside linebacker prospect while NFL.com rated Dye as the No. 5 inside linebacker prospect to watch.
Without a doubt, Dye will have a big decision to make this upcoming offseason. He can either make his dream a reality and enter the NFL Draft, where his draft combine numbers will only elevate him up draft boards. Or, he can stay for his senior season as a Duck, try to right the wrongs from this year and enjoy one more go with younger brother Travis, a freshman running back with Oregon.
ROSTER REPORT:
–WR Tabari Hines is transferring from the program. Hines came to Oregon as a graduate transfer from Wake Forest but has yet to catch a pass in Pac-12 play. His time as a Duck ends with three catches for 32 yards and one score.
–LB Sampson Niu is in the concussion protocol. His status is unknown for this weekend
–LB Adrian Jackson, after suffering a shoulder injury last weekend, is expected to play this weekend against Arizona State
–LT Steven Jones is in the concussion protocol after getting banged up in the fourth quarter against Utah. His status is unknown for this weekend.
–Starting RB CJ Verdell suffered a minor neck injury last week but is expected to play against Arizona State
–RB Cryus Habibi-Likio sustained a severe quad contusion that made him stay at the University of Utah hospital on Saturday night. He flew back to Eugene on Sunday — it doesn’t appear he’ll play this weekend
–RB Tony Brooks-James is listed atop the depth chart this week
–QB Justin Herbert has thrown a touchdown in 25 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the nation
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