Utah is readying itself for its final home game of the season. To preview Saturday afternoon’s match, The Daily Utah Chronicle spoke to Jack Butler, a football reporter for the Daily Emerald, the University of Oregon’s student newspaper, to get insight into the Oregon football team.
Q: Oregon has been having a pretty rough season. How are the players and coaches handling the amount of losses?
JB: It can be hard to tell, but I don’t think they are handling it well. After a 70-21 loss to Washington, senior guard Cameron Hunt ripped his teammates by saying that 30 to 40 percent of players don’t care about whether the Ducks win or lose. The losing seems harder for older players who experienced the success of the past. Coaches criticized junior stars Royce Freeman and Darren Carrington’s effort, and they were both benched at points this season. Recently, secondary coach John Neal compared this season to being sick on a boat that is far from shore, and sometimes he just wants to jump off. The real judge of this young team’s psyche will be how they play over the final two weeks with no bowl game on the line.
Q: What went right in the lone Pac-12 win against Arizona State?
JB: Arizona State’s turnovers and the play of freshman quarterback Justin Herbert were the reasons why Oregon won. Arizona State exceeded its average yards per game, but Oregon ended three ASU drives with interceptions. The Oregon offensive line handled Arizona State’s variety of blitzes and Herbert was able to find a rhythm and distribute the ball to the Ducks’ playmakers. Oregon’s three senior tight ends were a matchup problem for Arizona State. Pharaoh Brown and Johnny Mundt combined two touchdowns and 200 receiving yards.
Q: The last time Oregon visited Rice-Eccles Stadium, Kaelin Clay dropped the ball right before the goal line and the Ducks subsequently scored a touchdown. What kind of momentum shifting plays does Oregon need to do in order to be competitive against Utah?
JB: If that could happen three or four times, then Oregon will be competitive. In all seriousness, turnovers will be crucial if Oregon is to upset Utah. If the Ducks’ defense can score off of a turnover, especially early, that puts the pressure on Utah. Offensively, a big touchdown run may be what Oregon needs. The Ducks still lead the Pac-12 in rushing, so a big run would show that this offense may be able to control the flow of the game. Sometimes, a little momentum and extra confidence is all a team needs to pull off an upset.
Q: What weaknesses is Oregon hoping to expose on Utah’s offense and defense?
JB: Finding Utah’s weakness is tough. Offensively, Oregon will test the waters of a pass defense that allows around 250 yards per game, which is seventh in the Pac-12. Utah leads the conference in sacks and interceptions, however, so even that strategy is risky. Expect some early throws to those tight ends to give Herbert some confidence early. Defensively, Oregon will bring a safety into the box in order to limit Utah’s rushing attack that includes quarterback Troy Williams. He is completing 55 percent of his passes. Not bad, but forcing Williams to beat the defense with his arm is Oregon’s best bet.
Q: Who should the Utes be watching out for?
JB: Troy Dye is a freshman linebacker for Oregon. He is second in the Pac-12 in tackles and eighth in sacks and he’s the Ducks’ best defender. If the defense has any chance at stopping Utah’s offense, Dye will lead the way. Freeman is always one to watch for, but his backup Tony Brooks-James is having a career year. He runs the 200-meter sprint for the Oregon track team, so if given an open field, he can take it all the way to the endzone. He is the lightning to Freeman’s thunder.
Q: Who are the Ducks going to be concerned with?
JB: Hunter Dimick is a big guy that the Oregon offense will be focusing on. He can be a one-man wrecking crew. The Ducks, however, did a good job of limiting Stanford’s Solomon Thomas, who is similar to Dimick. Oregon is starting four redshirt freshmen along the offensive line and the team’s inexperience has been clear at times. Expect double teams on Dimick, or Oregon might run away from him.
Q: What does a win/loss do for the Ducks?
JB: A win might keep Mark Helfrich employed. He’s on the hot seat and I still believe his job status will be determined by the result of the Civil War next week. A win at Utah would show that, although this is still a disastrous season, Helfrich and this young Oregon team have potential. A loss wouldn’t change very much. No Oregon fan should expect a win, but another blowout loss would be embarrassing. Making the game competitive would be a win in itself, and the players would get a much needed boost in confidence. Also, Duck fans’ anger would be cooled for the time being.
Q: Who do you think will win this game? Why?
JB: Utah 48, Oregon 21.
There is no indication that Oregon will make this game close. Utah is better than Oregon in every facet. The game will play out much like Oregon’s game against Stanford. A big, physical front like Utah’s will be able to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Oregon has also struggled against mobile quarterbacks, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Williams extends drives with his legs. The Ducks have yet to prove they can go on the road and win a game this season, and Herbert underwhelmed in his last road start. Utah’s Pac-12 Championship hopes will remain alive and Oregon will stay near the bottom.
@kbrenneisen