Ducks Rough Up the Fighting Illini, 38-9
By Ken Woody
A sizable group of loyal Illinois fans were among the 59,830 who witnessed a game that was dominated by a stout Oregon defense that forced three turnovers inside their 15-yard line that cemented a decisive 38-9 win and look, for most of the game, as the number-one ranked team in the country. The offense had its way all day: led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel and the punishing running of Jordan James and Noah Whittington the Ducks ran roughshod over the Illini in the first half, stomping to a 35-3 lead. A visibly shaken Illinois team staggered to their locker room, outgained 363-89 in total offense with only five first downs to Oregon’s 18.
At that moment, fans were wondering where the team that dominated Michigan last week had disappeared. The Fighting Illini were not living up to their nickname: behind on the scoreboard and bloodied on the field. Star quarterback Luke Altmyer completed four-of-ten passes for 29 yards, was sacked twice, and threw an interception that safety Brandon Johnson snagged on a Willy Mays catch in the red zone. The ground war was no easier for the Midwest visitors, painfully scratching out a mere 60 yards rushing.
The Duck front seven was more than a match for the big boys in blue and orange, putting fierce pressure on Altmyer; in the second quarter, he was sacked and according to a record crowd of observers, the Ducks’ Derrick Harman recovered his second fumble in two games and returned this one for an apparent touchdown. Ironically, the referee blew the play dead too quickly, and the rest of the crew looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders; putting off the contention of Dan Lanning, whose coaches in the press box (like the Ohio State game) looked for the replay of the down, but thanks to CBS this time, was two plays behind. This may provide a clue as to why Lanning did not get a review of the play which was so obvious the press box could have called it.
The Illini coaches knew it was a fumble and hustled their punt team out to kick before there was a replay that would have given the Ducks a defensive touchdown. Lanning did not get an answer for a replay, at least to this observer. With half a season completed in the new conference, it is suspected that some Big Ten referee crews are smattered with officials who don’t work well as a unit, just like the old days in the Pac-12.
Illinois played another game within the regular game, waiting an unreasonable amount of time for substituting defensive players when matching the substitution of the offense. The referee doesn’t release the ref who is stationed between the quarterback and the offensive center until all the defensive players cross over their sideline. Obviously, with a limit of time allowed for in-between substitutions, it’s difficult for the offense if they are lined up ready to go, and can’t because the defensive players are sauntering off, not jogging or running. In one instance, Gabriel had to call a timeout to avoid a delay of game penalty. Lanning was upset, but as the game wore on, the Ducks started getting their plays called and run at a faster pace, but the Illinois players, especially the big guys, took their sweet time, much to the frustration of the fans who rendered Autzen Stadium with multiple chorus’ of boos.
It reminded of former Oregon coach Chip Kelly’s remark that he’d seen more flopping on the football field than in a World Cup soccer game, all to slow down his offense. Towards the end of the game, Illinois should have been flagged for a delay, but to the amazement of the crowd, the head referee did not call it, instead ruling an “official timeout.” An after-game review of the film showed there might have been a mistake by the play-clock operator.
Oregon’s defensive unit, looking more menacing and resolute, had seven tackles for loss, two sacks and five (painful) quarterback hurries. The secondary had their best game of coverage, breaking up eight passes and pursuing like Mad Ducks. The Ducks blitzed more than their usual and it worked to perfection; Altmeyer spent a good deal of time fleeing the pocket and ending up on his back. Tysheem Johnson and Sione Laulea had interceptions and on Laulea’s, towards the end of the game, nearly the entire team rushed out to congratulate him when he reached the sidelines. It’s a good sign to see that kind of excitement and support for a backup player’s big moment. Lots of time you don’t see that kind of support for a reserve from the stars and starters.
Noah Whittington, hearing that his teammate James Jordan runs “pissed off,” decided he would give it a try with resounding success, including an 18-yard touchdown run in the second quarter where he dodged several tacklers and ran over an unsuspecting defensive player who didn’t realize Whittington was pissed. As a result, the tackler was run over in a backward gainer that would have scored points in a gymnastic meet. He looked like a tumble weed in a Bad Duck Wind.
Those critics who have criticized the Duck offense for its lack of success running the ball in a persistent, punishing way finally saw the unit reach a big-time level with 229 yards total. Gabriel and backup Austin Novosad combined for 298 yards passing and three scores. The offensive line looked aggressive and hungry and much like the Ohio State game, gave Gabriel a clean pocket to pick apart the secondary.
The one sack actually was Gabriel’s fault—they gave him so much time that he spent it waiting too long for a receiver to get free from stifling coverage. Better that he take-off and run than wait that long. Gabriel is so accurate throwing the football that when he misses a receiver with an errant or poorly chosen pass, (as he did several times), it’s a shock. Nevertheless, for the game, he was a stellar 18-for-26, 291 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He was helped out with several outstanding catches of off-target throws.
Traeshon Holden worked his way back on the field after being suspended for a major penalty against Ohio State. He caught a pass for one yard his first time on the field and shortly after, jumped offsides. On the next play, obviously upset, he made a tough, physical block on a defensive back that sprung Whittington to a good gain down the sideline. As a unit, the wide receivers were effectively, and physically, blocking downfield. There were also several instances of receivers going in motion and then blocking linebackers on inside running plays. This was definitely something different.
Jordan James is third in the Big Ten rushing and added 83 yards, with no lost yardage to lead the Ducks, who had seven different ball carriers; only Gabriel was in the loss column with an eight-yard sack. Lanning seemed pleased with the offensive line’s domination of the Illini defense that stifled Michigan’s highly respected rushing attack last week. The play calling appeared more determined to establish the running game in addition to adding formation and motion adjustments to spring Whittington and James on outside-the-tackle and tight end run plays.
The matchup of the Wolverine’s traditionally powerful ground game against Oregon’s stingy defense will be a featured attraction in the Big House as the Ducks make their second of three cross country road trips, this time to Ann Arbor this week. The team that runs best and has the fewest turnovers will win this game.
Ken Woody coached college football for 18 years as an assistant at Oregon, Washington, Utah State and Washington State and as a head coach at Whitman College and Washington University-St. Louis. He conducts a coaching clinic, free to all, at the 6th Street Grill every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. during the season. Plays from Oregon games are analyzed, there are scouting reports for opponents, and highlights from referees; all to learn and enjoy football and understand why the Ducks win or lose.
Questions and comments welcomed.
Contact Ken at: woody8783@comcast.net
