Ducks 49, Huskies 21: “The Season’s Not Over”
By Ken Woody
Before the annual Duck-Husky affair, Washington fans still heady from three straight wins over Dan Lanning and Oregon, knew this year’s team was not as capable as last year’s runners up for the national championship. Knowing also that there was a likelihood that their cherished Dawgs would get waxed by the number-one ranked team in the land, they scoffed and said, “you may win by a lot, but it won’t make up for three straight losses to Washington.”
The next day, after a glass of champagne and some reflection, it is obvious they had it wrong—the 49-21 thrashing did make up for the dreadful smirches to Lanning’s coaching record, because those are gone, never to appear again. If you could talk with the coach, he would tell you all that matters is what you do next, and how you do it, the effort you put into it; the emphasis on the process, not the outcome. That’s the lesson all Ducks learned this season, and there’s still more to learn.
An intense and loud crowd of 59,603 was on hand for Revenge Night at Autzen. Strangely, there were not as many Husky boosters as usual, as many loyalists skipped the I-5 Jaunt in favor of hunkering down in their condos with the satisfaction that their team’s 6-6 record would make them bowl eligible. Husky head coach Jed Fisch inherited his position as a result of Kalen DeBoer taking over at Alabama and causing many outstanding players to leave Washington for greener pastures; the term “greener pastures” taking on more meaning now with NIL issues running rampant.
The Huskies came to Eugene with a young team and started a freshman quarterback, Demond Williams Jr., who showed both running and passing ability. Unfortunately, for him, the offensive line replacing the best in college football last year, is at this time, not ready for prime time pass protection. Oregon’s defense played their best complete game of the year, swarming Williams like bees to honey. The Ducks had to play disciplined gap defense and run to the ball when early on, Williams ran for his life from an overwhelming pass rush; eventually recording a school record 10 sacks.
When you track a defense’s pursuit, you check those players running to the ball that are not the closest to the ball carrier: are they coasting, spectating or trying to be in on the tackle? Duck pursuit was relentless and unforgiving, a special treat that in other years, was not the norm. I’ve complained for years about missed tackles, heads down, arms outstretched, leaving their feet early, all the “don’ts” of defensive football. There was none of that, instead, a furious display of discipline and desire the defenders have established under Lanning’s philosophy of emphasis on “process, not outcomes.”
The defense racked up 16 tackles for loss, another tribute to solid reactions and disciplined
pursuit of players like Bryce Boettcher, Matayo Uiagalelei, Kobe Savage and Teitum Tuioti. Twenty-nine Ducks were in on tackles and that speaks for team defense. Jordan Burch had 2.5 sacks and Uiagalelei had two after Williams had some early success scrambling away from Oregon’s pass rush. Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi made adjustments that served to make life miserable for the young pup: including assigning Jeffrey Basse to “spy” and mirror Williams’ scrambling and not worrying about covering a pass receiver. With no easy access to freedom, the Duck rush overwhelmed him like a tsunami.
Oregon’s defensive front also showed excellent discipline in their preparation to cover the option plays the Huskies attempted. It is difficult to maintain when the quarterback is as fast and athletic as Williams is, but it was a thing of beauty to see linebackers and defensive linemen working together to cover the running back and quarterback effectively. Prior to this game Oregon had not seen much option. It’s difficult when the players are the quality of the Huskies’ Williams and running back Jonah Coleman. Washington had 37 running plays gain 43 yards, and the ‘Book of Lanning’ says, “The team that runs best, usually wins.”
The Ducks rushed for 222 yards: Jordan James, 99 yards, two scores; Noah Whittington 67 yards, one TD; freshman Da’Jaun Riggs, 38 yards, one score; and Dillon Gabriel, 20 yards, one touchdown. Gabriel also threw the ball for 209 yards and two touchdowns, completing 16-of-23 and redshirt Dante Moore looked good in a backup role, completing 3-of-3 for 27 yards. Since he will have appeared in four or less games this season, Moore will retain his redshirt status and compete with Austin Novosad for Gabriel’s position next season; if they don’t go in the Transfer Portal.
Oregon scored their first drive of the game, punted the second and lost a fumble on the third. After that, it was six straight touchdown drives punctuated by a missed long-range field goal as the first half ended. The Ducks gave ground, but stopped the Dawgs in the third quarter that has been a “blah” for Lanning throughout the season. After allowing his players to jump around in Wisconsin, it appeared he has let up a bit with the playing of “Shout” during the third quarter break as Oregon players, both offense and defense, jumped around, and after, proceeded to score two more touchdowns in the fourth. Even coach Lanning learns new things as the season progresses, one reason the team loves him and another that he never stops learning—a priceless attribute for a coach charged with leading and teaching young men aspiring to be the best they can be.
The energy of the defense showed that the Ducks obviously benefited by a bye week before this game, where they could get some rest and recover from three cross-country trips in five weeks. With the extra coaching, the kicking game underwent some long-overlooked aspects of their game; actually, setting up a side punt return that Gary Bryant returned 31 yards and eschewing the boring and routine fair catches that seem to always come on opponents’ punts and kickoffs.
The game started with both the Huskies and Ducks returning kickoffs— “to hell with fair catches.” Oregon’s coverage came like Wild Ducks and smashed Washington’s returns: players were actually running over and around blockers, breaking down under control and overwhelming the returner. When the Huskies kicked off, the Ducks’ aggressively ran back their first three kickoffs to the 29, 38 and 46-yard lines. Coach Fisch had enough with that and the latter kickoffs were deeper and not as returnable.
It was Senior Day for Lanning and his flock of 31 seniors and Heisman candidate Gabriel Dillon after the game observed feelings that he and his teammates shared about the season so far:
“Special year, but special people more importantly. I think as I’ve got older, I’m chasing people and I’m chasing memories. I’m not promised tomorrow. I don’t know when my time is up, but that’s what I’m chasing. I think the more memories and the more great people you can be around, the more fulfilling your life is.
“I would just say getting here and the great people who invest in you, and are extremely positive. They want to see the best out of you. I think it’s a powerful feeling. I’m grateful to be a part of it and grateful to contribute to it. I think you just see everyone involved in making this thing go. It’s equipment staff. It’s training staff. People down in our cafeteria. People who help clean this building. That’s all the people and all the support, and even Duck Nation. It’s people that really make this thing go. We’re appreciative of them and just want to represent them in the right way.”
The winner of the Big Ten title game matching the Ducks against Penn State will most likely earn one of four first-round byes in the new 12-team playoff format. The loser would more than likely host a first-round game, with the winner advancing to face a top-four seed in the quarterfinals.“I always feel like you can stop and celebrate whenever the season is done,” Lanning said. “In our world, you don’t get the opportunity to be satisfied. That’s just the reality of the world we live in. Everyone right now is going to be patting us on the back; who cares?” His last comment on the 12-0 record sets the tone for the weeks ahead: “The season’s not over yet.”
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
