Are Ducks Up to Meeting Wolverines’ Challenge?
By Ken Woody
“The Wolverines’ offense is currently designed to stick with its ground-and-pound formula, looking to eat away at time of possession and wear down opposing defenses. While Michigan maintains what made its defensive unit so elite, first-year coach Sherrone Moore must settle on a quarterback, and help bring along a new offensive line, all with fewer options at running back and receiver. The Wolverines’ three-year run as Big Ten champions could be in serious jeopardy.” Thus was Athlon’s pre-season assessment of the defending national champions.
If you heard bells ringing during the Ducks convincing win over Illinois last week, it was from Illini ball carriers and tacklers who were experiencing head-knocking blows at the hands of Oregon players who appeared determined in a new role: ranked number-one in the nation. Coach Dan Lanning picks a theme for each game; this one was “physical.”
Message absorbed, and it showed in the aggressive tackling and pursuit by the Duck defense holding their opponent to one touchdown and three times caused turnovers inside their own 15-yard line. The secondary broke up eight passes and intercepted two more as it appears the starting group, which was five transfers, has jelled. There are several other players who rotate, giving Lanning depth that has previously been a question mark.
The offensive line got the “physical” part down also, rolling up 228 yards rushing and allowing one sack of Dillon Gabriel which was more the quarterback taking too much time to see an open receiver than a breakdown on their part. The bell ringing fans saw and heard came from Oregon players, from running back Jordan James (third-leading rusher in the Big Ten), and most of all, several bruising runs when pain was experienced by tacklers attempting to corral an angry Noah Whittington. Noah brought the fans to their feet as he eluded several tacklers and then ran over an unfortunate safety who was bowled over backwards and swept aside as he charged into the end zone. The “holy smokes, wow’s,” and bell ringing thundered throughout a frenzied Autzen Stadium crowd as the battered tackler wobbled back to the bench.
Dillon Gabriel is now the leading passer in the conference and he also ran over a hapless Illini on his way to a seven-yard touchdown run. All of the receivers had their moments, and it was obvious they were taking “the physical” message by Lanning seriously, aggressively blocking on inside and outside running plays, to the point of domination. Traditionally, receivers want to catch passes and think of blocking as a distraction. Against Illinois, there was aggressive and physical blocking at all times, helping get the team 228 yards rushing.
It takes all three position groups to be a bruising, running team which brings us to Michigan, who have two conference losses and are desperate to use their 110,000 rabid fans to get an emotional edge to bring down the Ducks. It’s highly unusual that the Wolverines find themselves two touchdown underdogs in their own house and it will surely serve as mantra for the players, many who were prime contributors to a national championship last year.
All-America corner Will Johnson is back for his junior year and the new defensive coordinator is long-time NFL assistant Don “Wink” Martindale, the architect of the disguise-heavy defense introduced in 2021. Martindale has added blitzing to get more pressure on what has been a fairly basic defense year after year.
Two of the Big Ten’s best defensive tackles are Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant who lead a defense that is mean and nasty. Oregon’s offensive line faces its biggest challenge of the year, including Ohio State’s. Gabriel will need to be at his best and avoid trying to throw to his favorite target, Tez Johnson when he is covered and another receiver is wide open. He’s done that three times this season, two of them resulting in interceptions–turnovers will decide this game.
Offensively, the Wolverines have the seventh-leading rusher in Kalei Mullings and Donovan Edwards to lead the ground attack which is traditionally the most physical in the Big Ten. The offensive is huge and outweighs Oregon’s defensive front. Look to see if quickness becomes an advantage for either defense.
Coach Sherrone has used two quarterbacks and his passing attack is ranked last in the conference with only 130 yards per game. Alex Orji brings speed and shifty running and was a game breaker against Michigan State. Davis Warren plays more and has average stats. Their top target is the Wolverines’ version of the Ducks versatile Kenyon Sadiq: he’s a hot-shot tight end, leading candidate for All-American: Colston Loveland. In a pinch, anywhere, he’s the target, averaging five receptions a game.
It’s better in the rushing stats as Michigan is ranked fifth while the Ducks are only behind six yards per game at 167, ranked seventh. This matchup is fascinating and the Wolverines have the advantage of desperation, loud obnoxious fans, muscle and tradition. Lanning and the ascending Ducks face their toughest challenge so far, and if you’ve ever seen an angry Wolverine, you know Oregon absolutely will need to play their best game this year to prevail.
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
