Postgame Post Mortem: Takeaways from Oregon’s win over Arizona State

Postgame Post Mortem: Takeaways from Oregon’s win over Arizona State

Team / Sunday, November 18th, 2018

Very little has come easy for the Ducks in 2018, as bouts of inconsistency have been about the only consistent thing seen from this team as they’ve navigated what has turned out to be a tricky Pac-12 schedule.

Though those frustrating bouts of inconsistency were on front and center display once again Saturday night inside Autzen Stadium, Oregon did just enough to find themselves on the winning end of the 31-29 final over the Arizona State Sun Devils, thanks in large part to a fast first half start (!) and timely second half plays by a rejuvenated defense.

Below, WFOD ponders the biggest takeaways from Oregon’s white-knuckle victory over Arizona State.

1. How ’bout that fast first half start?!

For the first time in what felt like forever, the Ducks got off to a fast first half start that was sparked by an offense that was in sync, opportunistic, and executing at a high level. One of the biggest criticisms of this team this season has been their failure to launch at the start of games, as three and outs have all too often underscored first half possessions over the second half of the season. That wasn’t the case Saturday. The Ducks reeled off 28 first half points that came courtesy of a varied offensive game plan featuring a nice mix of runs between the tackles and to the perimeter, as well as easy throws for Justin Herbert to backs and receivers which helped work the passing game into a rhythm that hadn’t been seen since the Stanford game back in late September. Kudos too to the Oregon offensive line, which has endured its fair share of struggles this season both juggling injuries and opening holes for Oregon’s backs on the ground. Their first half performance allowed Travis Dye and CJ Verdell to gash the Sun Devil defense on the offense’s first few possessions, enabling things to open up for Herbert and company through the air.

2. An inconsistent second half nearly costs Oregon

When it comes to choosing a theme for the 2018 season, there are a number of appropriate options at your disposal. However, one trend that has stood out amongst the rest has been Oregon’s inability to string together consecutive halves of good football, as strong first half performances have often been followed by second half duds, and vice versa. Against Arizona State, the offense’s disheartening return to the conservative and lackluster play that has lingered with this team all season nearly cost the Ducks the victory. Three points and only 13 yards through the air says virtually everything you need to know about the Oregon offense’s ability to execute in the second half versus the Sun Devils. But in case it doesn’t, refer yourself to Oregon’s second half drive chart, which doesn’t include Oregon’s final possession (5 plays, 2 yards) in which the Ducks were gifted an offsides penalty by ASU on 3rd and 2 which essentially ended the game:

  • 6 plays, 18 yards – Punt
  • 3 plays, 8 yards – Punt
  • 5 plays, 14 yards – Punt
  • 3 plays, 6 yards – Punt
  • 6 plays, 29 yards – Field goal
  • 4 plays, 18 yards – Interception

If you’re counting, that’s 93 yards on 27 second half plays generating a paltry 3.4 yards per play. If not for the timely play of the defense in the second half, Oregon coaches, players, and fans are likely singing a far different – yet disturbingly familiar – tune at the conclusion of this game.

3. Speaking of defense, kudos on a clutch performance

Though it hasn’t quite been on the same level as the Oregon offense, the Oregon defense has played the role of punching bag this season for critics. Though defensive depth had been a concern surrounding this team since before the season began, the defense in general was thought to be an area of strength for the Ducks given the fact they returned a host of all-conference caliber performers and a total of 11 players who had starting experience. Instead, the unit, under the direction of defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt, has notably regressed as teams have been able to move the ball seemingly at will both on the ground and through the air. And though the Sun Devils did manage to find success on the ground with Eno Benjamin (29 carries, 149 yards), Oregon did well to limit explosion plays and extended drives, holding ASU to three field goals on trips to the red zone. Beyond that, the Oregon defense was terrific on third down against Pac-12’s best team in terms of third down conversions, as the Sun Devils were only 3-of-17 on third down attempts Saturday.

The only real gripe with the defense in the aftermath of the victory was their inability to come away with more turnovers. Despite Arizona State fumbling the ball on five separate occasions, the Ducks were only able to come away with the football once. However, that one turnover proved to be a game changer, as La’Mar Winston’s sack and forced fumble recovered by Gus Cumberlander ultimately sealed the game for Oregon late in the fourth quarter. Still, considering the collection of individual talent Arizona State had at their disposal, this was arguably the most encouraging performance of the season for a banged up Duck defense.

4. Super performance from Gus Cumberlander

Though it has taken some time for him to round into form as a reliable defensive contributor, junior defensive lineman Gus Cumberlander officially had his coming out party Saturday versus Arizona State. Nagging injuries and inconsistency had marked Cumberlander’s career at Oregon prior to the arrival of the 2018 season, but things have slowly but surely began to fall into place for the Ellenwood, Ga. native. His two sacks and game-winning fumble recovery solidified him as the defensive player of the game for the Ducks, as the defensive line reserve now ranks second on the team in sacks (4.0) behind Justin Hollins (5.0). With Jalen Jelks gone to graduation at season’s end, expect Cumberlander to assume an even greater role for a defensive line that looks to return key contributors in Jordon Scott, Austin Faoliu, Gary Baker, and Drayton Carlberg in 2019.

5. Graham, Lenoir rise to the challenge

There were key performances all over the place on defense Saturday night, but one could argue that none were more important than the outings delivered by sophomore corners Thomas Graham and Deommodore Lenoir. After being skewered by Manny Wilkins, N’Keal Harry and the Sun Devil pass attack last year in Tempe, Oregon’s much maligned cornerbacks were nothing short of impressive against ASU in their return trip to Eugene. Though Harry would catch seven passes for 105 yards, the Oregon secondary prevented him from ever finding the end zone, limiting the Arizona State passing game to just 182 yards through the air. Graham and Lenoir had much to do with that, as the two combined for nine pass break ups on the day (six from Graham, three from Lenoir). Given the frustrations both players have endured to over their first two years in Eugene, Saturday’s game could prove to be a bellwether moment moving forward.

Items of note:

  • Oregon’s 364 total yards of total offense in the first half were its most in a half this season
  • Thomas Graham’s six pass breakups versus Arizona State were a career-high. He now has 16 on the season.
  • Justin Herbert passed Chris Miller (6,681) for sixth at Oregon in career passing yards with 6,802. Herbert is also now tied for fourth in school history in career touchdown passes with 61, matching Kellen Clemens, and has moved into fifth all-time at Oregon in total offense with 7,324, passing Joey Harrington (7,121).
  • Dillon Mitchell’s four-catch, 103-yard performance against Arizona State tied the program single-season record for 100-yard games with his sixth, matching Josh Huff (2013). All six 100-yard receiving games have come in Pac-12 play, which is a program single-season record in conference play.
  • Mitchell also has the third-most receiving yards in a single season in Oregon history with 1,105, and is tied for fourth in single-season receptions in program history with 68, matching Jaison Williams (2006).
  • Troy Dye became the first Oregon player with back-to-back 100-tackle seasons since Michael Clay in 2011 and 2012. Dye has also led Oregon in tackles in 19 of his 35 career games.
  • Cumberlander’s two sacks was the first time an Oregon player has recorded two or more sacks in a game this season

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