The chance to exorcise some lingering demons from last week’s gutting loss to Auburn stands before the 16th-ranked Oregon Ducks when they take the field late Saturday afternoon vs. Nevada.
Outside the program, chatter for the last several days has centered on what ultimately went wrong for the Ducks in a game that had been heavily tilted in their favor for the better part of three quarters. Inside the program, however, that focus should have shifted days ago, with the understanding that the goals set before the start of the season still remain attainable provided internal belief remains steadfast.
As we look ahead to Saturday, WFOD examines the keys to victory for Oregon over Nevada.
1. Flush the Auburn game
We mentioned it before, but it’s worth mentioning once again: Every goal the Ducks had prior to the season is still within grasp despite last week’s loss to Auburn. There’s no debate that Oregon let a potential program-shifting opportunity slip through their fingers deep in the heart of Texas, but with Nevada making their way to Eugene, it’s vitally important that the Ducks flush any residual angst that has been left over.
Coming off an eight-win season which included a bowl victory in 2018, the Wolf Pack are already off to a hot start in 2019, as their dramatic 34-31 win over Purdue in Reno catapulted Nevada into the national conscious and validated their capacity to spring an upset. That, juxtaposed with Oregon’s deflating result vs. Auburn, sets the foundation for what could be another sour Saturday for the Ducks should their focus be in the wrong place. If the Ducks have truly put in the work to take the steps towards building a championship program under head coach Mario Cristobal, they’ll need to prove it by taking out all their anger and frustration against Nevada en route to a rousing, confidence-restoring victory.
2. Get the offense clicking early and often
The Oregon offense has been a major point of consternation for Duck fans for practically a full calendar year, as last week’s loss to Auburn only served to stoke the flames of criticism surrounding Ducks offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo. In truth, the Oregon offense actually did some good things against a rugged Tigers defense last week. Yes, the second half saw the offense’s production grind to a near halt, particularly on the ground (only 13 second half rushing yards). Yet, given the strength of Auburn’s defensive line, coupled with the depleted receiver group the Ducks were relying on, it’s a mild surprise (through these eyes, at least) that Oregon was able to post 332 yards of total offense.
The key here for Oregon on Saturday is three-fold: 1) Get off to a fast start in the first half, 2) Piece together sustained drives that end in touchdowns instead of scoreless possessions, and 3) Maintain consistency for all four quarters. The first item was something that the Ducks executed to near perfection vs. Auburn. The second and third items, not so much, as two Oregon trips to the red zone in the first half ended with the Ducks coming away with no points, while the second half was essentially a blood letting, as the Oregon offense generated hardly any momentum against an Auburn defense that was playing with growing confidence.
Nevada won’t pose the same kind of challenge that Auburn did defensively, but it’s all the more reason why the Ducks should play with increased efficiency on offense this Saturday.
3. Shake Carson Strong’s confidence
While the Oregon offense looks to regain its confidence this weekend, the Oregon defense will aim to do all it can to shake the confidence of Nevada redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Strong. In his collegiate debut vs. Purdue last week, Strong was instrumental in helping lead the Wolf Pack’s 17-point comeback victory. His 295 yards and three touchdowns through the air provided the Nevada offense with a serious lift that helped complement the ground threat the Wolf Pack possess in sophomore running back Toa Taua, the reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Year.
Strong shined brightly on a big stage last week, but the stakes will be even higher this week as he prepares to face off against an Oregon defense that may prove to be one of the most improved overall units in the Pac-12 Conference. After formulating a sound game plan to disrupt the rhythm of Auburn true freshman quarterback Bo Nix a week ago in Texas, the onus will be on Oregon defensive coordinator Andy Avalos to once again cultivate disruption that puts pressure on a young quarterback to make plays in an unfamiliar and hostile environment.