Ducks Secure First Conference Win, Fail to Make Impression on the National Stage
The game was never really as close as it felt, as the Ducks cruised into halftime with a 14-3 lead and looked to be in the driver’s seat for the rest of the game. The defense again was elite and has not allowed a touchdown since the end of the Auburn game. Herbert’s numbers look good on paper: 19-of-24 for 259 yards and 3 scores, but the Ducks play calling on offense seems frustratingly conservative. It may seem ungrateful to be dogging the Ducks after a victory, but if this team is going to be a serious contender for a College Football Playoff berth, they must not only win out but win with authority.
Putting it nicely, the Pac-12 is wide open this year. For that reason, the Ducks need to place more trust in senior Justin Herbert and dominate their competition. All night, the ducks looked to establish the run. C.J. Verdell, their leading rusher, finished with 84 yards on 24 carries, good for just 3.4 yards per rush. While center Jake Hanson was out, that is not good enough for a unit that was lauded as one of the best in Oregon history coming into the season. The Ducks also leaned on the read-option, and in spite of many apparent opportunities for Herbert to keep the ball and secure a nice gain, he neglected to.
The bottom line is that the Ducks beat the Cardinal, a task that has not been easy in recent history. Going forward, the Ducks must turn in more convincing victories and place more trust in Justin Herbert. Look for the Ducks to open up the playbook in two weeks against Cal and let their fate rest in the capable hands of their senior leader.
