The No. 15 Oregon Geese defeated 3-0 Washington State on the street 44-41 in a recreation that was thrilling till the very finish. The whole recreation might have gone both means shortly for each groups, however the Geese had the grit and dedication to complete the job.

The Geese’ offense was the spotlight of this matchup, however the protection bounced again late within the second half.

Listed here are 5 takeaways from this week’s recreation.

1. The offense is Oregon’s most important unit thus far

In addition to within the purple zone, Oregon’s offense seemed very easy and clear. With the combo of runs, RPO’s and deep photographs, the Geese had the Cougars on the lookout for a solution the entire recreation. Bo Nix completed 33/44 for 428 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Troy Franklin was the lead receiver as soon as once more with 137 yards with a landing on 5 catches. Bucky Irving led the bottom assault with 81 dashing yards yards on 11 carries.

The offense got here out with the mentality that they had been going to win the sport down two possessions late within the fourth quarter. Washington State couldn’t cease the Geese  even when the sport was on the road, and that is one thing followers will be very excited for as this unit confirmed how decided all of them had been the entire recreation.

Even with a number of minor errors for the Geese, the offense had no downside getting the ball the place it wanted to be. Nix did not look rattled even after throwing a late choose six. He continues to steer this offense week in and week out and confirmed why he earned the title of QB1. In 4 video games Nix is 95/132 for 1,100 yards and ten touchdowns towards three interceptions.

The Oregon offense should not decelerate because the season continues. This recreation confirmed why this unit is the focus of this system.

2. The Geese saved preventing by way of adversity

The fourth quarter had followers on each side on their toes with Oregon trying to make their comeback a actuality whereas the Cougars held the lead the entire recreation. By means of it all of the Geese by no means wavered and stepped up when it mattered most.

The offense moved down the sphere simply of their final possession within the fourth quarter, ending with a landing to Cam McCormick to make it a five-point recreation with 3:48 left. The protection gave the Geese one other alternative to take the lead with just below three minutes left and capitalized. 

Not solely that, however the protection sealed the deal by intercepting Ward on a play that had been torching the Geese all recreation. The protection had each alternative to cease the Cougar offense, and despite the fact that there have been calls that moved the ball up for Washington State, you could possibly see the struggle all of them had till the very finish.

3. The protection wants to search out their id early

The protection had seemed lights out the earlier two video games and improved since taking part in Georgia. Saturday’s recreation confirmed some spurts of week 1 because the protection struggled early on towards the Cougars’ tempo.

Although this unit particularly sealed the sport for the Geese with a Mase Funa pick-six, they nonetheless want some enchancment, particularly early on within the recreation.

With the offense struggling within the purple zone within the first half, the protection needed to maintain Washington State out of the tip zone, which seemed as in the event that they made their changes within the second half. Oregon’s protection has struggled early on the previous few years and that is one thing that Lanning and Tosh Lupoi have to get mounted.

The protection within the secondary nonetheless struggled towards the cross. Cameron Ward was 37/48 passing for 375 yards with two touchdowns towards two interceptions. The Geese have allowed 1,206 yards in 4 video games by way of the air. Fixing this difficulty defensively would put the Geese in higher conditions for his or her offense to get extra factors on the board, which was one thing they wanted on this recreation. 

4. Offense struggles within the purple zone

The Oregon offense had the possibility to take the lead on a number of events as they continuously entered the purple zone. Whether or not it was play-calling or execution, the Geese could not discover their means into the tip zone on their first 4 makes an attempt. Three resulted in area targets and one journey resulted in a 96-yard choose six for the Cougars.

Kenny Dillingham prides himself on his offensive scheme, as they are often flashy but easy. Nonetheless, the Geese appeared to strive extra of that flashy stuff once they entered the purple zone, which did not work.

Within the earlier two video games the offense made a big effect within the purple zone whether or not it was operating up the center or hitting Terrance Ferguson ultimately zone. Washington State sniffed out the actions and schemes that the Geese tried to make use of towards them on nearly each purple zone collection.

The sport itself might’ve gone in a unique course early on and is one thing the Geese might want to approve on within the coming weeks in the event that they wish to make that first assertion with early touchdowns.

5. Missed tackles make a return for the Geese

Missed tackles saved piling up for Oregon all the recreation. Washington State’s offense is schemed to be up-tempo and to maintain you guessing.

Oregon struggled to maintain up with the tempo so far as getting adjusted and bringing down the ball provider. Nonetheless, the secondary made phenomenal one-on-one tackles in open area that helped the Geese out as the sport wore on.

Being a constant unit is what this protection wants and having a number of missed tackles towards proficient groups won’t take any program far within the season. Lanning talked about his workforce having labored on this difficulty a number of weeks in the past and followers can count on the identical work to be completed this upcoming week.

Oregon bought their first convention win of the season and could have a protracted journey forward of them as they transfer week to week and work for a return to the Pac-12 title recreation in Vegas. This upcoming week the Geese will likely be again at residence underneath the lights for a late 8 PM recreation towards the Stanford Cardinal. 

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