The Wolf pack travels to Eugene: Previewing Oregon v. Nevada
By Editorial Staff
September 10th will be the first home game for Oregon and the first game of the season for Nevada. Both football programs reached new levels in 2010. Oregon made it all the way to number 3 after losing in the National Championship game while Nevada finished at 11 marking the first top 25 finish in school history.
Oregon came out of the blocks sluggish and not ready for elite competition last weekend against then number 4 LSU. On the other hand Nevada is an unknown, no games played yet, and new faces in critical positions.
2010 Quarterback Colin Kaepernick graduated and was drafted by the San Francisco 49’ers. Tailback Vai Taua is also no longer on campus in Reno or his 1600 some yards from a season ago. Two guys with that much game time experience and production are hard to replace. I am a huge fan of Kaepernick and he will be the future leader of the 49’ers. This guy is big and fast with a huge arm. Once he adjusts to the NFL style offense (Nevada runs the Pistol offense) he will beat out the former first draft pick Alex Smith and grow into a pro bowl player.
Nevada returns senior all conference wide receiver, Rishard Matthews, along with two additional WR’s and three offensive linemen (OT, OG, and C).
On defense the Wolfpack brings back both of their starting defensive tackles from 2010. Over half of the linebacking core returns with Mike LB James-Michael Johnson (All-Conference) and senior Sam LB Brandon Marshall (Nevada uses a 4-3 linebackers are called Sam/strong side, Mike/Middle, and Will/Weak side). The secondary brings back a punch with four starting upperclassmen (three starters from 2010) CB’s Isaiah Frey (All-Conference) and Thaddeus Brown. Tack on strong safety Duke Williams with free safety Marlon Johnson and that gives you a total of nine seasons of experience in the defensive backfield. I anticipate this defensive unit will be much improved from a year ago and will not give up as many passing yards and TD’s as in 2010
The defensive line of Nevada is very active which could spell trouble for the Ducks. I watched one play where an LSU DE went inside and back out completely fooling Oregon’s LT for a huge sack. This was in a one-on-one situation. Oregon’s Tackle didn’t touch anyone, he was literally “shook.” The problem with Nevada is that they use a lot of twists and stunts in their defensive package. Oregon will have to stay disciplined with their zone blocking scheme. Oregon lineman should be working in directions, not necessarily on a man. This can become difficult when you ask a kid to step right, read a play side defenders knee, and adjust your block. Here is an example of a basic zone block; let’s take an offensive guard who is uncovered (he cannot reach out and touch a defensive lineman in any direction so we have labeled him as uncovered) and the play calls for him to zone block right. He must step correctly and work with adjacent tackle that is covered and decide to either stay with the block or work to the next level (linebacker). Something you can hear a lot of offensive line coaches say is that “you must work in order of first fat guy to linebacker.” Sounds simple right? It is not the most difficult system in the world, but it does require a tremendous amount of technique and discipline. Blocking in football is an unnatural event and unique to any sport in the world. I bring this up because if Nevada likes to run twist and stunts Oregon will need to stay in the right spots. A simple twist by the D-line may be when the right side DE goes around the DT while the DT comes across the face of an offensive tackle and now is rushing the edge. A simple gap switch like that can fool a young lineman into chasing a man instead of securing his spot. Oregon doesn’t run much power so they don’t pull lineman very often, but in the event of a stunt with a LB and DT Oregon’s freshmen center better have his head on a swivel helping his guards to either side of him.
Nevada runs a pistol offense that head coach Chris Ault is credited with inventing. New QB Tyler Lantrip is a big kid (6’4 220) from Roseville California and is not the runner that Colin was, but he has a good arm and brings a pocket presence to what should be an effective passing game in 2011. Lantrip played in a handful of games last season taking advantage of Wolfpack routes in order to gain some in game experience. Tailback Mike Bell is back in business after being behind Taua these last few seasons. Bell has played throughout his career at Nevada but has had some injuries here and there that opened the door for Taua. Bell is a 5’10 215lb Junior from Las Vegas Nevada.
How this one will play out in my opinion:
We will have to monitor the statements made in Eugene this week. I imagine we won’t get a lot of statements made about the LSU game. This is what you need to see, the vanilla statement “that game (against LSU) is in the past and we are just focusing on playing Nevada this week.” “Win the Day” refocus on the mission statement. This attitude and thought process spells trouble for Nevada. They are not the caliber team that can dominate the Ducks. Oregon will be at home a huge advantage. Autzen as many of us know is a tough place to play, very loud, and the fans are right on top of you.
I expect a hyped Oregon team with renewed purpose and vigor to come out and score fast. The boys in green have something to prove to themselves and the rest of the nation this Saturday against Nevada. Oregon’s team speed will prove too much for Nevada on both sides of the ball. Oregon will look to stretch the field by throwing wide receiver screens (in order to get Darron Thomas some much needed confidence and rhythm), while bombarding the Pack with three speedy tailbacks.
Nevada will score and keep this a game until late in the second quarter. It’s Nevada’s turn to be exposed by youth in critical positions, a big stage, and an overmatched opponent early in the season.
Score 41-17 Ducks
Player of the Game: Darron Thomas
I want to know what you think, who needs to step up the most this week in practice for Oregon and who will be the player of the game against Nevada?