Oregon Ducks vs Washington Huskies: Adams Returns To Lead Oregon To Win Over Washington Huskies
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Update: Vernon Adams Set To Start For Oregon
At the beginning of the season when looking at this matchup I was one of the many who thought that a road trip to Washingon would be a good test for Oregon before the brunt of the Pac-12 schedule began with games against Cal, who at the time appeared beatable after watching last season. Stanford would be tough on the farm, and the Game of the Year against USC would be one for the books, but now, at 3-3 and the chance of missing out on the post season if things don’t turn around quickly is the destination this Oregon Ducks team faces. We have come so far, but here we are. An injured quarterback, not much of an Offensive Identity and a Defensive Secondary that has played better the last few weeks. (I don’t blame the Defense for the loss against Washington State, but the Offense not being able to run out the clock)
Now, 3-3 Oregon faces 3-2 Washington on the road in a series that has been in the Ducks favor for the last eleven years. It has even spawned a new hashtag on Twitter where fans can even look back at the history #LastTimeUWBeatUO. Some of the highlights from the list of posts include: It was the first year of American Idol, and Marcus Mariota was in Pop Warner. My favorite that deals with the current Oregon Ducks – Royce Freeman was in first grade. If the Oregon Offense can find an identity in the passing game, the streak may extend to twelve. One thing that was announced earlier this week to help the cause on Offense is the Ducks will look to one quarterback to lead the team against the Washington Huskies. The two headed monster the last few weeks of Jeff Lockie and Taylor Allie at times has looked like the answer, but ultimately has hurt the Offense which has leaned more heavily on Running Back Royce Freeman and the running game making Oregon more one-dimensional and predictable to opposing defenses.
Oct 3, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) following a rushing touchdown in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Freeman has been a beast for the Oregon Ducks this season and could hit 1000 yards on the season with a big game against the Huskies. The team seems to have found a replacement for the injured Thomas Tyner in Freshman Taj Griffin who has become a highlight reel all his own with De’Anthony Thomas speed and the ability to dive for the pylon and toward the end zone on several occasions this season.
Oregon Quarterbacks are hitting their receivers at a 60+ percent clip, that is when they actually throw the ball. One man has led a team against Washington. Last season Vernon Adams threw for over 400 yards and 7 touchdowns against the Huskies and if Adams is on the field he may be the catalyst to jump start a new win streak, at least for now.
On the Defensive End, it is still a learning on the job process with Arrion Springs looking to lead the Secondary with Chris Seisay out likely for another game. The Ducks will likely lean on their front seven again on Saturday night to hurry and rush Washington QB Jake Browning who has completed over sixty percent of his passes but has been mistake prone with five interceptions on the season. Emotion will play a lot into this game on both sides of the ball.
The team that has the cool head will be the one to Win The Day. Oregon has a better road record this season, at least when it comes to Pac-12 play having beat Colorado on the road a few weeks ago. Kickoff against Washington is set for 7:30pm Pacific Time on ESPN2. Autzen Zoo will have Live Twitter Stream Coverage of the game starting at 6:30pm Pacific Time as Oregon again tries to right the ship for the rest of the season. Now, here are this week’s links: