Can Injured Oregon Ducks Defense Step Up To The Challenge In Nebraska?

The Oregon Ducks Defense is looking better on Defense then they were a year ago, but there is still work to be done.

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Last season the Oregon Defense gave up an average of 28 points per game. So far in 2016, that number is roughly cut in half if you average the first two. games. This week brings a bigger test. Oregon was gashed up front in the run game last weekend against Virginia, more in the second half than the first. There have been some bright spots too.

Freshman Troy Dye has been a beast on Defense, learning and playing three different positions. In his first game he had 11 tackles, 7 for a loss to go with a sack and a blocked field goal. After the game he was asked about the block and he said it he saw it and just went after it. Dye has football instinct to make the play and is already one to watch the rest of the season. One man can’t win games for Oregon, but on Defense he is a good one.

Every season injuries happen  and that is the case again this season with some experienced players out of action. Jimmie Swain and AJ Hotchkins will likely not play this week against Nebraska. Hotchkins was seen in a walking boot up to his knee walking, with pressure on his foot at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex on Monday following practice.

Comcast Sportsnet Northwest broke things down and while improvements are being made week to week it does not appear that this team is ready to take the next step on Defense, yet. The Offense can only get you so far, and may have to this weekend on the road at Nebraska. Of course, when some of your experience is out with injury you need to get some of the newer faces experience at some point. Coaching can only go so far. The rest is communication and in the case of players like Troy Dye, instinct.

"Every game has been a challenge. Everyone has great talent, everyone has great schemes, everyone has great coaches and this will be the next big challenge.Don Pellum talking about Injuries on the Defense"

The front seven is finding ways to get to the Quarterback. We saw that through the first two games. Against Virginia the second half was a nightmare. Multiple sacks, hurries and Oregon capitalized on two interceptions through the game.

This week if the Oregon Offense stalls in the wrong place, I am not sure that the Defense can be trusted to make a big stop. Of course, it is a bigger game with more on the line and Oregon in the past has played their best on big stages. Last season they were a play away from a win in East Lansing against Michigan State.

A win against the Cornhuskers for fans will mean the dream is still alive. A loss will be a setback and reality will begin to creep its way in, along with more questions about the 2016 Oregon Football Ducks. It is the toughest test for the Oregon Defense so far in 2016.

Next: Nebraska Coach Talks About Oregon

The Oregon Ducks and Nebraska Cornhuskers kickoff from Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 12:30pm Pacific Time on Pac-12 Networks.