Minnesota poses perfect time for Matayo U. to step off the milk carton

Before the season a widespread belief among Duck fans was that former St. John Bosco 5-star Matayo Uiagalelei was going to challenge the Oregon all-time single season sack record of 13, shared by Nick Reed in 2008 and Ernest Jones 1993.

It hasn't worked out that way, even though Young Concrete, who doubles as a hip-hop music producer in his time away from the game, has played very well for the Ducks.

Fans don't fully appreciate that the 6-5, 272 NFL prospect's role has changed on a highly effective Oregon defense. He's been responsible for setting the strong side edge on running plays, making fewer all-out assaults on the pocket.

Uiagalelei has been held (many times literally) to four sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, three passes broken up. He gets chipped and double-teamed regularly.

In strength, technique and quickness, he remains a top pro prospect despite the dip in his individual production.

Team success remains the goal

While Uiagalelei's numbers have gone down, there's no denying that this is one of the strongest defensive units the Ducks have ever fielded, a group that allows 4.03 yards per play, third in the nation, 13.8 points per game, seventh in the FBS.

It shows how much a group can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit. Oregon doesn't rank high in sacks, but they have the most effective pass defense in the country, limiting opponents to:

Completion percentage: 49.5 (1st nationally)

Yards per game: 126.1 (1st nationally)

Opponent passer rating: 92.99 (1st nationally)

TD/Int: 5/9 (in a cluster with Ohio State, Indiana and Iowa atop the national rankings)

Statistics from cfbstats.com

Here's a concrete (or Young Concrete) example. On this play the Ducks send Uiagalelei on a stunt inside, which the Iowa Hawkeyes pick up. But their attention on him allows Bryce Boettcher a free lane to the quarterback for a drive-killing sack.

The Ducks have been stingy against the run too, holding opponents to 3.2 yards a carry and 113 yards a game. Run or pass, they've allowed the fewest number of chunk plays in college football, surrendering only 15 plays of 20 yards or more all season.

Back in July at Big Ten Media Days, senior linebacker Bryce Boettcher outlined the goals. “As a defense, if you stop the run, you're the best at doing that in the nation. Big chances are going to go far. I think them being high in rushing yards last year, I think you said first, it's a great opportunity for our defense to show that. We can do that and stick to one of our big pillars this year."

Efficiency like that doesn't happen without everyone in the unit doing their jobs, Uiagalelei included. He hasn't been the focal point in the early going this year, but that could be about to change.

Huge opportunity versus the Gophers

Minnesota is a pass-first team that throws 65% of the time on first downs, a boom or bust offense that has trouble sustaining long drives. They take shots down the field while not hitting them consistently, and the offensive line, particularly on the right side (Uiagalelei's side, playing primarily on the defense's left) is leaky. As a unit they are 10th in the conference, allowing 16 sacks.

Following that the Ducks take on Big Ten passing leader USC, followed by the Huskies in Seattle, an offense that's been touched for 23 sacks. It's the perfect time for an Uiagalelei surge, right before the playoffs.