The Ducks somehow pulled off a 10-4 overall record in 2021 and were atop the Pac-12 North, despite having a disappointing defensive performance throughout the season.
In the Pac-12 Championship, Oregon was destroyed by the Utah Utes in a 38-10 loss and then lost to the Oklahoma Sooners who scored 47 points against the Ducks in the Alamo Bowl.
Defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter was hired by former head coach Mario Cristobal after four years with the California Golden Bears.
Welcome to the team!
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) January 28, 2021
Coach @TimDeRuyter, Defensive Coordinator
📗 https://t.co/cMPLwZldRM#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/Yv4nBWc12E
DeRuyter's defense allowed Stanford to outscore the Ducks 31-24 in an upset victory over Oregon. The defensive unit also experienced crushing defeats by Utah twice in the season.
In the Alamo Bowl, the Sooners amassed 564 yards and 27 first downs, blowing the Ducks out of the water. Oklahoma also outpossesed Oregon, 33 minutes to the Ducks' 26 minutes of ball ownership.