If last weekend's Boise State game wasn't stressful enough, Oregon fans were given a whole new set of issues to stress about as Oregon opened the Oklahoma State in abysmal fashion. The Cowboys have dominated the Ducks in the first half, but a pair of deflections by the Ducks' defensive line have led to 14 points of interceptions.
As the Ducks head into the locker room trailing 24-17, there's very little that's gone well for the Oregon. When you look at the stats, there's 5 clear numbers that stand out as the biggest issues plaguing the Ducks.
The 5 stats that highlight Oregon's woes
Oklahoma State outgains Ducks 353-101
While it's only a 7-point game, Oregon could be in a much bigger hole if not for a pair of deflected passes leading to a defensive touchdown and a 1-yard rushing score. Oklahoma State reached 300 yards before the Ducks surpassed 50 yards, with the Cowboys outgaining the Ducks 353-101 at the half. The offense needs to find a way to get anything going, but the Ducks' defense also needs to stop giving up massive chunk plays as the game are only going to get tougher in Big Ten play.
3 drops
Dante Moore hasn't been great to start the game, but he's gotten no help from his receivers in the first half either. Dakorien Moore only needed to catch a 4th down pass from Dante Moore, but a high ball went off Moore's fingertips, taking points off the board and giving Oklahoma State the ball. Jordon Davison dropped a swing pass, leading to another Ducks punt, while Jeremiah McClellan dropped a pass on 3rd down, leading to another punt.
2 deflections
The only reason Oregon isn't heading into the locker room in a massive hole is because of two batted passes by the Oregon defensive line. In the first half, D'Antre Robinson got his hands on a Mestemaker pass as Oklahoma State tried to take a multiple score lead, allowing Devon Jackson to go 96 yards for a pick 6.
Trailing by 14, Dylan Williams found a way to get his hands on a Drew Mestemaker pass and Matayo Uiagalelei was able to grab the interception, allowing Oregon to punch in a 1-yard touchdown. If not for the two deflections, Oregon could be in major trouble, but it's allowed the team to regroup at halftime.
10.2 yards per carry
Why has Oklahoma State been able to dominate the 1st half against the Ducks? It starts with the fact that the Cowboys have picked up 10.7 yards per carry on the ground, allowing the Cowboys to constantly stay ahead of the sticks. The Ducks on the other hand haven't been able to generate anything with the ground game averaging just 3.3 yards per carry.
Dante Moore is 5-15 passing
The biggest reason that the Oregon offense hasn't found a rhythm is the fact that the Ducks have gotten a sloppy performance out of their quarterback. Dante Moore finishes the first half just 5-15 passing for 45 yards without a touchdown. If Oregon is going to mount a 2nd half comeback, the Ducks are going to need him to perform like the Heisman candidate he's supposed to be.
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