Oregon Readies to Rebound from Losses
Friday, October 10, 2014
Photo Credit: Monica's Dad via Compfight cc
As a sports information official was quick to remind, “The sun still came out today.”
For sure, last Thursday’s result wasn’t nearly as devastating as it seemed, especially viewed through the prism of Saturday’s rash of upsets. Still, this is Oregon, where a monstrous football facility was built mainly on the largesse of Chip Kelly’s mind-numbing four-year run.
The challenge, of course, has been maintaining that excellence.
But because head coach Mark Helfrich wasn’t available, those questions weren't asked Wednesday. Instead, defensive coordinator Don Pellum was a popular target. Go figure; the Ducks have surrendered a total of 62 points and nearly 1,000 yards the past two games.
Defensive communication
Pellum believes better defensive communication would serve his unit, and what he viewed during Wednesday’s practice session was a step in that direction. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Arik Armstead suggested that defensive calls needed to be sent in quicker, especially against teams -- such as upcoming opponent UCLA -- that play with tempo.
There were additional questions about Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley, such as what makes him different than fellow dual-threat superstar Marcus Mariota; according to Pellum, Hundley is more apt to cut a play short and run.
It all had to do with the opponent.
'All about execution'
For years, though, we've been instructed that it's all about execution and preparation, especially at Oregon.
As in: “If we play our game, the opponent doesn’t matter.”
Oh, those days are gone, maybe never to return.
This isn't to suggest that in the aftermath of a loss that wasn't altogether shocking, the Ducks have changed up everything completely.
Nor should they, really.
Instead, it's a commentary of how rare this is, the prospect of having to rebound from a loss with the possibility of another looming large.
Do you realize the last time Oregon lost two games in a row was 2007, when George W. Bush was president and Mike Bellotti was the coach? The Ducks actually lost three consecutive games that season, beginning with a loss at home to Arizona (gasp!), followed by a loss to UCLA (double gasp!) and then a setback at Oregon State.
Will history repeat itself?
The reality is that it could, but in a conference celebrated in the preseason as capable of challenging or equaling the SEC for the rank of the nation’s best, but has mostly seemed competitively mediocre, it might not matter.
The end result will be the same.
Helfrich isn’t Kelly? So what?
Kelly never won a national title, either.
Banner Photo Credit: rayterrill via Compfight cc
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