Utah Utes

Sunday Takeaway: Oregon Defense Plays Complete Game vs Utah

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

For the first time this season the storyline focused around the Oregon Defensive effort vs Utah, and for good reason.

The Oregon Ducks Defense has been in learning mode in 2016. Some lessons were harder than other and it has frankly been really tough to watch the team shift from the 3-4 Defense to the 4-3 Defense led by Brady Hoke. I knew it would take this long for things to start coming together. The team has faced a ton of injuries across the board this year, which has not helped. With that an inpatient fanbase who wants results and NOW. IT’s not going to happen, but we were rewarded with what things could look like on Saturday.

There is one thing required though – Patience. Johnny Ragin led with 10 total tackles, Justin Hollins and Troy Dye each added nine respectively.

Nov 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich reacts during the first half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Spor

Saturday saw the Oregon Defense stop Utah 7 times on third down and 1 on 4th down. The Defense gave Quarterback Justin Herbert and the Offense an opportunity to get points on the scoreboard and win the game in the end. The Oregon Ducks won the time of possession vs Utah by 32 seconds and the pace of the game seemed slower for the Oregon Offense than previous games.

The pace gave the team an opportunity to get the final possession and allowed Herbert to throw a pass into the endzone to Darren Carrington for the win that was not only a big confidence builder for the team but the victory could play a big role in a Coaching Staff decision that will be made.

The Oregon Ducks have one game remaining this season in Corvallis against Oregon State next Saturday at 1pm Pacific Time on Pac-12 Network,