Oregon’s inability to pass is baffling

By Marc Hudgens  |   Monday, November 03, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Oregon Ducks
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On one hand, you have to ask how Oregon lost to Cal, 26-16, over the weekend.

Sure, the Bears are always difficult in Berkeley, but they also had a glaring weak spot that the Ducks could have exploited. The stress point was there; all Oregon had to do was squeeze.

Alas, it didn’t happen. Between Jeremiah Masoli and Justin Roper, the Ducks' passing game completed only 34 percent of its 32 attempts for a head-shaking 84 yards, zero touchdowns and two picks. That came against Cal’s pass defense, which entered the game ranked seventh in the Pac-10 (60th nationally), allowing 205 aerial yards a game.

Granted, the Bears’ pass defenders lead the league in interceptions (15) and completion percentage (51.1). Nevertheless, how the Ducks couldn’t get sheer yardage, if just to set up the run, is mind-boggling. There should have been some semblance of success through the air, but there was none.

It was a game between two teams with poor pass defenses, but Jeff Tedford’s men were the ones who managed success against their opponent’s weakness to make for a far more balanced attack. In the end, Cal threw the ball 39 times and ran it 40. Oregon was a bit more lopsided, with 32 pass attempts and 50 runs.

This game wasn’t decided because Cal’s pass defense suddenly became great; rather, this loss resulted from Oregon’s inept pass execution. Can’t blame the defense -- holding your opponent to 16 measly points will set up most offenses, especially in the Pac-10. And you definitely can’t blame the running game. Masoli and Roper should have hit more of their targets, and the offensive line's poor protection exacerbated the problem.

But on the other hand, this is Oregon, which has shown flashes of greatness during the season tempered with inexplicable flops.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He...
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