Oregon football has always received attention for its electric offense.
But in the closest game the Ducks have been in so far this season, it was the defense headlining Oregon’s victory against No. 12 UCLA.
Heading back onto the field after halftime with the score was tied at 14, the Ducks’ defense was able to dominate UCLA’s offense led by quarterback Brett Hundley. The defensive pressure on the Bruins’ offense resulted in UCLA punting on five of its six offensive drives in the second half. Offensively, the Bruins finished the second half with 22 rushes for 73 yards and passing 7-10 for 21 yards.
So what was the spark?
“The magic is in the kids,” said defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti. “I think sometimes you like to take credit for something you do at halftime and I think sometimes people either think that you do something really fancy or something unbelievable … We just simply talked about how they had two scores on a short field and that we are going to come out here and dominate the second half and they listened.”
Aliotti also stated how the defensive unit was able to simplify its play, which Aliotti said led to the Ducks playing better.
“We actually did less in the second half. Sometimes less is more,” Aliotti said.
Although Aliotti did admit that his defense really didn’t play poorly in the first half, but was very happy with the second half performance.
“I thought we played as good of defense as we have played in a long time and we needed it for a while,” Aliotti said.
The Ducks knew heading into the game that Hundley would be a threat through out the match-up.
“I was concerned about him (Hundley), he’s a good football player,” Aliotti said. “He broke away a couple times where I thought he shouldn’t have. As a coach you always look for things you could of done better and when we watch the film we will. He made two big plays with his feet that I wished he didn’t have. He’s a good player and we were concerned about that coming in.”
Highlighting the second half for the Ducks on defense was linebacker Boseko Lokombo, as well as cornerback Avery Patterson, who both picked up interceptions that altered the momentum of the game at different times.
Lokombo’s interception came with just about nine minutes left in the second quarter, as the Bruins were driving in red zone territory.
“I think it was just a great call but Aliotti and everyone just did their job,” Lokombo said about his interception.
Lokombo did not get the start in today’s game. When asked about why, the senior linebacker from British Columbia stated in the post game interviews that “It’s a long story, but bottom line we got the win. I just felt like whenever I am out there I need to make a play. I am a play maker. I just try to contribute to the team and bring energy to the defense,” Lokombo said.
Lokombo hinted that not starting in today’s game gave him extra motivation when he was out there on the field and said he expects to start in the Ducks’ next game against Stanford.
Throughout the season, many have questioned whether or not the Ducks would be able to keep their composure in a tight fourth quarter situation. With Oregon only ahead by one touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter, Patterson’s interception undoubtedly changed the momentum, as well as setting up the Ducks with great field position to tack on another touchdown and take a 28-14 lead.
“We just played Oregon football,” Patterson said. “We knew we could shut them out in the second half and that’s what one of our goals was.”
However, Patterson credited the interception to the defense’s effort on the previous play.
“The play before that swung the momentum,” Patterson said. “I don’t care who is the quarterback, I don’t feel like anybody should get a third and 20 completion on us.”
Overall, the Ducks defense did look solid today and proved tonight that they could step up in a pestering situation.
“After eight games I am very pleased,”Aliotti said. “As I coach you don’t really get to see all that stuff til the season ends, but after eight games obviously we are very pleased,” Aliotti said.
Oregon will have a bye for the upcoming week before facing Stanford in California on Nov. 7.