Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2004)
Lauren Wimer | Senior photographer Oregon’s Devan Long (92) accumulated a team-high 7.5 sacks this season. Long anchored a defensive line that ranked third in the Pacific-10 Conference in rushing defense and gave up 125 yards per game. So-so statistics left Ducks ineffective on defense end Oregon ranked eighth in the Pac-10 in points allowed to opponents BY CLAYTON JONES SPORTS EDITOR The Oregon defense will have to live with the memory of watching Derek Anderson throwing at will dur ing the Civil War game, ending the season fpfjhe Ducks. Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said the team wasn’t even worried about the run, but the Ducks still couldn’t stop the pass. What seemed like a strength — stopping the pass — turned into a weakness. This was the trend for the entire season. No one knew what kind of defense was going to show up. Compared to the rest of the Pacif ic-10 Conference, the defense was average. The Ducks finished fourth in the conference in total defense, giving up 338.9 yards per game. They were third in the conference against the run but still gave up nearly 125 yards per game. In the air, the Ducks finished sixth, yield ing 216.8 yards per game. The Ducks finished near the bot tom in the most-important category: points allowed. Oregon finished eighth in the conference, allowing 25.6 points per game. Oregon’s worst game statistically came against an explosive Cal team, when the Ducks relinquished 494 yards of offense in a one-point loss to the No. 4 team in the nation. Ore gon’s most-memorable defensive lapse was the pounding it took by Anderson and the Beavers when Oregon State ran up 50 points on the Ducks. The defense will be looking to fill big shoes next season. Defensive line For the past few seasons, the Ducks have had one of the best de fensive lines in the conference. This season was to be no different with the return of the 6-foot-5, 345-pound Haloti Ngata. The line excelled at the beginning of the season with junior Devan r Lauren Wimer | Senior photographer Oregon defensive lineman Haloti Ngata (96) recorded 46 tackles in 2004, tying for fifth on the team. He also recorded 8.5 tackles for loss, despite facing double-teams all year long. Long, who made his way into the all time top-ten list at Oregon in sacks, adding 7.5 this season. Much of his success could be at tributed to the double and triple teams Ngata was receiving each game. Though the sophomore would record only 3.5 sacks, the attention he received helped open things up for his fellow linemen. Senior defensive tackle Robby Valenzuela and senior defensive end Chris Solomona also came up big. Valenzuela recorded two sacks and a bone-crushing hit to Stan ford’s Trent Edwards in Oregon’s victory at The Farm in Stanford. Solomona picked off two passes this season and returned them for touchdowns. With the Ducks losing Valenzuela and Solomona, they will be looking to Matt Toeaina, David Faaeteete and Darius Sanders to pick up the slack. Linebackers Going into the season, the line backer corps looked to be one of the biggest question marks for the Ore gon defense, but ended up being the most consistent. Former walk-on and senior Jerry Matson was the only player at the po sition returning with any experience, but senior Ramone Reed and junior Anthony TYucks stepped in and played well. Matson went on to lead the team in tackles, and Reed was third, in tercepting two passes and recording two sacks. Trucks will be the lone returnee for the Ducks next season, but freshman A.J. Tliitele received valuable time spelling linebackers this season. Ju nior Justin Andrews, along with two freshmen who redshirted this year, Ryan Phipps and John Bacon, may figure into the mix. Secondary For the past couple of seasons, the secondary was the point of much criticism. This season, it seemed to prove critics wrong, but in some games, it looked like the secondary of old. Junior Aaron Gipson emerged from a sophomore season where he barely saw the field to record a team high four interceptions. An injury to starting rover Marley Tlicker forced Justin Phinisee to rover, but gave freshman Jackie Bates a chance to shine. He would record an intercep tion while providing great coverage against the pass. Sophomore J.D. Nelson filled the shoes of the departed Keith Lewis quite nicely and record 66 tackles, good for second on the team. The secondary returns everyone except Tlicker. The Ducks will look upon freshman Ryan Gilliam to play a greater role in the secondary. claytonjones@dailyemerald.com Your place for . .f NEWSreaderpolls classlfleds more www.dailyemerald.com UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER Keeping ducks healthy in body and mind Services Include: ^ Onsite physicians & nurse practitioners S Free FPEP women/men’s contraceptive counseling S Low cost Pharmacy S Dental Clinic ^ Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine ^ Allergy & Asthma Clinics ^ Free Cholesterol Screens ^ Mental Health Services S Travel Clinic S Health Education Programs S Massage Therapy S CPR S Energetic Healing S Relax and Renew Course ^ Tobacco Cessation Support S Blood Pressure Reduction Program And much more. Open Daily & Weekends AW77JF8A.M. to 6 P.M., Tuesdays 9 A.M. to 6 P.M., s Saturdays and Sundays 10 A.M. to 2 PM. § Appointments and after hours: 346-2770 UNIVERSITY OF OREGON Health Center healthcenter.uoregon.edu Hometown Girl Cover & Centerfold Model 020924 Seen on Baywatch & Playboy Channel Erika Eve Appearing December 15, 16, 17, & 18. Special Lunchtime Show on December 12/ 17 at 1:00 PM 2165 W. 11th Avenue 683-6021 Monday - Friday 12x2 Saturday & Sundayj>-2 www.hotbody.eom ACORN reg. *10000 Good through 12/18/04 Bring in ad • Natural sheepskin boots • Non-allergenic • Lightweight, skid-resistant soles • Memory foam cushioned insoles • Very comfortable Oakway Center 683-4115 • Toll Free 877-683-4115 I Where your feet will Mon-Fri 10-8, Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5 g look good and feel great ^ .
