-The better team won on Thursday. Oregon State produced a great performance, and are a really solid team, but from the get-go it seemed as if this was Oregon's game to lose. Despite two turnovers in the first half that put the Beavers in the redzone, and their defense struggling to come to grips with the Rodgers brothers, they still went in at the half only down 23-21.
In the second half, a couple of big stops from the defense allowed Oregon to regain the lead, before the “Le's” -LaMichael James, and LeGarrette Blount- took over, each coming up with a touchdown run. In the final minutes, Chip Kelly decided to go for it on a couple of big fourth downs, which the Ducks converted, essentially breaking the back of the Beavers challenge.
The Ducks deservedly win the Pac-10 and move on to the Rose Bowl.
-If you're looking for a turning point in this one, look no further than Kenny Rowe's second half pressure on Sean Canfield. In the first half, the Ducks couldn't get any pressure on the Beavers QB. Canfield, one of the most efficient passers in the Pac-10, had no trouble dissecting the Ducks inexperienced secondary with no pressure in his face.
That all changed a little over 2 minutes left in the third quarter, when, for seemingly the first time all game, a defender, DE Kenny Rowe, pressured and hit Canfield from the backside just as he was about to find the wide-open James Rodgers. On the next play, it was junior end Zac Clark turn to pressure Canfield, causing an inaccurate throw, and thereby holding Oregon State to a field goal.
On the Beavers next two possessions, the Ducks got all kinds of pressure on Canfield. Rowe sacked him twice and the Ducks first forced a huge 3 and out and then a turnover on downs.
Those stands by the Ducks D were crucial, and put Oregon back in the game's driving seat.
-We already knew Chip Kelly isn't scared to go for it on fourth down, but he just gave us another reminder Thursday. Three times he left his offense on the field on fourth down, and three times they came up roses. No doubt that the offense has responded to the confidence Kelly has shown in them all year, as exemplified by Masoli running over safety Lance Mitchell to just get past the sticks on one of the second of those fourth down plays.
-LeGarrette Blount had been waiting a while to get back on the field and on Thursday, he finally got it. It was hard to miss Blount being back in the huddle, after seeing the similarly sized Masoli and James standing next to each other out of the shotgun all season, suddenly Masoli seemed dwarfed by his backfield companion.
Blount had two big runs out of his 9 carries. First he had a 12 yarder for a touchdown, and then 30 yarder up the gut. After his touchdown run, not only his joy but that of all his teammates was clearly apparent. Everyone knows it's been a tough year for the big guy.
Hats off once again to Chip Kelly who I believe has handled the Blount situation perfectly this year. Despite pressure to do so, he didn't rush him back in either the Arizona State, or Arizona game, but still managed to get him meaningful carries in a crucial game towards the end of his Ducks career.
I'll bet we'll see him get quite a few carries in the Rose Bowl, as Chip Kelly will need his physicality to wear down Ohio State's big defense.
-Jeff Maehl has come a long way this year. I remember earlier this year against USC, even in a huge win, some Duck fans wouldn't get off receiver Maehl's back after he drew a number of yellow flags, for false start and holding penalties.
Well, boy, he's turned things around the last few games. Five of his six touchdowns for the year have come in the last four games, and he's been monstrous in the two Pac-10 deciding games. He followed up his 12 reception, 114 yard and 2 TD day against Arizona, with 6 receptions and 138 yards against the Beavers, including a 73 yard TD reception and a crucial, tough catch on 4th and 6 in the third quarter.
With Ed Dickson having played his last game at Autzen, expect Maehl to be Masoli's number 1 target next year.
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