Ducks Terrible. Worst 49-0 Win Ever!!!

Even when the Wildcats caught the ball, the Ducks swarming
defense proved too much -- in this case forcing a fumble. 
Photos from Oregonian.

From John Canzano's column in the Sunday Oregonian

Oregon's grade on defense: A+.


The Ducks grade on offense: C-, maybe.

Right now, Kelly has himself one-half of a Top-5 football team. The pollsters will be fooled by the blowout final score. The computers will be fooled by the outcome. But anyone who saw the defense dominate, and the offense rely on two first-half drives of 17 plays and 16 plays that resulted in, ack, the first two field goals of the season knows what I'm talking about. There were bad snaps, and crucial penalties, and a failure to convert open opportunities. All that, washed away by a defense that might not ever play a more complete
game.
Maybe we ought to accept this victory, no questions. Take what you can get, especially given the chaos in the Top 10. Maybe the Ducks defense will be enough this season to make the offense not matter so much. So many maybes, but also that 4-0. But I suspect Oregon knows, down deep, it has a more complete game in it than the one it played on Saturday.

When I read this story, I had to chuckle.  How far the Ducks have come that fans and writers these days would criticize them after beating a 22nd ranked conference foe by a score of 49 to zip.

I get it. A lot of mistakes were made. And now Oregon has moved up to the #2 spot. What if the Natty were held today and Oregon played Alabama? Ya, definitely not ready. Better to continue testing their wings against Washington State.

'Zona was expecting the Reggie Bushesque DeAnthony Thomas.
Instead they got a big dose of Toby Gerhart-like pounding
from 6'5", 240 lb. Colt Lyerla. Move over, DAT.
Put Lyerla on the cover of S.I.

 Arizona was the first serious competition of the season. Despite the score, I think they're a good team. They made a ton of mistakes. Their QB Matt Scott injured his hip in the first quarter, limiting his ability to keep the ball and run, which shut down down a third of their options. But they're on the right track.

Coach Richard Rodriguez called their inability to score with six chances in the red zone "embarrassing". To Oregon's defense, it was a badge of pride for hard work and preparation.

Rose Bowl hero Kiko Alonzo snags this blocked field goal attempt.
It was one of Arizona's six failed scoring attempts in the red zone.

Aaron Fentress wrote in the Oregonian:
Defensive tackle Wade Keliikipi blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt. Ekpre-Olomu intercepted his first pass of the night off Arizona Scott at the Oregon 12. Defensive end Tony Washington stopped Scott for a one-yard loss from the Oregon two on fourth down. Oregon made similar tough stops in a win over Fresno State.

"Our coaches prepare us so we know what we have to do in every situation," said Oregon cornerback Troy Hill, who added a 29-yard interception return for the touchdown.

If not for such performances, Oregon easily could have lost this game. The offense had zero explosion plays until the third quarter.

In another article, one of Oregon's players said the D's preparation includes practicing having to defend a short field after a turnover. Definitely came in handy.

This is critical because it won't be the last time this season when the D is called upon to save the day while this young offense works game-by-game to clean up it's act.

But alas, Arizona is now someone else's problem. Have fun USC when you go to Tucson. And congratulations, Trojans, on your underwhelming 27-9 win over the "tough" Cal Bears.

Next, we ask the question: Could this be the Coug-iest Coug team in the history of Cougdom?