The Oregon Ducks edged out the Boise State Broncos in a tight 37-34 matchup, securing a victory. However, Oregon’s performance left much to be desired, particularly on the offensive line, which continued to struggle. They’ve already given up seven sacks this season, compared to just five throughout all of last year, and they’ve only faced what could be considered weaker competition so far. Despite a relatively light schedule ahead, the Ducks will still have to take on #3 Ohio State and #17 Michigan later this season, both of which are known for their aggressive blitzing.
Oregon Ducks Offensive Line Again Struggles Against Boise State Broncos
The Oregon football team has started the season with a 2-0 record and holds a ninth-place ranking nationally. However, their performance has been lackluster, scoring only 24 points against the Idaho Vandals and allowing the Boise State Broncos to rack up 34 points. The most alarming issue lies with the offensive line, where opposing defenses are dismantling the Ducks’ offense.
Last season, Oregon allowed only five sacks throughout the year and effectively protected quarterback Bo Nix. This year, they have already given up seven sacks and are projected to allow 30 more. While some fans attribute this to quarterback play, new starter Dillon Gabriel has not been the issue so far. Previously, Gabriel played for UCF and Oklahoma, where he was sacked 92 times over five seasons, including one season lost to injury. He faced only 17 sacks last season and is known for getting the ball out quickly. Additionally, Gabriel is a capable runner, having scored 12 rushing touchdowns last season, but he struggles to utilize that ability with a faltering offensive line. At this rate, he is on pace to experience the highest sack total of his career in a single season.
What can the Oregon Football Staff do to Improve Their Offensive Line Issues?
The Oregon football staff needs to find ways to improve their physicality up front as they move forward. Both the Idaho Vandals and Boise State Broncos didn’t have particularly experienced or strong defensive units, yet they frequently penetrated the backfield, creating significant challenges for quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Gabriel has a quick release and his style relies on getting rid of the ball swiftly. Nonetheless, he still requires his line to provide adequate protection to allow plays to develop. Oregon prefers not to make slow, methodical progress but aims to score efficiently.
If the coaching staff can encourage their offensive line to be more aggressive, they should be able to minimize sacks going forward. Although Oregon has returned their entire starting offensive line, they have struggled at the start of the season. The Ducks need to improve quickly to face physical defenses like Michigan State and Purdue without risking an upset.
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