[2022] Oregon Week 5 Review/Week 6 Preview

[HAFFnHAFF]

 

Week 5 Review

 

Week 3 Score: Oregon 7 - California 13

POTG: DE Omar Leroux - 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FF

 

What happened: Saturday’s late-night game featured a lack of action that may have put even the most ardent football fans to sleep. It was a battle of lockdown defenses (or anemic offenses depending upon your point of view.) The 2 sides combined for 15 punts on the night. That’s not to say there weren’t moments of excitement. Cal’s first drive saw them convert on a 3rd and 16 that was negated by a penalty and then convert on a 3rd and 21 after the penalty was enforced. Golden Bears’ runningback Garrett Dupre ripped off a 50-yard run and Ducks RB Jerry Lawson answered with a 24-yard run of his own (neither of which resulted in touchdowns).

 

California took a 10-0 lead in the early 2nd quarter after QB Mychealon Lasco found WR Hunter Stauffer for a 43-yard gain to the Oregon 4-yard line. On the next play, Lasco connected with TE Alonzo Davison for a touchdown. Two drives later, Oregon answered back with an 8-play, 71-yard touchdown drive that was sparked by a Vandal Person interception of Lasco. That was as close as Oregon would come, with the Golden Bears’ defense pitching a shutout in the 2nd half.

 

Oregon went 3 and out on their first 3 drives of the 2nd half before finally picking up a first down and driving across midfield in the late 4th quarter. Down 13-7, Coach HAFFnHAFF made the cowardly decision to punt on a 4th and 2 from the Cal 44-yard line. The offense only had one more chance, with the ball around midfield and under 2 minutes to play, but QB Nathan Frazier was sacked on 1st down putting the Ducks behind the sticks. After an incomplete pass on 2nd down and a short gain on 3rd, the offense faced a game-deciding 4th and 7 and Frazier made the decision to check the ball down to his TE, Shawn Meeks, for 2 yards to lose the game.

 

Frazier’s gameplay in this game was an abomination. He attempted 30 passes for only 88 yards with a season-low 2.93 YPA. Jerry Lawson did everything he could against the stacked boxes the Golden Bear defense was throwing at him still racking up 100 yards on the ground, but it wasn’t enough. As fans were exiting the stadium, chants for Brad Harrison, last year’s 4* QB commit, could be heard loud and clear.

 

Week 6 Preview

Match-up: Oregon (1-3) @ Colorado (4-1)

 

What to watch for (Oregon): The Oregon offense appeared to find its rhythm against UCLA 2 weeks ago in a thrilling overtime win, but took a significant step backward last week against California. Meanwhile, the defense struggled to contain the Bruins but clamped down on the Golden Bears. Will this be the week that both units play well in the same game? If so, the Ducks could fly out of Boulder with an upset.

 

What to watch for (Colorado): The Colorado offense has been on fire recently, topping 40 points scored in each of their last 2 games. RB Pat Smith had a career game last week, notching 4 rushing TDs. If Colorado can control the line of scrimmage on offense to open holes for Smith, and on defense to contain Jerry Lawson, it should be smooth sailing for the Buffalo.