Oregon Ducks defense, a shell of its former self, can’t find footing in loss to Oregon State

There had been signs all season that Oregon’s defense had a loss in it. Signs that late in a game an opposing team would make enough plays to upend the Ducks because their defense wasn’t up to the challenge of getting the job done with a game on the line.

But not many outside of maybe Oregon State’s fanbase would have figured that such a thing would happen against the Beavers. Yet, on Friday night, it did.

Oregon State won the 124th meeting between these two teams, 41-38 on a less-than-one-yard touchdown dive by backup quarterback Chance Nolan on fourth down with 33 seconds remaining in the game.

The play put the final touches on a 10-play, 53-yard drive and an overall offensive performance by OSU (2-2) that netted 532 yards. The Beavers scored 22 points in the fourth quarter to steal the win from an Oregon team that led most of the way and by as much as 31-19 in the third quarter.

Doing must of the demolition for the Beavers was running back Jermar Jefferson, who rushed for 226 yards on 29 carries and scored two touchdowns. His performance might have reminded some of what Ryan Nall did to Oregon in 2016, the last time the Beavers won a game in this series. He rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns during a 34-24 win that saw him steamroll the Beavers.

Jefferson showed off some power on Friday but mostly used his vision, cutting ability and speed to keep the Ducks grasping at air most of the night.

“He does a really good job of riding and reading and being patient with his blocks,” UO coach Mario Cristobal said. “Really good football player. They have a good scheme and he made some plays.”

One had to realistically expect at least some decline by Oregon’s defense this season after losing senior linebackers Troy Dye and La’Mar Winston Jr. Then factor in the COVID-19 pandemic causing safeties Jevon Holland and Brady Breeze, and cornerback Thomas Graham Jr., opting out of the season and a dip was virtually assured. But where Oregon’s defense sits right now is cause for alarm. After Friday night, Oregon (3-1) is allowing 29.8 points per game.

Last season, Oregon allowed 16.5 points per game and limited teams to 3.3 yards rushing per carry.

There have simply been signs all season long that the Ducks’ defense was in trouble:

Oregon gave up 197 rushing on 6.4 yards per carry against Stanford in a 35-14 win to open the season.

Oregon righted itself in the second half against Washington state after falling behind 19-14 at halftime but allowed true freshman quarterback Jayden de Laura to gain 321 through the air.

In last week’s 38-35 win at home over UCLA, the Oregon defense sprang leaks all over the place while allowing the Bruins to rush for 267 yards and covert 8 of 17 third-down attempts.

That brought the team to Friday where for the Beavers, unlike Oregon’s prior opponents , were able to put together both the running and passing games at the same time and that gave the Ducks fits. Quarterback Tristan Gebbia completed 23 of 37 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

There’s not one area of trouble on Oregon’s defense to point the finger toward.

Pass coverage wasn’t sound. The pass rush failed to rattle Gebbia. Tackling was certainly an issue.

“It’s on everybody,” safety Verone McKinley III said.

Oregon appeared to be in control of the game in the third quarter despite Jefferson having a strong game. The Ducks led 24-13 at halftime and forced a three-and-out for the Beavers. The Oregon’s did the same and from that point on the game became a circus.

The Beavers scored touchdowns on their next three possessions. A masterful 92-yard touchdown drive on 16 plays made the score 31-26, Oregon. The UO quarterback Tyler Shough threw an interception and the Beavers scored touchdowns on four of their final five possessions.

What stung the most for Oregon is that the final touchdown drive wouldn’t have happened had the Ducks offense gotten the job done after the defense finally got a stop following three consecutive OSU touchdown drives.

Oregon State stopped a fourth-down and 7 at 15 when Gebbia’a pass fell incomplete with 2:18 remaining and UO leading 38-34.

The Ducks’ defense had done it. It overcame itself to halt a 13-play drive.

But the offense gave the ball right back on a punt after three downs and left 1:51 remaining on the clock.

“We had a chance at the end there to get a first down and end the football game,” Cristobal said.

Anyone watching who didn’t believe OSU smelled blood in the water was in denial or not paying really close attention to what had been going on.

Gebbia found holes in Oregon’s zone and moved the ball down to the 1 before leaving with a leg injury after a third down sneak attempt at the goal line came up short. Nolan finished off the Ducks with his plunge.

So where do the Ducks go from here? Cristobal was clearly agitated during the post-game video press conference. He said players must look inward and try to improve, and that that’s the only type of player they want around.

Areas that need improvement, McKinley said, include tightening up zone coverage, defensive backs finding receivers quicker and jumping on them. Defenders getting off of blocks is a clear concern for everyone, McKinley said. That allowed Jefferson to locate and cut toward holes all game long.

But is there time for major improvement? The Ducks have two regular season games remaining in this anything-but normal season. Games at Cal (0-3) and Washington (2-0) await. Maybe. Cancellations have been rampant this season.

The playoff fantasy is dead. But that never should have been entertained. Oregon lost 12 players to the NFL including the opt-outs. This was never going to be a playoff team. But it could still win the Pac-12. That is wide open. Nevertheless, if UO’s defense doesn’t tighten things up another loss almost seems inevitable.

“All we can do,” McKinley said, “is correct and move on.”

— Aaron Fentress 5/8 afentress@Oregonian.com 5/8 @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).

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