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UCLA Football Early 2018 Schedule Preview: Oregon Ducks

By Mike Regalado

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Oregon Ducks looks on during the Las Vegas Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Mario Cristobal of the Oregon Ducks looks on during the Las Vegas Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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CORVALLIS, OR – NOVEMBER 26: Running back Ryan Nall #34 of the Oregon State Beavers bulls ahead for a first down as linebacker Jimmie Swain #18 of the Oregon Ducks and linebacker Troy Dye #35 of the Oregon Ducks try to bring him down during the second quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
CORVALLIS, OR – NOVEMBER 26: Running back Ryan Nall #34 of the Oregon State Beavers bulls ahead for a first down as linebacker Jimmie Swain #18 of the Oregon Ducks and linebacker Troy Dye #35 of the Oregon Ducks try to bring him down during the second quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Corvallis, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Oregon Defense

One thing Willie Taggart did well in his one season at Oregon was hire a solid coaching staff. That is especially important for the Ducks’ defense. In 2016, Oregon ranked near the bottom of the Pac-12 in total defense (11th, 518.4 ypg) and scoring defense (11th, 41.4 ppg).

That changed dramatically in 2017 after Jim Leavitt was brought in from Colorado. The Ducks’ improved significantly in both categories as a total defense was 369.2 (4th) and scoring defense was 29.0 (8th). Oregon was attacking and explosive in their pursuit to stop the opposing offenses and that will only improve in 2018.

The defense will be led by potential Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year candidate, LB Troy Dye. Last season he racked up 107 total tackles (3rd in the Pac-12), 14 tackles for a loss (4th in the Pac-12), 4 sacks, 1 interception, 1 fumble forced and 1 recovered. All this as a sophomore.

Oregon 2017 Defensive Stats

Total Defense Passing Defense Rushing Defense Scoring Defense
369.2 (4th)  240.6 (8th) 128.5 (2nd) 29.0 (8th)

( ) – denotes ranking in the TEAM CONFERENCE

But Dye is not alone. He has a lot of talented defenders around him, especially in the linebacking corps. La’Mar Winston and Justin Hollins will help to create havoc with the defense. On the line, Oregon has senior DE Jalen Jelks who was adept at getting into the backfield.

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Last season Jelks had 6.5 sacks (8th in the Pac-12) and 15 tackles for a loss (3rd). Needless to say, Oregon is going to be all over the field and will cause a lot of headaches for opponents, but it doesn’t stop there.

The secondary did not have a lot of experience last year and did what they could with their youth. That will not be an excuse this season especially with CB Thomas Graham, Jr. leading the DBs. Last year he had the third most tackles on the team (62) and second in interceptions (3). He will need his position group mates to help out which means we could see a breakout season from CB Deommodore Lenoir and CB Ugo Amadi.

So can UCLA, whose run game has been non-existent the last few years, put yards on the ground against this attacking defense? They are going to have to if they want to come out victorious. They might be successful through the air, but Chip Kelly needs the run game to be top notch. It may not reach its potential this year, but it will get there.