Anthony Brown, Duck Passing Key to Beating Bruins

Posted on October 22, 2021

With C.J. Verdell out for the season, Oregon’s rushing attack will be dependent on Travis Dye, an experienced and versatile back who has surprising power on runs up the middle.

Dye had the best game of his career against Cal, with seven receptions for 73 yards and 145 yards rushing.

Opponents have completed 62.9% of their passes against UCLA and averaged 290 yards per game, the worst mark in the Conference. UCLA has also given up 13 passing touchdowns, also the worst in the conference.

This is where it gets interesting.

To this point in the season, Oregon’s passing attack has been mostly limited to short slants, crossing routes, screens, quick outs, and short passes over the middle and in the flat against zone coverage.

Brown rarely throws down field more than 10-15 yards.

Nearly all of Oregon’s big plays in the passing game have come on short passes that Dye, Verdell or one of the wide receivers managed to turn into long gains, thanks in large part to excellent blocking by wideouts.

Speaking of Oregon’s wide receivers, they have been mostly missing in action. No UO receiver has had a 100-yard game yet, and the running backs have generally been Brown’s preferred targets.

Devon Williams had four receptions against Cal, which was the first time this season an Oregon wideout has had more than three catches in a game.

Yet, Oregon has a talented group of pass-catchers that features experienced wideouts, including Johnny Johnson III, Jaylon Redd, Devon Williams, and Mycah Pittman.

In our opinion, it is more complicated than simply pointing to Brown’s shortcomings.

It may, in fact, stem partially from the philosophy of Head Coach Mario Cristobal, who views turnovers with complete horror. Cristobal clearly wants to play ball control, pound it up the middle, avoid turnovers, limit risky plays, and throw enough to keep opponents from packing the box.

While Brown has been inconsistent, he has generally played within the parameters his coaches set for him, and he has done enough good things (see his play in the fourth quarter against Cal) to keep his starting position.

But the UCLA matchup just screams for a different approach. Hit some receivers down field. Get the wideouts more involved. Use Dye as a decoy, at least at times. Find the big tight ends and let them rumble.