Defensive Players of the Game: Oregon vs. Washington State
The Oregon defense had a solid day as it allowed just 371 total yards and 24 points to the Cougars.
These numbers are a bit deceiving, however, as Oregon allowed a touchdown with nine seconds left in the game as the Cougars padded their stats.
It wasn’t Oregon’s best defensive performance of the year but the Ducks did just enough to win the game. However, there were a few players that really stood out last night in Autzen.
Kayvon Thibodeaux
It was another masterclass performance for Thibodeaux as he finished the game with six solo tackles and two sacks.
He was dynamic rushing the quarterback and he was able to record a sack early in the game to get things rolling out of the gate. For the rest of the game, he was doing a great job at contributing in run defense, and he was able to record a second sack late in the game to take the momentum away from the Cougars late.
It was apparent that the Cougars were trying to scheme their entire offense away from Thibodeaux as they continuously ran to the other side of where he was aligned.
They also ran a lot of quick passes to try to take away his effect as a pass rusher but Thibodeaux was still able to leave his mark on the game.
Verone McKinley III
The standout safety was phenomenal and finished with eight total tackles (five solo) and one interception. It was his fifth interception of the year, which is tied for first in the nation with four other players. With Oregon battling injuries in the secondary all season, McKinley has been incredibly important to this secondary and has stepped up in a big way.
He’s not just an important player to the defense, he’s a leader on the field and one of the most experienced players on this defense. McKinley continues to make big-time plays when the defense needs someone to make a play, and it was no different against the Cougars.
Brandon Dorlus
Dorlus didn’t technically record a stat if you look at a box score, but I would argue it was one of his best games as a Duck.
Dorlus was making his impact felt when rushing the passer, and without Dorlus the Oregon pass-rush wouldn’t have had as good of a night as they did.
On Thibodeaux’s first sack of the game, it was all made possible by Dorlus. He pushed the right tackle all the way into Jayden de Laura and forced him to slide to the left and directly into Thibodeaux. Anytime you watched Dorlus on a passing play he was pushing the guard or center directly back into the pocket and forcing De Laura to constantly move his feet.
Dorlus also recorded a pass breakup as he swatted down a pass at the line of scrimmage late in the game. While Dorlus wasn’t able to record a sack, it was a downright dominant performance from the interior defensive lineman.
