Oregon-UCLA Preview
Nearly seven years have passed since Oregon last dropped back-to-back games. That streak could be in danger with a much-anticipated visit to Pasadena up next.
Heisman Trophy hopeful Marcus Mariota and the 12th-ranked Ducks try to bounce back Saturday against No. 18 UCLA, which is also looking to regroup following a shocking defeat of its own.
Oregon (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) dropped 10 spots in this week's AP poll after falling 31-24 to unbeaten Arizona last Thursday. Mariota threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns, but the Ducks - who were favored by more than three scores - allowed a tiebreaking one-yard TD plunge with under three minutes to play.
"Every loss is a test of our character to see how we respond," cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu said. "Not every team in college football is going to go undefeated so everyone has to learn from their losses and get better."
Oregon posted by far its lowest scoring output of the year after averaging 48.5 points during a 4-0 start. The Ducks, who only committed one turnover during those games, had two against the Wildcats and compiled a season-low 446 yards of total offense.
Oregon hasn't suffered consecutive defeats in the same season since a three-game slide Nov. 15-Dec. 1, 2007. That stretch began with Arizona stunning the No. 2 Ducks on a Thursday.
"Execution, discipline, a bunch of things that we control were not good enough," coach Mark Helfrich said. "It was not good enough to play the schedule we play. We need to play more cleanly in every phase."
Cleaning things up on the offensive line could prove key for the Ducks, who have allowed 12 sacks over the last two games. True freshman Tyrell Crosby and walk-on Matt Pierson started their second game at tackle with Tyler Johnstone, Andre Yruretagoyena and Jake Fisher all injured.
"That's all I could ask for, that we're getting better," center Hroniss Grasu told the Ducks' official website. "It's no excuse about who's in there. It's the five best guys that are available, and we gotta go from there. No excuse for the sacks we've been giving up. ... We've got to do whatever it takes to protect Marcus and take the hits off him."
The Bruins (4-1, 1-1) also had trouble protecting their quarterback in last Saturday's 30-28 defeat to Utah. Brett Hundley was sacked a whopping 10 times, the most of any player in Division I since December 2012.
"I'll say it again and until the day that I die or get out of football. Sacks are a component of all 11 (players)," coach Jim Mora said. "Sometimes it's a rush, sometimes you get beat, and sometimes the quarterback holds it for too long. It's a function of all of those things.
"It doesn't matter if it was the offense, the defense, special teams or the coaching. We have to figure out why. We have to push on from here."
UCLA, which fell behind on a 29-yard field goal with 34 seconds left, had a chance to win but Ka'imi Fairbairn missed a 50-yard attempt on an untimed down after the Utes were penalized for running into him on a failed 55-yarder as time expired.
Hundley finished 16 of 21 for 269 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, just his second of the year. His completion percentage of 72.8 ranks first in the country, just ahead of Mariota's mark of 71.1.
Mariota, who has 15 touchdowns and no picks, leads the FBS with a passer rating of 202.4, while Hundley ranks fifth at 181.4.
Offensive coordinator Scott Frost suggested Mariota may not be 100 percent after taking a beating under center, but he's fully expected to play Saturday. Although he's been hit a lot lately, he may not face much of a pass rush by the Bruins, who rank last in the Pac-12 with seven sacks.
Mariota threw for 230 yards and a score as Oregon outgained UCLA 555-283 in total offense in an easy 42-14 victory last Oct. 26. The Ducks held Hundley to 13 of 19 passing for 64 yards - his fewest in any full game during his three seasons with the Bruins.
Oregon has taken 10 of 12 in the series, including five straight by an average of 22.8 points. They have won five of their last six road games against Top 25 foes.