With the Civil War less than a week away, the tension is building to a climax. Not that it hasn’t already as both teams, especially the Beavers, have looked forward to this rematch since the Ducks blew out the Beavers 65-38 in Corvallis last year. Both teams have similar make-ups as they each have terrific leadership at the quarterback position and talented young running backs from the state of Texas. Besides a Rose Bowl berth, there are quite a few other storylines riding in this game.
Sean Canfield vs. Jeremiah Masoli for 1st team Pac-10: With a 70.3% completion percentage, Canfield has shattered the school record and ranks as one of the nation’s most efficient passers. He also leads the conference in passing yards (2,797), and touchdowns (19). Masoli on the other hand, is one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks. Masoli has only thrown for 14 touchdowns and 1,865 yards, but has rushed for over 600 yards and 12 touchdowns. Whoever plays better should lead his team to victory, as well as claiming 1st team Pac-10 honors.
Who will join Toby Gerhart as 1st team running back? There are two spots for running backs on the 1st team Pac-10, and Heisman candidate Toby Gerhart already has one locked up. Sophomore sensation Jacquizz Rodgers and freshman speedster LaMichael James will compete for the other spot. James has rushed for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averages a whopping 6.9 yards per carry. Rodgers is the workhorse for the Beavers and has scored 20 total touchdowns on the year. Rodgers has run for 1,313 yards, but also has caught 67 balls for 436 yards.
Damola Adeniji returns home: The senior walk-on grew up a Duck fan in Eugene and attended South Eugene high school. He has emerged as the Beavers’ second best receiver and has caught 47 passes 672 yards and four touchdowns. Adeniji has more catches and yards than any Duck. His strong senior season has earned some NFL interest. This is his first time playing meaningful minutes against the Ducks and it would be great if he could stick it to his home town team.
The statistical battle: The Beavers’ have the conference’s best passing attack. The Ducks’ have the conference’s best rushing attack. Matching up with the Beavers’ aerial assault is a stout Duck’s pass defense that was ranked as the Pac-10’s top pass defense until last week. Likewise, the Beavers’ counter the Ducks’ running game with a run defense rated as the conferences’ best. Both offenses are pretty similar as the Beavers’ average 422 yards a game while the Ducks average 418 yards per game. Each team’s defense gives up 22 points a game. Although the Ducks have turned the ball over 19 times, their aggressive defense has forced 24 turnovers this season. The Beavers lead the Pac-10 in giveaways with only eight, but have only twelve takeaways. As you can see, these teams are quite identical on paper.
The Beavers will need to do two things in this game: Hold on to the ball, and keep Jeremiah Masoli contained. In the Beavers’ three losses this season, they have turned it over four times. Four may not seem like a big number, but they only have eight turnovers on the season. The Beaver defensive line will have to play superior to the Ducks’ offensive line. Pressuring, and containing Jeremiah Masoli’s running is the key to success against the Oregon offense. If the Beavers’ can force Masoli to actually throw the ball downfield, Masoli will become anxious and try to fit the ball into tight spots.
The Beavers defense has stopped the run against spread offenses so far this year, but has faced nothing like the Ducks’ rushing attack. Last year the Beavers’ came into the Civil War with a banged up quarterback, without Jacquizz Rodgers, and emotionally and physically worn down from multiple games that went down to the wire. This year they have enjoyed the conference’s two worst teams and a bye in the weeks approaching the Civil War. This team is healthy, rested and playing well; and is very dangerous.









