Have to admit that the first half of this game in Ann Arbor played out like it might've in a dream, one which even I wasn't totally prepared to acknowledge (for the record, my pre-game pick had Michigan winning 38-34).
Yes, we figured that the Wolverines would show up determined to prove that last week was an aberration, and for much of the first half, they moved the ball well against the Ducks defense, giving up over 300 yards in that span. However, as Duck fans recall from last year, turnovers deep in enemy territory are not conducive to victories, and the Duck defense stepped it up to force those when needed, aside from the first touchdown of the game, a touchdown pass from Chad Henne to Adrian Arrington that gave the home side a 7-3 lead in the latter stages of the first quarter. It was exciting to see that Dennis Dixon continued to make progress, and the big play on the field, as on the ensuing Duck possession, he hit Brian Paysinger in stride for a perfect 85 yard touchdown pass down the left side that, when combined with the two-point conversion, gave the Ducks an 11-7 lead, a lead which would never be relinquished.
The Ducks ran roughshod over the Wolverines in the second quarter, with shocking ease to the fans of the maize and blue, and to the disgust of Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English, who did not look very happy at all. The game was over, for all intents and purposes, by halftime.
The Ducks were finally forced to punt with their first couple of second half possessions. However, the ineffectiveness of the passing game of Henne, who also suffered a leg injury, resulted in the installation of freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett. The combination of the untested QB combined with having to get away, because of the large deficit, from the one offensive bright spot for the Wolverines, running back Mike Hart, indeed proved too much to overcome.
I'm extremely happy the Ducks won, I thought the Ducks would be able to put up quite a few yards and points with no problem, but I also figured the Wolverines, especially on the defensive side of the ball, would show some progress in handling the spread offense. Instead, they looked worse, much worse, than the previous week.
Not much to complain about on the Ducks side of things, other than giving up too many third down conversions early on, but as the defense settled in and allowed only the one early score, those concerns were set aside for awhile. The test next week, against a Fresno State team that lost in triple overtime at Texas A & M tonight, should be a good one; let's hope the team recalls what happened the last time that Oregon beat Michigan. I am absolutely sure coach Belotti and the staff will remind one and all of that fact.
Don't think my aunt and cousin (Michigan people through and through) are gonna relish talking to me at the next family get together, I'll go easy on 'em as they're some of my favourite relatives, they're much more tolerable than all of the Beaver fans in this area. Besides, how sweet was the CINCINNATI ROMP OVER THE BEAVERS ON THURSDAY NIGHT?. Cheers to all concerned parties.
ESPN RECAP
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