When the Oregon Ducks finished their Week 1 game against the Idaho Vandals, the scoreboard said they won, but you'd never know it by looking at head coach Dan Lanning when he walked into the press room about half an hour after the game ended.
“Appreciate everyone’s patience. It was different than we thought it might look like, but on the same note, we’ve got to give a lot of credit to Idaho," Lanning said to start his press conference. "They played a really good game. They didn’t give us anything for free. There were a lot of learning moments for us, so I’m excited to watch the film and get back to work because there’s certainly some things we can clean up."
You're right, Lanning. It was different than we thought it might look like.
Oregon entered the regular season as the No. 3 ranked team in the country with aspirations of kicking down the door as they enter the Big Ten Conference, while competing with the best teams around the country for a run at the College Football Playoffs.
It's only one game, but Oregon looked like anything but a powerhouse in Week 1. The offensive line was porous, allowing three sacks against an FCS defense that you would expect a top team to manhandle at the line of scrimmage.
According to PFF, the Oregon offensive line allowed 10 pressures from the Idaho defense. Right tackle Ajani Cornelius , who was receiving tons of preseason love as an All-American candidate and draft prospect, allowed three pressures, one hurry, two sacks (one of which caused a lost fumble), and was penalized for illegal formation twice. It was a rough outing.
The offensive line was a bit shuffled with Matthew Bedford, who was slated to be the starting right guard, missing the game with an injury. Iapani Laloulu kicked from center over to guard, and walk-on Portland native Charlie Pickard got the start at center. Even still, the unit as a whole struggled to identify and pick up stunts, gave up pressure on key passing downs, and failed to get push in the run game.
"Great teams are able to learn from tight matches, this was certainly a tight match," Lanning said.
It's not just on the offensive line. For Lanning, he made it very clearly time and time again after last night's game that the team has plenty to improve on.
"I think there were some moments that were really strong, and then there's some moments that in every facet can improve. So watching the film I think will give some great indications of where we get better," he said.
The sentiment was echoed by star wide receiver Tez Johnson , who led the way with 12 receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
"We knew it wasn't our best performance, but who cares what anybody else thinks, we're just going to go back to the doctor and fix it.
"Going to the doctor" is an expression often used by Lanning. It's what he calls the evaluation process, of players having to take their medicine. You don't always like the medicine, but you know you need it to get better.
And that will be the key going forward – get better.
Related: Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel is off to a hot start as he chases three illustrious all-time records
Follow along all year for more Oregon Ducks coverage on A to Z Sports. You can find me on X @JonHelmkamp , as well as follow our main page @AtoZSportsNFL for all the latest news.
Local Oregon State
Most Popular
Comments / 0