It wasn’t the greatest game for the No. 4 Ducks.
But it also wasn’t the worst they’ve played.
All involved who stepped up to the post-game podium said as much when describing the Ducks performance against a very game Stony Brook team, who in the end, got run out of Autzen Stadium Saturday evening 48-7.
“We had a 17-7 first half and 31-0 second half” said Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal after the game.
“We were inconsistent in the first half. There were opportunities there to be had. The sloppy plays were really at the end of the first half when we gave up a couple of sacks. We had some challenges with some of the movements and stunts and extra guys that they brought, but we have to be better at that obviously.
I thought we got better at it as the game went on. There were some bright spots in the first half but not nearly enough. We need to take more control of a game like that early on but I am encouraged by the second half and our ability to dial in and focus to finish the game.”
Defensively, Oregon is now a plus-seven in the takeaway category with four additional turnovers caused against the Seawolves. The Ducks grabbed three interceptions, ( two by Verone McKinley ) and one fumble and recovery. And they’re still doing it without their stars.
Because of injuries Cristobal and staff are now being forced to play a variety of young players, which eventually will work in the Ducks favor in regards to depth at multiple positions.
“We played 80 guys tonight. A lot of guys saw significant playing time and a lot saw their first playing time” explained Cristobal.
“We weren’t trying to rest guys. We were just banged up at certain positions so we had to play guys. I think as the game went on they started getting in the right type of groove. They were understanding how to get a signal and apply it on a play by play basis to play very physical. We played much better football in the second half”
Football is a game of attrition. Injuries are simply of the game and occur to most teams across the country. But the injury bug has painfully bitten the Ducks more so, and early in this 2021 season.
The list of the walking wounded is long with different levels of recovery at play.
“Steven [Jones] looked good in the locker room. So did Troy [Franklin]. I don’t suspect any issues there” explained Cristobal.
“Treven [Ma’ae] got banged up last week. He played tonight and didn’t seem to have any issues. We held Bradyn [Swinson]. He got nicked up last week. Keith Brown was available in case of emergency. What I mean by that, is he was available to play, but it would be best for him going forward if we were able to get a little more rest and continue his process to being 100%. He’s right about there. Mase [Funa] is looking like he’s good to go. We held a lot of guys but it wasn’t just to hold guys. We felt it was best for them, for their health and going into Pac-12 play now.
Every week is a playoff game. We felt to get to the health we need to that it was best to rest them tonight.”
POST GAME; MARIO CRISTOBAL DISCUSSED WIN OVER STONY BROOK