The one constant for the Oregon Ducks in Weeks 6 and 7 was the elite defensive effort led by the uber talented front four, widely regarded as one of, if not the best defensive line units in all of college football. Up to that point, they hadn't played like it, but they most certainly did in stymying the UCLA Bruins and Nebraska Cornhuskers' rushing attacks.
Heading into a matchup with the Illinois Fighting Illini in Week 8 needing a win, the Ducks' front four didn't put forth the sort of performance that was needed. By game's end, the Fighting Illini had amassed 225 yards on the ground, finding sustained success in the run game in second half as they marched down the field for a pair of touchdowns.
The secondary had their moments, but allowing
a deep touchdown pass to Illinois star receiver Collin Dixon put the game away.
Meanwhile, the special teams, which had helped carry the Ducks in recent weeks alongside the defense, faltered badly. Kicker Gage Hurych came into the game having gone 9-for-9 on the year, but missed three of his four field goal attempts on Saturday in Champaign. As a whole, the season has unraveled for the Oregon program.
Let's break down where Oregon's defense and special teams rank nationally in various statistical categories after Week 8.
Scoring Defense: No. 39
Points allowed per game: 20.7
Passing Defense: No. 44
Pass yards allowed per game: 197.6
Rushing Defense: No. 52
Rush yards allowed per game: 127.9
Total Defense: No. 39
Total yards allowed per game: 325.4
Third Down Defense: No. 11
Third down conversion percentage: 29.7%
Red Zone Defense: No. 61
Red zone conversion percentage: 82.6%
Sacks: No. 58
Total sacks: 16
Tackles for Loss: No. 105
Total tackles for loss: 33
Turnovers Forced: No. 21
Total turnovers forced: 12
Punt Return Defense: No. 1
Average yards per opposing punt return: -1.0
Kickoff Returns: No. 135
Average kickoff return yards: 12.8
Punt Returns: No. 81
Average punt return yards: 8.6
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Where Oregon's defense, special teams rank after Week 8 loss
