Bear Down Wildcats

But it knows how to stop Oregon. Our conditioning certainly helps but the fact of the matter is that is three straight years where the defense stood toe to toe with one of the most explosive offenses in the college game. And yes I say "three" because in 2012 the defense played well enough to win that game, crazy considering who was starting on the team that year.

The 3-3-5 works wonders when the players stay disciplined and hit hard and tackle the right way. These guys played completely differently tonight. It's clear they spent a lot of time on fundamentals the last 2 weeks.

Its a personnel thing more than a scheme thing. But its a good scheme to play against Oregon.

They played great. Defense! Defense! Defense!

You have to play Oregon on containment first, aggressiveness second. If they get long completions, that's fine as long as you keep them in front of you. If they get a speedy ball carrier to the outside, give up the yards, but escort him out of bounds instead of attacking. Sometimes you concede some yards to avoid them getting the big play. Oregon feasts on other teams getting aggressive on defense, and that's where the receivers break free deep or running backs are able to juke an attacking defender. Contain first, then when you're in their heads you can attack. The discipline to pick your spots and also to maintain your gap assignments is crucial.

azpenguin wrote:You have to play Oregon on containment first, aggressiveness second. If they get long completions, that's fine as long as you keep them in front of you. If they get a speedy ball carrier to the outside, give up the yards, but escort him out of bounds instead of attacking. Sometimes you concede some yards to avoid them getting the big play. Oregon feasts on other teams getting aggressive on defense, and that's where the receivers break free deep or running backs are able to juke an attacking defender. Contain first, then when you're in their heads you can attack. The discipline to pick your spots and also to maintain your gap assignments is crucial.

Easier said than done - we gotta give some props to Casteel and his defensive staff.

Just ask the dude from Michigan State who has one of the best D's in the country, and they got schooled by Oregon.