Leading up to the Fiesta Bowl, DuckTV will be breaking down every aspect of the game.
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By Shannon Hartley
The Oregon Ducks face up against the Kansas State Wildcats in what will be their first return to the Fiesta Bowl since Oregon’s beat down of the Colorado Buffalo in 2002. The Ducks and Wildcats both have very high powered offenses that put pressure on opposing defenses and score points fast.
Defensive backs on both sides of the ball will be crucial throughout the game. The Ducks’ secondary has suffered injuries, but luckily their “next guy up” mentality and depth from rotating numerous players has helped them overcome the losses.
Sophomore Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is one of Oregon’s standouts in their secondary. Credit: Scott Olmos US PRESSWIRE
Kansas State will most likely be playing without starting free safety Ty Zimmerman, after suffering a leg injury late in conference play. Zimmerman is one of three DB’s for K-State that has racked up five interceptions this season.
Oregon is leading the nation in passes intercepted on the season with 24, but not all are credited to the defensive backfield. Seven of those 24 come from linebackers, which leaves Oregon with only one more pick than the Wildcat DB’s, who have 16.
Big concerns for both secondaries will be setting the sideline and lining up the right angle to keep explosion plays from happening. For Oregon it will be corralling Collin Klein and John Hubert on the outside when they run option plays. Oregon’s DB’s need to take good angles because although Collin Klein has a large frame, he is shifty and makes defenders miss, especially on read-option runs up the middle.
Kansas State’s secondary not only needs to help contain Oregon’s explosive runners in Kenjon Barner, De’Anthony Thomas and Marcus Mariota, but they need to keep Oregon from stretching the field with easy throws and catches to wideouts.
Both the Ducks and Wildcats have secondary defenders that are willing to come up and make tackles. Looking at each teams defensive statistics, both have three defensive backs in the top five. Oregon strong safety Brian Jackson, free safety Erick Dargan and cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu have combined for 170 of the Ducks’ total tackles while Kansas State’s strong safety Jarard Milo and cornerbacks Randall Evans and Allan Chapman have all combined for 201 of the Wildcats’ total tackles.
These numbers don’t show to be in Oregon’s favor, but you have to factor in that Oregon plays a lot of bodies throughout games, has suffered from injuries and often took out starters early in the season due to blowout victories.
Oregon benefits from depth, but Kansas State definitely has the finer tuned secondary. Oregon’s most experienced defensive back is sophomore cornerback Terrance Mitchell. Strong safety Brian Jackson is a junior, but this season is his first year as a starter. Ifo-Ekpre Olomu and Erick Dargan both began starting this year as sophomores.
Kansas State’s defensive backfield is filed with all juniors and seniors with the exception of sophomore cornerback Randall Evans. They are more experienced and play more frequently, so one could easily give them the edge, but that would be premature conclusion to which secondary is more talented.
Oregon has had success with younger defensive backs in the past with former players like Jairus Byrd and Patrick Chung. Current starters Terrance Mitchell and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu have both received high praises for their play as young pass defenders.
This game will be very fast-paced and exciting to watch. Each teams defensive backs need to step up and execute their gameplan. Both secondaries are very skilled. Oregon excels with speed and athleticism, while Kansas State has experience and consistency. It will be fun to watch the game changing plays both secondaries make in the Fiesta bowl on January 3.