Despite some concern that the Oregon Ducks’ Week 8 matchup with Purdue would be a trap game, especially since it came less than a week after Oregon’s big win over Ohio State, the Ducks handled their business against the Boilermakers, winning 35-0.
With most of Oregon’s points coming early in the first half, this game wasn’t filled with excitement from wire to wire. But for the No. 2 ranked Ducks, a boring game is a good thing, especially against teams like Purdue.
Oregon’s defense was fantastic in this game, keeping Purdue off the scoreboard for all of this week’s game. The standout for Oregon’s defense was sophomore defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei, and he is the Ducks Wire Player of the Game.
Uiagalelei has been spectacular throughout his entire Oregon career, but this season, and particularly in the Ducks’ last two games, he’s been sensational. This week, Uiagalelei finished with 3 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a sack.
Against Purdue, Uiagalelei played well, but last week against Ohio State, he stepped up in a big way. With Oregon’s star DE Jordan Burch getting scratched late, Uiagalelei’s snap count flew up, and he more than rose to the occasion. On 61 snaps, Uiagalelei grabbed 5 tackles, 2 TFLs, and a sack, making a huge impact on the Ducks’ effort to stifle Ohio State’s rushing attack.
Next week, Oregon takes on the Illinois Fighting Illini, a team with a much stronger offense than the Boilermakers. Burch will likely be out or limited, so Uiagalelei will once again be asked to rise up.
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