EUGENE -- Despite a growing list of injuries and well-chronicled struggles against the run, Oregon's defense enters the Civil War riding its best three-game stretch of stonewall play in the red zone in over five years.
The Ducks (7-4, 4-4 Pac-12) have allowed just four touchdowns in 13 trips to the zone during their last three games. That 30.77 percent touchdown rate over three games has lowered Oregon's season average to 45.45 percent, which ranks eighth nationally and is in line to be the program's best since 2010 (42.5 percent).
"I think that's huge, because whether teams have gotten down there on their own and then whether there's been a turnover or a big return that put us in situation defensively, we've been showing great resilience as far as keeping guys out and holding them to field goals," Oregon safeties coach Keith Heyward said.