College Football: Oregon Ducks Fly-Bye Week, Things To Work On

At Washington State, Kenjon Barner was knocked out returning a kick and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. LaMichael James got banged up and had to leave the game for a period of time due to a hip injury. Darron Thomas was also injured when he went down hard to the ground and hurt his shoulder.

After a very physical win against Washington State, the bye week could not have come at a better time for the Oregon Ducks. With the 43-23 win behind them, the Ducks took time this week to heal and get ready for UCLA.

Along with getting healthy, here are some things the Ducks need to improve on coming off the bye week.

First-Half Defense

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal is sacked by defensive end Kenny Rowe #58 of the Oregon Ducks in the third quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 52-31.

While Oregon is playing lights-out defense in the second half, they have had some recent struggles early on in the game.

The performance by the Oregon defense needs to become more consistent. If the defense continues to wait until the second half to make its adjustments, it may finally be too late for the offense to overcome the deficit.

Offensive Line Needs To Find Its Identity

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks runs with the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Coming into the year, the Oregon offensive line returned intact and was viewed as a real strength. While the running game has clicked this year, it has had stretches of time in which the line has not been able to execute consistently.

To go along with the lack of consistency in the running game, too many times Darron Thomas has found himself either being rushed to make a throw or hit while making it. 

If the Ducks look to match their first-half success in the second half, the offensive line must be the strength it was viewed as being.

Kenjon Barner's Health

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Running back Kenjon Barner #24 of the Oregon Ducks runs back a kickoff in the first quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 52-31. (Photo by Stev

Amongst all the injuries, Kenjon Barner suffered the most serious. After being taken off the field by ambulance, Barner spent the night at a medical facility and is said to be doing "OK."

Practices this week have been closed, and the situation surrounding Barner had been kept silent.

In order to have success the rest of the way, the Ducks could really use a healthy duo in the backfield and would also prevent them from having to burn the red shirt of one of their freshmen. 

Kick-Return Fumbles

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Cornerback Cliff Harris #13 of the Oregon Ducks runs back a kick off in the first quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 52-31. (Photo by Steve

An alarming trend started against Arizona State and that was lack of security with the ball on kick returns. While special teams as a whole has been a strength, the fumbles are giving opponents a short field.

With games against USC, Cal, Arizona and Oregon State, lack of turnovers will be a key to victory.

The Continued Development of Josh Huff

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Wide receivers Josh Huff #4 and D.J. Davis #10 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate after Huff scored a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Pho

One of the things the Ducks needed to find was a receiver to complement Jeff Maehl. With Darron Thomas really improving in the passing game, this has become more important then ever.

Needing a second receiver, enter Josh Huff. The true freshmen has come in and become a threat in the passing game. If he can continue to development chemistry with Thomas, it should free up the field for the running game and tight end David Paulson.

Did I Mention, Get Healthy?

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 2: Running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks breaks into the open as linebacker Chase Thomas #44, linebacker Shane Skov #11 and linebacker Owen Merecic #48 of the Stanford Cardinal try to catch him during the third quarter

Last week Oregon fans saw the following:

• Kenjon Barner leave in an ambulance
• LaMichael James leave for a period of time with a hip injury
• Darron Thomas land hard on his shoulder and not return
• Cliff Harris turn his ankle
• Casey Matthews limp off the field
• Anthony Gildon leave with a apparent knee injury

It appears that the only serious injury from the bunch is Barner ,but you can never be sure until they get back on the field.