Oregon's defense won't duck a challenge

Sporting News, The, Dec 18, 1995 by Bob Clark

Colorado's offense averages 487 yards per game, with a quarterback who completes 58 percent of his passes and three wide receivers who can go deep on any play. That's a challenge that Oregon senior cornerback Alex Molden is looking forward to.

"We want all the pressure on our defense," Molden says. And I want all the pressure on the defensive backs."

There might even be a little extra incentive when the team's meet January 1 in Dallas. Molden is a native of Colorado Springs, who chose the Ducks over the Buffaloes in a spirited recruiting battle five years ago. He will end his college career as the key man in a test of wills between Colorado's offense and Oregon's Gang Green defense, the Pac-10's best over the last two seasons.

"His ability to single-cover receivers allows us to do a lot of other things," Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti says.

Molden, who has been a four-year starter for the Ducks, has twice been named first team all-league by Pac-10 coaches, and this year is a second-team member of The Sporting News All-America team, though he missed most of two games with a groin pull and was slowed by the injury for the final month of the season. When he's healthy, he looks like a player who will make a living in the NFL next fall.

"I wouldn't want to speculate where Alex will get drafted," says defensive coordinator Charlie Waters, who previously served in the same capacity with the Denver Broncos. "But he's as good as any comer Denver had in the seven years I was there."

With Molden on one side and sophomore Kenny Wheaton on the other equally able to single-cover wide receivers, the Ducks have concentrated their front seven on stopping the run and rushing the passer. Led by senior linebacker Jeremy Asher, another second team All-American, the Ducks were eighth in the nation in rushing defense, giving up only 105.7 yards per game.

Teams were forced to pass and with the secondary not needing much help from the linebackers, the Ducks blitzed often and led the Pac-10 in sacks with 37.

Under Waters, the Ducks gambled more and were burned more often than the bend-but-don't-break style of '94. But this team balanced what it gave up on big plays - five different defensive players scoring touchdowns on turnovers.

Late goal-line stands kept UCLA and Arizona out of the end zone after first downs inside the 5-yard line, making a difference in 7-and 4-point victories.

The Cotton Bowl berth was secured with another big defensive play, when Molden intercepted an Oregon State pass and returned it 17 yards to set up Oregon's winning field goal in a 12-10 victory.

"I can't wait to match up with Colorado," Molden says. "It's kind of a dream ending to my career to play my final game in a bowl against the team I followed as a kid."

KEY MATCH

Ducks cornerbacks Alex Molden (11 career interceptions) and Kenny Wheaton (team-high four interceptions in '95) will face four Buffs receivers that combined for 148 catches, 2,330 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Injuries have plagued the Ducks corners. Molden suffered a midseason groin injury and did not return to form until the final weeks. Wheaton suffered a torn tendon on the middle finger of his right hand in October. All of his interceptions came before his injury.

They will be matched up against junior Rae Carruth, who became the fifth Colorado receiver to surpass 50 catches in a season (53) and the fourth to reach 1,000 receiving yards (1,008). With a 4.29-second 40-yard dash timing, Carruth is the Buffs' fastest player.

Sophomore Phil Savoy finished with 49 receptions (582 yards, Eve TDs). Had he reached 50 catches, he and Carruth would have been only the second duo at Colorado to catch 50 passes in the same season.

WHAT IT MEANS

If they win and finish 10-2, the Ducks will become Oregon's first 10-game winners. Mike Bellotti already is the most successful first-year coach in school history - as is Colorado's Rick Neuheisel.

If the Buffs win, their 10-2 record will be the fourth-best in school history. Also, Colorado's 1995 seniors could become the school's second winningest class (38 victories).

STRANGE, BUT TRUE

For the first time since 1963, Oregon was unbeaten on the road. And the Ducks believe their road uniforms were tied to their success. Last spring, players responded to a questionnaire and called for road gear to include green pants.

Wish granted. Resplendent in new green tights, the Ducks won at Utah, UCLA, California, Washington and Arizona. As visiting team in the Cotton Bowl, Oregon will wear its green pants.

Other changes in game-day attire include removal of stripes from the uniform and helmet. The new looks might not have transpired had Rich Brooks remained in Eugene, but new Coach Mike Bellotti liked the idea of a makeover.

SKULL SESSION

Colorado's Achilles' heel in '95 was its punting game. The Buffaloes suffered five blocked punts, two of which were run back for touchdowns (Kansas and Kansas State).

The Buffs opened the season emphasizing coverage and positioning a backup quarterback as an up-back to keep the defense honest. The scheme did not work, and new special-teams coach Bob Hauck rearranged punt-blocking chores three times during the season.