Note: Due to an uploading error, this post appeared online three days after it appeared in print. This story was originally published in the Oct. 25 edition of the Daily Bruin.
Offense: De’Anthony Thomas, RB/WR/KR (Jr.)
De’Anthony Thomas may well be as efficient and explosive a player as there is in college football. Despite never starting at running back prior to this season, the blazingly fast junior parlayed a bevy of highlight reel touches at running back, wide receiver and kick returner into finishing as a semifinalist for the 2012 Maxwell Award, which recognizes the best player in the country. Officially listed as a running back, Thomas led the Pac-12 in yards per carry last season, sprinting, cutting and accelerating his way to 7.6 yards per carry.
Three games into the year, Thomas hurt his ankle during a 27-yard return on the opening kickoff, and has essentially missed the Ducks’ four most recent games. Despite playing fewer than half the contests his healthiest teammates have seen, Thomas still ranks fourth on the Ducks with 512 all-purpose yards, which include rushing, receiving and returning yardage.
Thomas often receives handoffs to the side opposite of where he starts in the backfield and does most of his running damage to the outside. Pulling Oregon linemen in front of Thomas frequently seals the perimeters of defenses, maximizing the 4×100 relay track star’s speed and ability to burst through the corner. UCLA’s outside linebacking duo of senior Anthony Barr and freshman Myles Jack will need to continue turning in big performances against the run for a chance at spoiling Thomas’ return.
Defense: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB (Jr.)
Oregon’s defense commands the full respect of UCLA offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, who said he feels lucky having played against the Ducks two years in a row during his years at Arizona State. Junior cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu perhaps epitomizes the high amount of athleticism and ability to run to the football that Mazzone praised as being defining characteristics of a Ducks defense that allows the sixth-fewest yards per completion in the nation.
Ekpre-Olomu is his team’s lone representative on the original 2013 watch list for the Bednarik Award, given out to the best college defensive player in the nation at year’s end.
In addition to blanketing outside receivers, Ekpre-Olomu has demonstrated a knack for making plays on the ball. The defensive back forced six fumbles last year, the second highest number of any player last year, and broke up 20 passes, a total good for seventh in the nation. Despite having yet to force a fumble this year, Ekpre-Olomu ranks second in the team in tackles. As a whole, the Ducks’ secondary has vacuumed up tackles, with defensive backs occupying four out of the top five tackling spots on the team.
He showcases prototypical Oregon speed with the way he quickly closes in on receivers and ballcarriers, using his momentum and shoulder to separate opponents from the ball. An ability to explosively cover ground figures to be a major asset against a Bruins’ offense that likes turning short and intermediate passes into longer gains.
Compiled by Emilio Ronquillo, Bruin Sports senior staff.
Uh, this article is only, like, two days late.