Kalen DeBoer lists needs for Washington to have success vs. Oregon

After getting off to a hot 5-0 start, Kalen DeBoer and the Washington Huskies are going to get a bye week before taking on the Oregon Ducks in a key Pac-12 game.

As Washington begins to prepare for that game, DeBoer shared what he thinks the Huskies are going to need to do to have success against the Ducks. That starts with Washington’s physicality and their ability to stop Oregon’s running game.

“I know what the game’s gonna be,” Kalen DeBoer said. “It’s gonna be physical. From a run-offense standpoint, they’re just doing a good job, everything I’ve seen so far with running the football. Balancing that with, obviously, [Bo] Nix at quarterback. He’s an elite quarterback. Skill players all around that make plays.”

Oregon has been explosive on the offensive side of the ball this season, scoring 51.6 points per game. That’s second in the country in scoring offense. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix is even getting Heisman Trophy consideration early in the season.

“The balance, which Arizona had more balance than what they had a year ago. We knew that going in their willingness to, I don’t know if you’d say commit but run the ball a little bit more. That’s what we’ve got to keep getting ready for.”

The last game Washington played was against Arizona. That nearly became a trap game for the Huskies, who ended up earning a win.

“I feel like we do a good job against the run and trying to make teams one-dimensional, but this will certainly be our biggest test by far, going into that game,” DeBoer said.

“And then, flipping it over, just defensively I feel like they’re dialed in a little bit more too on who they are and what their identity is, even from a year ago. Letting their guys play and play fast and free. Great athletes on both sides of the ball, but defensively flying around and really holding teams in check. Not letting games get away from them or even drives get away from them.”

Last season, Kalen DeBoer and Dan Lanning were both coaching their first seasons at Washington and Oregon respectively. They met in November, with Washington winning the game in a thriller.

“So, great challenge for us but we’re very confident in what we can do as well,” Kalen DeBoer concluded.

Kalen DeBoer shares what he learned about Washington-Oregon rivalry

This is only Kalen DeBoer’s second season at Washington. Still, in that short time, he’s learned a lot about the rivalry with Oregon.

“It’s fun, special. It’s big going on the road, you know, at that time getting a win there. You know, there’s a lot of things that especially, you get so caught up in just preparing, you live in your own little world as far as this what the game plan is going to be,” DeBoer said.

“But, you know, you learn a lot just as far as the excitement and the passion because you’re not out there until after maybe the season’s over and your alumni and your fan base show their love and appreciation for getting that dub. So it’s gonna be a fun game.”