EUGENE — Stopping the run was the primary area Oregon’s defense focused on all offseason after it proved to be an Achilles heel in postseason play a year ago. The Ducks have had mixed results thus far though, stymieing a Montana State team renowned for its run game and faring less successful in routs of Oklahoma State and Northwestern.

Against Oregon State, which enters Saturday’s rivalry matchup with one of the worst rushing attacks in the country, No. 6 Oregon is again honing in on improving a facet of its defense that will be critical in far more competitive games this season.

Dan Lanning did not like how the Ducks performed in the trenches on first down last week, when Northwestern ran for 178 yards on 37 carries with two touchdowns. Even when accounting for a late 79-yard score, t

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