Oregon Ducks Linebacker Bryce Boettcher Reveals Keys to Beating Ohio State, Winning the Rose Bowl
As the Oregon Ducks gear up for their Rose Bowl showdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes, linebacker Bryce Boettcher is one of the team’s most valuable players and key leaders. A redshirt junior from Wisconsin, Boettcher’s playmaking ability, leadership, and intensity on defense have helped guide Oregon to a successful season. With the bright lights of the Rose Bowl looming, Boettcher took some time to reflect on what it will take for the Ducks to claim victory, especially against a program as storied and talented as Ohio State.
In an exclusive interview, Boettcher shared his insights on the critical factors for Oregon to succeed in Pasadena. His comments touch on game strategy, mindset, key individual matchups, and the emotional significance of playing in one of college football’s most iconic bowl games.
1. Defensive Discipline and Fundamentals
When talking about what it will take to slow down Ohio State’s high-powered offense, Boettcher highlighted the importance of defensive discipline and execution. Ohio State boasts one of the most dynamic offenses in the country, led by quarterback C.J. Stroud, and receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr., who can break open games in an instant.
“It all comes down to being disciplined,” Boettcher explained. “They have a lot of weapons on offense, and if you get caught out of position, they’ll make you pay. Whether it’s Stroud making plays with his arm, or their running backs breaking tackles, it’s all about doing your job every single play.”
He stressed that the Ducks need to focus on keeping everything in front of them and not allowing the explosive plays that have defined Ohio State’s success all season. Oregon’s defense has been known for its ability to swarm to the ball, and Boettcher believes that they need to stick to their strengths by maintaining their discipline in coverage and controlling gaps in the running game.
“Ohio State likes to stretch the field horizontally, so we need to stay disciplined in our assignments. If we can force them to grind out long drives and make them earn their yards, we’ll put ourselves in a much better position to get off the field,” Boettcher added.
2. Containing the Run Game
While Ohio State’s passing attack gets much of the attention, Boettcher is quick to note that their ground game cannot be overlooked. The Buckeyes feature a strong running back duo, led by Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson. Oregon’s defense, which has shown great improvement against the run this season, will need to be at its best to slow down Ohio State’s powerful rushing attack.
“Their running backs are very physical, and they have a good offensive line to create lanes. We need to be physical up front and set the tone early,” Boettcher said. “If we can stuff the run, it will force them to become one-dimensional, and that’s where we can really make an impact.”
Oregon’s defensive front has been outstanding this year, and Boettcher believes their ability to control the line of scrimmage will be one of the deciding factors in the game. He emphasized that the linebackers must be quick to read and react, filling gaps and closing down any holes before the running backs can gain momentum.
“The linebackers need to be active and aggressive in their pursuit of the ball,” Boettcher said. “It’s not just about making the tackle; it’s about being in the right place at the right time and forcing them to adjust to what we’re doing.”
3. Playing with Mental Toughness and Focus
A major part of Boettcher’s message to his teammates ahead of the game is the need for mental toughness. Playing in the Rose Bowl, especially against a team like Ohio State, requires an elite level of focus and resilience. Boettcher believes that if the Ducks can maintain their composure throughout the game, they will put themselves in a great position to win.
“The Rose Bowl is an incredible opportunity, and we all understand the importance of the game. But it’s easy to get caught up in the hype and let emotions take over,” Boettcher said. “We need to stay focused on the task at hand and not get distracted. There will be adversity at some point in the game, and it’s how we respond to it that will define us.”
Boettcher believes that the Ducks’ ability to keep their emotions in check and focus on executing their game plan will be critical. This kind of mental toughness has been a hallmark of Oregon’s defensive identity throughout the season, and Boettcher is confident that his team can rise to the occasion when faced with adversity.
“We have to trust each other and trust the process,” he continued. “Ohio State is a great team, but we’ve faced tough opponents before. If we stay composed and keep fighting, we’ll put ourselves in a position to win.”
4. Key Individual Matchups
While the team as a whole needs to execute its game plan, Boettcher also spoke about the importance of key individual matchups that could play a significant role in the outcome of the game.
For example, he pointed to the matchup between Oregon’s cornerbacks and Ohio State’s star wide receivers as one of the most pivotal battles of the game. “Marvin Harrison Jr. is a special talent, and our DBs are going to need to be at their best,” Boettcher said. “They’ve got size, speed, and playmaking ability, so we need to make sure that we don’t give them easy opportunities.”
Additionally, Boettcher highlighted his own role in the linebacker corps, where he will need to be a key player in both pass coverage and run defense. “I’ll need to read the offense quickly and make sure I’m in the right position to disrupt their plays,” he said. “It’s all about being active and using my instincts to create chaos.”
Ohio State’s offensive line, which has been dominant all season, also represents a significant challenge. Boettcher knows that Oregon’s defensive front will need to be at their best to neutralize Ohio State’s power running game and give the Ducks’ defense a chance to capitalize on Stroud’s occasional mistakes.
“Ohio State’s offensive line is one of the best in the country, and we’re going to have to bring our best effort up front,” Boettcher said. “We need to create pressure on Stroud and make him uncomfortable in the pocket.”
5. Exploit Ohio State’s Weaknesses
While Ohio State is a complete and balanced team, Boettcher was quick to point out that every team has its weaknesses. Oregon will need to capitalize on these areas if they want to come out on top. One area that Boettcher believes the Ducks can exploit is Ohio State’s vulnerability in the secondary.
“Ohio State has a very good defense overall, but their secondary has shown some cracks at times,” he explained. “If we can win some one-on-one matchups down the field and give our quarterbacks time to throw, we can exploit that and put points on the board.”
Boettcher also pointed out that Ohio State has occasionally struggled against mobile quarterbacks, which could be a potential advantage for Oregon. Quarterback Bo Nix has been playing at a high level, and his ability to extend plays with his legs could be a game-changer.
“Bo Nix has been playing lights out, and if he can keep plays alive with his legs, it’s going to make their defense uncomfortable,” Boettcher said. “If we can get some big plays through the air and on the ground, it will keep Ohio State on its heels.”
6. Embrace the Legacy of the Rose Bowl
Finally, Boettcher spoke about the emotional significance of playing in the Rose Bowl, a game that is often referred to as “The Granddaddy of Them All.” For Boettcher and his teammates, it’s a chance to leave a lasting legacy.
“The Rose Bowl is one of the biggest stages in college football, and to be a part of it is something special,” Boettcher said. “We’re playing for something bigger than ourselves. It’s a chance to make history and leave our mark on Oregon football.”
Boettcher spoke about the pride he feels wearing the Oregon jersey and representing the program in such an iconic game. “We’ve put in so much work to get to this point, and now it’s about making the most of the opportunity. We owe it to ourselves, our teammates, and our fans to give everything we’ve got.”
