The way football players are coached to protect the ball nowadays, it takes a lot to strip a ball-carrier of the pigskin. You’ve got to hit the ball at just the right angle, with just the right amount of force. Forcing a fumble is an underappreciated accomplishment.
That makes it all the more amazing that Oregon sophomore linebacker Troy Dye was able to force a fumble while lying on his back Saturday. Dye forced the fumble in the second quarter, with Oregon trailing Washington State 13-10.
Washington State wideout Renard Bell hauled in a pass, made a spin move, and looked to speed past two defenders who were on the ground. The next thing he knew, Dye — who reached back with his right arm and swatted at the ball — had stripped him.
— Beto Garcia (@BetoGarRam) October 8, 2017
The Ducks’ Tyree Robinson recovered the fumble.
Dye leads the Ducks in tackles this year with 41. Last year he was named a freshman All-American by USA Today and ESPN.
Washington State currently leads Oregon, 20-10, in the third quarter. With Washington 5-0 and Oregon 4-1, this is a critical matchup in the Pac-12. The game is airing on Fox.
