KCDuck1

11-3 over Mizzou; 15-1, now. VR, KCDuck1

Actually, the smaller ship has the right-of-way, but I believe I would "give way" to the aircraft carrier. After all, both ships have radar, and the A/C has sonar; they both have look-outs, with at least one look-out posted forward near the bow and stern of each ship, respectively. Were I to see that mountain emerging from a fog bank, I would be on the phone to the bridge/"wheel-house" immediately. The A/C bridge cannot see the small "smacks" and boats on the water's surface immediately to their front. VR, KCDuck1

WRT the TENN and Folsom, CA QBs, I enjoy watching how the TENN QB uses his feet and eyes. His practice time at OBDs would provide many opportunities to develop and use his instincts, eyes and feet. He has not replaced my admiration for the Folsom QB, who has the instincts, arm, eyes, and feet; still, I am not a coach. That QB from Folsom plays to OBDs' brand: we recruit nationally, but we are a Western team (and not just West Coast, or just California). The Folsom QB: how good is he, really? He is definitely a team player. He has talked about his admiration for the Duck's leadership, for Coach Stein and OBDs overall. He recognizes leadership (and chutzpah). He has the arm, the eyes, the accuracy, and the feet, and he has had them all for several years. He has benefitted from the coaching at Folsom, and he is the Cali State Player of the Year (unless someone knows something different). Overall, he is a smart athlete who knows how to employ his coaching and teammates to win games and championships. OBDs have the coaches, players, the practice and game ethic and rationales to succeed together at the highest level; Or, not. I believe we are reaching the point where it will be difficult to keep us out of the top four every year. But, it all begins up front (Off and Def); and the Rose Bowl was a succinct reminder. Still, the chariot driver should be the best (or one of the best), and this young man (among the several esteemed QB players we have), may be The Best, or he will assist to push The Best up to and over the top. VR, KCDuck1

The young man (QB) from Folsom, CA looks great! His arm talent and his head are exceptionally good. VR, KCDuck1

I really enjoyed watching Doug (the Cowboy) Little, Mark Barwig, and Gerald Willett play; they played hard and smart. VR, KCDuck1

CjAllen180, Have you not figured it out, yet? OBD are not part of the blue-blooded club. Gabriel plays better as the opposing teams become better, and he played a superb game against Penn State. Did that change anything WRT the medias' support for the Heisman or the Davey O'Brien awards? No, not a whit. So, what's a body to do to receive any media and/or foundation's award recognition? Or, is that even desired? How about the biggest achievement in the sport annually. What might that be? Why the National Championship, of course. Our Head Coach remarked the games (and therefore opportunities) are not becoming any easier as we win, but then no one expects the teams contending for the Natl Championship to have easy or easier games. After all, it is The National Championship. Win it, and the winner is The Story; the winner joins the history books related to sports, and football specifically. This does not mean ALL the sports media are blind, deaf, and dumb. Did you read the Athlon Sports article earlier this week. It's here on the FishDuck site. Several Athlon writers and an editor have emerged from some type of exclusive dysphoria or blue-blood induced blindness. Athlon writers and an editor see the effects of the problem, and they are asking what has caused this willful blindness. By the way, this willful blindness is protecting OBDs from the strong effects of what Coach Saban calls "rat poison". OBDs may have experienced it with Idaho and BSU initially, but OBDs seem to have shaken those effects off. It's really quite simple: Just W-I-N and keep W-I-N-N-I-N-G, for a total of three games. Notice the high school and other Div 1 and 1A players aren't distracted by OBD's success. They want to win, too. They welcome the teaching practices where they are observing/involved, and participating with and against the players who are doing exactly what they see players doing on TV. They want to know who the best team, coaching staff/coaches, and players are, and why. What are the techniques? How do I do them? All the replays on the networks and U-Tube are tailor made for observing, evaluating, learning, and dreaming. Just get out of their way, and let's wish OBDs the best when they prepare to compete in the quarterfinals, and more. It's not all about the "club", it's not about "M-E", it's about our team, their discipline/teamwork, and their Brotherhood. FEBU. You must request someone else to develop the meaning of that acronym - very simple. So, CjAllen180, does that make any sense? Did it at least partially answer your question? If I fouled up the explanation, someone else will tweak my ears or kick me in the pants and then explain it more effectively to you. Great questions, and you are correct to ask what the heck is taking place, and why. I remain VR, KCDuck1 Go Ducks; Win Ducks, Win!

Coach Samples has been an incredible recruiter, but even more important is his coaching of the RB room. Although we usually have two backs running in a game, all the backs are running hard and smart when they are playing. He's a great recruiter and a great coach. His foundation is very solid, and he is still learning. It would be nice to have him for one more year, but SHS is close to family and it's located in East Texas. Stick around a year, Coach; you won't regret it, or have any second thoughts. Thanks for everything you have brought to the team so far. It has been almost a fair exchange. VR, KCDuck1

The Athlon article writers stated the following two paragraphs, and I am not sure I could have stated it more succinctly and accurately: "...the 6th-year senior from Mililani, Hawaii has followed in Marcus' footsteps in another way, as an unselfish leader who makes his entire team better. He's said from the beginning that he doesn't care about individual awards or accolades. Instead, he's chasing relationships, moments, cherishing the people you meet along the way." "Which is exactly why he deserves the award. Outstanding leadership and winning at the highest level ought to mean more than snap counts. If it doesn't, keep your trophy. The Ducks are still pursuing another one that means infinitely more, driven by connections that mean far more than trophies." Dillon Gabriel is the best player on the best team, and he has the best attitude as a leader, period. OBDs would not be here - at the Rose Bowl awaiting their opponent without everything DG has brought to the table. An athlete - Yes! But, The Leader! Great article! Athlon, thank you; but, DG, a Duck fan Thanks You! VR, KCDuck1

noDucknewby stated, "...I'm going with Kirby Smart as the biggest threat,... ." No problem, but believe Coach Lanning would respond the biggest threat is the next team we play, whether that is tOSU or Tenn. Should we get past either of those two teams, the next team against whom we are slated will be our greatest threat. Agree that Coach Smart is a threat, but he is just not a threat to OBDs, yet. Coach Smart has a heck of a tough, dangerous team. VR, KCDuck1 Go Ducks! Win, Ducks, win!

Mr. Fishduck, Great eyes (video replay eyes)! VR, KCDuck1

EastBayDuckDad & OregonDucks, If our Ducks have a choice WRT B1G championship game opponent, I suggest OBDs take PSU. OBDs owe Penn State for that beat down in the '94 seasons' Rose Bowl; OBDs have never played the Nittany Lions since then; there has been no opportunity to thank PSU for that instruction. Were we to play Indiana, that I recall came out to Oregon and beat us in the pre-season under Coach Belotti, that opponent would be great, as well. Indiana has been somewhat down for the last 40 or more years, so I am not as interested in playing and defeating them. OBDs will have that opportunity next year; the Indiana coach seems to be a worthy opponent; and the IU team will be ready, regardless. In the meantime, we have games with Michigan, Maryland, Wisconsin, and UW that demand OBD's attention. Let's play and win those games, first. If OBDs measure up, as we all believe OBDs will, then there will be a week or so to speak with and prepare for our next B1G opponent. Best regards to OBDs as they Prep for the Wolverines. Let's not waste this opportunity to train these unusual critters. It is 74 degrees in Ontario/S. Michigan today, and the temperature is predicted to be 65 degrees for the game. Wow! It won't be this warm in Madison. I remain VR, KCDuck1

Mr. Fishduck stated, "For proof, they noted how only Dillon Gabriel (87.6) had a higher PFF score in this game than defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. (86.0) They raved at how Harmon changed so many plays, and how well Oregon plugged the gaps to contain Ohio State. They were especially impressed with how Buckeye running back Quinshon Judkins only had a 2.3 yard-per-carry against the Ducks with no broken tackles. This is noteworthy since they stated that he was the best running back in the nation the last two years at breaking tackles…but not at Autzen. Their quotes confirmed what many of us felt as we watched the game. PFF thought that Oregon’s front seven on defense really stepped up, and how the Ducks were, as they stated, “the more physical team.”" The OBD trench warriors should surpass their showing against tOSU while playing the Illini because the Illini are a running team with a HC who has an O-Line coaching background. Their 6-1 record has built a lot of confidence into this years' program, and they have had several good [NFL draft] D-Linemen the past few years. OBDs can't approach any team even moderately. On offense, grind 'em into the turf and secure blocks in the 2d level! On defense, sacks, TFLs, and avoid hand/arm tackles. Coach Stein/DG: how about several of those brrrrr bombs (or whatever term is being used for them)! If we win, this could be a memorable game. The last two games against the Illini were too close, and this team may be a good Prep for Michigan's offense. VR, KCDuck1 Win, Ducks, Win!

Agree, but the Huskies still have Jacob Bandes on the D-Line, and it seems like he has been there forever. When he was recruited, he might have been the #1 D-Lineman on the West Coast. He has been up-and-down, but he will require a consistent double team. The Huskies are going to be difficult to predict this year, game-to-game. Just plan on out-strategizing them, win the lines-of-scrimmage, and pull a rabbit out of our hat successfully. Be ready for anything and everything because beating OBD can make the Husky season and hurt ours. VR, KCDuck1 Go Ducks! Win Ducks, Win!

OBDs, Speaking of comparisons to last years and this year, "according to gameonpaper.com, which tracks advanced metrics for all 134 FBS teams, the Ducks were far and away the best team across the entire country in 2023." While the Ducks are 4-0 and easily still in contention for both a Big Ten and a national championship this season, their efficiency numbers on both sides of the ball have paled in comparison to a season ago, leaving some hardcore "stat-heads" unsold on their status as contenders this fall. In 2023, Oregon held the top expected points added per play (EPA/play) in the nation at 0.41. This year, the Ducks currently hold an EPA/play of 0.18, which ranks 38th in the nation. Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning on the sidelines. Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports© Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports In 2023, Oregon also held the top yards per play average in the nation at 2.86. This fall, the Ducks' yards per play average ranks 14th at 2.33. In 2023, Oregon even held the top success rate in the nation at 16.4%. This year, the Ducks rank 11th at 13.9%. The Ducks were far and away the best team across the entire country in 2023. In 2024, they're still among the best, but not nearly as dominant. As it stands, Oregon's Big Ten foe Ohio State holds the top EPA/play in the nation at 0.66 in 2024. Hadn't seen these stats before, but our Offense can perform better. Remember, our Ducks' competition is Oregon. VR, KCDuck1

OBD Fans, In slow-motion that was targeting - forearm to helmet is a cheap shot, and the intent of that penalty is to prevent helmet-to-helmet collisions AND head injuries. Perhaps the Back Judge did not see it because it happened so fast, but that was where the ball was thrown. So, one of the officials must have seen it. Or, is this more B1G home cooking, but just on the West Coast? Still, maybe I ought to just wish the defender is out for 6 weeks with a fracture. Really, there was no excuse for that. Don't want to wish bad things on players, but that tackle/battery ought to be addressed to the B1G Chief of officials, and the Commissioner. VR, KCDuck1

QuackyQuack, Do you remember when OBDs played LSU in Arlington to begin the football season (might have been 2010 or '11) and Chip was coach? Believe that was the Mamba's first game as a Duck. Though the Ducks had problems scoring (we scored 27 points), and LSU had problems with our tempo and their two-QB substitutions, the LSU line (at least two D-linemen) did that fake injury roll around the ground as we drove toward their endzone. No one (first aid or medical staff) from the LSU sideline initially came out, and it was obvious the D-Line and linemen were "gassed". Eventually, more actors were added as the medical staff had to check them, and finally one may have come off the field while the other got up, stretched and was ready to go after he had some oxygen, or something. It was totally ridiculous. LSU still scored 41 or 42 points. If the LSU players had not participated in the farce, OBDs using our offensive tempo, would have blown right through their D-Line. There were no Academy Awards given to the LSU D-line that year. VR, KCDuck1

All, Be careful spreading what Coach Saban has called "rat poison" on our boards before the UCLA game. Is UCLA a BB school? Yes, but the FB team's backs are to the wall. OBD's should paste the Bruins, but our team has to recognize the danger that speculation and UCLA poses. I agree a lot is going on in every players life, but every Duck player has to show up as a "Gamer", and not as a certain star player; show up as as a "Fightin' Duck" Gamer! The Ducks cannot take it easy through most of the 3rd quarter - I would say through the whole game. Yes, the coaches may want to rest some players, but let's win the game in a typical "Fightin' Ducks" style before the team relaxes. OBDs should make a statement in LA - for recruiting, for dominance. OBD are still hunting for D-Linemen, and there are still several high uncommitted 4-stars in the area; and next year's Top HS Receiver recruit is there. Win the damned game, Ducks - win it in "Fightin' Ducks" style! VR, KCDuck1 "Win, Ducks, Win!"

PittDuck asked, "Am I asking for too much?" You are asking for what we all want to see - great football by OBD. Unfortunately, that is too much at this time, We may see that late in the UCLA game, but I don't believe we'll see it all game here. I expect we'll see pieces and parts of all you described rise up and re-submerge, and all at different times. OBD are just not consistent enough yet. Beat the penalties first. Why? They are all mental-discipline based. Then, the O-Line has to play well together - not perfect, but well. This won't be mistake-free football, yet. If the coaches and team can correct and refine the O-and-D Lines, much of what we all want would emerge into place. Everything else, except the QB calling audibles could rise up and into place if the Lines come together. PittDuck, those goals you stated are terrific, and we may see them soon by OBD. VR, KCDuck1

A recent Internet article by Max Torres interviewed Traeshon Holden and asked him several questions related to the coming game between Oregon and Boise State. Holden provided a terrific answer to the second question (see below). Question: Not a lot of passes downfield last game. What do you attribute that to? Holden: “Really I don’t know. I don’t know. It was a bunch of things that were going wrong. It was bad. It was bad on us for sure.” Question: Coach Lanning was talking a little bit about the history of this series, that Oregon’s never beaten them. What does that matter to you? Holden: “They ain’t beat me. Coach Lanning wasn’t here when they won, so they ain’t beat none of us. So we just gotta go out there and make a new streak or whatever they call it.” VR, KCDuck1

OBD, Found this brief article about our Ducks on the internet. Who wrote and published it? Unknown, but nonetheless interesting. I believe DL has often made a point about the little things and how the team does them; The example reads something like, "If we do the little things wrong (set up for stretching), that's how we are doing the big things, too." Or, words to that effect. "Saturday early evening in Autzen Stadium, Oregon survived a disciplined, inspired, well-coached Idaho team that spotted them 22 scholarships at the start of the game. Oregon showed a lot of poise in icing the game in the 4th quarter. With the Vandals riding all the momentum after pulling within 17-14 with 9:42 to go in the game Dillon Gabriel led a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive for the decisive score, flipping a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tez Johnson on 4th and 2. Nikko Reed then came up with a big play on defense, an acrobatic interception down the right sideline, preserving a hard-earned, shockingly close 24-14 win. But the problem that emerged came earlier. Throughout the game the Ducks looked heavy-legged and sluggish. The team lacked juice. Linemen were late to their blocks and slow-footed in pass protection. They flubbed the snap count and lined up illegally. Running backs lost their balance with wide open field in front of them. On one 4th and 1 play, the left tackle tripped over the fullback. Great veteran coaches like Pete Carroll and Chris Petersen excelled at knowing when to taper off a little, bringing their team to a game with fresh legs. Duck fans love Dan Lanning for his passion, conviction and intensity. He's driven and 100% real. But a game like this should inspire some self-evaluation: The Ducks came out of camp banged-up and looking tired. Did he push them too hard? Nobody gets to see practice except the in-house reporters and the video team, tight shots only. We can only make observations from what we see, a too-close game against Idaho." To answer that last question, only DL and the Asst coaches and analysts really have a semi-accurate assessment on that. I am sure each one has to have a fact-based assessment and recommended fix for their players. They have been very accurate up to this point, and we did not lose this game 33-36. VR, KCDuck1

Fans of OBD, Dillon Gabriel won the Herbie Award for Transfer Players/QBs, and Jeff Bassa won the Ultimate Herbie Award for ultimate team player. I almost forgot: our Duck won Best Mascot. Our Duck does a great job during the season, and our Duck shined this year around the Nation. OBD would be hard-pressed to find two more worthy representatives of our FB team and one more to represent our Football program and our University as a whole. VR, KCDuck1

NJ Duck asked,"Can Oregon's offensive line coach A'lique Terry and Erik Whitsitt of Oregon's throwing group land the prospect?" The answer is NO! But, why not? Coach Blutreich is the Ducks phenomenal Throws Coach. Coach Whitsitt left two years ago and works at U of Tennessee. We came out wayyyy ahead on that trade. VR, KCDuck1

Lrod stated, "...almost every big game on the road for us he will pick our opponent." And well Herbstreit might do exactly that; I hope he does. I am very sure Coach Lanning is not going to allow the team to come out of the lockerroom for any game with a "big head" from reading the sports' writers publicity and opinions. I believe it would be more effective to approach each game as being the underdog up to The OSU game; then, re-evaluate. Or, following The OSU game, return to the underdog role as the Ducks build for UM. Approach that game as one in which the Ducks must prove themselves, and I think they will do just that. I would approach the Wisconsin and Washington games the same way because we have lost to them both away. Then, let's beat them both, and move on to the B1G championship. It seems like OSU (the Beavers) and Huskies have beaten us when the Ducks Prepped for aerial attacks, and both shifted to a ground attack the Ducks could not stop. Suggest having a plan for both. This will be a tough year, and this is the toughest team the Ducks have ever had. Thanks and VR, KCDuck1 Go Ducks, Win Ducks, Win!

Annie, I did not attend the event. However, I recommend you review the article/note titled, "Major Takeaways From Saturday Night Live" that Steven A. posted. Did not read a lot about D-Linemen, but one of the most impressive linemen (O-line or D-Line) is the D-Lineman from Mater Dei (CA) DL TomTom Topui. This player is quite impressive. When he attends a camp, he often competes with the O-Linemen and then the D-Linemen - he is very competitive, and I have not read that he has lost a competition or Rep. He can move fast (forward, back, and laterally). He will be a difference maker. USC and the Ducks lead. Steven A. has posted much more. Reads like this may have been the most broadly competitive Saturday Night Live event Ducks have hosted. VR, KCDuck1