Charles Fischer

Great to have you posting again, and I am going to politely disagree on a few points. I believe Lanning wants a high scoring offense, and we have had that the last two years, but I believe that Stein is going to be better yet next year at the crucial moments. I do not believe Dan will emphasize defense as a focus for the team, as I felt the shortcomings on offense did not come from a lack of will to score, but the occasional tough call that fell short. He was not purposely plodding the RBs into the A-Gaps like someone who lost a bowl game yesterday. We ran Pistol within our offense this year, but you missed it. The key thing is that it was not executed the same way as in the past, and that we do not miss! I agree with you. Within two years--we will have the same amount of Blue-Chip experienced talent the other elite teams do. (Ours is still very young at the moment, IMHO) The difference then is play-calls at the big moments. Dano and Lupoi did some clutch blitzes at key times that most of us over-looked through the season. Those calls will be the difference, I believe. That, and some better calls on offense as key moments, as previously mentioned. It has only been two years with Lanning--we can do it!

EUGENE, Ore. — In a matchup that was headlined by star freshmen on both sides, it was Oregon’s duo of Jackson Shelstad and Kwame Evans Jr. who shined the brightest as they each scored over 20 points to lead Oregon to an 82-74 victory over USC on Thursday night at Matthew Knight Arena. Evans Jr. notched a career-high 22 points, adding eight rebounds and five steals. Shelstad also eclipsed his career mark, tallying 21 points (7-12 FG). The pair become the first Oregon freshmen to score 20 or more points in the same game since at least 1996-97. How It Happened: Oregon got off to a fast start thanks in part to 12 first-half points from Shelstad that included back-to-back threes amidst a 12-0 scoring run, putting the Ducks out in front 12 early. The UO defense was active in the first half and forced 10 Trojan turnovers that were turned into 14 points on the other end. Evans Jr. played a large role in the defensive effort for the Ducks, logging five steals and a block on the night. With a 10-point advantage in its favor, the Ducks continued to push the tempo and attack USC, scoring 16 points across the next four minutes to build its largest lead of the night, 40-20, with 1:30 remaining in the opening half. Jermaine Couisnard created a pivotal sequence in the run by knocking down a three and forcing a steal on the other end that he turned into a layup, bringing the MKA crowd to its feet. With five seconds remaining in the half, Shelstad used a crossover dribble to create space on the right-hand side of the floor before knocking down a two-point jumper to hand UO a 42-25 lead entering the break. Kwame Evans Jr. The Trojans did not go quietly as they jumped on the Ducks at the start of the second half, getting to the rim effectively and generating a 14-3 scoring run that cut the lead back down to six with under 16 to play. The freshman duo put a stop to the run as Evans nailed a jumper from deep before Shelstad earned three points the old-fashioned way, building the lead back to double digits. Oregon kept USC at bay for the majority of the remainder of the game, but with under a minute to play the Trojans fought back into the mix after cutting the advantage down to just four points. Kario Oquendo served as the UO closer for the day, scoring 11 points in the final 10 minutes of the game – including four-straight free throws with under a minute left – to hold off USC and secure his team a victory in the first Pac-12 matchup of the season. Up Next: Oregon hosts UCLA at 1 p.m. PT on Saturday in Matthew Knight Arena. Mr. FishDuck Note: We WON in the ugly grey uniforms!

My example was from the Arizona State game when it was 3rd and 5, and Bo threw the ball to one spot, and Bucky went to another spot and we had to punt. Bo was chewing out Bucky, and he just took it. Then Bo ran to RB coach Locklyn, and was chewing in his ear! Coach was striding down the sideline trying to get away from Bo, but Nix was step-for-step reminding him of what the assigned pass route was on that play. The only downside to a "Coach-on-the-Field?" Judging by their reactions--I'm sure Bo was right.

I have been tempted SO MANY times to email 'Cane fans who lectured me in emails about "how recruiting is everything," despite what I stated about coaching. They are suffering enough...

Brown was not fast enough for the sideline-to-sideline defense that Lanning wanted from his linebackers. Neither he nor Sewell had the speed, thus why Lanning took safeties, beefed them up, (Bassa and Jamal Hill) and made them linebackers.

Strong rumors of this happening...

I forgot! Oregon (8-3) plays USC (6-5) tonight at Matt Arena, and is on ESPN2 at 6:15 PM! (PST) Jackson Shelstad

I really felt that Dana has assembled too-much talent before the season began, as there would not be enough playing time at guard and small forward. But the first surprise--all the injuries, as been offset a ton by all the depth built. With Bittle out for the season--we can only hope for a late-season run when Dante' is back and healthy again. But for now--it seems the Mens team is fighting hard and beating teams that are so-so and a bit better. Surprises for Me? Jackson Shelstad: A freshman point guard coming right in and making clutch plays from the beginning? Whew! Truly a state product we can be proud to watch. Kwame Evans: A 6'9" forward who has made outstanding plays as a raw freshman as well. Without these two freshmen? Oregon would be in dire-straits, IMHO. Give me your thoughts and surprises... Kwame Evans

Well, the 2024 B1G is off to a pretty good start at 4-0, as Jon pointed out in another thread. Northwestern was quite the upset team, and even USC came through last night!

An all 2024 B1G Final? For ESPN--that would hurt.

Four kickers? FOUR kickers? This is what I'm talking about with Lanning...."recruit like heck for each position, find out who is best, and the rest can transfer." Grant Meadows has real upside, and the West Linn kicker, Gage Hurych is highly thought of as well. Gage Hurych Or...they hold them on the squad technically as 'walk-ons,' but give them enough NIL to equal a scholarship?

I sure am glad the bad-word software does the replacement job so well.

Good for the past Pac, but even more so for the B1G. With Washington...it is always "good-or-good." Good for past and future conferences if they win, and if they lose?

Isn't that sweet? We can share our Sloppy-Seconds with little brother... I hear he is available too?

I see Joel Klatt declaring that Washington is not a good matchup for Texas, because the Longhorns have the No. 96th ranked pass defense. Hmmmm.

Reap? They fit right in!

Keep in mind my Duck-Buddies....that I am already working on my mental spin. What if Washington should win? How can I spin good out of it?

I know. Just the thought of it makes me turn and spit. But what if....Washington wins both their games by more than three points each? Suddenly the two three point losses by Oregon look much more respectable, that maybe hints that we would have beaten some of the top-five teams?

Just the title gave me "the feels." Good article! Thanks to Steven A., NJDuck, and Pennsylvania Duck and ALL of you who post articles...

Getting 12 wins at Oregon has not happened very often, so let's get it done!

Damn right David. This is a New Year's Day Six Bowl....a Fiesta Bowl, for crying out loud. It does not matter who the opponent is--we MUST win it! Liberty was required to be part of a NYD-6 bowl, and we got the draw. That is the way it works sometimes. But we must win this! I am going to have an analysis of Liberty up later this week.... (Saturday)

OMIGOSH! "Hawaii’s media rights were worth just $2.3 million in 2021, according to a report filed with the NCAA." Wow. That is Mountain West pull is all...whew!

Amen Duck-Brother. We can all have strong opinions and share them! It makes for great discussion.... I am grateful that I can voice a strong opinion, and have people oppose it and we do not get personal with each other as they do on the other Oregon sites. Debate is GREAT this way!