Charles Fischer

Well...I do not know how much more obvious I can make it. The opening page to FishDuck has a prominent yellow button taking you to the forum. Inside each article are two references and links to the forum. Then below the article in the announcements is again a reference and link to the forum. That means FOUR references and links that are pretty hard to miss if you go to the main page and read even one current article. One before the article, two inside the article and one after the article. Whew! How do people miss that? How do I make it MORE obvious? At FishDuck....in the upper right corner on desktop and pad is a cube of dots; click on that is a drop-down menu where one of the options is...the forum. On mobile, it appears at the top as three short straight lines. Has this Longhorn friend been online long?

Sorry, my FishDuck Friends, but I GREW UP with this song and recall as a child listening to it over-and-over...

(Press Release from Oregon Athletics) EUGENE, Ore. — Head coach Dan Lanning announced the hiring of Matt Powledge as Oregon football’s new co-defensive coordinator on Friday. Powledge is the second addition to Lanning’s 2022 coaching staff, joining offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kenny Dillingham. “I am excited to announce the addition of Matt Powledge as co-defensive coordinator,” Lanning said. “Matt adds strong credentials and has a deep understanding of what it takes to win. Most recently, he served an integral role in a Big 12 championship team at Baylor, where he coached the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. He previously was instrumental in the fantastic turnaround at Louisiana under Billy Napier. Most of all, Matt is deeply respected in the coaching profession because he cares about the young men he coaches and leads them to success. Duck Nation, join me in warmly welcoming Matt and his fiancée, Karina, to Eugene.” Powledge comes to Oregon after spending the last two seasons as Baylor’s safeties coach and special teams coordinator. He has also been the special teams coordinator for Sam Houston State (2014-15), Louisiana Monroe (2016-17), and Louisiana (2018-19). “I am humbled and extremely honored to have the opportunity to serve on the University of Oregon football staff under Coach Lanning,” Powledge said. “I have long admired Coach Lanning and his leadership approach. When you add the tradition of the Oregon Ducks and the strong commitment by its leadership team, this is a special opportunity. My fiancée, Karina, and I are excited to arrive in Eugene. I can’t wait to begin working with the outstanding young men in the Oregon program. Go Ducks!” Powledge helped Baylor go 11-2 and win the Big 12 Championship this season, earning a berth in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Under Powledge’s tutelage, safety Jalen Pitre earned consensus all-America and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the conference with 17.5 tackles for loss. He finished with 70 total tackles and added three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, and seven pass breakups. Pitre was also a finalist for the 2021 Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back in the nation. In 2020, Powledge coached Pitre to an All-Big 12 first-team selection while fellow safeties Christian Morgan and JT Woods each had three interceptions to earn all-conference honorable mention recognition. Kick returner Trestan Ebner was the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year in each of his two seasons with Powledge as the special teams coordinator, earning consensus second-team all-America honors in 2020. He racked up 603 total return yards with a 98-yard return for a touchdown in 2021, and he became the first player in Baylor’s modern history to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same game in a standout performance vs. Kansas in 2020. Powledge went to Baylor from Louisiana, where he worked as the outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator in 2018 and 2019. While in Lafayette, Powledge coached six All-Sun Belt performers and helped the Rajin’ Cajuns to back-to-back Sun Belt West Division titles. Powledge helped head coach Billy Napier and defensive coordinator Ron Roberts lead the Rajin’ Cajuns to the program’s first-ever 10-win season in 2018. In 2019, Powledge’s special teams unit ranked first or second in the league in kickoff return defense, kickoff returns, and net punting, and he helped outside linebacker Joe Dillon earn second-team all-SBC honors. The tight ends coach and special teams coordinator at ULM in 2016 and 2017, Powledge coached kick returner Marcus Green to a stellar season before departing for Louisiana. Green ran four kickoffs back for touchdowns in 2017 while averaging 32.4 yards per return. A Sam Houston State alum, Powledge returned to his alma mater as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator in 2014 and 2015. He coached five players to all-Southland first- or second-team honors, with two special teams players earning all-America honors after the 2014 season. The Bearkats were one of just six teams in the country in 2014 to block multiple punts and return two or more for touchdowns. Powledge made his coaching debut as a graduate assistant at Southeastern Louisiana in 2010 before taking over as tight ends coach in 2011. He went to Northwestern State as the running backs coach in 2012, and was a graduate assistant at Kentucky in 2013 before returning to Sam Houston State. A native of Huntsville, Texas, Powledge played fullback at Sam Houston State (2005-09) and was a team captain and all-Southland honoree as a senior. He earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2009.

I will quote Clubber Lang as he would predict....

So many great memories....and the singing cats? Purrrfect! I got a big kick out of that! Fun stuff and a great off-topic for this time of year!

Yes, and look at what I bolded in his statement, as Oregon is... "a place known for explosive, high-powered offense..." He gets it.

My friends....I am pretty much tapped out of Cat GIFs, as I saved the best ones for this thread about the history of Beaver Coaches. I put a ton of time into finding these for just that thread for the rivalry week. I have to say though, that this one is a favorite as the cat first faked a slap, and the dog came back and did a mild "woof" as a last great act of defiance...and the cat was enraged he would dare do that. You said what? Just like little brother!

(From Oregon Athletics Press Release) EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning officially announced the first member of his 2022 coaching staff on Friday, naming Kenny Dillingham the Ducks’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. “I’m excited to announce the addition of Kenny Dillingham as our offensive coordinator,” Lanning said. “Kenny is one of the most innovative minds in football and will bring a dynamic and explosive offense to Eugene. He has been a part of some of the most explosive offenses in college football during his coaching career, and we are eager to see that track record continue to grow at Oregon." “He is a tireless worker with a proven track record for developing quarterbacks. He also has strong ties to the West Coast, which will be important as we continue to build our roster through recruiting. He is passionate about the development of student-athletes, both on and off the field, and is one of the best leaders that I have worked with. We are honored to have him and his wife Bri as a part of the Oregon family!” Dillingham comes to Oregon from Florida State, where he spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Seminoles. Prior to Florida State, Dillingham served in the same role at both Memphis (2018) and Auburn (2019). Lanning and Dillingham were on staff together at Memphis in 2016 and 2017. “I am so excited to be coming to Oregon,” Dillingham said. “Oregon is a national brand. Being born and raised on the West Coast, the opportunity to be at Oregon – a place known for explosive, high-powered offense – is an honor and a privilege! I cannot wait to get around our student-athletes and start getting to know them as players, but most importantly as young men. “ Dillingham directed one of the most explosive offenses in the nation in 2021 despite multiple injuries at quarterback and along the offensive line. Florida State ranked 18th in the FBS with six plays of 60-plus yards, and eighth with three touchdowns of more than 75 yards. The Seminoles were also among the top teams in the red zone, scoring on their final 32 red-zone opportunities to close the season, the second-longest streak in the nation in 2021. In his first season in Tallahassee in 2020, Dillingham’s offense averaged 5.11 yards per rush and 199.9 rushing yards per game, ranking 20th nationally among teams that played at least nine games. FSU topped 400 yards of total offense five times in its last seven games, including two games with more than 500 total yards and the program’s first game since 2016 with at least 250 yards rushing and 250 yards passing. Dillingham was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Auburn in 2019, when he coached freshman quarterback Bo Nix to SEC Freshman of the Year honors. Nix broke the program’s freshman records for completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns while becoming the first true freshman QB to start a season opener for Auburn since 1946. The Tigers’ offense ranked third in the SEC and 28th nationally with 33.2 points per game. In Dillingham’s final game as Auburn’s offensive coordinator, the Tigers scored 48 points in a win over No. 5 Alabama, the most allowed by the Crimson Tide under head coach Nick Saban. Dillingham started his collegiate coaching career as an offensive assistant at Arizona State in 2014 and 2015 under offensive coordinator Mike Norvell, who he followed to Memphis in 2016. Dillingham spent 2016 as a graduate assistant and 2017 as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach before being elevated to offensive coordinator in 2018. With Dillingham coordinating the offense, Memphis broke program records for both total yards of offense (7,324) and rushing yards (3,919) in 2018. The Tigers ranked fourth nationally in both total offense (523.1 YPG) and rushing offense (279.9 YPG), seventh in scoring offense (42.9 PPG), and second with 48 total rushing touchdowns. Memphis had two 1,000-yard rushers in a season for the first time in program history, with unanimous all-American and Doak Walker Award finalist Darrell Henderson ranking second nationally with 1,909 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Dillingham got his start in coaching at Chaparral High School in Arizona after tearing his ACL as a senior. He began working with the junior varsity team before being elevated to the offensive coordinator role of the varsity squad at the age of 21. Dillingham coordinated the No. 1 offense in Arizona in 2013 as the Firebirds won 12 games and advanced to the Division II state championship game. (Formatting done for emphasis by Charles Fischer )

Despite your Utes kicking our butt twice...I am happy that you get to experience the Rose Bowl. Do soak it in and savor it! And since it is only right that it is your-turn, I hope you find a way to victory as well. And I do appreciate you being a reasonable poster on this forum, as I've had to ban a couple of Utah fans. We can speak ill of our team, but someone from another team cannot come in and trash-talk us. You have been a good representative of Utah-thanks.

For those on mobile...you don't see it, but for those on desktop--there is a background picture behind the forum that shows up at the top, on the sides and at the bottom when you scroll to the end of a thread you are reading. Any thoughts, requests or feedback? I thought it was kinda cool to help set the mood and tone, and other sites do not do it. Yet it can only be seen by half reading, as again it is only visible to those on pad and desktop. If there are other suggestions...post them here or send them to me charles@fishduck.com and I thank you. One suggestion to me was to have the "Donate" button prominent on the site to help with expenses. I just sailed past a total of $5,000 spent on the forum since I began this journey back last December to now, so I think that was a good suggestion. For those ready right now....go to this page, scroll to the bottom and click on the "Donate" button and thank you for helping to continue something very special in the web world!

And he is targeting coaches with ties to the west coast for recruiting. I did not know that Coach Dillingham was from the Phoenix area originally.... Lanning Intends to Target Assistants With West Coast Ties by Eric Skopil of Duck Territory 247 Tosh Lupoi

Thanks deschutesduck!

Can you say "practice squad?" Like Pittman, he has a much higher opinion of his abilities than they actually are.

(From Oregon Athletics Press Release) HONOLULU — Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell was announced as one of seven finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award on Thursday by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry that epitomizes great ability and integrity. Sewell is the fourth player in program history to be named a finalist for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, and first since his brother, Penei, took home the honor in 2019. Marcus Mariota also won the award in 2014, and DeForest Buckner was a finalist in 2015. The other 2021 finalists are Jayden De Laura (Washington State), Daniel Faalele (Minnesota), Haskell Garrett (Ohio State), Mike Tafua (Utah), Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland), and Jaylen Warren (Oklahoma State). Sewell is one of three defensive players among the seven finalists, along with Garrett and Tafua. The winner of the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award will be announced on December 22, 2021. The formal presentation of the Award will be held at the 2022 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Celebration Dinner (January 21, 2022), along with being recognized during the 2022 Polynesian Bowl (January 22, 2022). LB Noah Sewell » Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award finalist » Coaches Pac-12 All-Conference first team » Associated Press Pac-12 All-Conference first team » Semifinalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker » Two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week » Tied for No. 2 in the Pac-12 with 106 tackles, 35 more than any other Duck » First Duck with 100 tackles in a season since Troy Dye in 2018 » Six double-digit tackle performances, including a career-high 14 vs. Arizona » Second among Ducks with 8.0 tackles for loss and four sacks » 89.7 pass-rush grade by PFF, tied for 11th-best among FBS linebackers » 32 total quarterback pressures according to PFF, tied for No. 5 among FBS linebackers

anyotherduck...you are new, and do keep posting your thoughts. WELCOME!

Great observation, and one worth pondering further. Thanks.

Good for them to strike while the iron is hot! Thoughts?

03Duck...you are new here, and I would hope you would continue to share your thoughts and analysis here often. Great stuff to add to this discussion, so thanks and WELCOME!

Boy you got that right!

I don't know how I feel about this, as he recruited key defensive players from Oregon to Cal when we really needed them for the 'Natty. Yet is he a good coach?

So...I guess the offer did happen on Friday and on Saturday morning. I have real concerns about the judgment of Rob Mullens...yet he hired Lanning! Go figure. Cal’s Justin Wilcox Responds to Why He Turned Down Oregon Offer by Jake Curtis of Cal Sports Report

(Press Release from Oregon Athletics) EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon men's basketball team built some momentum entering its showdown with the top team in the country, beating Portland in Matthew Knight Arena on Wednesday, 96-71. The Ducks (6-5) enjoyed their best offensive performance of the season so far, with a season-high point total on 53.6 percent shooting. That was a welcome performance three days before hosting No.1-ranked Baylor at MKA on Saturday. "We know they're really good defensively," senior Quincy Guerrier said of the Bears, who allow the third-fewest points in the country. "So we're going to have to really execute our offense and make sure everybody's on the same page." Four Ducks scored in double figures Wednesday, including N'Faly Dante with a season-high 20 points and De'Vion Harmon with a season-high 19. Quincy Guerrier added 17 points and Will Richardson scored 16. How It Happened: The Ducks (6-5) began to pull away from Portland early, scoring on five straight possessions to build an 18-8 lead. That run included three-pointers from Richardson and Guerrier and five points from Franck Kepnang, who along with Dante gave Oregon a decided edge in the post. Dante finished an alley-oop from Richardson and Eric Williams Jr. followed with a three-pointer for a 27-11 lead, and Dante and Richardson scored on back-to-back trips to put Oregon up 31-13. Pretty passing from Harmon to Rivaldo Soares to Isaac Johnson helped the Ducks break Portland's press as Johnson finished the sequence with a dunk, and Guerrier scored in the post on the next possession to make it 35-18. Oregon led 46-30 at halftime. Portland hit three-pointers on four of its first six possessions after halftime, but Oregon started the half 6-of-6 shooting to lead 61-43 on a Harmon three-pointers. A miss broke the hot shooting streak, but the Ducks ended up scoring on its first 11 trips down the court after halftime to go ahead 70-48. That was Oregon's biggest lead until Johnson hit two free throws for an 86-63 advantage, and a three-point play by Dante with 3:33 left gave the Ducks their biggest lead of the night, 94-65. Who Stood Out: Dante made 9-of-11 shots and also grabbed nine rebounds during his 20-point night, and Harmon was 3-of-4 from three-point range on his way to 19 points. Guerrier had five rebounds plus three assists along with his 17 points, and Richardson finished with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. Notable: Dante is now shooting 72.1 percent on the season. … James Coopers and Brady Parris made their UO debuts off the bench in the waning moments of the game. … Lök Wur missed his fourth straight game. Up Next: The Ducks host Baylor on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN2).

Joshua....thank you for stating what needed to said up-front; playing Cristo-"ball" will not win a 'Natty, and that is one thing Lanning should not emulate from his mentor. GREAT article...

This is going to be an AWESOME OFF-SEASON! So many questions,.....like being a child and looking in the shop window at toys before Christmas and wondering...."will I get this or this?"

This guy is a legit Rivals 4-Star and someone needed and wanted badly by both the departing and current coaching staff. He was expected to sign, but you never know until they do and he is KEY to me. Offers from: Arkansas, BYU, Florida State, Michigan, USC and....Washington! (More lunch money!) I did not see this picture until I did a search and WOW...this is what every recruit should do before leaving...see how big-time Oregon is!