Haywarduck

Warning negative post, read at your own risk. Great lesson on big game momentum and scoring. Your momentum is short lived, and just about any lead isn't big enough. The Ducks owned PSU early in the game and it almost looked like the last time we played a PSU for a little while, at 14-3. That momentum turned against us as the elite PSU wasn't done yet. The Ducks pounded the Nits again and built a 28-10 lead, but that momentum was fleeting once again. This PSU came back to within 4, at 28-24. Oregon almost seemed like they needed that wakeup call about playing against a team that won't give up. A multi score lead at the end of the game is different than that type of lead at any other point in the game. Both the offense and the defense have to keep playing like Lanning preaches, FEBU. Maybe FEBU should stand for Forget Everything But Us, because the score seemed to be something the team reacts too. Our recent historical third quarter lull might be blamed on this mentality? This Oregon team, as talented as it is, doesn't have that put your foot on their throat and finish them off mentality, yet. This just might come back to bite this years team. When I look at any weakness to this team, this is the one that worries me. Sorry for being the downer, we are 13-0 I know, but this team is headed toward uncharted waters. We can't keep letting teams back in the game or that game might get away. I agree, we outgunned the nits, but if we come up with too many blanks going forward that gunfight might not end well. Lets go into the rest of the games with our bullets ready to fire every time, not matter what the score, or time of the game.

I just want to admit I was totally wrong on my prediction for Dilly. So with that I will attempt to, in the future, not make those type of predictions. As for Lanning, I think he is as solid as an oak, but will produce amazing offspring like my Aspen. If I was a coach or a player, going to Oregon would be high on my list.

I went through the stats too, and didn't find any blaring stat that showed how PSU was going to have an advantage. I guess I didn't look hard enough!

Note to self, when a program loses it's head to coach to become an OC, becoming the OC at that program might not be a great idea. Bieniemy, I'm thinking about becoming the OC at UCLA. Mahomes, Didn't their head coach leave to become an OC, sounds like a terrible idea.

Comparing games against opponents, and looking at games where PSU had to travel, the game favors Oregon. The one area which can swing a game is turnovers. Oregon has to take care of the ball. The fun senseless stat is the last time we played a team with the initials PSU we hung 80 points on them! GO DUCKS!

I view football, mainly, from the surface level. I see outcomes, but rarely do I see how it all came together. While I understand the frustration Charles communicates about the pundits lack of understanding, I appreciate him giving this neophyte the depth of understanding to better recognize this next level stuff. Rather than just saying wow to a play, and crediting the RB I can better distinguish the beautiful dance of the parts Stein and the players are participating in. This is another reason why Fishduck is so important to my appreciation of the Ducks football team. There is nothing better than having a higher realization about something I enjoy viewing. Having the opportunity to share some of my crazy thinking on the Ducks is fun. Reading responses by all the members is much appreciated. Gaining knowledge by the amazing writers and Charles himself, priceless!

Agree, in a recent post I mentioned this defense doesn't look like a BDBD, but more like the Chaos Defense Lanning promised. Your observation that we now have all the pieces together allowing for A Defense of War, or Chaos to ensue is spot on.

QB and Catcher, high IQ players, leaders, and the guy can just play ball! I love that Lanning brought him in and got him to come to Oregon. He may never play, become a legend, or just have a role on the team. He did blow up the state championship game, again. Last year he was the top defensive player of the year as a junior, this year top offensive player. I think he will be making some noise on the Ducks at some point. Well done Lanning, you have to own Oregon recruiting, and he does!

Love it, signed 3* gamer Mark Wiepert. This kid knows how to win, and play the game. He isn't a 4 or 5 star player, but he is a playa! Oregon owns, Oregon, once again!

If I was Ryan Day I wouldn't be renewing any memberships until after the playoffs. Losing to Michigan, at home, when you are ranked #2 isn't a good look. I have a feeling there would be questions about Lanning if he lost to the dawgs at home and then fell out of the playoffs. The Oregon program would stick with Lanning, but there would be grumblings. With tosu, they are much more likely to go into a full........ Of course we don't care because we own tosu!

I think there has to be respect for the past, staying in the present, and still focusing on the future. That isn't an easy balance. Wether that includes the BIG playing in the Rose Bowl, or Oregon bringing in KW is something that has to be decided based on all three focal points, but really moving towards the future if we want to stay relevant, reach our potential. I tend to think moving on is an important step in any program, conference and isn't often easy. How do you respect the past, when you are focused on the present and trying to reach a hallowed future? I can see how this program isn't so focused on that big step 30 years ago. We still hate the dawgs, but that interception was a step from a distant past program, nobody is really tied to that time. The slick, Mariø eras created a gap that is being filled with new highlights and traditions. Same with the BIG, the Rose Bowl was left many years ago, to the Pac's detriment. I do agree focusing on the future should include Las Vegas, not just a continuation of Indy as the BIG's choice for game location. There is a new conference, embrace a new location for the game. The new commissioner has been in control of the decision making process for over a year, time to put his stamp on it. The real danger is not looking towards the future and embracing that, those possibilities. It is easy to just roll out the old traditions and what has worked. I applaud Lannings Ducks going for what hasn't been done. If Lanning does what he is trying to do I think even Kenny will be fine letting go of our previous obsession with The Pick. It is time to put all our focus on the now and the future, glad that is where the focus is. I look forward to all the possibilities the next step will bring! GO DUCKS!

And what if we win it all an go undefeated? Will that ever be done again? How big will that look in the future? I think this is a legitimate question, but one that should be brought up under the thread of what if we lose. These kind of ponderings can have super negative impacts, best kept hidden.

I agree the incomplete pass was a thing of beauty. Moore looks like he owned the field against the dawgs. Riggs moves like Bucky, and dare I say LaMike. An intense training year ahead, and he is just going to be looking like Riggs, that would be big.

Ohio State Michigan game is just called the game. I think we should define the game better. Quite simply this is what The Game is to me. The Disdain Game!

More on Boettcher who really is just a continuation of the Troy Dye Oregon LB prototype. Troy was also a 3* safety coming out of high school. The only difference was back then we recruited and signed 3* guys like him. Boettcher is also the heart and soul of the Oregon team. A guy who plays with such passion and skill he just wills the rest of the team to make plays. All of this while being involved in most of those plays. This then drives others to do the same. While we may not have a 3* or walk-on on the bench ready to take over next season I am sure he is having an impact on the guys getting ready for next season too. This is how you get ready, play and lead a team. This is a critical part of the culture Lanning is building, guys like Boettcher leading by example, leaving a legacy. You can't quantify the importance of a Bryce Boettcher to the team. As far as Jordan James he is a warrior too. It was interesting to watch him run the ball against the dawgs, just never gave up. He is a smart runner too, has the patience, then get ready to get trucked, and one guy isn't bringing him down. Once again a player leaving a legacy of intensity and passion to carry on within Lannings program for years to come. What I see isn't so much a group of players bullying the BIG, but a team which belies it reputation and what many see as Oregon. Number one is the Lanning chaos defense is alive and kicking @$$. I mean 10 sacks isn't the old bend don't break defense from the past. These guys are blowing up O-lines, tackling like they mean it, and matching up and breaking up passes. On offense we have some speed, but this is a punishing offense. James is just one of the guys who once they have the ball, it isn't just catching the guy, it is tough to bring them down. It is no longer just getting guys in space, it is just get the guys the ball and they will make plays. I say while we still anticipate the jersey announcement on Thursdays, it is Saturday where the real show happens. The Lanning program is blooming before our eyes. Chaos defense and an offense that respects our past, but punishes an opponent is so many ways. I just love this team and what Lanning is doing. We have a program which is the envy of the nation. A tough defense, a developing special teams, an offense that scores and controls the game with a mad man on the sideline. I will say some may call him just mad to their own detriment. Who Lanning is will only be known in the coming years, but my bet is we are only seeing the beginning of what he envisions. Keep the glasses on as he is going to light it up going forward!

May it be another 30 years before we see another 3 in a row by the dawgs. I might add Dan loves a challenge so let's beat that 12-0 streak! Maybe go 15 straight and flip the series lead!

It does make me worry, a little, the pundits will say the Ducks were lucky if they win it all. They caught the SEC on an off year. Any other year and they would only be a top 5 team in the SEC. That will then drive us to win a few more, no worries!

Keep the disrespect and humor, ND again?, coming! Notre Dame 4-10 in last 10 bowl games, and lost to the beavs 40-8 last year! If these pundits were stock brokers they would still be pounding the table on Enron. Fortunately Vegas has Oregon as the favorite to win it all. Keep the talking heads going, creating inspiration, not that we need it.

I suppose this also leads to recruiting and which program do you want your child going to? A program rated number 1, and winning with authority, and class, or.......

Anyone else proud of how both programs reacted to the game, and how the game ended? The game at tosu showed a coach on the sideline, confused, and its team in a fight with its opponent. This was contrasted with our coach with complete control of his team and a team methodically thumping its opponent. I also give props to the dawgs and their behavior during and after the game. I saw a few guys reach out during the game and defusing some intense situations. In the end what is important is both programs develop responsible, hard working adults. I saw that on both sidelines, well done!

So...How Does This Win Make You Feel? Dare I say, wanting another one?

Maybe not today, but...... he's got.......

All the Duck fans.....

More sacks than an Idaho potato farm was just one of the beauties, well done, such a fun read! I have to pile on the Boettcher love and say he also caused a fumble which seemed like turned the game from hopeful for the dawgs to doubtful. His home run swing afterwards has to go on the scoreboard highlight real going forward, that was electric! After that fumble we go to a two score lead and it is over, except for the continued pounding of the dawg qb. Another note was the sighting of Dante Moore who looked like a backup ready to take over next season, or someone who can spell DG if he needs a moment. Exciting to see him look so confident and throwing such a nice ball down the field.

And the guy goes back with the flag, player management is off the charts stupid between these two programs. Coaches need to be proactive, or at least reactive. How that player was able to go back toward the middle of the field is beyond me. Ryan Day has to be feeling the heat.