Haywarduck

In the development of a great team and program you need to do certain things. One of those things is to win on the road. Another is to come back, and beat a team in the fashion we saw yesterday. I would say there were a multitude of other things that made this game perfect too. Many of those were the failures the team had, and then the mettle to keep going and make it right. That is such an important step in the development of a program. There is now no game Oregon is out of after that finish. Seeing Dan Lanning lean into his team as they went onto the field after the defensive stop and a chance to take the lead was priceless. I could feel the emotion, and willpower further inflate that team and there was no stopping them. That kind of energy and growth made that a prefect game. Maybe not to some, but I don't think there could have been a better outcome for the growth of this Dan Lanning led team.

What I saw was Noah, late in the game, set the edge on Ward, and force him to his left. The announcers, of course, didn't appreciate what Noah had done, it wasn't flashy. By forcing Ward to his left Noah took all of Wards primary receivers out of the play. Ward was forced to throw an incomplete pass to the left side of the field. These little defensive plays won the game for Oregon. Funa's pick six was huge, and a beautiful play, but it was a disciplined defense that won the game for Oregon. I was impressed by the defense the most. Ward was a beast, but the coaching, and talent came out on the defensive side of the ball, throughout the game and especially at the end of the game. Well done, the new Duck D!

Once again, Dan and staff were, are right. It is nice to see a staff prove the fans wrong, very nice.

And the Cardinal beats the dawgs, just a little more whip cream please!

SoGaDawg, there is something called couging it. You just witnessed first hand another coug performance. The Ducks won it, but the cougs, couged it.

I thought MariØ was going to have a hard time in the ACC, but conference USA, ouch!

That is a very good football team and a great qb. That pass by Ward was a highlight, and showed some amazing talent. Congrats to the Cougs for putting up an amazing fight, and good luck the rest of the way. By the way beat the dawgs!

I also just want us to grow, build as the season goes along and win a bowl game. Playing Georgia our first game was too much. I have a feeling playing in the playoff Dan's first season would be too much too. I love the continued enthusiasm for the Ducks, and what Dan Lanning is doing, but we still need to stay grounded. The season won't be lost if we lose this weekend or maybe at Cal? We just need to keep moving forward and embrace Dan's process, even as he struggles.

And to think he is still learning and getting better. I am still waiting to see how he deals with a real crisis, not just the one he help create with Ty taking over early, and a momentum swing to the opponent. In that one he looked like he enjoyed it, not a problem, I got this. The one problem is at this rate all the coaches will be up for some big raises, and offers from other programs. One day at a time.

I have faith in Dan. I think he knew he was going to lose at Georgia, and was just setting them up for the title game. We had a 2% chance of beating Georgia at the start of the season, and it will be 50/50 by the end of the season. Either that or Dan knows the championship game is in California next season and those SEC teams can't travel so he has his eye on that game. Go Dan, Go Ducks!

Great article, but Gonazalez would seem to be playing at the highest level of the DB's. We do need all the players performing at their highest level, but I would put Christian as our shut down corner. Agree on Nix, and with QB's having shoulder pads which aren't made as protective as most players on the field it would seem the coaches may be counseling Bo to be a little more conservative with when and how he runs. I love the guys spirit, but judgement on runs needs to be rained in. The passing decisions last game were top notch. On getting to the qb I look for a little more creativity with some blitz packages on third and long. We have the players who can quickly get at a qb, and my bet is we see some new wrinkles to get at the qb. Our TE's use is exactly what I have been calling on for what seems like decades. The NFL uses TE's like we see Dilly doing. Get them in matchup nightmares and throw it to them. Kudos to Dilly and the staff for seeing our TE's as more than blocking dummies. If we do more of this our WR's will benefit too.

The perfect football weekend for me would be, of course, our Ducks winning in Pullman. Next, and maybe almost as exciting, would be the beavs beating the trojans. Seeing the Riley project taken down a notch would be a huge step for Smith, and his beavs. It would also help set up an amazing game for us at the end of the regular season. Two things I would love to see. Then seeing our Ducks beat the trojans in the championship game at the end of the season would be completely exhilerating. I suppose next would Stanford beating the dawgs. Another program I wouldn't mind seeing taken down a notch. Seeing the dawgs lose always bring joy to my heart. Lastly if Colorado could take down the bruins, the Pac-12 traitors would begin to see how despised these two cali schools decision is perceived by the rest of the conference. Schadenfreude is alive and well in my heart, and household!

Wow, no idea. Maybe Be Fast, but I like the down-home feel of what Coach Lanning is saying!

I would add 'Go Fast.' 'Eggs & Breakfast, Go Fast & Whoop Ass' but, once again I will defer to Coach Lanning.

I hope you gain as much in recovery from writing as we do from reading your amazing mind processing these scenarios. If so you should be out in a couple weeks. Thanks for sharing in this difficult time, and may the recovery gods be on your side, actually on you back, have your back, that it is. I hope your scenario plays out, great article!

Interesting topic, the road games and it's effects, affects. Evidence shows referees are affected by the crowd, and by default players too. Can these young players not be affected by the negative feedback, and play down to the response they hear from the crowd. That is the trick, keep oneself focused even when they aren't hearing cheers, and positive input. Does one or more of our key guys get down after a mistake, because of the crowd? This is also where veteran leadership can play a key role. Can players like Bo Nix keep his players on task, and executing when they get down. They need to be aware and able to keep everyones focus. This is also where our new head coach has to show savvy and an ability to do what is necessary to have the team mentally ready to perform without the positive crowd. He also needs to keep them focused while traveling. Many of these young men probably haven't spent a lot of time in hotels. All of these variables have to be managed. Do we have the veteran leadership, and can the coaches do what is needed to keep everyones eyes on the prize, we'll see. Go Ducks!

I think you will be fine..................... until you make the cover of SI, then all bets are off!

Seems to be a pretty good frontal, full body shot of at least a couple of the culprits. Anyone with video evidence should turn it over so all can be banned from any sporting event. Of course, be put on double secret probation! Maybe a little too early, but we need to kick those punks off campus! After more thought, showing the nation an empty student section would send a pretty strong message, and if that was where the chants were limited from, what should be done.

A stop on 4th down also often provides better field position, great point! We also converted on 4th down another huge momentum shifter which doesn't show up in the TO stat. I do agree it will be nice to see some blitz packages to put some pressure on the qb going forward, all in due time. Faith in Lanning is still strong!

Great stuff, I suppose it comes down to just win baby! Maybe the sack stat isn't a huge indicator. I would think it is a huge part of causing havoc, something I was watching for this season. I doubt the turnover ratio will ever become irrelevant. We are in the middle of the NCAA stats on this one and Alabama is at the bottom. I look for both programs to start climbing up this list. If we are going to win on the road, turnovers help a ton!

Time will tell, but I will always root for Robby Ashford. He had it all, and a gun for an arm.

And all it will take will be a loss against WSU, and or a couple pics for people to want the back-ups. I don't think the coaches will be moved, but the back-ups are getting valuable practice time. They are also getting invaluable counsel from a guy who has been there, done that, Bo Nix. This is Bo's team, and the coaches will continue to get the back-ups ready. We won't have an Alamo Bowl moment when the back-up hadn't even had practice snaps, our backup center at the time. I may want to see some things different, but I have complete faith Lanning and Co. will make as good as a decision as possible. I also know I am about as schooled in knowing football to be dangerously ignorant, but I will keep posting my opinions anyway.

One guy. The difference is staggering, and we are only just beginning to understand the impact on the field

There is having a plan, and then there is having a plan and executing that plan with precision. What we are seeing is both, a great plan, and the deliberate implementation of that plan by all players. This group of player is all in on the system and methods. What I saw in the recent past was a flawed plan, many times flawed performance, and then the outcome flawed. The group of players weren't all in on the plan either. That time is in the past now. I now look for the plan to be put into effect on the road. What I also see if confidence on the sideline. There is no panic, and that radiates throughout the team. Our qb also casts an aura of conviction and willingness to do what it takes. That willingness just explodes to the players. With these two forces impacting the game plan I think this can be a very special season. I think we are ready for the next test, a formidable opponent on the road. Bring on the cougs!

Agree, it seems like we have another AB who seems to like to turn it up field. Both guys had a history of injuries, but don't seem shy about laying the wood on opponents. Fortunately we seem to have more talent at back-up, but this is Nix's team to lead this season. We need him to tone it down on the running unless it is a critical moment.