DUCKED

Dismal performance for the Ducks. Richardson was a liability, especially in the first half. He ended up with 20 something points, but stats are misleading. Richardson’s sporadic play, which included bad shots, careless passes, and woeful free throw shooting, doomed the Ducks in the first half (when Cal took control after falling behind early) putting them in a deep hole with no shovel. Oregon was throwing up one brick after another from the arc, which prevented the Ducks from making a sustained run, until late when it was TOO late. And Oregon’s big men were a non-factor. Neither Nfale or Franck have any offensive game. Neither can shoot and both seem to have trouble holding onto the ball. We’ve got 5-star recruit in 7-foot Nate Bittle, a top ten player coming out of high school, who can shoot from 20 feet and in, riding the pine the entire game when the Ducks clearly needed a spark. Maybe he wouldn’t have done anything, but why not mix things up? I am a Cal guy, went to Cal, in fact grew up with the Bears and started selling programs at Memorial Stadium when I was 8 years old. But I’ve been an avid Oregon fan since I moving to Ashland decades ago. So when Cal plays Oregon, I root for the team that has the most to gain. In other words, I root for Oregon most of the time. I rooted for the Ducks today, and frankly was shocked, not only with their performance but with their effort. Cal played like a team that just wanted it more. I am a huge Altman fan. In my mind he’s the best coach in the Pac-12. I think the next game we’ll see a different team. He will not settle another fiasco like today’s.

More likely the second loss came in the playoff…..

It’s right up there with Student-Athlete…

“Win the Natty or nothing else counts.” Ridiculous, but that seems to be what’s occurring out there.

“I want to see the love.” There is something disturbing about that. He’ll see the love when does something on the field.

Well, there is a recent book called Mad Hoops, written by former Register-Guard columnist Bud Withers, all about the Harter years and the Kamikaze Kids. It is a great read.

Regarding Bru McCoy, I think it was more a case of Bru McCoy not living up to USC’s fantasy. Kid had some pretty serious off field issues.

Draft Day Great cast: Kevin Costner, Chadwick Boseman, Jennifer Garner, Ellen Burstyn, Frank Langella, Sam Elliott, Dennis Leary. Loved the manipulation, bluffing, horse trading, posturing…..and the ending we were all rooting for.

Great win after blowing a 6 point lead with 37 seconds to go. Altman’s teams always get better as the season progresses.

Another outstanding post by Jon Joseph, filled with interesting information and opinions, good opinions, that Jon has voiced many times before. Jon, you are a great resource for this site, and I always look forward to what you have to say. But how on earth are you going to lower your handicap if you spend so much time at your computer?

Why stay at Arizona? Good question. But why choose to transfer to Arizona (over Oregon) as Cowing did?

Utah does have virtually everyone coming back next season. They will be the clear favorite.

I think expectations, while high, should be tempered. We're all excited about the possibilities for next season, but lets not forget than Dan Lanning has never been a head coach, and is attacking a job that he is totally unfamiliar with. He's made his reputation as a defensive coordinator, but now he's the CEO of the entire organization. He needs to manage, and delegate, all the while monitoring everything to insure the culture and performance meet the lofty standards that the Oregon fan base feels has been lacking the last couple of years under Cristobal. The jury really is out on this guy....and the staff he has assembled. I wish him the best. But let's wait and see.

Good riddance to him!

I think the chances of the Utes’ maintaining their high level of play looks very promising for next season. In his post game presser Whittingham mentioned that 72 of the 85 scholarship players on the team will return in 2022.

Chargers are actually at home today and the crowd is fired up. A win puts them in the driver’s seat.

Nice description…..his throwing mechanics are abysmal.

Nicely stated. Of course the Ducks were vastly overrated. That became abundantly clear against Stony Brook and continued for the rest of the season. And, I agree, Brown did not underperform. Based on his average skill level, he lived up to his potential. And he never made excuses, never pointed fingers. Class guy.

Nice take Steven A. I totally agree. Will Thibs, Wright and Williams be on the sideline? And will they fly on the Ducks’ charter?

Ouch! How many holes left to play?

I think Nix is the likely starter in the opener against Georgia. In fact, I think that was the main reason the Ducks showed interest. He’s played Georgia before, and won’t be intimidated. Can’t say the same about Thompson, Butterfield or Ashford, none of whom played enough this year to develop the confidence needed to compete against Georgia…….on the road, no less. But Nix has his limitations and I wouldn’t be surprised that if he begins to struggle Lanning will look to the young guys -- those who are still around and haven’t entered the portal — to step up.

Agreed….. Surprising, too. If Lanning knew of his background, why would he even consider him? This is a head scratcher.

All well and good, but it’s super distracting on television……not nearly as bad in person.

Meyer is a jerk, but so are a lot of college coaches. More importantly he is toxic. He would eventually embarrass himself and the University and shed a negative light on the entire football program. Stay away.

Did he consult with Dillon Mitchell? Obviously not. Had Mitchell stayed one more year with Herbert throwing him passes his draft stock would likely have dramatically risen, and the added year with the now budding NFL star would have put a few more dollars in his pocket. He’s now on someone’s practice squad. Williams is facing a similar fate. He may not be drafted at all. Staying another year with a decent quarterback who can throw the ball would have been a wiser decision.