Grandpa Duck

. . . what is the moisture that is predicted for Saturday to be called? Accuweather says it will start raining in Eugene tomorrow, continue at 75% possibility on Friday and 70% on Saturday and Sunday. If the prediction occurs, how will it impact play on the field? Will the Ducks fine record on ball security go south? How about running backs and receivers footing? OBD have been spending more time on the Autzen turf because of reconstruction of the practice fields, so just maybe the wetness will provide an advantage for those wearing green, yellow, or a combination of the two, or who knows what colors.

Thank you for a really fun read, Darren. Especially enjoyed all of the subtopics.

I may have missed other discussions about the B1G Network. For me, with Comcast channel 726, B1G Network is a good source of Duck commentary. The program B1G Today has a blurb on Saturday’s game with Indiana that is very good. They point out that Mendoza, Indiana QB, played in Autzen two seasons ago for Cal, so he will not be surprised. Program runs again at 8:00 PM PDT.

Interesting question, Alex. I would answer : “Who is the best coach in Oregon football history?” with a lawyerly question of my own: “What yardstick is used for measuring?” If we google the list of Oregon football coaches we can readily find each coach with their percentage of wins. We discover that way back in 1894 Cal Young had a winning percentage of 1.000 %. By that measure, Cal is undoubtedly the best of all Oregon football coaches. However, he coached only one game. Going on down the list, Hugo Bezdek’s win rate was 0.721% from 1913-1917. Hugo was also a great player for the Webfoots (the former Duck mascot name). Chip Kelly tops the win percentage at 0.868%. Dan Lanning is close behind at 0.854%. Based on your projections of what Lanning will do in the future, he will surpass Kelly in this category. So, Lanning will top the list, at least for a while. Because of my extremely advanced age I have an advantage over most others in evaluating more recent history in that I actually watched the team coached by Jim Aiken in 1950 and every Duck team since. Aiken moved OBD from the single wing to the “T” formation. He also took an end named Norman Van Brocklin and made him his quarterback. For those who don’t know who Norm was, Google him. I would argue that those two decisions have probably more to do with where the Ducks are today than any other coaching decision. I knew the next coach, Len Casanova, personally. Len led the Ducks from 1951 through 1966 and brought what most think is the West Coast offense to Oregon. Yes, before Bill Walsh’s Stanford teams the Ducks were already playing the offense Walsh is given credit for. It was really fun to watch back when the Ducks were running plays out of formations other teams were not running. But Cas coached in Hayward field and did not have Phil Knight’s shoulders to elevate him above the rest of college football. However, Cas’ teams planted the seeds for Autzen stadium. Rich Brooks wins the endurance trophy, 1977-1994. He gets credit for having the courage to hire Mike Bellotti away from a head coaching position at Chico State, and then to step up to AD so that Bellotti could become head coach. Bellotti was an offensive genius for his time. Mike brought with him Nick Aliotti for defense. Together they produced some great teams. Interestingly they were player teammates at Cal Davis. Like Brooks before him, Bellotti had the courage and foresight to hire Chip Kelly and then step aside so that Chip could take over and do his magic with a style of football other teams did not play or know how to defend. So, with all this history I find it impossible to say who the “best” Oregon coach is, because, it depends on too many factors that have changed through the years. Undoubtedly, right today, Lanning is the best at navigating the player transfer portal. I say that not to be farcical, because, obviously, no previous coach had the advantage of picking players from a farm team up the valley, for example. I say it to make a point. You simply cannot compare Dan Lanning to Jim Aiken because the coaching environment of today is totally different for Lanning from what it was for Aiken from 1947-50. This I know for sure. Oregon has had some great football innovators leading their teams over the years. Many of them, like Lanning, knew how to hire and manage a staff, Bellotti in particular. But, Mike was not very good at firing staff members who didn’t work out. Many Duck coaches could see what a player could become with good coaching. None of them had the advantages Lanning had from day one in terms of program recognition, facilities and financial support. And, none of them had the broad experience Lanning brought to Oregon, along with his notebook of the people he wanted to have around him. A notebook that I suspect is adding names like Will Stein all the time. Nobody does it by themself. Lanning is the best at assembling all the pieces it takes to win college football games in the ever-changing scene coaches face today.

, . . . the thread titled "2025 B1G Info, Predictions, Etc." has an article about the progression of Nix, Gabriel and Moore while at OBD, written by Sports Illustrated's Lily Crane titled "How Dan Lanning's Transformed Several Transfer Quarterbacks' NFL Trajectory". Well worth your time to find and read. Here's a small sample of what Ms. Crane had to say: Bo Nix Season Before Oregon: 61 percent completion, 2,294 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, 12 sacks, 57 carries, 168 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 6-7 record\ Final Season At Oregon: 77.4 percent completion, 4,508 passing yards, 45 passing touchdowns, three interceptions, five sacks, 54 carries, 234 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 12-2 record Dillon GabrielSeason Before Oregon: 69.3 percent completion, 3,660 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns , six interceptions, 17 sacks, 93 carries, 373 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 10-3 record Final Season At Oregon: 72.9 percent completion, 3,857 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 21 sacks, 75 carries, 149 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 13-1 record Dante MooreSeason Before Oregon: 53.5 percent completion, 1,610 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 25 sacks, 45 carries, -84 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns, 5-4 record Oregon Ducks (2025; five games): 74.6 percent completion, 1,210 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 1 sack, 24 carries, 122 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns, 5-0 record

I am reminded of a short story I read in high school some 71 plus years ago about a fellow who sold his soul to the devil. Didn't turn out too great for him. This deal is being promoted by people who will make a commission off the sale. I'm reasonably positive that the best interests of Duck fans are not at the top of their list of goals. Right now, college football and college athletics in general are in a constant state of change. Not a time to put your feet in concrete for the next 20 years.

Thanks, OregonDucks. That Joel Klatt interview on the Herd was well worth the listen.

Since posting above, I read the article attached at the top of this thread as well as an article on 247. The latter says Hughes has not indicated that he wants to transfer and quotes Lanning as saying he wants to keep him.

Not sure, but I suspect that it’s not as simple as saying “I am going to transfer.” He needs to have a place to go that wants and needs him. If I recall correctly, lots of young players put their names in the portal and there are no takers.

I noticed Lanning talking to Tosh a lot during the game.

Our receivers are the most sure-handed group ever. Nice to have Lowe back.

I think our defense exerted maximum effort for three plus quarters and then were just worn out. Thieneman’s interception saved the defense from what may have been an embarrassing 2nd OT. Dante’s avoidance of a sack to hit Bryant for the winning TD was beautiful!

We will see. If we score just before half, then we get one more possession.

Why win the toss and not take the ball?

It’s really a shame that the Beavers lost Atticus Sappington. 😂