EUGENE, Ore. — Losing raises questions. Just ask The Oregonian reporter James Crepea. But don’t ask Oregon coach Dan Lanning about simulated pressures. First things first. The No. 3 Indiana Hoosiers ...

Oregon Ducks Take Lumps, Luggage for Rutgers Reckoning

I always enjoy your articles Jordan! You wordsmith's sense of humor is funny, but the questions and comments are spot on. Thank you!

Jordan, great article, thank you!

You summed it up and left no stone unturned. Last night while out at dinner my youngest son echoed your opinion about never seeing Dante throw a screen pass or execute a check down again. He played corner in college 20 years ago. He said thosr are surrender plays when the. OC and QB have no plan.

Naturally the QB takes most of the heat after a loss. But you are correct that this loss was a blend of Dante, the O line and play calling by WS. Get creative coach! Darn........

After 6 games it is evident to this Duck fan that Dante is no tbreat to run the ball. Both Bo and Dillion had designed run plays to keep the D off balance. Many times, when the pressure came both Bo and Dillion were running straight ahead, in a lane, for positive gains, first downs and some touchdowns.

In the Ducks first 3 BIG games the offense has struggled. Scoring 34 on NW, 17 points in regulation against PSU in regulation and a pathetic 13 points, at home against IU.

OBDF members I dont have the answers to what is causing the Duck O to stall out. In my coaching days we ran the ball until they could stop it. Or they packed their defense to plug the holes and then i would have a 2 back set, fake a dive to show run. The other back stays home to block and protect the QB. Then hit slants, post or flys and my check down was the TE dragging over the middle.

Just old school, forgotten football from ancient lore.

Rutgers can be a redemption game for OBD's. If the Ducks dont put up plus 40 on the Rutgers pourous D, then my frustration will turn to concern to worry.

Like you Jordan, i trust the coaches.

Go Ducks!

Jordan, you always are quite entertaining to read, as who wouldn't gag at the mental image of eating a "hair-salad?"

The additional facts are very helpful as well. We are grateful for you!

Mendoza got the ball out quickly. So did Penix, I recall. Indiana took advantage of being able to pressure Dante. Six sacks is a killer. I don't imagine Rutgers will be able to match Indiana's pressure. But if I were calling the Ducks' game I would run a lot.

Thank you, Jordan. A great read; Dan Jenkins-like word smithing.

Three defense rankings this far into the season stand out to me: Sacks 96, Tackles for Loss 114, Red Zone Defense 133. The Total Defense ranking of 8th is impressive, but where is the killer instinct?

CB Finney, who has been a revelation, brought the crowd back into the game with his late in the game pick-6. Then, as was the case at Northwestern and Penn State, the defense couldn't stop Indiana in the 4th quarter. With the crowd roaring, Mendoza marched Indiana 62 yards to a TD, going 5-7, and a TD pass for the winning points.

This is not your typical Greg Schiano football team that usually plays great defense and has solid special teams play. The Rutgers offense is humming, the defense, especially in the 2nd half, has been porous. Special teams have been average at best, but this is also the case with OBD's not-so-special teams. In a game vs. a ranked opponent, you cannot miss a chippy FG.

Rutgers has an excellent passing attack. QB Athan K., The Greek Rifle, is having an excellent season. Sheffield and Strong are among the best receivers in the B1G. The Oregon D needs to pressure the QB, something that has been lacking all season.

The offense shone against Montana State (No. 4 in FCS rankings) and one-win OK State, and winless Oregon State. OK State in 2025 is a P4 team in name only. Against Big 10 competition, the offense has looked lackluster at best.

OBD did not have a chance to rebound against a true P4 opponent after the 1/1/25 wipeout until the game at Northwestern. Yes, the loss to Indiana was the first regular-season B1G loss, but as far as I'm concerned, in 2025, Oregon is 2-2 vs. B1G opponents.

Ohio State had the roster advantage over Oregon. OBD's 2025 team has a No. 5 cumulative roster ranking; Indiana's ranking is in the 70s. Rutgers' ranking is No. 30.

OBD needs to show up in Jersey with a Bad Attitude. As the Penn State All-American and NFL All-Pro O-line player, Matt Millen, noted on B1G Today, in Pop Warner, junior high, high school, college, and the pros, he didn't need any help getting ready to play ball, ready to dominate the opponent.

I don't overlook OBD having 18 new starters. Are there leaders on the field this season? Guys who don't need to be goosed by clever coaching props to want to punch someone in the mouth?

Get Right at Rutgers!

Thanks again, Jordan, for a terrific article.