Unfortunately, there’s no getting around it: Our Oregon football program had a lackluster performance against the Badgers over the weekend. Wisconsin’s defense held the Ducks to only 21 points, where Oregon entered as a 31.5-point favorite at home, and this was just a poor showing overall. The Badgers were thin in the secondary, down to their third quarterback on the ...

Oregon Football: Time for the Ducks to Panic?

Thanks Alex good food for thought. I actually am concerned with a Panic Meter of 5-6. My concern is which Dante Moore is going to show up? He can be absolutely marvelous at times and at other times he looks like a deer caught in the headlights. It seems if everything is close to perfect with the running game working, great blocking etc, he will be quite good but if things are not perfect, his performance seems to plummet.

Alex, although I agree with your sentiments, I still have concerns that they will overcome the challenges they have ahead of them. As fans, we go from wanting landslide victories, to just any kind of win...and one point is fine!

The bye week timing is perfect for players to hunker down, study, practice, and improve.

Our own Big-10 weather!

CBS's Tom Fornelli's weekly B1G take has questions for OBD. But 'facade' is a bit harsh, no?

Penn State's meltdown is hurting the entire conference and OBD in particular.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/b1g-time-cracks-starting-to-show-in-oregons-facade-marylands-youth-movement-might-save-mike-locksley/

12 minutes ago, Jon Joseph said:

CBS's Tom Fornelli's weekly B1G take has questions for OBD. But 'facade' is a bit harsh, no?

Penn State's meltdown is hurting the entire conference and OBD in particular.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/b1g-time-cracks-starting-to-show-in-oregons-facade-marylands-youth-movement-might-save-mike-locksley/

It's strange how a similar outcome is portrayed depending on who is writing the article.

Germie Bernard's 2 late TDs help 'unbreakable' No. 4 Alabama rally past South Carolina 29-22

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Alabama 29-22 South Carolina (Oct 25, 2025) Game Recap -...

Expert recap and game analysis of the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. South Carolina Gamecocks NCAAF game from October 25, 2025 on ESPN.

1 hour ago, Jon Joseph said:

CBS's Tom Fornelli's weekly B1G take has questions for OBD. But 'facade' is a bit harsh, no?

Penn State's meltdown is hurting the entire conference and OBD in particular.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/b1g-time-cracks-starting-to-show-in-oregons-facade-marylands-youth-movement-might-save-mike-locksley/

"Facade" is absolutely the wrong term. Perhaps Tom just needs a dictionary. Facade typically indicates deception, fake, etc. Totally the wrong word in this situation.

For one to be in panic mode, would require me to recall what my expectations were for this team at the beginning of the season. I expected us to primarily have a rebuilding season. I felt like a two loss season would be a solid one for us this year.

Expectations certainly changed overnight after the Penn State win. And then a week later, reality struck.

The talent is there, and, while it will be a huge challenge, I think this team is quite capable of winning out the season.

Frankly, I still have no idea how good this team is in regards to the playoffs. We played poorly against Indiana and only lost by 10. That gives me some hope that we can compete with the big boys when the time comes. But, at this point, I'm absolutely not convinced of that. I'm concerned that if we do get into the playoffs, that we will potentially have another beatdown like OSU gave us last year.

Finally, with all of that being said, this team has a great opportunity to grow up fast over the next several weeks. Here's to hoping that they do.

Edited yesterday at 06:00 PM1 day by Desert Duck

I can't get away from the reoccurring disappearance of Kenyon Sadiq. Either our coaches are doing a masterful job of disguising his immense abilities, or opposing coaches are finding ways to nullify his impact on the game. My feeling is, as Kenyon goes, so go our playoff aspirations.

Edited yesterday at 06:03 PM1 day by Chas Man

38 minutes ago, Chas Man said:

I can't get away from the reoccurring disappearance of Kenyon Sadiq

Kenyon is 3rd in (22)receptions, and 2nd in yards (311). Dakorien is 1st in receptions (28), and yards (443). Oregon ranks #9 in passing yards/game.

Receptions are really spread out this year amongst receivers, and running backs.

I suspect that if he stays healthy, we will need to target Sadiq more often, just based on our competition.

Panic? It is a fair question to ask.....

After 8 games, the Ducks are doing a number of things correct and improving in most areas.

As a fan, they are fun to watch, then difficult and painful to watch! At times the Duck O is unstoppable. Then the O cant get a first down. Hard to understand.......

The D can be dominant, however they let teams run the ball and dont tackle low. Opponents have near perfect score ratio in the red zone.

Sadiq and Dak Moore have almost disappeared because the O line gives up too many sacs. Dante needs time for routes to open up.

It is not rocket science. The line needs to pass protect as well as they run block. Fix that and OBD's puts up 40 plus points.

No need to panic......this Duck fan just lowered my expectations for video game numbers.

GO Ducks......

Panic is such a strong word choice.

Was I expecting us to win it all this year? I thought there was an outside chance, but no, I expected 10-2 and a home playoff win.

Are we a top-4 team at the moment? I don’t think so, but we’re on the fringe with a pretty young team that could keep improving.

Unless something radical happens, next year we should be one of the top contenders. I still hope we can keep improving and take it all this year, but I certainly wouldn’t wager on it. That being said, anything can happen in a tournament format.

Edited yesterday at 07:43 PM1 day by JabbaNoBargain

I'm not panicking, but I'm still worried. A loss to any of the teams left could leave us out of the playoffs.

This young team's ability to disappear, primarily the offense, says we could absolutely lose another game.

I'm really worried about Iowa. From the announcers for their last game it sounded like their offense is finally figuring some things out. Iowa with a really good offense is immediately a national title contender.

Lastly I'm really surprised at all the love for this bye week. They feel more like kryptonite than a blessing lately. Maybe the analysts we have aren't a good fit for Lanning and the coordinators.

And if we have to play early that is a recipe for losing a quarter or two before waking up. Minnesota did that and found themselves down 30 points in the first 20 minutes last week against Iowa.

3 hours ago, Chas Man said:

I can't get away from the reoccurring disappearance of Kenyon Sadiq. Either our coaches are doing a masterful job of disguising his immense abilities, or opposing coaches are finding ways to nullify his impact on the game. My feeling is, as Kenyon goes, so go our playoff aspirations.

They are using him a decent amount, but we also have so much talent that I think they're 'spreading the love' around.

And knowing how long the season is, I'm guessing the coaching staff is also protecting our monster-beast a bit and will use him more down the home stretch.

Oregon is 5th in the nation in total defense and 11th in total offense. Iowa is 119th in total offense. They had a punt return and a pick 6 against Minnesota last week. Also, two of the offensive TD’s came on a short field (21 and 43 yard drives).

While it’s never panic time, the bi-polar performance at quarterback is a head scratcher. I can understand off-days where QBs are just missing targets. But, repeatedly not seeing targets and just looking lost out there?

At best, it’s just paying your dues, and learning what it takes to play the position. At worst? There have been moments against both Indiana and Wisconsin where Moore has reminded me of Ty Thompson.

You’ve got to have some fire in your belly to overcome adversity?

45 minutes ago, Washington Waddler said:

While it’s never panic time, the bi-polar performance at quarterback is a head scratcher. I can understand off-days where QBs are just missing targets. But, repeatedly not seeing targets and just looking lost out there?

At best, it’s just paying your dues, and learning what it takes to play the position. At worst? There have been moments against both Indiana and Wisconsin where Moore has reminded me of Ty Thompson.

You’ve got to have some fire in your belly to overcome adversity?

Dillon Gabriel - 63 college starts.

Bo Nix - 61 college starts.

Dante Moore - 13 college starts.

Fernando Mendoza - 27 college starts. This equals two regular seasons plus three more games than Dante has started.

At the QB position, you never know. Experienced can't miss CFB QBs in 2025, Clemson's Cade Klubnik, Penn State's Drew Allar, and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, as well as Heisman favorite Arch Manning, have, for the most part, not shown up.

On the other hand, a completely under-the-radar transfer from D II Ferris State has shown up for Ole Miss, and his head coach is in a position to make $12 million plus per annum and buy any condo he so desires in Trinidad. 😁

In the NFL, how about cast-off QB Daniel Jones balling out in Indianapolis?

No one can coach 'Experience.' Oregon's stats on offense and defense this season are, to date, excellent. It's a luxury to be able to witch about style points.

I think Dante has the competitive moxie. After the defense surrendered a lead at Penn State, Dante did not fold up. I also liked that Dante returned from the locker room last Saturday after being knocked in the nose, and the love he showed Brock Thomas at the end of the Wisconsin game.

I don't think there is another Power 2 team that is 7-1 with 18 new starters.

OBD and Dante are a work in progress that will hopefully make the PO with a home game and advance to the semis at least. IMO, the play calls against Indiana and Wisconsin did not emphasize the run game enough and exposed Dante to Moore pressures and sacks than he should have faced.

Perhaps a bit more smash mouth and less finesse? I think Will Stein is game planning like he still has the most experienced QBs in CFB behind center.

No matter how much offense has evolved, you still have to kick tush and win the LOS to win football games.

Regardless, the future's so bright ... 😎

No panic here, just concern. Sacks are a red flag for me. Indiana penetrated at will and very effectively. O-Line play has been my biggest disappointment. They seem unable to open holes for our backs, who can be explosive. It's just not happening like it should. And I really don't want to see more behind the line passes, none, no more. Lastly, Dante needs to get the ball out faster, at least some of the time. Indiana's Mendoza and the freshman from tOSU fire passes like lightning. We need more of that. If we get it, we will be fine.

The spoiled fan in me wants to panic:

- Why still use all the RBs when it's apparent to us that it should be Davison/Hill. I think some continuity and consistency would help this offense . . . as well as just starting the game with your best RBs.

- I was surprised Dante Moore was out of the game for good? Were there concussion concerns? I was hoping to see a bandaged bleeding leader come trotting back on the field to finish the job.

- Stein. Just a gut feel, but I think he's good not great; seems a little too inconsistent, and in big games his offense seems to get stymied. I was not encouraged by his quote after the Indiana game that he was mad at himself for not continuing to run with Davison down the middle. Seems like a lesson to have already learned, or learned mid-game and continued.

The more realistic fan in me is pleased:

- For a young team to be 7-1 with their only loss to a team many believe is now the #1/#2 team in the nation . . . not bad.

- Dante Moore looks like a incredible at times, and with more playing time/consistency, could be Heisman material.

- We're 7-1 and we have Davison and Hill and Sadiq . . . all is well.

“Just Win Baby”

-Al Davis

The rest doesn’t matter

15 minutes ago, WTD25 said:

The spoiled fan in me wants to panic:

- Why still use all the RBs when it's apparent to us that it should be Davison/Hill. I think some continuity and consistency would help this offense . . . as well as just starting the game with your best RBs.

- I was surprised Dante Moore was out of the game for good? Were there concussion concerns? I was hoping to see a bandaged bleeding leader come trotting back on the field to finish the job.

- Stein. Just a gut feel, but I think he's good not great; seems a little too inconsistent, and in big games his offense seems to get stymied. I was not encouraged by his quote after the Indiana game that he was mad at himself for not continuing to run with Davison down the middle. Seems like a lesson to have already learned, or learned mid-game and continued.

The more realistic fan in me is pleased:

- For a young team to be 7-1 with their only loss to a team many believe is now the #1/#2 team in the nation . . . not bad.

- Dante Moore looks like a incredible at times, and with more playing time/consistency, could be Heisman material.

- We're 7-1 and we have Davison and Hill and Sadiq . . . all is well.

If Dante broke his nose any jolt to his head from a direct hit, tackle or even a slide would have been extremely painful. He would’ve been even more tentative and skittish in the pocket. Wisconsin was never going to win so I’m sure Lanning was good with the backup.

That said, broken noses are still painful after a few weeks so I would expect him to go out of his way to avoid contact against Iowa. I’m sure there will be no designed QB runs and he may not scramble as much even though he will probably wear a visor for protection.

1 hour ago, tee duke said:

O-Line play has been my biggest disappointment. They seem unable to open holes for our backs, who can be explosive.

2024 after eight games: 35 points per game, net rushing total yards of 1337, for an average of 4.7 yards per rush.

2025 after eight games: 41 points per game, net rushing total yards of 1896, for an average of 6.3 yards per rush.

Let's toss out the lopsided wins and look at the numbers from the Penn State, Indiana, and Wisconsin games. 4.5, 2.7, and 4.6 yards per rush. Last time I looked we don't have Rutgers next up on our schedule.

You don’t think we didn’t have lopsided wins last year?

It is eight games, and that is a pretty good sample…

During much of the second half, Brock Thomas’ best plays were handling errant center snaps that totally destroyed timing. Putting Moore back in the game would have been extreme gross negligence under the conditions. Thanks to Thomas, OBD avoided what could have been two or three turnovers. And, Thomas managed to avoid giving up the ball to Wisconsin without a trace of Panic!

1 hour ago, tee duke said:

Let's toss out the lopsided wins and look at the numbers from the Penn State, Indiana, and Wisconsin games. 4.5, 2.7, and 4.6 yards per rush. Last time I looked we don't have Rutgers next up on our schedule.

If we are goint to toss out the "lopsided wins," then I feel that when considering the running game, we can toss out sacks (which are not part of the running game but are including in rushing stats). In fact, let's toss out all of the QB/WR runs and focus just on the RBs so we can get an even better look at the "running" game. That leaves the following YPC for the three games you mention:

Penn St: 28 carries for 141 yds = 5.0 YPC

Indiana: 21 carries for 108 yds = 5.1 YPC

Wisconsin: 32 carries for 227 yds = 7.1 YPC

Pretty good numbers if you ask me.

It's a thing in the NFL that you are only as good as your biggest weakness. That applies to players (especially QB's) and schemes.

The reason being that opposing coaches are good enough to scout your strengths and take those options away, forcing you to play to your weaknesses.

I think this has happened to Stein and Moore this year. Penn State, Indiana, and Wisconsin all doing similar things defensively to take away our strengths.

Dante Moore does great with a clean pocket and man coverage? Then bring pressure and play complex zone coverages.

Stein likes to use up every blade of grass within 10 yards of the LOS? Run a 4-3 multiple defense that crowds the LOS across the width of the field.

The next evolution of our offense is for Stein and Moore to get better at executing to their weaknesses.

Moore needs to learn how to deal with real time zone schemes with simulated pressure options and learn how to move in the pocket to buy every last millisecond of time.

Stein needs to learn how to create openings up the middle of the field and revise the route trees to create opportunities that materialize quicker for Moore.

We've had the luxury of being tested to our weaknesses early in the season. I really hope theses 2 weeks are used to strengthen our weaknesses.

If we can have just enough success with our weaknesses (which I believe we have enough talent potential to do) that opponents have start defending them, then that will reopen our strengths.

I would add Solar that Moore needs more looks outside the pocket (for the third time this week-am I a broken record?). The middle of the crisis play call that bought Moore time resulted in a TD against Indiana. The OT pass that Moore threw was a designed bootleg. Moore has such a strong arm and is an effective enough runner screams for using that as an option at least a third of our calls. It was also mentioned by David Marsh that Davison is a better blocker than Whittington. I believe more two back sets, and better use of the RBs in pass blocking schemes is necessary.

I happen to believe the OTs are being set up for failure. They are not quick enough to handle DEs that line up more than two yards away from them. They require assistance. The interior Lineman also seem to stand up too quickly at times, which creates havoc inside (hence my call for two back sets). I would also use Jet Motion far more often. Especially for WR Moore and Sadiq. Then run designs for the TE inside as you suggested Solar.

As I have mentioned countless times, it is not the gameplan that matters, it is the ability to draw plays up on the spot based on what the defense is doing to counter your game plan. Hence, my call for knowing every damn play known to mankind. "Gentleman, this is a football". That is what that quote means to me. Football isn't simply what you can do at the LOS. That always blows up in your face eventually when you face teams of your caliber or better. It's what you do to respond to diminish their advantage. You must be prepared for poor play and getting manhandled as much as you prepare for your opponent.

One of the greatest skills Kirby Smart displays is his ability to neutralize multiple score leads. I believe it is because he junks his gameplan and starts looking at what is actually going on in the game. Whenever I do root against Georgia (usually it against Tennessee or Ohio State), I am never comfortable with two score leads, because I KNOW WHAT IS COMING NEXT. Georgia slowly climbs out of the hole, because they no longer focus on what they wanted to do-they focus on finding out what will work.

That is Dan Lanning's next step in his evolution as a coach. I saw sprinkles of it last week. He took the win. But before he decided to minimize the play calling, he dialed up throws downfield. THEN he had Stein change formations. If I see Moore getting out of the pocket more (pun intended), then I believe Lanning is starting to look for every solution possible. But I am seeing that idea percolating in his head.

I think coaches tend towards conservative and when the day got rainy and windy it was natural to go to the run game. Wisconsin was a passing team that could not get 100 yards Saturday. The Ducks ground it out to assure the win. I have no problem with that. I have wondered if Dante or someone on the line has some tell that opponents are picking up on. Iowa will be interesting as they are a good team but would need a dominating defensive performance to win.

2 hours ago, Mike West said:

I would add Solar that Moore needs more looks outside the pocket (for the third time this week-am I a broken record?). The middle of the crisis play call that bought Moore time resulted in a TD against Indiana. The OT pass that Moore threw was a designed bootleg. Moore has such a strong arm and is an effective enough runner screams for using that as an option at least a third of our calls. It was also mentioned by David Marsh that Davison is a better blocker than Whittington. I believe more two back sets, and better use of the RBs in pass blocking schemes is necessary.

I happen to believe the OTs are being set up for failure. They are not quick enough to handle DEs that line up more than two yards away from them. They require assistance. The interior Lineman also seem to stand up too quickly at times, which creates havoc inside (hence my call for two back sets). I would also use Jet Motion far more often. Especially for WR Moore and Sadiq. Then run designs for the TE inside as you suggested Solar.

As I have mentioned countless times, it is not the gameplan that matters, it is the ability to draw plays up on the spot based on what the defense is doing to counter your game plan. Hence, my call for knowing every damn play known to mankind. "Gentleman, this is a football". That is what that quote means to me. Football isn't simply what you can do at the LOS. That always blows up in your face eventually when you face teams of your caliber or better. It's what you do to respond to diminish their advantage. You must be prepared for poor play and getting manhandled as much as you prepare for your opponent.

One of the greatest skills Kirby Smart displays is his ability to neutralize multiple score leads. I believe it is because he junks his gameplan and starts looking at what is actually going on in the game. Whenever I do root against Georgia (usually it against Tennessee or Ohio State), I am never comfortable with two score leads, because I KNOW WHAT IS COMING NEXT. Georgia slowly climbs out of the hole, because they no longer focus on what they wanted to do-they focus on finding out what will work.

That is Dan Lanning's next step in his evolution as a coach. I saw sprinkles of it last week. He took the win. But before he decided to minimize the play calling, he dialed up throws downfield. THEN he had Stein change formations. If I see Moore getting out of the pocket more (pun intended), then I believe Lanning is starting to look for every solution possible. But I am seeing that idea percolating in his head.

I agree. It isn't enough to have a complete roster, you have to use it. For every counter by the opposing defense you have to be able to recognize it and have a counter of your own.

I'll go back to my prior pondering, is why is Stein not up in the box? Has he been under undervaluing the importance of seeing how the defense is attacking his play calling in real time. It's great we adjusted just before halftime, but we'd already thrown away 5 possessions at that point.

Someone else mentioned more play-action pass which adds the RB as another blocker up front and creates more space across the middle behind the linebackers. I agree we should do more of that too.