No coincidence I felt like wearing black today, and not as a Duck color.

Crushing defeats are hard no matter what the circumstances or when it happens. But as Steven A. pointed out--we lost three times in two years, and all to the No. 1 team in the nation. No dishonor in that!

We were the No. 5 national seed, and beat the No. 4 seed 23-0, and thus confirmed Our Beloved Ducks as one of the best teams in the nation.

It was still an Outstanding Year...

Yep. Actually, went to a celebration of life today and it wasn't for OBD.

Reminded me "it was only a game" and the sun did come up today.

19 minutes ago, Charles Fischer said:

as Steven A. pointed out--we lost three times in two years, and all to the No. 1 team in the nation. No dishonor in that!

Absolutely true. The problem is, we’re all getting a bit tired of saying that.

I'm more in shock than mourning. I felt going in that if we brought our A game we may have a 40-45% chance of winning and was looking forward to a 4th quarter battle that could go our way with a history defining play. Instead we got a bad pick six on thirst play of the game. Then a few minutes later, we had yet another self induced backfield fumble and the game was over just like that.

As pointed out on another post. Indy only had to go 30 yards to collect 28 gift wrapped points. It was a complete and utter collapse. It's like stepping in to the ring against Tyson, tripping on the ropes, falling flat on your face and knocking yourself out. It wasn't that we lost it was in the unbelievable and continuous way that it happened.

2022: 10-3 Holiday Bowl champs (not bad considering first game against UGA).

2023: 12-2 Fiesta Bowl champs (lost to the NCG runner-up by a total of six points).

2024: 13-1 B1G champs (lost in quarterfinal to eventual national champion).

2025: 14-1 Orange Bowl champs (won 1st round and quarterfinal, but lost semifinal).

If I’m a CEO and Dan Lanning is my sales team lead he and his team are getting bonuses every year for constant improvement. The trophies he brought home may not be the right color right now, but he has added something to the trophy case every year he’s been in Eugene.

Keep in mind this year’s team returned one starter on offense (Pancho) and three starters on defense (Boettcher, Uiagalelei, Tuioti). Could Oregon regress next season? Sure, but I think the reason for that would be because of a change at QB and uncertainty with the new one.

Still too stunned to be in mourning. I was angry yesterday and cant really bargain, cause there is nothing to bargain with. I am getting past denial, and almost to acceptance. Then I will mourn.

Unless crying in my beer is mourning, then I mourned yesterday to drown my anger !

But I still love my Ducks!

1 hour ago, Charles Fischer said:

No coincidence I felt like wearing black today, and not as a Duck color.

Crushing defeats are hard no matter what the circumstances or when it happens. But as Steven A. pointed out--we lost three times in two years, and all to the No. 1 team in the nation. No dishonor in that!

We were the No. 5 national seed, and beat the No. 4 seed 23-0, and thus confirmed Our Beloved Ducks as one of the best teams in the nation.

It was still an Outstanding Year...

Just wanted to say a big thank you to you Charles, and to the moderator team and volunteer editors. You enhance my experience as a Duck obsessed fan and make me smarter with the commentary. Have a great off-season!

Many, many OBD Fans woke with Mourning Sickness this Mourning...

We'survive, but I'm more in shock at the beat down, than depressed to have fallen to the likely National Champions.

I believe it would have taken a team of that nature to stay on the field with OBD

Not too sad at all...

Dante had a Jeff Lockie bowl game kind of day. It doesn't mean the program is down the toilet. Just a missed opportunity.

Like soooooo many others: (if my memory is correct down below)

2001 (?) Ducks not chosen for championship game

2007 Dennis Dixon gets hurt

2010 Dyer was down!

2012 DeAnthony Thomas misses block that would have let Mariota score vs Stanford (and made playoffs)

2014 year Couldn't bring down T. Prior and stop him from running for first downs

2019 Mario lost that game to Az St which kept them out of playoffs (they had a very good team that year)

2023 Losing to Washington in pac12 championship game kept them out of playoffs

2024 Lost in playoffs to Ohio St - Oregon did not play well in any aspect of the game, well below talent level

2025 year All those mistakes vs Indiana in playoffs

By my count, that is 9 missed chances for a national championship in a quarter century.

And it is probably going to take a few more before they finally kick the door down and get one.

As long as Dan Lanning sticks around and Phil Knight stays alive, they are going to have more chances.

But lets be real for a moment. Were any of those Oregon teams I listed above the very best team in college football that year?

I don't think so. They were close. Yes, very close. But not the best.

When they do have the best team for a given year, it will happen. It takes players. A whole starting 22 of them plus backups.

Next year, a new QB, new O line, help at DT, new edge players and linebackers. A lot of those are on the team right now or are going to be come this fall.

Thanks for taking me down that sweet memory lane.

Damn.