SEA Duck

Ducks! 34-20 1 3 313 yards

So many things to reflect upon after the phenomenal program win last night at the colosseum. Of course the hit on Dante, the poised play of Dylan, continued concerns around the quality of the O-line, and the challenges in playing the style of between the tackles Oregon running that the Ducks like to play. But more than anything I’m so fired up about the Oregon program. I’m so proud to be a Duck, particularly in comparison to the embarrassing culture that was on display on the USC sideline and post game. That Oregon won the portal, getting the very best quarterback in Dylan Riola, a guy who was able to step onto the field during that emotional moment, and meet that moment with poise and power is a testament to the strength of the Oregon program. Their ability to recruit, coach and inspire the team is something we all can be proud of. Lanning is a great leader, evaluator of talent, and onfield was able to demonstrate the passion and the poise that made all of us proud. Yes, there is still some growth around scheme, self-scout, and managing mid-game adjustments. But the shameful culture of USCs program was on full display yesterday. Oregon’s response to the targeting call was to play with passion and incredible poise. I’m sure all the 4* and 5* star recruits saw everything we saw. We will continue to own CA recruiting, and Oregon is the premier program of the west. We may or may not make the playoffs or win the natty with this ‘26 team. But I still have confidence this team can continue to win with this deep roster while not needing to rush Dante back into the huddle before his body is ready. Proud of Lanning, proud of the Ducks program!

Yes but keeping the trend, oh what fun it’ll be to watch them win it in ‘28 baby!

I think that’s totally right. Lanning wants to win the game and doesn’t really care about the score. He is wholly unconcerned about the spread - outside noise. He doesn’t care about padding stats either. Jayden Daniels is clearly awesome, but Bo could have had many more TDs / yards if that was a priority for us. Dante only played for a half and a bit for the first three weeks. He wants to see the perfect game. For him that seems to be defined by depth, perfect execution beyond the 1’s. He knows that snaps at game speed and intensity are so valuable for the non starters. And he knows the season is a marathon. Not worth over rotating on any game after the outcome is determined. Prepare-Execute-Celebrate-Correct… and then on to the next. Maybe the thumbs up/thumbs down game at Michigan was the only time where we punched in another TD late in the game when we already had the outcome guaranteed. I was surprised at that. I also loved it! 😊

Obviously we posted a very similarly lopsided score and beat down on week 2 vs OK St. But even in those clearly game-controlled contests against MSU and NU and even against the Beavos, we are generally at the spread and don’t wreck folks by 50+. If you look at the Indiana game, and the lines of similarly dominant teams in FBS this isn’t uncommon. While OBD have been dominant thus far, we haven’t “broken their spirits”. Well maybe we did that to Gundy and Co lol. Why is that? Is it Lanning, who wants us to dominate but also seems to exude a culture of respect and doesn’t need to feel the ego need to go for 2 late in the fourth quarter? Is it that logic prevails, an we want to provide our 2nd/3rd team with valuable reps, and we want to preserve our 1’s from garbage time? Or are we actually trying to break those teams but they were better than that (we couldn’t beat them by 70). It feels like there may be coaches that are okay wrecking other teams. Cignetti didn’t do it to Old Dominion, but Indiana was mercilous in weeks 2,3 and 4. I’m personally okay with it but it has me super curious. We are only 2-2 against the spread and we were similar last year. I don’t think Lanning cares!

Looks like they’re 24th on the list.

This. I’ve been so impressed with what Bucky has accomplished with Tampa Bay as a rookie. He is so tough and shifty, grinding out games even while injured. We have missed his all around run game this year. But JJ and NW are still an impressive duo. Those runs where they played human dump trucks were among my favorite of the season!! 😎

I’ve been thinking a lot about the differences between DG and Bo. After the Maryland and Wisky games, I was really wondering about the offense and our inability to put more than 30 on the board. I recently rewatched the two games against UW to review Bo’s command of the offense, his run threat and even his arm, and see what were the differences that led us to explode for 40-50 pts in recent season. But Dillon has such intangible qualities. It took a few games for him to gel in Steins offense. I think he would be even better if he magically had a second season in our system. Despite the difference in physical qualities compared to Marcus, Herbert and Nix, he is a world-class competitor and a true winner. His leadership and confidence during the tough drive is incredible. That 4th and 9 to Ferg was so money! I’d definitely take DG as the QB of the eight remaining teams.