Monday's article! Thank you all for reading and the support so far. Looking forward to the season starting up soon-ish and I think we're in good hands at back-up quarterback.

https://open.substack.com/pub/marshduck/p/oregons-back-up-quarterback-situation?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=8foswi

The photo that shows the size difference between DM and ASJ is crazy. Would love to see ASJ get some reps this year and see if he has the “it factor”.

1 hour ago, Drake said:

The photo that shows the size difference between DM and ASJ is crazy. Would love to see ASJ get some reps this year and see if he has the “it factor”.

I'd love to see how he does at tight end... The guy is freaking massive! His hands are probably good and he can run plenty fast.

But the bigger problem would be blocking.

28 minutes ago, David Marsh said:

I'd love to see how he does at tight end... The guy is freaking massive! His hands are probably good and he can run plenty fast.

But the bigger problem would be blocking.

Thanks, David, for another terrific article.

Akili at TE? Yes, if and as you noted, he is prepared to block LBs on the run and DBs downfield, and to help against DEs.

For the obvious reason, I do not want to see Akili start any game this season. Mop-up duty would be fine. I want all Ducks on deck for the PO. A dinged-up Dante would be no fine. 🤬

Can Smith play LB? Dude looks tough as nails. He has the athleticism and knows offenses. Probably a silly thought but it would be fun watching Smith knock back RBs at the LOS.

Great observation David....we have experience at back-up QB that we almost never see. My hope is that our defense shuts down a ton of teams, Mehringer piles up the points in the first half, and we get to see ALL the backup QBs extensively this season.

I don't see Smith changing positions; if he doesn't rise to where he wants to be--he'll be a transfer casualty for us. Somebody will be a casualty, as we have great depth now, and joining us.

38 minutes ago, Charles Fischer said:

I don't see Smith changing positions; if he doesn't rise to where he wants to be--he'll be a transfer casualty for us. Somebody will be a casualty, as we have great depth now, and joining us.

I don't see it happening either. Transferring is just too easy and he has the skills to play somewhere for sure.

The ONLY way i see him switching positions is if being a Duck and seeing the field is more important than playing quarterback. Which doesn't feel likely.

I don't know anything about Smith and have no direct link to insiders in the know about the

Ducks roster.

I know more about Raiola as he was a Georgia commit before flipping away to Nebraska. On the positive side, he does have ample starting experience in the B1G where he had his experiences, both good and bad. But I certainly would not compare him to Nix, who was good at making plays with his legs when necessary. The big rap on Raiola from the Georgia insiders was that he was a statue back in the pocket with no real elusiveness. Whether he has improved over time is not knowable to me, but it is a caution that COULD limit his effectiveness. Time will tell I guess.

8 hours ago, Nevada Dawg said:

I don't know anything about Smith and have no direct link to insiders in the know about the

Ducks roster.

I know more about Raiola as he was a Georgia commit before flipping away to Nebraska. On the positive side, he does have ample starting experience in the B1G where he had his experiences, both good and bad. But I certainly would not compare him to Nix, who was good at making plays with his legs when necessary. The big rap on Raiola from the Georgia insiders was that he was a statue back in the pocket with no real elusiveness. Whether he has improved over time is not knowable to me, but it is a caution that COULD limit his effectiveness. Time will tell I guess.

ND, UGA insiders were prescient, no surprise.

October 17, 2025, Minnesota upsets Nebraska 24 to 6.

Dylan Riola is sacked 9 times (!) in the game, a Golden Gophers record.

Better players and coaches in Eugene surround Dylan. Matt Ruhle is 19-19 at Nebraska, 10-17 in the Big Ten, 2-23 all-time versus ranked teams, 0-8 with the Cornhuskers. But how much difference will it make when Dylan is under pressure?

James Franklin is fired, and Cornhusker paranoia results in Ruhle being rewarded with an extension and a pay raise.

Nebraska should not have fired Frank Solich, and he is a flake, but the same for Bo Pelini.

I enjoy your articles, David. You identify a recurring roster problem -- how to get a backup QB meaningful reps in the age of the transfer portal. Here's an outside-the-box solution. Remember when Belotti and then Chip Kelly started going for two after most touchdowns, or signaling it with the Swinging Gate? Some of us called them the Two Buck Ducks.

Why not return to that, but with your #2 QB at the helm? Meaningful reps, points on the board, camaraderie, a real impact. (We'd use it mostly when the points probably won't matter.) If Smith as a dual threat blossoms in that role, he could also lead a short-yardage package alternative for any 4th-and-short situation, just to keep opposing DCs on their toes. Heck, make him almost an almost-tight-end and put him and Moore on the field together. Let the defense guess who is getting the snap! What I'm saying is, this will allow us to have 3 QBs in the room at all times, each engaged and knowing his assignment -- starter, backup, two-point conversions/short yardage (sometimes).

It helps with retention, but also with recruiting. And it's on brand. Just like Kelly's blur offense, the Ducks could change (again) how the game is played. And of course that is better for fans too!