I’ve been surprised with my disappointment with the 2024 football team, and upon reflection I’ve been surprised as to why. A third of the season has passed, and this team has not yet put together a full four quarters on both sides of the ball. We had eight good offensive quarters between the last two quarters versus Boise State, the Civil War game and the first two quarters against the Bruins. The defense has had six good quarters between the last two quarters of Civil War, and the entire UCLA game, but again–not a complete game from both sides of the ball.
We expected more, because there is more….more talent than any Oregon team coming to the field between offense, defense, special teams and depth. A total of 19 starters who were starters at Oregon, or other teams last year, and the Ducks have never had that much returning experience. It is natural for fans to be looking and hoping for more than so-so performances with that kind of talent? I took some time from my fun at Thunderpick sportsbook to ponder this puzzling 2024 team, and consider what I am looking for beginning with tonight’s game.
A massive mixture of new portal players, along with Duck veterans has never been assembled like this before, thus we are having some issues that were not anticipated or foreseen. It is evident that it is taking longer for this team to “jell” than we all thought, and my belief is that they eventually will over the long schedule, but not in time for our visit from the Buckeyes. As long as Our Beloved Ducks peak at the end of the season….that is what we want.
Unresolved Positions on Defense
For the first two games, both sides of the ball were not in sync, but it seems to me that in the last game and a half….the defense is much better, and seems to be moving toward becoming the force I thought we could achieve. I have been watching an extreme rotation occurring with the field corner, as most of us thought that Kam Alexander, the transfer for UTSA was the assumed starter at the beginning of the season. Yet I’ve noted Donte Manning starting, as well as Nikko Reed starting, of whom I thought was a STAR, or covering the slot as the fifth defensive back along with Brandon Johnson.
— Ducks Rising (@ducksrising_NIL) October 3, 2024
I could not understand all the changes, as it is normal to give a starter a break, and get the reserves some reps in game-time. But this looked more like trying to find a starter, and I believe this position is still undecided going into the fifth game. The depth has allowed Jahlil Florence that much more recovery time of which is a luxury few teams enjoy.
On the defensive line, Derrick Harmon has stood out as we thought, but transfer Jamaree Caldwell has been not had many extraordinary plays yet. I am hoping he will break out, although it seems that a number of the underclassmen are starting to emerge and make their mark. Edge rusher Blake Purchase has really slid down the depth chart, and appears to have lost his spot to Jaeden Moore, a 2023 Rivals 3-Star signee who has been helping to set his teammates up for sacks. The elite signee, Elijah Rushing, has yet to see much playing time due to the depth built at the edge rusher spot.
At inside linebacker, the decline of Jestin Jacobs in playing time has been as much as a surprise as the ascendance of Devon Jackson, who has taken major snaps. The veteran at ILB, Jeffrey Bassa is returning from injury, yet it is hard to justify taking hometown favorite Bryce Boettcher off the field with such high PFF marks in recent games. Again the recruiting in both the portal and high school players has created a needed depth when injury struck. It will be quite interesting to follow who plays the most now at inside linebacker.
We look forward to more explosion plays from the receivers like Tez Johnson. (Screenshot from Fox Sports Video)
Most Surprised With the Offense?
The offense is still a work in progress, which is a big surprise to me. I figured that with two returning savvy tight ends in Terrance Ferguson, and Patrick Herbert coupled with returning wide receivers in Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden the offense would be an easy plug-and-play for transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Nope, getting to know each other takes more time, and you can see the gradual progress happening. Things will explode once the Bird-Bombs begin to rain down on Evan Stewart and he stretches the defense. Let’s hope we see that soon…
I am delighted with settled offensive line, but we have to keep our fingers crossed for them to stay healthy. The depth at guard has already been wiped out, and the depth at tackle is primarily inexperienced, and depending upon a newbie late in the season could be a real weakness for the offense if injury should occur. I am hoping that as the offense improves–the reserves will get more real playing time to prepare them for 2025, and as a solid backup for the remainder of this season.
While offensive coordinator Will Stein has introduced some new plays as the games passed, I really sense the majority of the best stuff that could create explosion plays are still in front of us. It certainly makes sense to slowly unfold things as the players who are new to the team get accustomed to a new style of play, new teammates and new coaches. I believe Coach Stein took some of the losses last year quite personal, as revealed in interviews, hence my feeling that the offense has some fine days ahead of them.
The good news for Atticus Sappington? This PAT was not a critical miss, and he has been pretty accurate on Field Goals. (Photo by Eric Becker)
Special Teams Still Special?
The punting average this year from Ross James remains at the unreal 48.3 yards per punt as the Ducks enjoyed last year, but our placekicker, Atticus Sappington, has already missed as many field goals, (one) as all last season, and has already missed more PATs (two) than all of last year. The talent is evident, but perhaps stepping up to a different level requires more mental toughness that he is adjusting to? Let’s hope he gets that solved as I’m sure we will rely on him for key kicks later in the season from 40-45 yards out, and not under the greatest weather conditions.
What is the most surprising about my own reaction to the team, is how after 13 years of publishing articles and writing over 600 of my own, that I fell into the typical mindset that we fans we have about the team we care so much about. We want things to take off immediately, and prove our elite ranking from the first game. While it did not materialize that way this year, perhaps with such a long season…might that be for the best?
I welcome your reactions in the only free, civilized Oregon football forum out there because…
“Oh, how we love to ponder about Our Beloved Ducks!“
Charles Fischer (Mr. FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Photo by Eric Becker
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Charles Fischer has been an intense fan of the Ducks, a season ticket holder at Autzen Stadium for 38 years and has written reports on football boards for over 26 years. Known as “FishDuck” on those boards, he is acknowledged for providing intense detail in his scrimmage reports, and in his Xs and Os play analyses. He is single, has a daughter Christine, and resides in Eugene Oregon where he was a Financial Advisor for 36 years.
He now focuses full-time on Charitable Planned Giving Workshops for churches and non-profit organizations in addition to managing his two Oregon Football Websites, of FishDuck.com and the Our Beloved Ducks forum. He is a busy man!
He does not profess to be a coach or analyst, but simply a “hack” that enjoys sharing what he has learned and invites others to correct or add to this body of Oregon Football! See More…