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 roster, and still managed to hang around in this game, despite their efforts feeling futile on offense.
Our Mr. FishDuck took a break from his gaming fun at the best Apple Pay Sites https://casinority.com/ca/apple-pay-online-casinos/ to fully cover the challenging elements of that game with me, which thankfully eluded kicking for once.
When special teamers like punter James Ferguson-Reynolds could be considered the top-performing player in Oregon’s best phase of the game, you know you did something wrong. He could have even had his first career passing touchdown too, if not for a hold, which would have helped an offense that desperately needed some flash.
Speaking of, Will Stein manned an offense that lacked identity, confidence, and juice. Mostly horizontal plays, little ingenuity downfield, and a poor rushing attack that took a long time to get going. Oregon fans missed out on more elite play by freshmen skill players, even before the heavy winds set in, the rain came down, and Dante Moore exited the game with a nose injury.
So, where do we stand with the Ducks today? What do we expect out of them against Iowa? Is it indeed time to panic, and if so, where should that panic land on a scale of 1-10?
This Duck defense has been SUFFOCATING the last two weeks, and expect to see more of the same down the stretch – Photo Via Max Unkrich
Panic Meter for Oregon Football: ZERO
Are you kidding me? How dare you doubt that man named Dan Lanning.
Wins are wins. It might not be pretty, and this game was anything but. Still, the Ducks were never in doubt, and this ended up being a “weather game” that Oregon just wanted to get out of. As fans, wanting to see something more would have been nice; it just doesn’t really count for much when your team is 7-1. This Oregon team will get back up to 750 yards of offense in a single game. They did it two weeks ago. There’s no reason to freak out. Oregon will be in the College Football Playoff, and they’re going to make a deeper run than last year. Every great team has bad days.
Now, are there things to correct? Yes. Hunter Simmons should never have thrown a touchdown against this caliber of defense, especially in the conditions they were in. Of course, that wouldn’t have happened without a freak, underthrown completion downfield over Dillon Thieneman in the red zone, but that’s neither here nor there. On top of that, Oregon’s offensive line should not be giving up multiple sacks at home. There shouldn’t be holds on fake punts, and drives that start with an onside kick HAVE TO CONVERT POINTS. Still, the Ducks have an unbelievable array of tape to prepare for, and any team Oregon plays down the stretch should have no idea what to expect. Lanning will find a way to crush these next two weeks of prep. There are still massive, attainable aspirations for this team.
Remember who this dude was in The Whiteout? The Ducks are still more than capable – Photo Via FishDuck Football Pictures
Last week, I wrote about the Ducks being ready for the postseason, and I stand by the fact that they will get to that caliber of play sooner rather than later. Before the Ducks play the closing game of their regular season against some team called the Washington Huskies, I expect them to be red hot, firing on all cylinders, and to have worked out some of the youthful kinks that come along with a young, inexperienced team. This was a hiccup game that offered an extreme rarity under Lanning’s regime, where the Ducks came out unmotivated, sluggish, and lacking focus. That NEVER happens, and it won’t happen again this season. They’re young, still learning, and as exciting a show on turf as you’ll see anywhere in the country. “Whittington! Whittington! Whittington!” courtesy of Tim Brando, reminds us all as Oregon fans that this team is just as electric as years past, and we should cherish being able to nitpick a double-digit victory in yet another outstanding season under Lanning.
There’s nothing to worry about with him at the helm. I expect Oregon to duck away from their recent allegations that they “can’t win off a bye,” and beat the brakes off of Iowa. After a win like this, the Ducks should be pissed but not discouraged. Lanning will incline them to be so. Oregon is fine. Stein is fine. They’re going to rebound, get angry, and make a statement when they go on the road to Kinnick Stadium.
Never count Lanning out, and especially not after the poise Moore showed at Happy Valley. That kid’s ready for the biggest stage there is. The Ducks just need to adjust, have a great couple of weeks of prep, and finish this season on fire. Let’s decidedly not panic and see what Stein can cook up with this hyper-talented team in the four games ahead.
Anyway—enough from me, Oregon fans. Are you panicking? What did you think of the team’s performance this weekend? Who’s going to step up in the weeks ahead to get this team to the College Football Playoff? Let us know in the FishDuck Forum with decorum.
GO DUCKS!
Alex Heining
Los Angeles, California
Top Photo By: Max Unkrich
Alex Heining is an Oregon alumni from the graduate class of 2021. After studying sports business and media studies, he has moved into the field of digital marketing as a copywriter and content manager in the Los Angeles area. Still, he loves his Ducks and goes to local high school games all over the Los Angeles and Orange County area to check out new recruits of the future (and a SoFi game or two with the pros). On any given Saturday, expect to find him doing martial arts, playing the guitar, or screaming at the tv over a missed holding penalty.