Can we start this season now?



This would look good over the fireplace. By the Oregonian's Bruce Ely.


I wouldn't say this game had no drama. Tennessee Tech scored first, so it was technically a come-from-behind win.

TT did their part and served as a good sparring partner. The Ducks' real competition was themselves and their own mistakes. They improved in some areas. Got worse in others.

These are the best looking of the new helmets.
Apologies to those who called me a "pansy" for
caring too much about the uni's. But there just isn't
much to say about the actual game.

The first string offense and defense both played better than in weeks past. The backups were much better. Mistakes were made, no doubt. Bryan Bennett threw a terribly ugly interception. So did Mariota. DeAnthony Thomas fumbled another punt. He also slowed down and was coasting into the endzone for what would've been his second TD when he was stripped from behind. His offensive lineman recovered in the endzone.  

And what was with all the penalties? Lots of late hits and roughings of the passer. The offensive line kept illegal proceding.  I have a feeling the team was getting bored with beating up on weaker foes. Once they feel challenged in the second half, they'll hopefully tighten up.



Yes, you've got your Mariota, your Barner,
and your DAT. But the make or break of Oregon's
success this season will rest on the large shoulders
of D-linemen like Dion Jordan.

Still they can't score 63 points without doing something right. Mariota was 21 for 28, 307 yards and three TDs. DAT had over 200 all purpose yards in rushing, receiving and punt returns. One interesting DAT stat: In three of the last four games including the Rose Bowl, he has scored a TD the first time he has touched the ball.  And none were one-yard hops across the goal line. They were all jail breaks from midfield.


NEXT YEAR, DAT WILL BE THE SLACKER

Funny thing though, the big talk around the Oregonization was about a Duck running back who is still in high school.

Thomas Tyner is a firm Duck commit and a senior at Aloha High School near Portland.  He is ranked as the 2nd or 4th prep running back in the nation depending on who you ask. That is, he WAS ranked as such before last Friday when he ran for 643 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Understand, those aren't his current season stats. That was ONE GAME. For the season -- which so far only amounts to three games -- he's run 1243 yards and 18 touchdowns, according to the Oregonian. Word of his performance was spread by ESPN and Sports Illustrated. 

Tyner is bigger than DAT at 6-0, 207 pounds. But the video below shows a speed gear much like DAT's. Looking like a man amongst children, his red zone starts around the 50 yard line. Following are highlights of all of his 18 TD's to date.

The future looks bright.


TRAVELER STUNNED TO DEATH

Matt Barkley stayed for his senior season at USC because, as he said it, he and the team "have some unfinished business". Well last Saturday evening on The Farm, their business was finished.  No. 2 USC played like a big stinky steaming pile of number 2 as they looked downright mediocre to Stanford's defensive pressure.

Losing 21-14, the Trojans fell out of the sky from their #2 perch and crashed to #13. Stanford was rewarded for their gritty win and jumped from #21 to #9. The upset raised Oregon to #3.

Barring any more upsets, November 3rd is setting up to be a very interesting date. While Oregon will play at USC on that Saturday, #1 Alabama will be squaring off with #2 LSU. If Oregon wins, and one of them loses . . . . . . Naaa. Let's not go there. Too many things can happen between now and then. And who's to say Georgia or Florida State might not leapfrog Oregon by then?

Besides, as Coach Kelly would say:  



"Killer Bee, what are you doing?
You know we don't look ahead.
We don't care about the polls.
Next week is our Super Bowl.
Win the day. We can't change
what we can't control. If you're
 nervous, you're not prepared. If
you get it, see a doctor and get
rid of it. "

Next: Arizona.
--KB