What I am Thankful For: Ducks Football 2008

by dvieira on Nov 27, 2008 10:00 AM PST in Football Comment 17 comments

What an amazing season for the Oregon football team this year. With all the magic of the 2007 team, I just wasn't sure how the 2008 team would measure up. I was hoping for an 8-4 record when the year started and it looks like that will happen if the Civil War goes badly for the Ducks. 9-3? Past all of my expectations. With Thanksgiving here, I've been reflecting on the season, trying to put away all of the negative commentary and focus strictly on what I am thankful for with regards to the Oregon Football program this year. Here are a few of those

I am thankful for....

A relatively injury-free year (knock on wood)

We saw nothing of the injuries that plagued us last year. We had brief elements of injuries with JJ having some shoulder trouble and Roper being out for a couple of games but very few devistating, season-ending injuries. We miss "The Gentleman" with his foot injury but he should be back next year and ready to run the rock.

The emergence of a clear #1 quarterback

As much as I liked Roper and thought he gave us the best chance to win, his injury really opened the door for Masoli to take the job and get much needed experience. He was out quickly at Boise State, worked through the offense against Washington State, went through the trials of USC and Cal, worked some things out at ASU and really stepped up with Stanford and Arizona. Through out the year, he has progressed forward, learning the offense, getting more and more comfortable. He led the comeback at Stanford and exploded in the first half of Arizona. He has a chance to cement his status in Ducks lore by beating Oregon State on Saturday. As for Roper? He is handling all of this with class, working the sideline role, always ready if called upon for one more "Ropert is God!" moment.

The honoring of Todd Doxey

What a fine show of class by the members of the Ducks football program, honoring a fallen teammate throughout the year by wearing his number and decals printed on the helmet.

An amazing Civil War game with two relevant teams

How can you ask for anything more? Oregon and Oregon State, both ranked at the end of the year, battling it out to determine who goes to what bowl. No matter how the Civil War turns out, it will be one for the ages. Getting to talk about it for a good month has been a treat in itself and finally, we will see history being made. The Beavers go to the Rose Bowl or the Ducks go to the Holiday Bowl. About as perfect as you can get.

(Your memory here)

Outside of all the negatives, the commentary, the concern about the team, coaching and what have you...what positives are you thankful for this 2008 season?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGPvyOLD3Ec&feature=related

what a great season i cant belive theres only 2 games left

GO DUCKS!!!

BEAT THE BEAVS

by Duck4Lif3 on Nov 27, 2008 10:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

bows head

I am thankful for Jeremiah Masoli, Darron Thomas, TJ Ward, Chip Kelly, JShuzzam, and Barack Obama.

Thank you. Everyone have a nice thanksgiving.

Alright time's up lez do this...

by qrsouther on Nov 27, 2008 10:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Things I'm Thankful For

LaGarrette Blount meeting our lofty expectations
All the buzz coming out of spring and summer practice was that this Blount kid was gonna be a real nice piece to our offense. He introduced himself to us with back-to-back 130 yard performances culminating in the game winning TD against Purdue. He’s jumped over literally a half-dozen people, has provided the power compliment that JJ needed. And he’s going to be on our team next year.

The emergence of a strong field general in Jeremiah Masoli
Let me take you back to the UCLA game. Masoli had just been lit up by an obnoxious UCLA DB after the play was over with no penalty. Now there are two options of retaliation, IMO: take the high road and keep running the offense, or run his stupid Bruin ass over.
Naturally, Masoli chooses option B.
This was the play where I knew, this guy’s got the swagger to be our QB. It’s a swagger that Joey had, that Dixon had, that Jason Fife, Brady Leaf, and Justin Roper did not. And he’s gonna be on our team next year.

Flashes of Brilliance
Chris Harper is electric when he has a football in his hands. Our linebacking corps is young and getting better, Spencer Paysinger especially. Jarius Byrd, mayor of Pick City, has turned into a more than capable punt returner, when last season all we asked for was someone who could catch the ball. Darron Thomas continues to wait in the wings, slowly evolving into Dixon 2.0. And they’re all gonna be on our team next year.

We Are Now Officially in The Big-Time Program Era of Oregon Football
We are currently 8-3, with one of the most potent rushing offenses in the country, and that’s just not good enough. The secondary shouldn’t have allowed a completed pass this season. We should win every game at home by three scores. Bellotti hasn’t won us a National Championship? Off with his head!!! This is the new Oregon football world we live in. And I’m friggin’ enjoying it.

Addicted to Quack
I spent a good portion of this week reading Beavs Civil War propaganda over at BtD. And I’m so glad I’m not them. There are a lot of smart writers over there, but far more ignorant and irrational shit-talkers there than there are here. I’m all for taking jabs at the other guy, but being an unwavering homer isn’t a healthy sports lifestyle. Make your points, don’t assume what I think, and have some respect for your opponent. If neither of these football teams existed, we’d probably be good friends with many Beaver fans, and I’m thankful that AtQ understands that. So thanks guys, have a great Turkey Day, and I’ll see you all on Saturday.

It's spelled "M-A-R-C-H-I-N-G-B-A-N-D."

I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Nov 27, 2008 11:12 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

Matt Takimoto 4 prez!!

Alright time's up lez do this...

by qrsouther on Nov 27, 2008 11:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Us

I’m thankful for a fun place to talk about Ducks football with lots of smart fans.
And that beast being posted two seconds before this, thanks matt.

Ducks Go!

by trumpetduck on Nov 27, 2008 11:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

i’m in bed, my house is freezing, and i almost fanposted this exact topic last night, so i figured i’d hide it in the comments section instead. but there is a turkey in my sink.

It's spelled "M-A-R-C-H-I-N-G-B-A-N-D."

I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Nov 27, 2008 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

im thankful for sink turkey

Ducks Go!

by trumpetduck on Nov 27, 2008 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i completely forgot to get a picture btw, i’m upset. but not that upset because it looks amazing

It's spelled "M-A-R-C-H-I-N-G-B-A-N-D."

I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Nov 27, 2008 4:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

OT?

I’m thankful the turf being completed at PK Park. With plates and bases and foul polls. Yay Baseball!

Ducks Go!

by trumpetduck on Nov 27, 2008 12:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

We have a baseball team!

It's spelled "M-A-R-C-H-I-N-G-B-A-N-D."

I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Nov 27, 2008 12:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Also OT: I'm thankful for Mike Dunkigan

It's spelled "M-A-R-C-H-I-N-G-B-A-N-D."

I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Nov 27, 2008 12:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

duck section at reser

hey i have 2 tickets in the visiting section at reser this Saturday. The tickets are not together; I was wondering if anyone who had been there before knew if people in this section actually stick to their seats, or if we will be able to sit together? I appreciate any feedback. GO DUCKS.

by coolconman on Nov 27, 2008 5:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

My guess is you will probably be able to sit together

Especially if you go to any of the “higher” sections. There’s a walk way that divides the upper and lower sections for the new part of the stadium. Down low, apparently, people insist on sitting in the right seats. Up high, not so much. Quick question: what sections are the two tickets?

Oregon State: where play action defense and healthy QBs thrive

by The VD Special on Nov 27, 2008 6:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the advice

the tickets are in Sec. 227

by coolconman on Nov 27, 2008 8:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Here we go, this should help out

http://www.osubeavers.com/pdf3/61773.pdf?ATCLID=129666&SPSID=25030&SPID=1968&DB_OEM_ID=4700

So Section 227 and 226 are visitors sections. So are 126 and 125. As long as you aren’t trying to get down into the lower away section, then you should be fine.

One thing you don’t see on the map is the 100 level sections are split halfway through the center (upper and lower halves). It’ll all make sense when you get to the stadium.

Oregon State: where play action defense and healthy QBs thrive

by The VD Special on Nov 27, 2008 10:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Beating UW and rembering TD

Being a duck in Washington when we play UW its nice to make fun of them all year. This year when we opened the season and whooped there butt that was a great feeling that we can make fun of them for the entire season.

Also with the passing of TD it was amazing how well we honering him by the decals and also letting a player wear #29 for the week.

Even though we didnt reach the rose it was a nice season after loosing Snoop and Dixon. Next year without Nick Reed will be hard who is the heart of the D. We have two more games lets win them both

by weaton4life on Nov 27, 2008 7:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

As the great Gandoof once said:

“It is an evil ring created by the
dark lord Sauron and he is trying
to get it back so he can take over
middle earth and destroy it and
all races cannot fight Sauron’s
huge army and it is up to you to
destroy it in the fires of
mountain Dew which is a long and
dangerous mission you are middle
earth’s only hope I should really
pause occasionaly when I speak.”

Alright time's up lez do this...

by qrsouther on Nov 27, 2008 8:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs