Quack Fix: Wrapping up a great win in Tucson

by jtlight on Nov 23, 2009 8:13 AM PST in Morning Quack Fix Comment 54 comments

What a weekend. The Ducks made it out of Tucson alive, though barely. It's always tough to go on the road, and this Oregon team has struggled to find consistency away from Autzen. However, the Ducks were able to pull it out, basically willing themselves to victory despite a number of mistakes and setbacks.

First of all, Jeremiah Masoli. It's not always pretty, but he gets the job done. His improvement from his early season problems has been the main reason for the Ducks offensive success, and he's earing lots of national recognition. He's being called a winner and unflappable by Ivan Maisel. George Schroeder has a column on him as well. Masoli, more than anything else, has learned to just allow the game to happen, and take what is there. He rarely makes bad decisions, and when he does, he doesn't let that affect his future play (like Dennis Dixon did in the early days). In a tough road environment where things hadn't been going well, Masoli and the offense came through when they needed to.
We're not the only people praising Nate Costa. Sporting News named his hold the play of the day. For a play as routine as an extra point, Costa and Flint handled the poor snap like pros, and allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief after a half second of sheer terror.
Both Masoli and LaMichael James set record this weekend. Masoli set the record for the highest scoring QB in Oregon history (passing Joey Harrington), while LMJ set the Pac-10 freshman rushing record, surpassing Jacquizz Rodgers' record from last season.
Jeff Maehl is also earning some well-deserved praise. He's received a lot of unwarranted criticism this year, but his rapport with Masoli was huge in moving the chains during the final Oregon drive, and the throw and catch for the first OT touchdown was a thing of beauty.
Ken Woody's blog on the game is an excellent read, as always. He's not as positive as many of us are, but that just means that there are some good things to work on in the week and a half ahead.
Arizona President Robert Shelton apologized to UO for the behavior of the Arizona fans. Hopefully this will be a lesson to Arizona and all other Pac-10 schools, and some of these issues can get cleaned up.

After the jump, a couple of videos on the game, including player reaction. As always, leave any other links in the comments. GO DUCKS!

Masoli, James, and Maehl react after the win

Inside the Pac recaps the weekend and looks forward to the Civil War

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Comments

Well,

I cannot believe that more praise has not been given to TJ Ward, Ed Dickson, and TJ3.

I felt TJ’s 2 MAJOR hits in the freaking stands, he was everywhere on Saturday. With the exception of the questionable flag against him for flexing his guns-damn near perfect game!

Ed Dickson, great catch. Nuff said. BAM!!!

TJ3 played great coverage all night. Foles tried picking on Harris most of the night; sometimes effective, other times not. TJ3 played lockdown coverage all night, and added an amazing interception

Juju, you complete me...And now as your humble-as-ever servant, I kindly request the following:

So, how is it that one brother is named "James", and the next one "Jacquizz"?
Anyways, based on the picture; they look as if they have a relationship thats a little too comfortable.

by CaDuck on Nov 23, 2009 8:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ward...

…had at least one huge whif on a screen pass when he lowered the shoulder and went for the highlight instead of wrapping up. It was the difference between a gain of one or two and a first down. Pretty sure Boyett would have made the fundamentally sound play.

by jfwells on Nov 23, 2009 9:04 AM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Ward is better in run support, and it sure showed against AZ

Juju, you complete me...And now as your humble-as-ever servant, I kindly request the following:

So, how is it that one brother is named "James", and the next one "Jacquizz"?
Anyways, based on the picture; they look as if they have a relationship thats a little too comfortable.

by CaDuck on Nov 23, 2009 10:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ward is WAY better in run support

I just wish Aliotti and Neal would be a little more flexible on moving Boyett in on obvious passing downs. Or at least move Ward to a Nickel role when they are in 3rd and long.

My biggest concern, what the hell has happened to Casey Matthews? We haven’t heard from that guy in a couple of games, and he got burnt a couple of times on Saturday by the 4/5 wide formations. Paysinger was solid, Pleasant was everywhere, Littlejohn got into the act some, Rowe was still trying to put pressure from the outside against bigger lineman, but where has Matthews gone? For a guy who was so solid to start the season to just disappear is concerning to me.

Kenny Wheaton #20; The Pick - 1994 v UW. Matthew Harper #20; The Pick #2 - 2007 v USC. John Boyett #20;...

by Matt Daddy on Nov 23, 2009 10:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I was actually somewhat underwhelmed by the schemes against multiple wide receiver sets.

There were multiple times where there would be 15-20 yards separation between the safety and the slot. We hardly went into any nickle formations. I saw where Foles wanted to throw before the snap would happen on several occasions.

I understand with a 4-3 out on the field, the safety plays off the slot, but we played very soft against it most of the game. We could have at least tried an OLB playing a bit of underneath zone with the slot. The short WR screens and quick passes are their bread and butter – this was known before we went in. I’d even venture to say, that most of their 1st down conversions came from a quick pass to a WR where the defense was playing soft.

This was a game where WT3 and Chung would have been amazing.

It's spelled "S-H-U-V-3-0-0-0"

by JShufelt on Nov 23, 2009 10:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

When Oregon is in the 4-3 sometimes Rowe will peel back into short coverage and the MLB will play zone middle or come on a blitz. I saw Pleasant and Paysinger cheating out a couple of times and disrupted their short passes, but not nearly enough. I think Aliotti got a little too conservative late in the second and into the third. I think Arizona forced some of this with their committment to the run and some decent long passes, keeping guys honest.

I would definitely like to see more 3-3-5 with Boyett coming into free safety, Lewis at strong safety and Ward as a rover in those obivous passing sitiuations. It worked so well against teams like Utah who ran a lot of 4/5 wide when we had Glasper in there.

The key is though, if you go to that 3-3-5 formation, you have to have strength and discipline up the middle at LB incase they run a screen or draw. For some reason Matthews has been a little too absent lately. I wonder if he is nursing an injury. I haven’t heard anything.

Kenny Wheaton #20; The Pick - 1994 v UW. Matthew Harper #20; The Pick #2 - 2007 v USC. John Boyett #20;...

by Matt Daddy on Nov 23, 2009 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem though is Rowe just isn’t fast enough against an offensive set like. You need to have an upright LB that has some wheels. Rowe could drop back and fill in the void that the LB left though.

It's spelled "S-H-U-V-3-0-0-0"

by JShufelt on Nov 23, 2009 11:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, which is why I would like to see Rowe out and Boyett in and a move to the 3-3-5. Boyett could easily shade over to Harris’ side to provide support, and Lewis and Ward could spy the backfield for extra run support. I like Rowe, but I think the scheme works better against that offense.

Kenny Wheaton #20; The Pick - 1994 v UW. Matthew Harper #20; The Pick #2 - 2007 v USC. John Boyett #20;...

by Matt Daddy on Nov 23, 2009 11:30 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No kidding, Shu. We called that one TD pass to the slot receiver from about the 10 yard line.

"...the noise is one aspect, but you can feel the intensity of their crowd." - Pete Carroll on Oregon's Autzen Stadium.

by JConant on Nov 23, 2009 2:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wait a tic...

So, Masoli is the highest scoring QB in Oregon history and he has at least 14 more games as a Duck. Wow!! Don’t think that one is gonna be beat any time soon….

by SeattleDucks on Nov 23, 2009 9:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

He’ll not likely break the Passing TD mark though.

It's spelled "S-H-U-V-3-0-0-0"

by JShufelt on Nov 23, 2009 9:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh well

Under winter skies
We stand glorious
And with Oden on our side
We are victorious

by WhiteRabbit on Nov 23, 2009 11:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Is there anything Masoli can't do?

Out run a defense for a 60+ yard TD? Check.
Run over superb (sarcasm) athletes from the Big 12 South, and any other team? Check.
Lead his team to a come-from-behind win? Check.
Throw for over 300+ yards when you run a Zone/Read Option offense? Check.
Score more touchdowns than Tim Tebow in one game (6)? Check.
Play with heart? Check.
Play with poise? Check.
Win…CHECK.

Many can try to imitate, but there can be only one...Masoli.

by Jeff Daddy on Nov 23, 2009 9:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

~~superb~~ superior (sarcasm) athletes

"...the noise is one aspect, but you can feel the intensity of their crowd." - Pete Carroll on Oregon's Autzen Stadium.

by JConant on Nov 23, 2009 2:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Masoli is not as talented as Dixon

But he’s a more intelligent player. He makes better decisions, doesn’t generally throw many bad balls and doesn’t take unnecessary hits.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Nov 23, 2009 9:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Masoli hasn't even begun his senior year...

his talent is very high. He just won’t translate to the NFL.

by BisonDucks on Nov 23, 2009 11:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

But he doesn't have Dixon's arm

But it almost doesn’t matter in our system.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Nov 23, 2009 11:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

His accuracy or strength?

Obviously his arm strength isn’t the question. Dixon had better touch. I think we are watching Masoli still develop his touch, which was great on the Tuinei 37 yard and the Dickson wheel route. I just think the jury is still out. This wide receiving corp needed 7 or 8 games to gel. I am very impressed with our verticle passing game.

by BisonDucks on Nov 23, 2009 11:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It has definitely improved greatly over the past few games. If it can continue into next season, look out.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Nov 23, 2009 11:25 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Some team that is liking the Wild Cat might give a 6-7 round shot at him.

He’ll get an NFL salary paycheck for a few years, play very little, and then he’ll go into coaching. If he gets on an NFL team, it will likely be because of his running ability, not because of his arm.

It's spelled "S-H-U-V-3-0-0-0"

by JShufelt on Nov 23, 2009 11:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He could also see some time in the CFL or UFL.

It's spelled "S-H-U-V-3-0-0-0"

by JShufelt on Nov 23, 2009 11:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking about this the other day. There was a trend for a while in the NFL where they’d take some of these “running” college QB’s and make them DB’s in the NFL. I could see Masoli as a safety in the NFL…good speed, not scared to lay the wood. What do you think?

He can run, he can pass, he is sicker than e-coli. Jeremiah always keeps things rolling.

by MarineCorpsDuck on Nov 23, 2009 11:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe. I don’t know how well Masoli can jump and time a pass. His skill set definitely isn’t traditional NFL – for any position. I think his best chance is still in some QB/Direct Snap position, or in the UFL.

It's spelled "S-H-U-V-3-0-0-0"

by JShufelt on Nov 23, 2009 11:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This made me laugh

from Ted Miller’s blog. I hope the Beaver players keep yappin’…it won’t make any difference because knowing Chip and how he prepares the team, they just don’t care.

by kolson82 on Nov 23, 2009 11:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Video interviews...

Wow…Chip has those guys sounding like NFL players in their interviews. So great to see the emotion and the pride on their faces getting that win.

by kolson82 on Nov 23, 2009 12:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Furd is only an 8 to 8.5 point favorite at home vs. ND

If I bet on College FB (which I don’t), I’d take that in a heartbeat.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Nov 23, 2009 12:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't know...

With the egg they laid against Cal, I’m not sure I wouldn’t take the points. ND has played so many close games this year, and Clausen, as big a d-bag as he is, is still very good. I could see ND putting up 35+ points against a sub-par Stanford secondary.

That said, I could see Stanford putting up 45+ points against an awful ND defense.

And this is why I don’t bet on College FB either.

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Nov 23, 2009 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ND has played so many close games this year, and Clausen, as big a d-bag as he is, is still very good.

Unless you need him to win the game for you.

It's spelled "S-H-U-V-3-0-0-0"

by JShufelt on Nov 23, 2009 12:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, if I was betting, I don’t need him to win, just get within a TD, and Clausen is very good at getting ND within one score, just not at, you know, actually getting that one score.

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Nov 23, 2009 1:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mandel projects ND to the Motor City Bowl

Vs. Central Michigan. Delicious: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/stewart_mandel/11/23/bowl.projections/index.html

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Nov 23, 2009 12:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

And Central Michigan

would win…that game would be fun to watch though…the final score would be something like 58-51.

by kolson82 on Nov 23, 2009 12:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m a fan of that matchup.

It's spelled "S-H-U-V-3-0-0-0"

by JShufelt on Nov 23, 2009 12:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What's better?

That Notre Dame has to play Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl? Or that they’ll probably be underdogs?

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Nov 23, 2009 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That they’ll be underdogs.

The fact that they made it to a bowl game at all is upsetting to me.

It's spelled "S-H-U-V-3-0-0-0"

by JShufelt on Nov 23, 2009 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Root for UCLA vs. USC

They’ll probably bump out UCLA if they both finish 6-6 since ND does have a bigger presence.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Nov 23, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wies-“Underdogs!? Those sound delicious!”

Juju, you complete me...And now as your humble-as-ever servant, I kindly request the following:

So, how is it that one brother is named "James", and the next one "Jacquizz"?
Anyways, based on the picture; they look as if they have a relationship thats a little too comfortable.

by CaDuck on Nov 23, 2009 5:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Awwww

Last week ESPN had a Notre Dame-USC rematch…in El Paso. I giggled.

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Nov 24, 2009 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Phil Steele doesn't even mention the Ducks

In his weekend wrapup post. What a tool: http://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/Nov09/DBNov23.html

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Nov 23, 2009 1:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

To be fair to Steele

He does mention it in his other weekend wrapup (he always does two).

http://blog.philsteele.com/2009/11/22/what-a-weekend-week-12/

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Nov 23, 2009 1:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and yet

somehow his wackjob computer has Arizona at 12 and the winning team at 16? i must be missing something

Under winter skies
We stand glorious
And with Oden on our side
We are victorious

by WhiteRabbit on Nov 23, 2009 2:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Who is Phil Steele? That name doesn’t register. Maybe he’s the former college football guru who is now dead to me?

"...the noise is one aspect, but you can feel the intensity of their crowd." - Pete Carroll on Oregon's Autzen Stadium.

by JConant on Nov 23, 2009 2:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea what goes into his game scores formula. Oregon outgained UA in total yards, but it looks like he uses different yardage totals in his calculations. I’m too lazy to look up what he uses.

The conclusion, as always, is that Steele doesn’t know what he’s talking about (at least when it comes to the Ducks).

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Nov 23, 2009 3:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This may answer some questions, and look where he has the Ducks ranked nationally

Tough loss for Arizona. They led by 10 and also had the ball up by 7 with 4:00 left but Oregon got a TD with :06 left to force OT and won it there but Arizona still earned my computer’s #12 performance. Surprisingly the Ducks, who won on the road, came in at #16. My computer does consider Oregon one of the top 6 teams in the country and reflects the strength of opponent faced.

Top 6 team in the country, eh?

by SeattleDucks on Nov 23, 2009 3:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll take Phil’s computer and the points.

"...the noise is one aspect, but you can feel the intensity of their crowd." - Pete Carroll on Oregon's Autzen Stadium.

by JConant on Nov 23, 2009 5:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just caught a bit of NFL live...

they seem to think with Batch being injured and the Steeler organizations strict concussion policies that Dixon will get the start Sunday…too bad it’s against the Ravens (the next two weeks they play the Browns and Raiders…oh well…), but good luck to Dennis!

by kolson82 on Nov 23, 2009 1:21 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Time to take advantage of this lil' opportunity.

I am also Terrell Brandon.

by Bill Musgrave on Nov 23, 2009 6:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Coming into the Civil War...

OSU: UW and @WSU

UO: ASU and @Arizona

Does this make a difference in the CW? OSU played the softest schedule possible in the last two games. We played in a rebound game against ASU that was contested until late in the 3rd quarter and, well, nothing needs to be said about the difficulty of last game.

Is OSU going to be a little rusty against good competition? On the other hand, are we gassed similary to OSU in the CW last year after emotional victories. On thing that plays in our favor: we don’t have the injuries and OSU doesn’t have any more time to prepare like we did playing against OSU last year.

by BisonDucks on Nov 23, 2009 2:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think all those factors will pretty much be a wash. 10 days is a very good amount of time to have off. Gives you a chance to rest up, but not so much that you get rusty.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Nov 23, 2009 3:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but does OSU have an advantage or disadvantage

playing two weak opponents, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Nearly a month will have passed by before they play us and their last legit opponent.

by BisonDucks on Nov 23, 2009 3:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not sure, I mean, do we really know that much about the OSU team? I mean, they’re talking a big game. But they blew out UW and WSU, who cares. Before that, they beat Cal (after Cal thought they’d watched their star player die), had trouble with UCLA, and lost to USC.

Defensively, you just can’t prepare for Oregon’s schemes and speed, and their previous opponents haven’t prepared them in any way.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Nov 23, 2009 3:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Very, very confused

The FanPost on the front page of And The Valley Shook shows two LSU players throwing up the O. (which picture I approve of also because I love the Tiger Eye logo, and because, contrary to the shade of gold indicated by the “conception,” cheering for LSU next weekend will not make me feel like a Husky fan)

"Ole Miss is definitely on the list of Public Schools Who Haven't Yet Realized They Aren't Private, a loose confederation...championed by UVa and Michigan."~ Poseur
Golly, who thought the Saints would masoli this season? WHODAT!

by AllSaintsDay on Nov 23, 2009 3:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Nike gear

The special unis that Nike did for several teams have patterns/logos on them that are formed when you make " wide receiver hands".

by jfwells on Nov 23, 2009 4:46 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I know. That’s where the eye is. Still seemed funny, like the Spock, Colbert, and JoePa Os.

by AllSaintsDay on Nov 23, 2009 8:01 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Those LSU gloves were my favorite item from that Nike Rivalry thing. Second place, the TCU helmet shooting blood.

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Nov 24, 2009 4:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs