Quack Fix: Lots of Civil War talk, Dennis Dixon and some recruiting updates
With the Civil War only three days away, there's lots quack out there. Let's get straight to it.
- In today's Register-Guard, Adam Jude has a feature article on Kenny Rowe and Eddie Pleasant and the need for them to pressure Oregon State QB Sean Canfield. In what should be a good matchup for Oregon, the Ducks are second in the conference in sacks while the Beavers are second-to-last in sacks allowed.
- Mike Tokito is running a series of stories looking at intangible aspects of the Civil War matchup that may affect the outcome. Today's story looks at non-offensive touchdowns. While Oregon has scored six touchdowns on either special teams or defense this year, Oregon State has yet to score one.
- The Oregonian's Aarron Fentress takes a look at how former Ducks and Beavers that are now NFL teammates are preparing for Thursday's showdown. There are ten NFL teams that feature players that played collegiately in Eugene or Corvallis, which is quite a few more than I would have guessed.
- In Sunday's print edition of the Register-Guard, Rob Moseley writes about two pairs of brothers who play for the Ducks: the Butterfields (Brian and Ben) and the DiVicenzos (Mike and Chris). Moseley notes that all four players were walk-ons until this season, when the two older brothers (Brian and Mike) earned scholarships.
- Getting almost as much attention as the game itself is how the Autzen crowd will behave on Thursday night. George Schroeder had a column on Sunday where he discussed how fan behavior affects Oregon's reputation. Schroeder notes that Mike Bellotti is concerned about the issue, as Thursday's game will feature an increased security presence.
- Of course, while previewing Thursday's game, it's hard not to bring up last year's outcome. John Hunt has a blog entry up in which he asks whether or not Oregon's offense can approach the level of production achieved in last year's Civil War. And, OSU's rivals.com site is looking back at the top five Civil Wars of the decade and coming in at #5 is 65-38.
- And, as many of you noticed (evidenced by the almost 500-comment thread from last night), Dennis Dixon made his first NFL start for the Pittsburgh Steelers last night. I was only able to watch the first the three quarters but, from what I saw, Dixon looked pretty good with a 33-yard TD pass and a 24-yard TD run. Unfortunately, Dennis' one turnover led to the winning FG by Baltimore in overtime. Still, not a bad performance in his first start playing against the Ravens on the road.
- Finally, DuckTerritory has a series of premium recruiting articles (subscription required). First, 2011 dual-threat QB Jerrard Randall (Scout: 3-star) has the Ducks as his early favorite despite not yet having an offer from Oregon. Randall looks like he might be the latest Oregon recruiting target from the state of Florida. Next, is a story on four-star linebacker Shaydon Akuna, who is hoping to set up a visit to Oregon soon. Finally, there is a collection of recruiting notes up from Friday, featuring the latest info on Gabe King, Christian Thomas and others.
After the jump are a couple of videos, so check them out.
| Jeremiah Masoli on the Civil War |
| Civil War week: Chip Kelly |
0 recs |
31 comments
|
Comments
Angry Beaver takes a look at the OSU rushing defense vs. the Duck rushing offense, and looks past the normal rushing numbers.
The bottom line is that the Beavers run defense numbers have been inflated by bad opponents (Portland State, UNLV, Washington State), teams with injuries (e.g. Cal), or teams electing to pass and take advantage of the secondary (e.g. Arizona, Cincy, Arizona State, UCLA). Having watched almost every play of every game this year, I can say with confidence that this is a very erratic and average run defense.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
After the opening line was listed at -8, every Vegas and Offshore book listed has the Ducks at -9.5.
--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog
To the victor goes the trophy
Which actually looks pretty good like this:

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
I really, really wish they would present this trophy after the game like so many other rivalries around the country
I like the fact there is no trophies in this rivalry. I find it a little disingenuous when after almost every Big 11 game they award a trophy… so is Minn v Wisc the rivalry or Wisc v Michigan?
To me, the name of this rivalry is the best name of any rivalry (except maybe BYU v Utah – The Holy War) out there. I think a trophy would only reduce the impact of The Civil War name.
Kenny Wheaton #20; The Pick - 1994 v UW. Matthew Harper #20; The Pick #2 - 2007 v USC. John Boyett #20;...
What?
You dont like the platypus trophy? After all, cross a Duck and a Beaver and bravo! Platypus! BAM!!!!
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.
The only trophy I want to see is this one:

Kenny Wheaton #20; The Pick - 1994 v UW. Matthew Harper #20; The Pick #2 - 2007 v USC. John Boyett #20;...
FOCUS YOU FREAK!!!!
YOU CANT ACT AS IF YOU ARE ENTITLED TO THE ROSE BOWL. FOCUS ON THE PLATYPUS!!! COME ON MAN!!! GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME!!!
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.
Someone put together a clip of Dixon's last UO TD
And his first rushing TD. I put it in a fanshot: http://www.addictedtoquack.com/2009/11/30/1179393/dixons-last-td-of-his-oregon
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
I watched the Pittsburgh game.
And I cannot STAND the NFL. I don’t know how it is so popular.
Gain of 4. Gain of 3. Gain of 4. First down. Drop back to pass, over the top…. CAUGHT! TO THE 40, THE 30, THE 20, THE 10!!! TOUCHDOWN!!!! Oh, wait, there’s a flag in the backfield, looks like this one is coming back. Repeat for 4 and a half hours.
Dixon runs, that’s what he does. They ran ONE run option play with him that busted for 30 some yards and a touchdown. Never to be seen again. Maybe I’m spoiled watching Oregon tack on 40 a game, but it seems like a real rarity when a combined score goes over 48 points in the NFL.
BOR-ING.
Life is hilarious.
College FB is more fun
But these were two of the stronger D/weaker Offenses in the NFL.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
The advantage is definitely with the offense in college football. Almost any team with a couple of playmakers and a decent tactical coach can put up points in college, simply because there are very very few complete defensive teams. In the NFL, all teams have guys on defense who can: 1) react quickly, 2) move quickly, 3) tackle. There are varying degrees, of course (for example, I think Oregon could put up 30+ points on the Rams), but that’s generally the case.
Then you factor in that both of those teams have very good defenses for the NFL, and that was bound to be more of a defensive struggle.
Still, I’m with you. I like watching exciting offenses. I like seeing room on the field. And I like seeing it done by players who are, for the most part, doing it without all the ego.
Defending maligned chants since 2009
Harmon Forecast
The CBS Sports “Harmon Forecast”, which chooses a correct winner something like 70 percent of the time, is predicting a 38-34 Oregon win. I believe the Harmon has correctly predicted every Oregon win or loss this year except the Stanford loss.
Reposting just because it's applicable again...

Kenny Wheaton #20; The Pick - 1994 v UW. Matthew Harper #20; The Pick #2 - 2007 v USC. John Boyett #20;...
Plus, apparently Bowden is stepping down at FSU. Anyone think one of the Pac 10 coaches might be in line for the ND job?
I think ND will make a hard push for Harbaugh out of Stanford. I think Tedford could be on their short list as well (don’t think he would take though).
Think we can start a few rumors that Riley is going to be offered the ND job to try and distract their program in the next couple of days?
Kenny Wheaton #20; The Pick - 1994 v UW. Matthew Harper #20; The Pick #2 - 2007 v USC. John Boyett #20;...
Anyone else see the ESPN Duck commerical on MNF?
Reaction was something like “Sweet!….Wait, where’d they get the rights for that?…Oh yeah, Disney owns ESPN…Touchdown Meachem! WHODAT!”
Sports I have seen live in Seattle:
Football: LSU 31-23 UW; UO 43-19 UW Volleyball: UO 3-2 UW
Waiting on Saints-Seahawks and Braves-Mariners
Looks like Darren Sharper has been taking classes at the JD Nelson School for Lighting Fools Up.
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.
Yeah, we like Sharper.
How come he doesn’t lead the league in picks, though? Does someone have more?
Sports I have seen live in Seattle:
Football: LSU 31-23 UW; UO 43-19 UW Volleyball: UO 3-2 UW
Waiting on Saints-Seahawks and Braves-Mariners
by AllSaintsDay on Nov 30, 2009 7:05 PM PST up reply actions
I will give you a hint...
It ryhmes with Darius Dyrd. Firgure that one out!
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.
Marius Nerd?
Sports I have seen live in Seattle:
Football: LSU 31-23 UW; UO 43-19 UW Volleyball: UO 3-2 UW
Waiting on Saints-Seahawks and Braves-Mariners
by AllSaintsDay on Nov 30, 2009 8:39 PM PST up reply actions
Here is another hint...Just for clarification...
Its also not LaMichael James
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.
Sorry, man, I got nuttin'
Sports I have seen live in Seattle:
Football: LSU 31-23 UW; UO 43-19 UW Volleyball: UO 3-2 UW
Waiting on Saints-Seahawks and Braves-Mariners
by AllSaintsDay on Nov 30, 2009 10:07 PM PST up reply actions
In all seriousness, though, that feeling of “No, I’m just being a Duck homer” that I had wanting us to draft JB? I take it back.
Sports I have seen live in Seattle:
Football: LSU 31-23 UW; UO 43-19 UW Volleyball: UO 3-2 UW
Waiting on Saints-Seahawks and Braves-Mariners
by AllSaintsDay on Nov 30, 2009 10:11 PM PST up reply actions
It’s not a Duck homer thing. He was a special player. I threw things and got upset when the Pats drafted Chung. I thought I was so close to having the Niners draft Crabtree and Chung on the first day. I was about to run around the block topless if it had happened.
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.
Dang
They score even faster than we do.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
And, I once again am hearing a postgame show talking about changing national perceptions. Sweet.
Sports I have seen live in Seattle:
Football: LSU 31-23 UW; UO 43-19 UW Volleyball: UO 3-2 UW
Waiting on Saints-Seahawks and Braves-Mariners
by AllSaintsDay on Nov 30, 2009 8:41 PM PST up reply actions
I liked Geoff Schwartz’s quote in the NFL rivalry article about Oregon players being the players who rep their college gear the most. Imagining the Panthers locker room decked out in green and yellow makes me smile.
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.
I wonder if that's disputed?
Addicted To Quack [dot] com
Officially getting some more often than The VD Special since 2009.

by 

























