It wasn't a pretty win on Saturday, but the Ducks are still 6-0 and have 10 days to regroup, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Oh, and we're bowl eligible already. Anyway, here's your Monday Morning Quack Fix:
- First things first: injuries. Running back Kenjon Barner was released from the hospital in Pullman yesterday following a vicious hit he suffered early in the Ducks' win over Washington State. Barner was taken from the field in an ambulance, but it sounds as though the injuries he sustained are relatively minor. Hopefully more good news to come regarding his status in the coming days, but early indications are that he did not injure his neck or spine. I think we're all just glad he's okay.
- As for the right-shoulder injury Darron Thomas suffered, it sounds like he's going to be okay as well. Offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich described it as a "sprained AC joint." Of course, as is typical of Chip Kelly, we probably won't know for sure until a week from Thursday when the Ducks take the field to warm up for UCLA. In other words, both Barner and Thomas are day-to-day.
- Speaking of Thomas, the R-G's George Schroeder's Sunday column focuses on Oregon's two quarterbacks, and what great shape the Ducks are in to have two who can play. As Schroeder puts it, we may be wondering about Thomas's right shoulder for another 10 days, but we won't be worrying.
- Despite the unimpressive win over what many believe to be the worst team in the Pac-10, the Ducks are now second in both the AP and USA Today coaches' polls. Maybe more interesting, however, is that Oregon is now No. 1 in the ESPNU fan rankings.
- The Oregonian's John Canzano issued a column about the sportsmanship Casey Matthews exuded through Twitter following the Ducks' win on Saturday. Matthews tweeted about fellow Duck Barner, but also wished Oregon State's senior wide receiver James Rodgers well. Rodgers suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury on Saturday in the Beavers' win over No. 9 Arizona.
- Now, we all know Canzano has a tendency to stoke the flames of controversy. He very plainly and prominently states that Washington State's Anthony Carpenter should be suspended by the Pac-10 for the hit he laid on Barner. I've watched the replay over and over, and I simply can't decide if it was malicious or just poor timing. With two weeks until our next game, it seems like fodder for a Monday morning conversation. What do you think? Sound off in the comments.
GO DUCKS!