Quite a bit of quack out there for a Thursday morning, so let's dive right in.
- If there's going to be any crack in what has been an otherwise remarkable turnaround for Ducks baseball, it may be the inability to win a close game with Oregon State. The Beavs won another 1-run game in last night's non-conference game at PGE Park in Portland. Four hits won't get you wins against any team, and coach George Horton was clearly displeased with his team's approach at the plate.
- We say farewell to Kenny Payne, who has decided to take a job on John Calipari's staff at Kentucky. Payne's recruiting abilities seem to be well respected around the country and it's hard to imagine a guy turning down a chance to be part of Kentucky basketball. Ron Bellamy at the R-G caught up with Payne, who had a lot of nice things to say about his run at Oregon.
- More on Payne's exit from John Hunt at The Oregonian. And more coverage by the Courier-Journal in Lexington.
- The Ducks softball team is finding its defense just in time for a post-season run.
- It's go time for Oregon track and field. A total of 46 Duck athletes are taking part the NCAA championship preliminary round that begins today in Austin, TX. The west regional determines the participants for the NCAA championship meet coming up June 9-12 at Hayward Field. This is one of those meets where you hold your breath and hope everyone performs to their ability. As Robert Hussman at the ODE writes, Oregon's mindset is to survive and advance.
- Chip Kelly checks in from German - audio clip from KEZI about his trip to visit troops overseas.
- Am I alone in perceiving the Jordan Holmes has been overlooked a bit for his play at center for Oregon? Maybe not any more. Someone got it right when Holmes was named as one of 37 centers on the annual Rimington Trophy watch list.
- D-1 football coaches on the hot seats heading into 2010? Not in the state of Oregon. Here are the CBS Sports ratings for Pac-10 coaches.
- Pac-10 commissioner Larry Scott was at the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland yesterday. R-G columnist George Schroeder reports that Scott's message was clear: big changes are in store for the west coast's preeminent conference. And for that - considering the lack of progress under former commish Tom Hansen - I'd like to offer a little word of thanks to 8-pound, 6-ounce baby Jesus, in your golden fleece diapers...
Hey, if you got more quack, bust it out. No one likes a quack hog.