Sunday Takeaway: Despite Loss To Cal, Oregon Ducks Show Heart Of A Winner
The Oregon Ducks showed more than heart in their Double Overtime loss at Cal.
Emotion in sports is a funny thing. If you combine emotion with momentum you get something even more special. When you put these two things together with a team that has a will to survive on the field with heart, a loss can only make you stronger moving forward. The game on Friday night against Cal was one that Oregon wanted. The devastated look of Quarterback Justin Herbert after that final pass and the entire team surrounding him moments after the interception shows the heart of the 2016 Oregon Ducks.
The team left it all on the field, possibly for the first time this entire season. Herbert, despite the first road loss of his career he played a mark as a Freshman seen by few Oregon Quarterbacks and set the tone for a very bright future. His six touchdown passes places him on a list with Danny O’Neill, Marcus Mariota, and Vernon Adams Jr to name a few.
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In a game where both Defenses are ranked among the worst in the Pac-12 Conference there were positives on the other side of the ball too. Oregon did not have a sack, but Troy Dye, Jimmie Swain and Brandon Schooler combined for 36 tackles on the night. The California Golden Bears did get their yards on Offense, but key stops including the first series of the game helped to set a positive tone the rest of the way for the learn as they go Ducks 4-3 Defense.
It has been clear for a while that Oregon will not contend for a National Championship this season. A bowl game still feels like a stretch, but the team has lost three games by three points now -think about that for a moment. Patience is required. I have been saying it for several weeks now. The Oregon Ducks have started to turn the corner – and what lies on the other side could be very special not only to the Ducks future, but for the rest of 2016 when fan support is likely needed the most.
The Oregon Ducks are back on the field this week hosting Arizona State. Kickoff is set for 2pm Pacific Time on Saturday on Pac-12 Networks.