'Ducks vs Ducks' gives an intimate look at what Lanning builds at Oregon

At the start of the fourth quarter at the Oregon Spring Game, the Fighting Ducks and the Combat Ducks met at midfield to dance as one team to "Shout!"

On the telecast Kenjon Barner said, "There's no better tradition in all of college football than that right there." Barner played nine seasons in pro football, won three Super Bowl rings.

Kayvon Thibodeaux led his team out. Selfies were taken. Teammates in opposite jerseys danced together.

It was a fitting moment in another celebration of Oregon football, with NFL alumni in abundance on the sidelines. Dante Moore waved a towel when Malik Benson got drafted in the league. All-Pros Penei Sewell and Deommodore Lenoir worked the playsheets.

In the lockerroom new offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer told the Combat Ducks, "There ain't many places where 40,000 people are gonna come out to watch you play in a spring game. Enjoy every second of it. Enjoy the privilege of this uniform."

Currently, according to SuperWest Sports, there are 55 Oregon Ducks working in the NFL, the most of any team in the West. Former New York Giants o-lineman and UO right tackle Geoff Schwartz said on X, "In a couple of years it will be 70."

The bridge of pride and intensity from the alumni to the current edition of the team is a strong, beautiful thing. It gives the program resonance. The role models and aspirations are baked in.

At Oregon the Spring Game is an occasion and tradition, with the homecomings, the food drive and the tribute to the troops, an F-15 flyover before the game. With Hall of Famers and All-Pros on the sidelines, it adds a special resonance. One generation celebrates another. The joy was palpable.

A week later, Washington played their spring game on a Friday night. Less than 10,000 people came. On the first series their NIL hostage quarterback Demond Williams went 0-3 with an overthrow and an interception.

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