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Early close calls may have been just what Oregon football needed

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 14, 2024; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs the ball during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2024; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs the ball during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images / Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
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A late touchdown was needed for Oregon football to shut the door on Idaho to begin the season, sending some fans into full-blown panic mode.

How could the preseason No. 3 team in the country really struggle like that against an FCS team at Autzen Stadium? It made no sense, especially with Dillon Gabriel playing so well.

Maybe it was just a fluke.

Then Boise State came to Eugene and the Broncos looked like they were actually going to pull off the upset, holding a late lead over Oregon before a couple of special teams touchdowns helped secure a Duck win in come-from-behind fashion. Again, the panic button was being pressed by fans everywhere. It felt like the season was headed in a nightmarish direction.

Oregon went from No. 3 in the country all the way down to No. 9 in two weeks despite not losing a single game. It was the fashion in which the Ducks won that turned voters off.

So when Oregon went to Corvallis on Saturday against a 2-0 Oregon State team, it felt like a statement was needed to silence some doubters and instill some confidence moving forward.

The Ducks did just that.

Oregon made a statement with a 49-14 win over Oregon State to improve to 3-0 right before a bye in Week 4. The Ducks now have a chance to regroup and refocus on their lofty goals.

Something looked different in this Oregon team in that 35-point win at Oregon State. The Ducks looked like they were aiming to take souls during that game. There was no mercy from start to finish and they didn't play down to their opponent. The Ducks looked motivated and really smothered the Beavers after holding just an eight-point halftime lead.

It looked like something clicked after that shaky 2-0 start with some underwhelming wins. Oregon woke up and played to its potential in Week 3.

So maybe that slow start wasn't all bad. Maybe seeing that they're going to get every team's best shot was the wake-up call that the Ducks needed. If they realize that they can't take anyone lightly, they're going to start putting the pedal to the metal every week, regardless of opponent.

I don't want to say that looking beatable was a good thing, but facing some early adversity can't hurt this team. They may not have wanted a "wake-up call" that early in the season, but it seemed necessary.

Now it's time to focus on the end goals.

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