[CornFed]

We seem to all have acknowledged, repeatedly, how fortunate we were to depart Eugene with a victory.  Much focus has been on the fortuitous breaks they gave us and the mistakes Oregon made.  But as many of you have pointed out, our players did some very special things in extremely trying circumstances.

As I have been re-watching the game, one of the key moments in the game highlighted the resolve and the tenacity of our defense.  That would be on Oregon's first and second possessions after Alfieri's scoop and score.  Their offense, which had just flat whupped us in the first half, came onto the field after the fumble return.  They had one, overarching mission: get back the momentum, or at least neutralize ours.  Instead, they were stopped cold and were three and out.  After our next possession, the urgency of their mission had grown dramatically, because we had scored again and it had become clear that our offense had awakened.  The Ducks needed to move the ball and score, at least a field goal.  Our defense smothered them again and sent them away after three and out!!!

It was almost mystical that we were able to absolutely reverse the course of the game.  These two defensive series could not have happened at a better time.  The turnaround was the result of unrelenting intensity that overcame the deflating results of the first half.  Say what you will about David Shaw's play calling.  He does inspire commitment.

[CornFed]

We seem to all have acknowledged, repeatedly, how fortunate we were to depart Eugene with a victory.  Much focus has been on the fortuitous breaks they gave us and the mistakes Oregon made.  But as many of you have pointed out, our players did some very special things in extremely trying circumstances.

As I have been re-watching the game, one of the key moments in the game highlighted the resolve and the tenacity of our defense.  That would be on Oregon's first and second possessions after Alfieri's scoop and score.  Their offense, which had just flat whupped us in the first half, came onto the field after the fumble return.  They had one, overarching mission: get back the momentum, or at least neutralize ours.  Instead, they were stopped cold and were three and out.  After our next possession, the urgency of their mission had grown dramatically, because we had scored again and it had become clear that our offense had awakened.  The Ducks needed to move the ball and score, at least a field goal.  Our defense smothered them again and sent them away after three and out!!!

It was almost mystical that we were able to absolutely reverse the course of the game.  These two defensive series could not have happened at a better time.  The turnaround was the result of unrelenting intensity that overcame the deflating results of the first half.  Say what you will about David Shaw's play calling.  He does inspire commitment.