Quack Back: Volume 2

Follow along on our second edition of the week that was in Oregon Sports with the latest Quack Back!

This week we learned that there ARE worse fans than Husky fans; The Fear and Loathing in Autzen by future opponents is very real and that conference expansion is far from over. In fact, conference expansion has likely only just begun, so strap on your hats folks, we might finally see just how much power the Texas Longhorns truly wield! Now, on to the week in Duck Sports.

BREAKTHROUGHS AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

While Ashton Eaton's success might have seemed unexpected, taking the Silver Medal in the Decathlon at the World Championships of Track and Field at Daegu, Korea, his success was overshadowed by another Oregon Track Star, and legacy runner, Matt Centrowitz.

Centro is an accomplished NCAA runner with 3 Pac-10 1500 meter titles as well as an NCAA title and United States National Championship. While the Duck faithful were glued to their televisions (or seats in Cowboy Stadium) Centro was running a race Pre would have been proud to watch. Matt was aggressive from the beginning running stride for stride with the leader in second place. Just before the "bell lap" Matt found himself lagging in 8th place having been passed by several runners as they approached the final lap.

Matt Centrowitz earns the 1500M Bronze

Matt made a huge move on the backstretch to move to 5th place with 150 meters to go, yet, with 75 meters to go, he still found himself in 6th place before an impressive and incredible kick down the final 50 meters pulled him into a Bronze medal finish. Matt used a 51.6 second final 400 meters to reach the podium. Congratulations to Ashton and Matt for their incredible performances and exceptional representation of the University of Oregon!




BASKETBALL IN ITALY

The Oregon Men's basketball team made a 5 game swing through Italy that, though it ended with a loss, did provide some important experience for many of the incoming players and the chance to work together with the six returning players from last seasons CBI Championship team.

In the first game highly touted guard Jabari Brown scored 18 points to lead the Ducks while transfer center Tony Woods chipped in with 12 points and 5 blocked shots. The team was somewhat inconsistent, having gone 2-3 on their brief trip. In their final game, a 72-63 loss to Casale Monferrato, Brett Kingma was the lone Duck in double digit points with 13. Steady Junior, E.J. Singler added 15 rebounds.

Though the team finished 2-3 on this trip, the experience will be extremely valuable to a team entering it's second season under Dana Altman.

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL CONTINUES ROLL

After an impressive opening match win over Penn State, the Duck women fell to Minnesota the next day in a close 3-2 defeat.

Not to be deterred, though, the Duck Women have won all 4 matches they have played this week. Their four match win streak takes their overall record to 5-1 with a #16 national ranking. This week sees them take on Portland State and Cal Poly Before embarking on Pac-12 play next week. Keep it rolling Duck ladies!

LAMICHAEL JAMES BECOMES ALL TIME LEADING RUSHER

LaMichael James on his way to the record

As Duck fans flocked South to Dallas for the much anticipated game between Oregon and LSU, LaMichael James ran to another place in the Oregon record books. With 54 yards in the contest, James moved past Derek Loville in just his 27th game for a career total of 3,331. By the completion of this season, James is likely to surpass the records for rushing touchdowns (6 more) and total touchdowns (7 more). Continue to enjoy the blur that is LaMichael James, whenever he decides to take his talent to the NFL, he will leave as the most accomplished running back in Oregon history.