QUACK BACK: Volume VII

DUCKS VOLLEYBALL DROPS PAIR

After dropping two matches to highly ranked Cal and Stanford the previous week, the Duck women faced another stiff challenge with a  trip to Los Angeles. On Friday night, the women faced #3 ranked USC. After losing the first set 25-15, the Duck women fought back to tie the match at 1 set apiece with a close, back-and-forth set 27-25. The Trojans, winners of 9 straight coming in, had other plans, though and edged the Ducks over the final two sets 25-23, 25-21. The Ducks stayed close, but the Trojans were too strong in the end.

With no time to sulk, the volleyball team faced #6 UCLA the next night. For the second time this year, and the second time in as many weeks, the volleyball team consecutive matches. Mirroring the USC match, the UCLA women took the first set 25-21. THe Duck women, playing resiliently, fought back to tie the match at one set apiece with a gutty 25-22 win in the second set. Showing their strength, UCLA was able to win the final two sets 25-23, 25-19 to take the match. The Duck women fell to 12-6 overall and 5-5 in conference play with the losses over the weekend. The Ducks remain ranked, however, still coming in at #18 on the season.

CROSS COUNTRY COMPETES AT WISCONSIN ADIDAS INVITATIONAL

Jordan Hasay, already entering her junior year for the Ducks placed second overall to defending NCAA champion Shelia Reid of Villanova. Reid set the course record with Jordan only two seconds behind. The two were the class of the field. The Oregon women, led by Hasay, finished 8th overall in a very strong field.

The men's overall race was not nearly as competitive with top ranked Wisconsin running away with the team victory. Luke Puskedra led the Duck men with his sixth straight top-10 finish. Overall the men placed 14th in the field. Highly touted freshman Lukas Verzbicas made his debut for the Ducks finishing 62nd in the field
 
MATT KNIGHT MADNESS

On Friday night at midnight, basketball season officially began for the Ducks with the frist ever edition of "Matt Knight Madness." Used as a way to introduce fans to the men and women teams, the event spring-boarded the excitement of DameDay being on campus the next morning to showcase the teams. In an energy filled event fans were not disappointed.

There are new sales plans this season for including 3-game "mini-plans" for just $36. Time for Duck fans to start filling the new arena!

FOOTBALL WINS AGAIN

Against the best opponent the Ducks have faced since their season opening loss to LSU, the football team, without Doak Walker winner LaMichael James, still turned out 327 rushing yards to eventually wear down the Arizona State defense. In the end, even an injury to second year starter Darron Thomas could not slow down the Oregon offense. Redshirt freshman Bryan Bennett came on in relief of the injured Thoams and led the Ducks from a 3 point   deficit to a 14 point lead. Showing his speed, Bennett surprised the Sun Devils with a couple of big runs.

In place of injured star James, Kenjon Barner proved his own warrior mentality with 31 carries for 171 yards and a touchdown. The Ducks travel to Colorado this weekend for a 12:30 tilt with the newest Pac-12 member, Colorado Buffaloes.