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Oregon Fans Have Plenty to Be Grateful For This Thanksgiving

by: Ted Leroux15 hours ago

Welcome to the greatest holiday on the calendar — Thanksgiving. A day filled with football (Go Pack Go), the best food spread of the year, and, best of all, no gift-giving required. What could be better? While many of you may disagree with me on those opening sentences, there’s one thing we can all agree on — there’s a lot to be thankful for when it comes to Oregon football. The Ducks have risen from the ashes of the ’80s to become one of the premier brands in the sport. With that in mind, here are the top four things in Eugene I’m most thankful for.

Dan Lanning

The upgrade Oregon made following the departure of Mario Cristobal has been substantial. Although Cristobal’s tenure in Eugene was fairly successful — going 35–13 and elevating the Ducks’ national recruiting presence — he carried a glaring weakness, in-game coaching. Much like what we’ve seen during his current run at Miami, Cristobal had a knack for losing games his teams should have won (2019 at Arizona State and 2021 at Stanford, anyone?).

Dan Lanning has been the exact opposite. Since taking over in 2022, the Ducks have not only avoided losses to unranked opponents, but they’ve also gone 45–7 under his leadership. Oregon has produced a record number of NFL Draft picks in back-to-back years, highlighting the program’s continued growth in both talent acquisition and development. Lanning brings a Saban-like level of focus, intensity, and standard-setting — something only a handful of programs in the country can claim.

I’m not only thankful for what he’s accomplished so far; I’m thankful for what he’s building for the future. When Dan declared that “the grass is damn green in Eugene,” it wasn’t just a soundbite — it was a proclamation that he’s committed to Oregon for the long haul and determined to bring championships to the program.

Oregon’s Investment

Not only is Dan invested in Oregon — Oregon is invested in Dan.

Whether it’s the continued influx of resources to retain and recruit an elite roster, the commitment to innovation through world-class facilities like the construction of “2.Mo,” or the unwavering support from Nike and Phil and Penny Knight that keeps the Ducks a premier national brand, the University of Oregon is matching Coach Lanning’s ambition step for step. You hear the word “alignment” thrown around every coaching cycle, but this — right here — is alignment at its highest level. Both sides are fully committed to bringing a National Championship to Eugene.

Elite Quarterback Legacy

Over the last decade, few programs have reached the same stratosphere as the Oregon Ducks when it comes to quarterback play.

From Marcus Mariota to Justin Herbert, to back-to-back Heisman Trophy finalists Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel, and now Dante Moore, Oregon has become a full-fledged quarterback factory. And that legacy stretches well beyond the modern era — Kellen Clemens, Joey Harrington, Akili Smith, Dan Fouts, and even Norm Van Brocklin all paved the way long before the Ducks were a national brand.

Being able to showcase that depth of history to prospective transfer or high school quarterbacks makes Eugene a destination for elite signal callers who want to play at the next level. And it doesn’t just attract quarterbacks — pass catchers flock to Oregon knowing they’ll have a high-level passer capable of helping them reach their full potential.

Fantastic Freshmen

It’s always fun to follow recruiting when Oregon consistently attracts high-level talent, but it’s an entirely different level of excitement when those players make an immediate impact on the field.

This season, we’ve seen true freshmen like Dakorien Moore, Jordon Davison, and Brandon Finney step into significant roles, delivering meaningful production throughout the year. And as we inch closer to playoff season, these young stars are poised to be relied upon for big plays in high-pressure moments.

Beyond those three, the Ducks have several other freshmen contributing in the two-deep, reinforcing that this is a “reload, not rebuild” operation — the kind you typically see at places like Georgia and Ohio State. Showcasing early success from true freshmen is yet another powerful tool in Oregon’s recruiting arsenal, further demonstrating the muscle and momentum of this program.

And Most Importantly…

While you’re gathered around the Thanksgiving table with your crazy aunt from Pendleton or your eccentric cousin from Coos Bay, remember to look on the bright side — at least you’re not a Husky. Go Ducks.

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