No Post Mortems Here; The Ducks Aren't Dead

12 and one, number three in the country. Any one of us would have been elated with that outcome back in August. Some of us would have snorted beer through our nose. Success elevates expectations, however. Losing the national championship by a field goal with two seconds to play, there's little room for elation, just a resolve to be four points better next season.

As good as the Ducks have been in the Chip Kelly era, they're 0-2 in BCS bowls. It's a stigma that will linger until they forcibly remove it. Still, a season that ends in a loss is not necessarily a failure. The Ducks are two-time conference champions, and if they do their work and stay out of trouble, they'll be favorites for a third.

Here's some encouraging history: in the previous 11 BCS Championship Games, nine of the teams are repeat visitors from the previous season or the season before. 120 different schools are eligible, but only a select few have made the cut. Now Oregon is one of those. How wide is their window? Darron Thomas, LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner, Cliff Harris, Carson York, Michael Clay, Dion Jordan, Jackson Rice and Rob Beard are all sophomores. National championship tries are elusive. Just ask Dennis Dixon's knee. Next year Oregon fans can take aim at a more tangible bit of unfinished business: winning a Rose Bowl. Another shot at the BCS derby would be sizable bonus.

The Ducks just lost the national championship to a senior-laden SEC juggernaut by a field goal with two seconds to play. It stings, but it doesn't wound; it injures the pride, but it doesn't cripple. Oregon has other days to win, beginning with their first day of classes, in a week or so with winter workouts, and LSU on September 3rd in Cowboy Stadium, The Hat versus The Visor in a battle to shatter the myth of SEC supremacy.

Here's the challenge for the Ducks: Next time they reach a BCS bowl, they need to finish the job. To get there, they need to finish the job every day. It will be a challenge for this group to see if they can replace the outstanding senior leadership the 2010 Ducks had. Nate Costa, Drew Davis, Jeff Maehl, Brandon Bair, Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger are gone. It's Darron's team now. They will go as far as his arm, maturity, desire, competitiveness, composure, and decision-making will take them. He has to drive the right car, stay in the right lane, and continue to be determined to improve.

Editor's note:

I apologize for technical difficulties on the blog. The hard drive on the laptop crashed a couple of weeks before the bowl trip, and it turns out there's a 50-post limit on mobile blogging entries. The sponsoring site locked me out just as the Ducks reached 3rd and Goal at the two in the fourth quarter. By now you've heard the rest. In the coming days we'll break down the game and the crucial turning points, then move to recruiting, adjustments for next year, losses to graduation and the likely replacements, a first look at next year's schedule and opponents, plus links to workout news and developments around the country.

I want to thank the supporters and contributors to The Duck Stops Here, who have made this an incredible year. The season ahead should be one to remember, and I pledge to do everything I can to bring quality content and an interesting point of view on Duck football.

I'm interested in your views and opinions. If you have constructive feedback on the format or content of the blog, shoot me an email at duckfanmo@yahoo.com or in the comments section of any post.

Again, best wishes, and thank you.

Dale Newton