Despite the capacity for extremely high-level play that the Duck football team has shown this year, they’ve also shown the capacity to totally foul things up at times with turnovers and miscues.
That’s why Duck fans have been wringing their hands with anxiety for the past two weeks over the memories of last season’s collapse and the prospect of a similar result this season.
After all, it’s mostly the same players, right?
But that’s exactly why the collapse isn’t going to happen this year. These guys have been in this position before and have an excellent “what not to do” model in their own personal experience.
Last season there was no talk of a collapse after Oregon lost to Cal, because there was no reason for there to be. There was no immediate historical reference to hint at the possibility of one. But the ghost of last year’s collapse has haunted this team from the start of fall camp. Every press conference has had at least one question about the collapse, and media ask the players about it almost constantly.
So the environment is not ripe for a collapse. The players are highly aware of fan and media skepticism after last season’s debacle and seem determined to stay on the rise this season.
If I have to hear one more Duck football player answer a question with “We just have to take it one game at a time,” I think I might puke.
My digestive problems aside, that’s a huge reason why the leaders on this team are crucial to avoiding a collapse. Leadership is key to keeping focus, and the Ducks have leaders all over the field saying the right things to keep this team on track. As much as the coaches are reminding them of what it takes to be successful, they’re reminding each other as well.
The will to compete to the final whistle that the Ducks displayed in the fourth quarter of their loss to Cal will also serve this team well in avoiding a collapse. I see the competitive nature in this team every time I watch them practice. When they go white versus green for the last five minutes of practice, with pushups on the line for the losing squad, there are plays and collisions that rival any I’ve seen on Saturdays. And despite the competitive edge they possess there is a loose feel to their practices, like they really do enjoy playing football and competing together. For every big hit or big play made in practice there is a loud response from the team, and a lot of taunting between different positional groups.
And while I do my best to remain the stoic observer, sometimes I can’t help but smile, because the joy they take in the game of football is a little infectious.
That balance of competitive fire and relaxed confidence is crucial to success. A team that is too wound up is prone to stupid mistakes; a team that is too relaxed can’t impose its will or make the big play when the opportunity presents itself.
Finally, there hasn’t been any blaming going on within this team. These players are quick to pick each other up and proclaim their admiration for aspects of each other’s play.
“They believe in each other and I think that’s the whole key,” said Oregon coach Mike Bellotti. “There’s a better belief system and trust in each other.”
“It’s just team chemistry. Our family is more powerful,” said junior rover Patrick Chung.
Bellotti is hesitant to proclaim that this team won’t fold like last season’s and said in his press conference earlier this week that we’ll have to wait and see how well Oregon has put the Cal loss and national rankings aside to focus on Washington State. But he is quick to point out that he believes that this team is different than last season’s.
“I think (this team) has greater heart, greater mental toughness. A lot of the same guys, but in reality I think they’re listening,” he said. “Coaches send the same message usually every year…sometimes it falls on deaf ears and other times people listen and actually apply what’s being taught.”
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