Madison, Wisconsin. It is getting harder to distinguish between the mythmaking and the game as this season, one of domination amid a deluge of hype, goes on.
When the team distributes it at the beginning of each week, it will be possible to separate the narrative drama from the games themselves.
In addition to surviving and moving on, the Oregon Ducks take pride in scaring potential opponents and discouraging existing ones. References to Glodiator against Michigan and a lineman’s score against Maryland are two examples of it.
The 11-0 Ducks on Saturday gave the impression that their three-quarter touchdown-less game was more evidence of their championship potential than a criticism of it. They stole the Badgers’ superpower in order to defeat Wisconsin 16–13, which was more difficult than anticipated.
In defiance of a Camp Randall custom, the Ducks did actually jump around as the Badgers performed House of Pain’s Jump Around. They imagined that the players on the home side glanced across the field and felt the blood drain from their faces.
What was that?
Dillon Gabriel stated that he was embracing the surroundings and enjoying every moment of it.
Dan Lanning called for a bold deception as the Ducks had a late field goal opportunity to double their advantage. It was unsuccessful. On the spot, however, the reputation of Lanning expanded with the audacity.
“We have a history of aggression,” Lanning stated. At that point, we will act aggressively.
All of that results in a great product that is further enhanced by numerous editorial flourishes and a metallic coating. The Ducks are an outstanding squad. They are brilliant because of their flare and showmanship.
Therefore, defeating Wisconsin did something that might be even more significant to this team’s meticulously maintained image, even though it also virtually assured the Ducks a spot in the Big Ten title game and strengthened their bid for a trip to the College Football Playoffs.
The idea that the Ducks are more than mortal was preserved. that they really are invincible.
Of course, though, they can be defeated. They almost were on Saturday. The Ducks were behind by touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the third straight.
They were able to pull off the comeback, just as they did against Ohio State and Boise State.
However, the Ducks made more mistakes than they can afford to in the future for the second consecutive week. Wisconsin’s drives were sustained by defensive penalties. The game began with just two field goals from three drives inside the 25-yard line. Only because the Badgers had an ineligible man downfield did the defense allow a touchdown to be scored.
“It will not always be simple,” Lanning stated. I’ve played for amazing teams that consistently had close games. You will have a tight game at some time during the season. Tonight’s game was close. However, our DNA features emerged and that physically mattered.
In the third quarter, Wisconsin had dominated the line play and pushed downfield for a clock-chewing drive that ended in a field goal to put them ahead 13–6.
The Ducks faced a fourth-and-nine situation from the Badgers’ 41-yard line at the end of the third quarter.
The Ducks were able to think about their next course of action during the interval. Lanning insisted that Jump Around be played on the sound system at every practice during the week before this game.
It united us all and served as a reminder that we would always support one another regardless of the outcome. Bryant Boettcher, a linebacker, said.
The Badgers defense checked out of the Ducks’ preferred formation on fourth down to begin the final stanza. Gabriel had coverage for his receivers. He scurried and threaded a pass into the tight end’s arms after evading three Wisconsin defenders.For a first down, Terrance Ferguson.
Jordan James darted in from 11 yards out as the Ducks into the end zone three plays later.
There was still plenty of time. After that play, the Ducks had many possessions. However, it seemed like the Ducks’ game-winning play. that the Ducks would have lost, their pursuit of excellence would have come to an end, and they would have been shown as not being genuinely unbeatable if Gabriel had not discovered Ferguson.
Is that accurate? Is that merely a legend? How will we ever know?
In Saturday’s fourth quarter, it became evident that the Ducks were more prepared for the situation than the Wisconsin squad, which lost 5–5. All night, Gabriel had been absent. He frequently threw passes behind his receivers. He passed for 218 yards on 22 of 31 attempts.
However, the Ducks made the plays they needed to win in the fourth. Atticus Sappington scored his third field goal of the game from a distance of 24 yards after they drove into position.
During the last 2:36 of the fourth quarter, Wisconsin had two possessions. On both possessions, they failed to convert a first down. On the first possession, Oregon’s defense forced a turnover on downs.
Then Oregon tried that disastrous fake after lining up for a field goal. Lanning said he was mindful that if the Ducks went up six, Wisconsin could still win with a touchdown and would still have to drive the length of the field if the play didn t work.
Fans from Wisconsin who had left their seats came back. The Badgers had the ball with 105 seconds left in the game and needed to go 76 yards for a touchdown and something closer to 40 to try a field goal that would have tied it.
The upset had returned.
Then, on second down, Ducks linemanJamaree Caldwellreached out an arm and deflected the pass. It ricocheted high in the air and floated into the arms ofMatayo Uiagalelei.
According to Uiagalelei, it was in the air.
As though it were a gift from heaven.
Is that accurate? Or is it myth?
With this team, they might just be one and the same.
–Bill Oramis the sports columnist at The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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