Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

Would have waited after another game, but it's bye week so let's get out all the random topics.

Who have been your surprises this season? Any coach surprises in addition to players?

For me, the biggest surprise has been the depth of rotation at WR & RB. At this point it is less likely that any one player will have dominant looking season totals, but the fresh legs going down the stretch should be an advantage...

StevensTechU wrote: Wed Oct 01, 2025 12:24 pm Would have waited after another game, but it's bye week so let's get out all the random topics.

Who have been your surprises this season? Any coach surprises in addition to players?

Excuse me sir, I believe we are calling it a work week around these parts now.

The running back rotation

The wide spread distribution of receptions. I was worried we might not have 3 to throw too before the season. Now it seems like there is 8 or 9.

I had a wide range in expectations for Moore, but he has been better than then the high side of that range. I would now argue he has the most arm talent since Justin and he runs much better than I had hoped for.

But what surprised me the most, not in the season but in the Penn State game was Bear Alexander. For the first 4 games
I thought he was vastly over-rated talent wise. Then against Penn State he was like another player. Apparently he has a switch he seldom flips. But if he wants to save his effort for the big National TV games I guess I'll gladly take it. We don't need PSU Bear against most opponents. I hope he considers Indiana a big game as much as I do and I'm sure he'll punish USC.

The overall depth blows my mind.

The stable of tailbacks, but also the freshmen/RS freshmen corners. Mature beyond their years. They are nasty for being so young. Bottom line, nobody knew what Dante would bring. He’s been amazing. Stein deserves every penny, and then some, on his QB development.

We had 3 defensive lineman taken high in the draft last year and this group looks even better.

Canady. I didn’t mind taking him in the portal, but I didn’t expect he would be a starter, much less be as good as he’s been.

That Mixon leads the team in interceptions.

I have mine, most of which have already been mentioned, but really I just want to recognize how many different responses there are to this prompt. To me, it highlights how we really didn't know what kind of team this would be coming into the season.

Offense: Davison and Harkey
Defense: Canaday and Mixon.

Finney as well, but I think by mid camp the secret was out on him. He also still needs to be tested by better WR's.

StevensTechU wrote: Thu Oct 02, 2025 7:24 am I have mine, most of which have already been mentioned, but really I just want to recognize how many different responses there are to this prompt. To me, it highlights how we really didn't know what kind of team this would be coming into the season.

I was legitimately worried we were back to a better version of the Nick Reed days on the d line. My goodness i was wrong. These guys are eating people

Zyme wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 5:26 am

StevensTechU wrote: Thu Oct 02, 2025 7:24 am I have mine, most of which have already been mentioned, but really I just want to recognize how many different responses there are to this prompt. To me, it highlights how we really didn't know what kind of team this would be coming into the season.

I was legitimately worried we were back to a better version of the Nick Reed days on the d line. My goodness i was wrong. These guys are eating people

Don't you dare speak ill on the great Nick Reed. Those 29.5 sacks take grief from nobody!

StevensTechU wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 6:10 am

Zyme wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 5:26 am

StevensTechU wrote: Thu Oct 02, 2025 7:24 am I have mine, most of which have already been mentioned, but really I just want to recognize how many different responses there are to this prompt. To me, it highlights how we really didn't know what kind of team this would be coming into the season.

I was legitimately worried we were back to a better version of the Nick Reed days on the d line. My goodness i was wrong. These guys are eating people

Don't you dare speak ill on the great Nick Reed. Those 29.5 sacks take grief from nobody!

Not at all. Yelling “I’m nick Reed B*+%#” ala Chapelle Rick James sketch after every sack is a very fond memory of mine from my student years but i mean he was kind of the only thing we had on that line. I was worried it would be one good sack guy and no interior push with the lost d line to the League, boy i was wrong. PS Nick Reed is still a baller he was a pilot in one of the fly overs last year or year before