In sports, it can take some time to find a rhythm, to achieve that combination of talent and execution known as midseason form.
The Duck mascot did not achieve that level of rhythm in the early going Saturday as the seventh-ranked Oregon Ducks prepared to take the field to take on the Montana State Bobcats in their college football season opener. The Duck stumbled and lost its head, then turned tail and sprinted back into the tunnel. A support staffer grabbed the head off the Autzen Stadium turf and ran behind.
Moments later, order restored, the Duck came back out of the tunnel, climbed aboard the motorcycle and led the team out on the field as usual.
It wasn’t the first time the Duck lost its head in recent seasons. A similar incident happened in September 2023, ahead of Oregon’s matchup against the Colorado Buffaloes.
For their part, the Ducks did not stumble early against Montana State, scoring two quick touchdowns and a field goal to take a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. Oregon rolled to a 59-13 victory.
— Joel Odom writes about trending topics in news, life and culture, and sports. Reach him at 503-221-8594, jodom@oregonian.com or @jkodom on Blue Sky.
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