18 Comments
Oct 25Liked by Bob Dunning

Additional thought -- it isn't that different from taking an intentional delay of game penalty before a punt at midfield to burn the clock before the end of the game, is it?

Expand full comment
author

The difference in my mind is Oregon had 12 participants to 11 for Ohio State, raising the risk of injury. The delay doesn't burn any more time than you would get on any other play - 40 seconds - whether you're punting or not.

Expand full comment
Oct 25Liked by Bob Dunning

Interesting article and question. What they did feels sneaky/sleazy but it appears to have been legitimately within the rules of the game, so it has to get a pass. The fact that the NCAA has already revised the rules shows that they were insufficient to ensure "fair play", and the new rule is certainly better. Bad luck for the Buckeyes, but no kudos to the Ducks. Perhaps the rankings can take this close-won victory into proper account.

Expand full comment
author

I think that's very well said, Tom

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Oct 25Liked by Bob Dunning

I side on the brilliant outside the box thinking. The purpose was to run the clock down, which they did. Surprised no one has ever tried this before.

Expand full comment
author

What if someone got hurt because of the unfair physical advantage this created, Pat?

What if Oregon had put 15 men on the field?

Expand full comment
founding
Oct 25Liked by Bob Dunning

Is this a letter of the law versus spirit of the law kind of situation?

Expand full comment
author

Perfectly posed, Ted. It's exactly that.

Expand full comment

Yes, it is. And if a team’s action that breaks the spirit of the law results in an immediate change to the letter of the law m, then that action is considered to be unethical.

Expand full comment

I've pretty much given up watching football, especially the NFL, because of too many rules. If every rule infraction were actually called, the game would stop between every play, and extend a late game well into the next day.

Many if not most of the rules were added for "the player's safety," and there is some truth there, particularly as young athletes keep getting bigger, stronger and faster. However bones aren't keeping up and neither is the cushion between the skull and the brain. I will grant that.

But a multitude of rules can create a situation where officials pick and choose which ones to call, and which ones to ignore. That's not good for the game either. I'm not sure what the ultimate solution should be.

Meanwhile, it's good to see a team called the Ducks winning. Reminds me of high school days when our Taylor Ducks made it to the state semifinals before losing to a team whose quarterback later played at Rice University. Go Ducks!

Expand full comment
author

I didn't know there were any Ducks other than the Oregon Ducks. They are certainly flying high right about now. A Duck at Rice. Sounds like a dish at some fancy, restaurant, John - Duck over Rice, with Bearnaise.

Expand full comment

A few days late (somehow that notice never arrived in my emails).

Yes, the Taylor, Texas high school mascot is a duck, established in the 1920s during a season of wet weather with a head coach named Drake. Sportswriters called them "Drake's Ducks" when they were able to win a number of games in wet, muddy conditions. The name stuck.

And the quarterback who went to Rice was on the opposing team; several of our guys went to TCU though.

Expand full comment
Oct 25Liked by Bob Dunning

Hard to fault Oregon coach’s math since his school is like the 17th team in the Big 10.

Expand full comment
author

Actually 18.

19 if you include Kitchen Sink U.

Expand full comment
Oct 25Liked by Bob Dunning

I like the play (I did not see the game) The 12th man penalty would probably have used more time than a defensive offsides. The clock is strategy. Ever watch a basketball game where the last 2 minutes was longer than the half?

Expand full comment
author

I only watch the last two minutes. That's when the important stuff happens.

Expand full comment

I wonder what rule the Nike Ducks are going to change this week.

Expand full comment

The Elam Ending should be used in all basketball games. Instead of a clock determining the end of a game, the two teams race to a target score. At the first dead ball with under four minutes remaining in each game, the game clock is shut off, and a final target score is announced. Every game ends on a winning shot! And the losing team has a disincentive to foul.

Expand full comment