As some of you may already know, I was originally born in Jakarta, Indonesia but soon moved to the states by way of Oregon. I was raised outside of the Eugene almost my entire life and became an Oregon Duck fan at a very young age. When the college football season rolls around I get very excited and so far this year it has been a fun one. When I first saw the season schedule I knew it was going to be a fun start but I had no Idea what I was in for.

Three of the first four games of the season were to be against ranked opponents and the season would start against a hungry Boise St. team. I knew a good 14th ranked Boise St. team could be dangerous but I had no Idea that it would end with fireworks. The game was a huge disappointment and the entire time I was not seeing a team with and desire or drive to win. To me it seemed like an Oregon team that was just not on the same page. Every time Oregon was in a position to gain some ground I watched them flounder it away and they ended up with a 19-8 loss. After the game with frustrations running high and everyone disappointed, words were exchanged between players and eventually culminated in a straight right being thrown by Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount across the chin of Boise St.’s Byron Hout. Not to say that it wasn’t totally provoked but it was still irreprehensible. Blount, our star running back and first team starter, was then suspended for the season.

At the time of this event, I saw this as a crushing blow to the team that would devastate us for the rest of the season. Now in hindsight, I see this was the best thing that could have happened to us. Yes we lost a good player in Blount but we also got a rude awakening that sometimes a great team needs to kick start them or light a fire under them to play the way they are meant to play. Oregon Ducks have talent and that talent has come to life after that Boise St loss and Blount incident. I have seen a rejuvenated, talented, and very hungry team that wants it. Jeremiah Masoli, our quarterback, is showing the talent he has not only with his arm or legs but also as a leader to bring the team together. The core of receivers have made the big catches to help us win the close games, the Duck defense has stepped up and shown they can make the big stop and most of all they have played like a team.

Oregon has since racked up three wins in a row which has shown their resiliency. They won a close game 38-36 against Purdue which was a nail biter, a 31-24 win against 18th ranked Utah to end the nation’s longest winning streak and then they won the big one. On September 26th, 2009 Oregon Ducks became a complete team and there could have been no better timing. 12:30 pm, Eugene, Oregon, the game kicked off against the 6th ranked California Golden Bears and from the beginning there was only really one team in control. A complete dominating performance, Oregon Ducks 42, California Golden Bears 3. Oregon Ducks have now set themselves up to be a powerhouse to be reckoned with not only in their conference but also in the nation.

I am excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for my awesome Ducks but it is going to be a tough road. With UCLA, Washington and USC coming up in a three week span, Arizona St. coming later and the season ending in Eugene with the Civil War game against Oregon St. this will not be an easy season. I do feel that in the end if we win out a national title is not out of reach. They are currently ranked 16th and the team that did beat us Boise St is 5th. All that I hope is that I do get to see Oregon one time this year in person at Autzen Stadium. I have been there in the stadium just not for a game yet but I it gives me a goal! GO DUCKS!