Category: Oregon Legends

Sabrina Ionescu to take on Steph Curry in three-point contest during All-Star weekend

Sabrina Ionescu and Steph Curry will battle head-to-head in a three-point contest during NBA All-Star Weekend.

Steph Curry wants revenge.

After Oregon Ducks legend Sabrina Ionescu broke his three-point contest points record with her unbelievable performance in 2023, it seems the two sharpshooters will go head-to-head in a three-point contest next month during NBA All-Star weekend.

For some context, in 2023, Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty set the record for most points in a three-point contest — across the WNBA and NBA. She scored 37 out of 40 possible points, missing only two shots along the way. Curry holds the NBA record with 31 out of 40 points.

The upcoming contest was announced Thursday evening, after Curry dropped some hints while mic’d up before the Warriors vs. Kings game.

While mic’d up before the game, Curry quizzed Warriors teammate Brandin Podziemski on who holds the record for most points in a three-point contest (Podziemski passed the test). Curry then said, “I think I got to bring out… we’ve got to settle this once and for all.”

Ionescu responded on Twitter, saying this:

Both players should be at the top of their shooting game for this matchup. Curry is shooting 40.2% from beyond the arc in the 2023-24 season, an elite figure. If he holds that pace through 82 games, it will be his 13th season with a three-point percentage greater than 40. Ionescu had an amazing year in 2023, shooting 44.8% from downtown, the highest mark of her career and an increase of 11% from 2022.

After Sabrina’s spectacular performance in the 2023 WNBA three-point contest, a lot of people pushed back on the legitimacy of her record. They argued that since the WNBA ball is smaller than the NBA ball, and the WNBA three-point line is closer to the basket, Ionescu’s claim to the inter-league record was invalid. Whether or not Sabrina is the true record holder for three-point contest points is for you to decide, but what better way for Ionescu to prove her skill than a head-to-head matchup with the greatest shooter the NBA has ever seen?

This competition will be historic, as it is the first-ever competitive event between the WNBA and NBA. The NHL did something similar in 2017 when Kendall Coyne Schofield became the first woman to participate in an NHL All-Star Skills competition. Since then, premier female hockey players have continued to participate in the NHL’s All-Star events, which has helped grow the market for women’s hockey in North America.

This matchup could go either way, and the nature of basketball is that some shots just don’t fall, while others find a way to go down. There’s only so much you can control. But whoever you’re rooting for, this, will be must-see TV.

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Dan Lanning offers high-ceiling outlook for Oregon Ducks’ football future

Dan Lanning appeared on the Pat McAfee Show where he talked about his excitement to join the Big Ten and his love of recruiting.

Not too long after reaffirming his desire to stay head coach of the Oregon Ducks on Thursday, Dan Lanning appeared on the Pat McAfee Show on ESPN to answer questions about his decision to stay in Oregon, as well as what the future holds for the Oregon Ducks.

While on the show, Lanning was asked a lot about his decision to stay in Oregon despite the lure of the Alabama Crimson Tide, who have a head coaching vacancy after the retirement of legendary coach Nick Saban. But he also expressed excitement for Oregon football’s future. When asked about the Ducks’ impending move to the Big Ten, Coach Lanning had this to say.

“All of those things get me more excited about what we’re doing here. This place is a sense of direction we’re joining one of the best, if not the best, conferences in college football — like you said. Watching that game the other night let you know what you’re about to be playing against,” Lanning said.

Headed into the Big Ten’s first 18-team season, Oregon has heavy expectations. The Ducks will have a strong roster in 2024, and they should be able to compete for the Big Ten title and potentially the national championship, especially with the introduction of the 12-team playoff.

While on McAfee’s show, Lanning also highlighted recruiting’s importance to the Ducks’ success in the future.

“We’re on the recruiting board this afternoon. 2025’s here we come,” Lanning said.

In his two seasons with Oregon, Lanning has brought in elite recruiting classes, as well as high-quality transfers. The Ducks 2023 recruiting class was ranked in the Top 10 by 247 Sports and Oregon’s 2024 class is currently the No. 4 overall class and the No. 6 transfer class.

It’s rare in sports, especially college football, to see a coach demonstrate as much loyalty to a team as Dan Lanning has shown to the Oregon Ducks. The benefit of that for Oregon football is a coach with an unclouded vision for the future, ready to take on the Big Ten and bring the best talent with him.

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How the Oregon Ducks performed in Week 12 of the NFL

How the Oregon Ducks performed in Week 12 of the NFL

In just a few days, the Oregon Ducks will play their most important game of the 2023 season: the Pac-12 Championship game against the Washington Huskies. That’s on Friday, but as always, Sundays are reserved for pro football, and there are plenty of former Ducks playing across the NFL.

Week 12 was the two-thirds mark of the NFL season, and through those twelve weeks, several Pro Ducks have carved out good roles for themselves on their respective teams. Hopefully, they can continue to perform in the final third of the 2023 NFL season.

Below, is a check-in with all of your favorite Pro Ducks.

Troy Franklin breaks all-time Oregon receiving touchdown record vs. Oregon State

Troy Franklin breaks all-time Oregon receiving touchdown record vs. Oregon State

Last week against Arizona State, it seemed like Oregon Ducks records were just lining up to be broken. Camden Lewis became Oregon’s all-time leading scorer, Bo Nix tied the record for most TDs by a Ducks QB, and Troy Franklin broke the Oregon record for receiving yards in a single season.

But, Troy Franklin wasn’t quite done making history after last week. This Saturday against the Oregon State Beavers, Troy Franklin caught his 25th receiving touchdown as a Duck to gain sole possession of the Oregon record for career receiving touchdowns.

The touchdown came at the end of the second quarter on a 41-yard cross-body throw from Bo Nix. Franklin caught the pass around the 10-yard line, turned, and outran his defender to the pylon. The catch capped off a five-play, 78-yard drive that took only 40 seconds off the clock.

Before this weekend, there was a five-way tie for the Oregon record of 24 TDs held by, Cristin McLemore, Keenan Howry, Jeff Maehl, Josh Huff, and Franklin. With his touchdown today, Franklin stands alone atop that list and further has cemented himself as the best Ducks receiver ever.

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How the Oregon Ducks performed in Week 11 of the NFL

How the Oregon Ducks performed in Week 11 of the NFL

While the college football regular season only has one week left, the NFL still has seven weeks before playoffs start. All that means? More opportunities for Pro Ducks to stand out.

The standout former Oregon Duck this week was — unsurprisingly – Justin Herbert. While his team lost, and he didn’t post the best completion percentage, he threw several passes that were dropped that could’ve changed the game. Pro Football Focus gave him the highest QB grade of the week at 92.7.

Another standout was Kayvon Thibodeaux, who now has 10.5 sacks on the season — tied for fifth in the NFL. Last year, Thibodeaux had only four sacks and has clearly broken out in year two.

Below, is a check-in with each of the Oregon Ducks in the NFL.

How Oregon transfers performed in Week 12 of college football

How Oregon transfers performed in Week 12 of college football

There is now only one week left in the 2023 college football season. The Oregon Ducks are still in control of their destiny (for the most part), and will host Oregon State on Friday as they try to advance to the Pac-12 Championship game in Las Vegas.

Things are heating up all across the NCAA. Oregon transfers, Trey Benson and Tyler Shough, had big storylines emerge this weekend. Trey Benson and Florida State won their game on Saturday, but they lost their star QB Jordan Travis after a graphic injury.

Below is a check-in with the rest of the Oregon transfers and a look at how they performed in Week 12.

How the Oregon Ducks performed in Week 10 of the NFL

How the Oregon Ducks performed in Week 10 of the NFL

After how late the Oregon vs. USC game went on Saturday Night, I was too tuckered out for football to be my priority on Sunday, and I have a feeling plenty of you felt the same. So, below is my weekly check-in with all of the Pro Ducks, although I did miss most of the games.

This was the NFL’s Week 10 which is hard to believe. A lot happened for the Oregon Ducks in the NFL this week. DJ Johnson and some other rookies are beginning to make consistent impacts for their new teams, Justin Herbert reached a historic milestone, and overall, all of the Pro Ducks seem to be getting better every week.

Jevon Holland’s Miami Dolphins and Royce Freeman’s LA Rams were on byes this week, so you won’t see them listed below.

How the Oregon Ducks performed in Week 9 of the NFL

How the Oregon Ducks performed in Week 9 of the NFL

Week 9 was a busy week for the Oregon Ducks in the NFL. Former Ducks’ safety, Jevon Holland, kicked things off early Sunday morning with the Dolphins’ matchup against the Chiefs in Germany. DeForest Buckner and the Colts’ defense handled Carolina. And, the week was capped off with Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers taking down the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.

The NFL is now halfway through its season and several Ducks’ have their teams in playoff contention. Holland and the Dolphins lead their division, Deommodore Lenoir, Arik Armstead, and the 49ers are 3rd in the NFC, and Justin Herbert’s Chargers are one game back from a Wild Card spot in the AFC.

Take a look below to see how the rest of the pro Ducks did this week.

LOOK: Marcus Mariota gets revenge on Utah’s Britain Covey for Duck fans everywhere

LOOK: Marcus Mariota gets revenge on Utah’s Britain Covey for Duck fans everywhere

If there’s any team that has been a constant thorn in the side of Oregon Duck fans over the past several years, it’s the Utah Utes.

If there’s any Utah player who has been at the center of that, it’s wide receiver Britain Covey.

Back in 2021, in the two losses for Oregon at the end of the season in which they were outscored 76-17 at the hands of the Utes, Covey went for 114 total yards, acting as one of the main cogs of Utah’s offensive machine. Covey’s great play against Oregon goes farther back than that, though. In his four career games against the Ducks, Covey combined for 19 total touches for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also adding a punt return touchdown in 2021.

It’s safe to say that Oregon fans aren’t big Covey supporters. Fortunately, Ducks’ legend Marcus Mariota got a little bit of revenge this year.

Both Mariota and Covey are teammates on the Philadelphia Eagles, and apparently they had a bet on the game between No. 8 Oregon and No. 13 Utah last week. With the Ducks dominating the Utes to the tune of a 35-6 win, Covey had to wear some Oregon gear around the facilities this past week.

It may be a minor punishment, but I’m sure that Oregon fans are happy to see Covey on the losing side of an outcome when going up against the Ducks.

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How the Oregon Ducks performed in the NFL’s Week 8

How the Oregon Ducks performed in the NFL’s Week 8

Week 8 of the NFL was unusual, particularly because there wasn’t a single team on bye across the league. For us, this meant every pro Oregon Duck’s team took the field this week. Justin Herbert and Kayvon Thibodeaux had particularly strong games this week, which you’ll want to check out.

One player that you won’t see on the list this week is Dolphins’ star safety Jevon Holland. After spending the week in the concussion protocol, Holland was downgraded to out ahead of Miami’s game against New England. Although the Dolphins’ defense surely missed Holland, they were still able to crank out a win against the Patriots.