Tag: Spencer Webb

Notable Quotes from Dan Lanning on Pac-12 media day

Oregon Ducks’ head coach Dan Lanning talks to the media ahead of 2023 football season.

On Friday, coaches and players across the conference are spending the day sitting down and answering the media’s questions about their teams and the upcoming season. In 2023, the delegates from the Oregon Ducks’ party are head coach Dan Lanning, QB Bo Nix, and ILB Jeffery Bassa.

As the Ducks look to this season, there are a few questions reverberating across the Oregon football community, such as concerns about the offense line, whether or not the defense is improved from last season, and whether or not the success of the Ducks in 2022 was a fluke or sign of the times.

Below are Dan Lanning’s most notable responses to the media’s array of questions:

Pac-12 honors Spencer Webb on the opening weekend of conference games

The Pac-12 Conference will honor Spencer Webb in the opening weekend of games by painting the 4-yard line yellow across all conference games.

In a show of solidarity, the Pac-12 Conference has announced the six host schools from today’s conference games will honor Spencer Webb, a member of the Oregon Ducks’ team who tragically passed away this summer in a cliff-jumping accident at Triangle Lake.

The six teams hosting, Washington State, Oregon State, Colorado, California, Washington and Arizona State, will all paint the 4-yard line yellow for the tight end who passed away this summer due to an accidental fall at Triangle Lake.

Oregon has painted its 4-yard lines on each side of the field inside Autzen Stadium. The Ducks have also included a spider web decal with a No. 4 inside of it on their helmets for the 2022 season.

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Report Card: Will the real Oregon Ducks please stand up?

Oregon did what it needed to do and then some against Eastern Washington. This is what this week’s report card looks like:

It’s so hard to judge a team that plays an FCS opponent that clearly is on a different level. But considering how things went around the country with several upsets, Oregon’s 70-14 win over Eastern Washington was a pleasant sight to see.

Bo Nix threw for five touchdowns with no interceptions and looked like the senior quarterback he is. Oregon’s receivers and tight end dominated the smaller and slower Eagles secondary and the running backs, kept plugging along.

On the defensive side of the ball, Oregon forced two turnovers, including a Pick-6. It wasn’t exactly the prettiest of plays, but six points is six points.

But for the second straight game, the linebackers were relatively pedestrian. They weren’t bad, but didn’t do anything special either and that has to be a concern moving forward.

All in all, a win is a win and Dan Lanning and the Ducks will definitely take it. Here’s how the report card looks for everyone involved.

Instant reaction: The Oregon Ducks football season can officially begin after 70-14 blowout

Oregon accomplished everything it needed to against EWU in order to put last week behind it forever.

After the complete debacle of what happened last week, the Oregon Ducks football team needed something like this.

There’s no better way to erase a 49-3 loss and put it in the rearview mirror forever than with a huge 70-14 win over FCS Eastern Washington. The Ducks did everything they need to do against the Eagles to regain confidence in themselves.

They proved that they do have talent and more than enough to have a pretty special season. Oregon’s season officially began Saturday night and now the Ducks have a big game on the horizon with BYU.

Bo Nix was Bo Nix once again as he went 28-of-33 passing for 277 yards and five touchdowns. But maybe more important than any of those numbers was that Nix wasn’t intercepted one time. Oregon scored a touchdown on every drive Nix led.

Some mental healing was also accomplished as tight end Cam McCormick, who is wearing the late Spencer Webb’s No. 18, scored a touchdown for the first time since 2017.

The starting defense also showed out after being steamrolled by Georgia. It was a total team effort, including two interceptions.

In short, this was a complete turnaround from Game 1. Sure, it’s difficult to judge against an FCS team, but considering the amount of upsets from around the country such as Appalachian State defeating Texas A&M and Marshall beating Notre Dame, no win can be undervalued.

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WATCH: ESPN pays touching tribute to Spencer Webb on ‘College GameDay’

This video tribute to Spencer Webb is certainly worth your time.

It’s been almost two months since the tragic passing of Oregon Ducks tight end Spencer Webb, but the hurt is still fresh for fans, teammates and family members.

While the Ducks prepare to take on the Georgia Bulldogs in their season-opener on Saturday afternoon, a major part of the team will not be there. Instead, the Ducks will honor Webb’s memory with a helmet sticker bearing his number and a spider web.

The tribute doesn’t stop there. On Saturday morning during the first “College GameDay” of the season, ESPN gave us all a touching look at the legacy that Webb left behind. In a six-minute segment, it told the story of Webb’s life and his tragic death.

Maybe one of the most heartbreaking moments of the piece from ESPN is watching head coach Dan Lanning talk about Webb, at times breaking down in tears. It’s a fresh glimpse into the heart of Lanning we haven’t had the chance to see yet in his tenure with the Ducks. Lanning went on to proclaim that under his watch, the team will carry on Webb’s legacy.

“As long as I’m the head coach here, we are always going to climb Spencer Butte as our last day of summer training,” Lanning said.

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“Get Real” sessions create chemistry for the Duck football players

“Get Real” sessions help create chemistry on the field and form a bond off the field for the Ducks.

The phrase “get real” can have a number of meanings, some good and some not-so-good.

Dan Lanning and his staff has implemented what they have called “get real” sessions with the Oregon football players. They are designed for players to open up about themselves anywhere from what’s been troubling them right now to how they were brought up as a child.

It’s about maintaining mental health in a game where physical health gets 99 percent of the attention. It’s also about creating chemistry among the Ducks off the field. The thought is if you have chemistry off the field, you’ll have chemistry on the field as well.

In a game where even the slightest edge can be the difference between winning and losing, it makes it all that more important to have a close bond. It can also help players deal with adversity and tragedy such as the death of a teammate, something, unfortunately, Oregon had to face with the untimely death of tight end Spencer Webb.

For players who have been in the program for several years, leaning on each other may be easier and that chemistry may already exist. But for guys such as transfer tailback Noah Whittington from Western Kentucky, these sessions can mean even more.

During Oregon media day, Whittington noted that although he’s been in Eugene for just five months, he feels closer to these particular teammates than he has before.

That extra effort by all involved might lead to a first down to sustain a drive or perhaps blocking a little harder to give the quarterback the split second he needs to find the open receiver, which leads to victory.

 

Bennett Williams switches uniform number to honor Spencer Webb

Safety Bennett Williams has decided to change uniform numbers to honor his friend Spencer Webb.

We may not ever look at a No. 4 on an Oregon Ducks football uniform the same way again.

That was the number the late Spencer Webb planned to wear in the 2022 season after switching over from No. 18 in 2021. Bennett Williams will don No. 4 to honor his friend who was lost to a tragic accident at Triangle Lake last week.

Switching uniform numbers from one season to another is a common occurrence in college football. But obviously, this has extra special meaning for Williams as well as the rest of the Ducks.

Not only did the Oregon safety switch to No. 4 on his chest and back, but Williams will also have that 4 forever as he had it tattooed on his arm. As one more thing to remember Webb, Williams changed his Twitter handle to @bennettw04.

In an article on On3.com, Williams had this to say about his buddy.

I’m so glad I got to really see and know Spencer like family. On my birthday this year, Spence spent the entire day with me, and made it one of the most memorable times of my life. We had times in which we fought and times in which we battled through struggle side by side, and that brought us closer than ever. I know you’ll continue to show us the way Spence, one way or another, with that light that shines inside you. Yesterday, you told me you had to tell me something. I’ll come hear you out soon.  I love you brother!

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Oregon Ducks to hold memorial service for Spencer Webb after tragic death

The Oregon Ducks have announced that they will hold a memorial service for fallen teammate Spencer Webb after his tragic death.

A few days have passed since the unfortunate and tragic death of Spencer Webb, a beloved teammate and tight end for the Oregon Ducks football team.

Last week on July 13th, Webb tragically slipped and fell from a cliff at the Triangle Lake rock slides, hitting his head. He was unable to be resuscitated.

A candlelight vigil was held the day after his death at Autzen Stadium, but the football team is now announcing that they will hold a memorial service for the adored teammate. The service will be held at the Autzen Stadium Club on Thursday, July 21 at 6 p.m.

According to the team, all are welcome to attend the service.

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Oregon Ducks release a statement on the passing of Spencer Webb

The Ducks have now released an official statement on the passing of Spencer Webb.

By now, the news that Oregon Ducks tight end Spencer Webb tragically died in a fall at Triangle Lake on Wednesday afternoon has made the rounds online and through social media.

An outpouring of love and memories has come from players, coaches, friends, and those who knew Spencer over the years. After his identity was confirmed by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday morning, the Oregon Ducks official Twitter account released a statement on his passing.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Spencer Webb. Our hearts go out to his family, teammates, and friends at such a difficult time. We will miss Spencer greatly.”

TWEET

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BREAKING: Tragic accident at Triangle Lake leaves Oregon TE Spencer Webb dead

Oregon Ducks tight end Spencer Webb tragically died in a fall at Triangle Lake on Wednesday afternoon, according to multiple reports.

Ducks Wire can confirm a report that Oregon Ducks tight end Spencer Webb suffered a tragic head injury on Wednesday afternoon that left him dead.

According to the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, a 22-year-old person suffered an apparent head injury after slipping on the rocks at the Triangle Lake rock slides on Wednesday afternoon.

The name and identity of Webb were not initially released as next of kin was notified, but the first report came on Wednesday afternoon at around 4 p.m.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has yet to officially identify the deceased male as Webb, but we have confirmed that detail via multiple sources.

Here is the release from LCSO:

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the rock slides just a short distance west of Triangle Lake at approximately 2:30pm after receiving the report of an injured person.  Upon arrival, deputies learned that a 22 year old male recreating in the area fell and struck his head.  Bystanders and responding paramedics were unable to revive him.  Lane County Sheriff Search and Rescue personnel responded to assist with bringing him back to the roadway as he was approximately 100 yards down a steep trail.  

There is no evidence of foul play and his death appears to be accidental.  The victim’s name is being withheld at this time pending next of kin notification.

In three seasons with the Ducks, Webb played in 20 games, catching 31 passes for 296 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was set to be a big piece of the Oregon offense in the 2022 season, which would have been his fourth with the Ducks. 

The team is yet to release a statement on the matter, but head coach Dan Lanning had this to say on Twitter:

After word got out on social media on Wednesday night, Oregon teammates and fellow athletes reacted on Twitter.