The enduring Oregon Duck has been unmasked.
Shortly before the season opener against Montana State on Saturday, Oregon’s mascot took a tumble in the course of the pregame run onto the sphere, losing his head in the method.
After getting back up, the mascot sprinted to the tunnel headless in embarrassing fashion, with a staffer chasing after it with the top.
The mascot — who’s informally named Puddles — was first debuted by Oregon within the Forties, and has lost its head various times through the years, most recently during a standoff with Deion Sanders and Colorado back in 2023.
Before the sport against the Buffaloes in September 2023, the mascot arrived dressed like Sanders, sporting a white hat and sunglasses.
Things went awry, nonetheless, when the mascot attempted to interrupt a clock that had the word “Prime” on its side with a bat, and popped his head off on the third swing.
In similar fashion to Saturday’s miscue, Puddles sprinted off the sphere once losing his head.
No. 7 Oregon wound up blowing out Montana State, 59-13, with quarterback Dante Moore leading the way in which for the Geese with 213 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Even though it was assumed that Moore — who played behind Browns rookie Dillon Gabriel last season — was going to take the reins for Oregon this yr, head coach Dan Lanning didn’t publicly name a starter prior to Saturday’s game.
Earlier this month, Lanning told reporters that Moore would help out Oregon down the road after learning from Gabriel.
“Those guys have learned from great quarterbacks which have done it at a extremely, really high level,” Lanning said of his quarterbacks on the time. “For [Moore] to have that chance, show maturity, develop in his leadership, I feel it’s going to create great opportunities for our team.”
Moore has also acknowledged the pressure he might be under following Gabriel, who was drafted by the Browns this yr, and Bo Nix, who’s entering his second season with the Broncos.
“Like Coach Lanning all the time says, pressure is a privilege. I feel the entire offense, we’re talented, we’re able to compete. A number of us have chips on our shoulders. I do know rattling well I’m hungry needless to say,” Moore said.
