In a playful and unexpected move, the Oregon Ducks have started making waves in their debut Big Ten season. At the recent Big Ten Media Days, the Ducks made a bold statement with a massive inflatable Duck mascot floating in the White River near Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This was just the beginning of Oregon’s eye-catching antics as they toured other campuses in the conference.
Nebraska football’s media day took an amusing turn when the Oregon Duck mascot showed up just as head coach Matt Rhule was about to begin his press conference. The Duck attempted to join the media event but was eventually asked to leave due to a lack of credentials. Despite the brief stay, the Duck managed to pose for photos with media members and even tried its hand at reporting with a microphone. Nebraska later shared a light-hearted photo on social media, showing the Duck alongside Husker mascots Lil’ Red and Herbie at Tom Osborne Field in Memorial Stadium.
Concerns about potential scouting were dismissed, as Nebraska and Oregon are not set to face each other in the regular season until 2026. The last time these teams played was in a non-conference series during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, with each team winning at home by a narrow margin.
Oregon’s head coach, Dan Lanning, commented on the mascot’s antics at Big Ten Media Days, comparing the debut to the first day of school. He emphasized the importance of making a memorable entrance and praised the marketing team for keeping Oregon in the national spotlight. Lanning, however, acknowledged that the real task lies in winning games to solidify Oregon’s presence in the Big Ten.
As the Ducks prepare for their inaugural Big Ten season, expectations are high. Oregon is seen as a strong contender for the conference title in 2024, competing alongside powerhouses like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State.
