Duck Down!

The University of Oregon announced today that All-American CB Walter Thurmond III is out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury suffered on the opening kick off in Oregon’s 42-3 win over Cal.

 

Thurmond scored TD’s in both of Oregon’s wins prior to the Cal game. In fact in games that Thurmond scored a TD the Ducks were undefeated. Even Chip Kelly commented on the streak when he jokingly asked Thurmond if he could go ahead and score every game so that that the ducks could finish the season undefeated.

 

Thurmond’s absence will be felt in the return game as well as in the secondary. The Utes only completed one pass to a WR that was covered by Thurmond and that was a 5 yard pass that the WR had to come back to. Thurmond was also effective in stopping the run as he had 17 tackles over the last 3 games.

 

The Ducks will likely have Willie Glasper shift over and bring Talmadge Jackson into Willie’s spot. If T.J. Ward is available to play on Saturday, the ducks could go with a 3 Safety lineup that would include Javes Lewis and John Boyett.

This is the most recent in a string of injuries that has plagued Thurmond’s career. 2008 was a season where he showed resilience playing in 12 of 13 games, while battling several injuries and still playing well enough to be named a 2009 pre-season All-American.

Thurmond was projected as being a great  NFL prospect likely to go high in the draft. It's still possible with a speedy recovery and great work outs that he could still go in the first day, but this set back has likely cost him millions in the draft.

 

Thurmond is now the second cornerstone of this team lost for the rest of the season, with LaGarrett Blount being suspended after week one.

 

Thurmond ends his Duck career as the schools all time leader in non-offensive TD’s at 5. With 41 games started, his experience and leadership will be sorely missed on the field.

 

So ends yet another man crush for yours truly.

 

-Kurt Valentine