Green and Yellow Fireworks: Some of the best Oregon Duck highlights in the 21st century
Who doesn’t love a good fireworks show?
On the 4th of July, it is an American tradition to get together with friends and family and celebrate independence by lighting things on fire and watching them explode in the sky.
While you prepare for those festivities to begin on Tuesday night, we wanted to offer some fireworks of our own — some Oregon Duck fireworks.
The past couple of decades in Eugene have been incredibly entertaining. With the rise to national prominence for Oregon football, and the Chip Kelly blur offense that took the college football world by storm, the Ducks saw themselves one of the biggest fan favorites across the nation this century. Go ahead and add in Marcus Mariota’s Heisman season, the enthralling career of Sabrina Ionescu, and the deep tournament runs made by both basketball teams in March.
It’s safe to say that the past 23 years have provided a ton of highlights. I want to bring them to the surface and give you all a fireworks show to start your holiday.
Of course, there are going to be many plays that I missed throughout this all. To every player and every play that did not get mentioned, I apologize. If you have any favorite firework-worthy plays that didn’t get mentioned, comment below and let me know.
Without further ado, let the firework show begin.
De'Anthony Thomas 94-yard TD vs. Kansas State
Is there any better way to kick off a bowl game, let alone the Fiesta Bowl? I certainly haven’t seen it. De’Anthony Thomas was one of a kind, and his sprinter finish across the goal line will forever be legendary.
TJ Ward Destroys Oklahoma State QB
If TJ Ward were to do this in today’s game, he would have been suspended for a game, minimum. It was a different time, back then, and Ward thrived in that era. Props to Zac Robinson for getting up. I’d still be lying on the turf.
LaMichael James 72-yard Reverse-Field TD vs. Tennessee
This is a “No, no, no…yes, yes, yes!” run if I’ve ever seen one. The things that LaMichael James was able to do in the backfield were incredible. This certainly isn’t the only LMJ firework you will be seeing today.
LeGarrette Blount Hurdle TD
A LeGarrette Blount vs. Boise State highlight that isn’t…that highlight? I had to include it. We may include the other one later as well. We’ll see.
Josh Huff Game-Winning TD vs. OSU
The stakes were high in the Civil War against Oregon State, and Marcus Mariota was able to find Josh Huff over the middle for a game-winner. No stress at all, right?
Dennis Dixon Statue of Liberty vs. Michigan
This play was set up perfectly earlier in the game with a fake Statue of Liberty that was actually handed off to the RB. Not this time. Dixon jogs into the endzone to let the blowout begin.
Jeremiah Masoli 4th Down Truck Stick vs. OSU
4th down, with the game hanging in the balance against the Oregon State Beavers? Leave it to Jeremiah Masoli to put his body on the line and bulldoze his way to a first down. Watch that and tell me it doesn’t get you pumped up.
Jeff Maehl Miracle TD Grab vs. USC
If that is not among the best TD catches you’ve ever seen, then you are lying. Jeff Maehl can do no wrong. Doing it against USC makes it all the better.
Tyler Dorsey Game Winner vs. Rhode Island
Mr. March has arrived. Tyler Dorsey had a huge 27-point performance in the NCAA Tournament vs. Rhode Island, capped off with this game-winner.
Kenjon Barner 5 TDs vs. USC
A highlight that contains multitudes. Kenjon Barner’s school record of 5 TDs and 300-plus yards on the road against USC. Perfection.
Dillon Brooks Buzzer Beater vs. No. 2 UCLA
A Dillon Brooks buzzer-beater to beat the undefeated No. 2 UCLA Bruins at home. One of the most electric moments in the history of Matthew Knight Arena, for sure.
Brady Breeze Fumble // Justin Herbert Rose Bowl TD vs. Wisconsin
A Rose Bowl double-pack. First the forced fumble by Brady Breeze that gave Oregon the ball with a chance to win the game, followed by Justin Herbert’s legendary game-winning TD run. What a way to end a career.
Kiko Alonso INT // Michael Clay Rose Bowl Fumble Recovery vs. Wisconsin
Another Rose Bowl double-pack? Why the heck not? First, Kiko Alonso’s INT vs. Russell Wilson, followed by Michael Clay’s game-sealing fumble recover on the sideline that gave the Ducks the Rose Bowl victory. Have you ever see Chip Kelly jump that high?
Sabrina Ionescu's Ducks beat Team USA
Do you remember when Team USA came to Eugene on their fall tour, and the world quickly learned about Sabrina Ionescu? That had to be one of the most remarkable victories in Oregon history. Forget about the fact that it was an exhibition, that will forever be one of the crowning achievements of Sabrina’s career.
The LeGarrette Blount Punch
I said we’d get back to it…
Some fireworks blow up before they get into the night sky. Consider this one of those fireworks.
De'Anthony Thomas 91-yard Rose Bowl TD
Anyone surprised that we get another DAT firework? Definitely not. This Rose Bowl performance from him was legendary.
Sulman Raza Championship-Winning Putt
A Eugene boy winning the Oregon Ducks’ first men’s golf national championship at the Eugene Country Club with a walk-off putt. Find me a more perfect moment in Oregon history, I’ll wait.
Cliff Harris Punt Return TD
A lot of Cliff Harris plays could have made this list. Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of great videos on YouTube of his highlights. So here’s his remarkable punt return TD vs. New Mexico State. Enjoy.
Joe Walker 99-Yard Fumble TD vs. Utah
The Kaelin Clay play. As a Duck fan, you just can’t help but watch that play and smile from ear to ear. So fortunate. What a heads-up play by Joe Walker. What a boneheaded play by Clay.
Joe Young Sends Ducks to Pac-12 Title Game
Joey Buckets shows up in the clutch, sending the Oregon Ducks to the Pac-12 title game with this buzzer-beater three. Blouses.
Joey Harrington Holiday Bowl TD Catch
He can do it all, folks. Joey Heisman hauls in a great grab from Keenan Howry for this diving TD in the Holiday Bowl. Making it look easy.
Vernon Adams OT-Forcing TD Pass vs. ASU
Vernon Adams Jr. didn’t get the credit that he deserves. His one season with the Ducks was electric, and it gave us this, one of the best highlights in Oregon history.
N'Faly Dante DESTROYS Kerr Kriisa
N’Faly Dante said after this game that Kriisa annoys him on the court because he is always running his mouth. You could tell how much he annoyed him based on the power behind that dunk.
Bralon Addison Punt Return TD vs. California
One of the more impressive punt return TDs you’ll ever see. Even more impressive when you consider that it was Addison’s second punt-return TD of the game.
Oregon vs. Oklahoma Onside Kick
Was the correct call made by the refs? That much is up for debate. Did the Ducks win the game? Yep. That’s all that matters.
CJ Verdell 77-Yard TD vs. Ohio State
The Horseshoe. The call. The magnitude. Oregon was down its best player against Ohio State on the road in Columbus, but CJ Verdell had the game of his career and went wild on the Buckeyes, highlighted by this 75-yard TD to put the Ducks up two scores.
CJ Verdell Game-Winner in OT vs. UW
The best fireworks shows go out with a bang, saving the best for last.
What’s better than a walk-off TD in overtime against your most hated rival, who is ranked No. 7 in the country?
Not much in my book.
