Dan Lanning provides injury update on Byron Cardwell

The Oregon Ducks put on a performance at home against the No.12 team in the nation, the BYU Cougars, defeating them 41-20. The contest was not that close as the Ducks out-physicaled the Cougars. One of the ways Oregon controlled the tempo of the game was with their running game rushing for a team total of 212. However, one of Oregon’s biggest contributors in their rushing attack running back Byron Cardwell, did not participate in Saturday’s action. He was ruled out by head coach Dan Lanning. After the game, Lanning provided an injury update on Caldwell.

“Byron was day-to-day throughout practice this past week. And he tested himself, wanting to be able to push on Thursday… kind of went through warmups, and I think it was still lingering. You could see he wasn’t quite 100 percent. Didn’t want to jeopardize his health in that situation,” said Lanning. “If we asked Byron to, I promise you he would have. And that’s a great example of his character and what he’s willing to do for this team. That being said, we don’t wanna put our guys in a position where they’re not gonna be healthy.

“The next guy up, those guys prepare really hard. They earn their moments in practice. You earn the right to go play football with the way you practice. And the next guy up did a really good job.”

Despite not having Cardwell on the field and a number of other key contributors, Oregon cruised to their second victory of the season. Next up for the Ducks is a showdown against Washington State on the road. The Cougars have started off the season 3-0, including a win on the road against the then No.19 ranked Wisconsin Badgers.

BYU honors Oregon’s late tight end Spencer Webb with a series of pre-game gestures

Before the start of the Oregon v. BYU matchup, fans around college football were treated to a beautiful spectacle of sportsmanship. BYU paid their respects to Oregon’s late tight end Spencer Webb with a series of pre-game gestures. The first of which was a bouquet of flowers the Cougars left on the field. The second was former Ducks offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia, who transferred to BYU carrying an Oregon flag into the stadium and on the field in Webb’s honor.

Oregon is paying tribute to Webb with their field by coloring their four-yard-line hash marks yellow. The four was selected to represent his number change heading into the season, from 18 to four.

Webb passed away at 22 years old after suffering a fatal head injury near Triangle Lake in mid-July. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to the rock slides at Triangle Lake, just west of Eugene, at approximately 2:30 p.m on July 14, after receiving the report of an injured person. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a 22-year-old male confirmed to be Webb fell and struck his head. 

BYU’s football program showed the utmost respect for their opponent on Saturday. And that level of respect and homage only serves as a reminder that some things are bigger than the game of football.