Oregon Football Spring Game: Live News, Results and Analysis

Here we are for the Ducks’ spring game in April—when it should be raining—and it’s a beautiful spring day. Thank you, Don Essig.

In a little over one hour, the dark and light teams will take the field, and we will get our first look at the 2012 Ducks. I’ll be coming to you live every 15 minutes or so throughout the game and will do a recap once the game ends.

Yes, I will be watching the hotly contested quarterback competition. Bryan Bennett or Marcus Mariota? Is there anyone in the state of Oregon who can’t wait to see these two guys compete? I actually heard someone on the walk into the stadium say, “Darron who?”  Good grief.

I understand why you are all frothing at the mouth over the quarterback issue, but there are other things to look for today as well. I'm paying particular attention to the wide receiver position. How will Josh Huff look? Who among the 14 other wide receivers on the roster will get their hands on the ball?

Everyone in the press box this morning is talking about LaMichael James getting picked by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the NFL draft—ahead of almost every expert's prediction. Hooray, LaMike!

So, who will fill those big shoes of James? Will Kenjon Barner dazzle in his first appearance as the feature back? How about De'Anthony Thomas? I'm also eager to get a good glimpse of Ayele Ford and Kenny Bassett.

Other depth questions are safety, linebacker and tight end. Plus, I'm dying to see new recruits Arik Armstead—apparently, he's quite recognizable by his size—Evan Baylis at tight end and quarterback Jake Rodrigues.

Currently, most of the action is in the Moshofsky Center. The armed forces—who the spring game is dedicated to today—have set up a very fun obstacle course. Most fans aren't very good at it.

Fans are beginning to trickle in. I suspect there are people in the 50-yard line seats who have never sat there before. 

The band is warming up on the field. They've played the national anthem about four times. I guess I just assumed they knew it by now.

Adjacent to Autzen is PK Park, and I hear there is a baseball game this afternoon. The field looks beautiful and I'm sitting here wondering why I can't get my lawn to look like that.

No sign yet of the most important person today. No, I'm not talking about Chip Kelly, although he's somewhat important. No sign yet of The Duck. There is a million kids here today, so he's probably somewhere out of my sight holding court.

Rumor is there's going to be an F-15 flyover just prior to the game. The press box is so high, I will probably be eye level with the pilot. Stay tuned.