Posted: 12:41 AM, Saturday, September 8, 2007
The University of Oregon Athletic Department announced Friday that the Duck mascot will be suspended for next Saturday’s home game against Fresno State. The action comes after two incidents between the Duck and the University of Houston Cougar mascot in both the first and second halves of last Saturday’s game at Autzen Stadium.
Two students were involved. As is often the case, the students each wore the Duck outfit for one half, UO sports information director Dave Williford said Friday by telephone from Ann Arbor, Mich., where Oregon takes on the Michigan Wolverines Saturday in a nationally televised game that begins at 12:30 p.m. on ABC. “At least three, but maybe more” students serve as the Duck mascot, Williford said.
The Duck is in Ann Arbor, Williford said. Exactly what he’ll be allowed to do is unclear, but he’s not suspended for the Michigan game, Williford said. In addition to the one-game suspension, other disciplinary measures will be taken against the two UO students involved in altercations, he said. “There’s some other things, yes, but I can’t go into that for privacy reasons,” Williford said.
In the first half of the Houston game, the Duck approached the Cougar mascot on the field and appeared to kick him in the side after he mimicked the Duck by doing pushups after Houston scored a touchdown. The Cougar then tackled the Duck as he went back to the sideline. In a scene that nded up on YouTube this week, the Duck can then be seen punching the Cougar for about 20 seconds.
Hey Duck, don't try that *hit in LA. Trojan mascot is on a big horse and has a giant sword. I'd like to see you try to beat up on that.
Welcome to the Pac-10... :)
