Bruins lose to the Ducks 31-24. While many will focus on the negatives, I'll focus on the team's progress and positive notes.

First, the most important thing: Terrence Austin left the field giving the "thumb's up" sign after suffering a tough hit:

And it was reported that medical tests were negative and that Austin would travel back home with the team.

On to other positive notes:

• Bruins were 20-point underdogs
• The fast-start Ducks only had 7 points with 44 seconds left in the first half
• Bruins outscored the Ducks 24-17 in the second half
• Bruins led in time-of-possession by over 15 minutes(!) Box Score
• Our 3rd down efficiency was 9-20 versus 2-13 for the Quackers
• Bruins total yards of 351 was only 14 yards shy of Oregon's 365

No, this is not a moral victory, nor am I trying to put lipstick on a pig. Regular BN readers know that what we want to see this season is improvement. Yes, there were a lot of ugly things in the game, but no matter what happened, the Bruins kept fighting back. In the post-game interview, Coach Rick said "there was an intensity on our sideline, the was an absolute rock solid desire to come back in this game." CRN hadn't heard (yet) about what had gone on late in the game as described here:

Former Bruin James Washington commented on this intensity too:

Nice to hear the team has fight and doesn't want to meekly accept losses.

While Kevin Craft can be erratic, any doubt that this coaching staff is getting every bit out of him they can? Speaking of Craft, in his post-game interview (below), he mentions the passes he wish he could have back. One in particular was the interception where Terrence Austin was injured. I was struck by how Craft described it as the one where, "[Terrence] ... was trying to make a play for me." He's saying he knows his teammates have his back. When Craft makes a bad throw, his receivers aren't going to quit on him, and I sense that's the culture that CRN has brought to the team. They have each other's back.

As I watch Coach Rick's post-game interview (below), he talks about what the team needs to do and I sense that he is a little weary. Certainly understandable after a game we could have won, but I wonder if (some unreasonable) expectations are getting to him. There's been questions about his play-calling raised, and I, for one, "will have his back," until facts prove that I should change my view. I'm not saying that CRN can do no wrong. He's creating a different culture, and I'll live with some of the calls that end up looking bad. Going for that first on-sides kick was a calculated risk. We would have had the ball, if not for an obscure rule of breaking the out-of-bounds plane. He also showed faith in the defense by going for it. It turned out badly, but he's demonstrating his confidence in the team and a sorely needed "playing to win" attitude.

Go Bruins!