By : Judaea Ingram
The rivalry between the Quinnipiac Bobcats and Oregon Ducks dates back to 2011, with 15 total matchups over the years. Every regular season showdown between these two powerhouse teams is fiercely competitive, and Sunday’s match was no exception.
Quinnipiac hadn’t won against Oregon until 2018, but entered the game with a three game win streak against the Ducks.
It’s a fierce rivalry, especially when QU’s blue stands have some yellow and green to counter it. Oregon had a good army behind them to watch the match unfold.
Quinnipiac sits at No. 2 and Oregon at No. 4 in the nation. Sunday’s match demonstrated how every point matters in this high-stakes competition. A late surge by the Ducks led to the Bobcats falling short by just 1.215 points.
Oregon finished at 272.380 points, while Quinnipiac scored 271.165—its highest of the season.
This was the Bobcats’ first home loss since March 19, 2022, and their first regular-season loss since March 24, 2023.
With just four days before its next match, QU Sports Page’s Judaea Ingram will break down the highs and lows of the Oregon matchup and discuss how Quinnipiac can bounce back to defeat American International College (AIC) this Friday at home at 6 p.m.
HIGHS:
The Bobcats came out strong, leading the first three events.
Compulsory Event: They posted a season-high score of 37.950 out of 40, highlighted by a perfect 9.950 out of 10 in the compulsory toss. Their synchronization was impeccable, with bases and tops working seamlessly together
ACRO Event: This was a textbook performance, with the Bobcats sweeping the Ducks in all three heats. Their entries and dismounts were clean, and their stability was key to their success, earning a 9.900 out of 10 in two heats and an overall score of 29.5 out of 30.
Pyramid Event: Their fluidity and timing were evident in this event as well, with another 9.900 earned in Heat 1 inversion. The Bobcats displayed perfect continuity in their transitions, making their movements look effortless.
They even capitalized on a rare mistake from Oregon in the Tumbling Even, taking advantage of a Duck’s tumbler slip from trying to land, causing major dedications to secure another strong performance
The Bobcats executed their moves with remarkable ease and kept their moves clean in both their group and individual heats.
“I work really hard on that, I always have. I’ve always coached that way, I have a lot of techniques I do at practices,” head coach Mary Anne Powers said.
They performed their stunts with precision and focus, and as soon as they finished shouting “Bobcats,” the team erupted with cheers and celebration.
LOWS:
Despite the strong start, and overall great performance, a few areas of weakness prevented the Bobcats from clinching the win.
Starting Value Disadvantage: The Ducks had a five-point advantage from the outset, putting the Bobcats at a disadvantage. In a few heats and in the team event, their difficulty level was higher, giving them a higher start value.
Toss Event Issues:There were some cradle problems in Heat 1 of the toss event, as the Bobcats struggled to maintain grip and control while lowering the player safely to the ground.
Tumbling Trio: Synchronization issues in the tumbling trio pass led to a lower score of 8.750 out of 9.55, as their timing was off.
Team Event: The major issue came in the team event.
“I felt we’d have to be on our A game on and we had our A game on until the team event,” Powers said.
The Ducks’ level of difficulty was higher than the Bobcats’ when entering the team event. They had 2.5 edge.
“We have been holding back with good reason, we have some sync we got to take care of,” Powers said.
In the event, the Bobcats had some instability during the Acro sequence. Despite completing the sequence, the bobble was evident, which ultimately affected their final score.
TAKEAWAY for AIC:
Unlike Oregon, AIC’s talent level does not match Quinnipiac’s. AIC Acrobatics and Tumbling is in its first season. The team averages 27 points per match, while Quinnipiac averages 266 points.
AIC is limited in the events it can compete in, often forfeiting several due to size and talent constraints.
The Yellow Jackets are 0-5 and have lost by a wide margin due to having to forfeit out of many of the events. This will be a good opportunity for the Bobcats to hone in on those mistakes from Oregon.
Even though it is a quick turnaround, the Bobcats need to show that they can finish strong in their team event. They need to breathe, relax, and be confident when entering their team event.
“I want them to hit that team routine. I want them to go in, not thinking ‘will we’. I want them to go in knowing ‘we will,’” Powers said.
The Bobcats have so much energy when they step on the mat for the team event, it can lead to mistakes. Coach Powers is going to focus on some breathing exercises and add a couple of tweaks in the team event.
With the NCATA championship approaching, Quinnipiac is poised to build on their strong foundation, working towards perfection in the upcoming matches.
Despite this tough loss against the Ducks, the Bobcats’ foundation remains strong. Their ability to learn from setbacks and refine their game will serve them well as they prepare to face AIC and beyond.