In the world of college sports, few things get fans more riled up than a good old-fashioned rivalry. And when it comes to the Oregon Ducks and Washington Huskies, the competition extends far beyond the football field—it’s a battle of the mascots on social media.
The latest chapter in this ongoing saga began in the early hours of Tuesday morning, when the Oregon Duck took to Twitter (or X, as it’s now known) to unleash a flurry of jabs at Washington’s beloved mascot, Harry the Husky. Despite the fact that Oregon is no longer part of the Pac-12 Conference, having joined the Big Ten along with Washington and two other former Pac-12 schools, the Duck made it clear that old rivalries die hard.
The Duck’s Opening Salvo
At precisely 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday, the Duck fired off a tweet that set the tone for the ensuing barrage:
“new conference but @HarryTheHusky is still a narc”
– The Oregon Duck (@TheOregonDuck)
For those unfamiliar with the term, “narc” is slang for a snitch or tattletale—someone who ruins others’ fun by reporting them to authorities. It’s a bold accusation for one anthropomorphic mascot to level at another, but the Duck was just getting started.
An Hourly Roast
Over the next several hours, the relentless Duck continued to tweet insults and wisecracks at Harry the Husky at a steady clip of one per hour. From photoshopped images depicting the Husky in embarrassing situations to clever wordplay mocking Washington’s on-field performance, no topic was off-limits.
According to sources close to the situation, this is not the first time the Duck has engaged in such social media antics. Last season, in the leadup to Oregon’s game against Washington, the feathered provocateur apparently deployed a similar hourly taunting strategy.
The Husky’s Conspicuous Silence
Curiously, amidst the onslaught of Oregon-bred derision, Harry the Husky has thus far remained silent. As of the publication of this article, the Washington mascot had not issued a single tweet in response to the Duck’s numerous provocations.
Fans and pundits alike are speculating as to the reasons behind the Husky’s apparent vow of silence. Some believe it to be a strategic move—a refusal to engage with an opponent’s childish taunts. Others wonder if perhaps Harry is simply biding his time, waiting for the perfect moment to unleash a devastating counterstrike.
Fueling the Rivalry Flames
Regardless of the Husky’s response (or lack thereof), there’s no denying that the Duck’s social media campaign has succeeded in stoking the flames of this age-old rivalry. Fans on both sides have taken to Twitter to alternately praise the Duck’s creativity or decry its perceived mean-spiritedness.
In many ways, this mascot beef is a microcosm of the larger rivalry between the two schools. Oregon and Washington have been facing off on the gridiron since 1900, with the Huskies currently leading the all-time series 60-47-5. However, the Ducks have had the upper hand in recent years, winning 14 of the last 16 meetings.
The Stakes of Week 14
As the Week 14 clash between Oregon and Washington approaches, tensions are running high both on and off the field. Both teams are currently ranked in the top 25, with the winner likely to have the inside track to a prestigious bowl game invitation.
But for the mascots, the stakes are more personal. Can the Duck’s biting wit carry the day, or will Harry the Husky finally emerge from the shadows to put the feathered firebrand in its place? Only time will tell.
A New Chapter in an Old Rivalry
One thing’s for certain: with both schools now competing in the Big Ten, this rivalry is poised to enter a new and unpredictable era. Will the conference shift change the nature of the Oregon-Washington dynamic, or will old grudges continue to define the relationship?
As the Duck’s latest Twitter barbs make abundantly clear, some things never change. The names on the jerseys may be different, the stakes may be higher, but the animosity between these two mascots—and by extension, these two storied football programs—remains as strong as ever.
So as you settle in to watch the Ducks and Huskies do battle this weekend, keep an eye on the sidelines. The real action may be taking place not on the field, but on your phone’s screen, as a certain feathered provocateur continues its quest to ruffle a rival’s fur. In the grand tapestry of college football history, it’s just one more colorful thread in a timeless tale of competition, pride, and the enduring power of a good old-fashioned mascot feud.
