Soul searching must wait as Beavers loom

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

In the coming weeks — and in all likelihood, months — questions will be asked about Oregon’s horrendous showing against Stanford, which could spell the end of their BCS Title hopes. Why was the play calling so inept? What in the world has happened to Oregon’s special teams unit? Where was the big-play ability of Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas? Those …

Game 11 Preview: Oregon vs. Stanford

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon and 3/11 or their starting defense welcome in the Stanford Cardinal tonight to Autzen stadium, just three wins away from a trip to Miami and the BCS championship game. Ok, maybe 3/11 is an exaggeration…but not by much. The Ducks, fresh off a 59-17 victory at California last week, are as banged up as they have been since…dare we …

Game 10 Preview: Oregon at California

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Coming off perhaps the most unbelievable win in the Chip Kelly era, Oregon sets it’s sights on the Cal Bears tonight from Berkley, a house of horrors if ever their were one. Oregon — despite a narrow victory in 2010 — has struggled mightily in Strawberry Canyon, despite routinely fielding the better squad. Ranked third in this weeks BCS poll, …

Lost In Barner Hype, Mariota Shines

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

For the next three weeks, Oregon running back Kenjon Barner figures to get the majority of love from National media, as his Heisman campaign kicks into overdrive. Lost — or at least hidden — in the shuffle of Barner-mania is the performance of a young quarterback, unknown to much of the world just three months ago. Marcus Mariota’s story is …

Game 9 Preview: Oregon at USC

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Well, it’s finally here. All the talk, all the hype, all the questions will finally be answered when Oregon and USC kickoff from The Coliseum in Los Angeles today at 4 o’clock. Eight games into the season, Oregon is on pace for one of the most dominating regular seasons of all time. Many consider the 1971 Nebraska Cornhuskers to be …

Game 8 Preview: Oregon vs. Colorado

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Can we just skip this, and fast forward to next week? The big showdown with USC looms just seven days away, but unfortunately, the schedule must be played out. So, with a cold beer in hand and feet planted up on the couch, we welcome in the Colorado Buffaloes, another overmatched foe entering Autzen today. Ok, maybe I’m being a …

Is Chip Taking Kindness Too Far?

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Say what you want about Chip Kelly, but in his 3+ years at Oregon, one common theme has emerged: His teams – after finding themselves up by 30, 40, even 50 points in two quarters – have played conservative second halfs more often than not. As far as I’m concerned, it’s time for that to stop. On Thursday night, as …

HELLO, SEC…MY NAME IS OREGON

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s too early, I know. There are five games left, I get it. But after last night, my God…it’s hard not to think “what if” when envisioning an Oregon vs. “whoever-survives-the-SEC” matchup. This is not your father’s Oregon Ducks. Hell, it’s not your slightly older brother’s Oregon Ducks. This is something different. This is something…special. The final score may have read …

GAME 7 PREVIEW: OREGON AT ARIZONA STATE

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After a much needed bye week, Oregon springs back into action tonight in the desert, when they take on the Sun Devils of Arizona State. The Ducks, 6-0 on the season and ranked #3 in the first BCS rankings, face their biggest challenge of the season in the Sun Devils, who are 5-1 overall and riding high under new coach …

AT HALFWAY POINT, DUCKS LOOK TO FINISH STRONG

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

In August, if someone said the Oregon Ducks would be undefeated at the halfway point of the season, chances are no one would have blinked. With a paper-thin non-conference schedule, and conference bottom dwellers to open PAC-12 play (plus five of the first six games at home), anything less than perfect would be viewed as a gigantic failure. So, what …

OREGON DEFEATS WASHINGTON

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon defeated their bitter rivals, Washington, 52-21 tonight at Autzen stadium; their ninth consecutive win over the Huskies. Oregon was led by Marcus Mariota, who went 15/24 for 198 yards and four touchdowns. The Ducks were dominant from the start, jumping out to a 21-0 lead with five minutes to go in the first quarter. Stay tuned to read the …

GAME 6 PREVIEW: OREGON VS. WASHINGTON

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

To say that Washington week elicits a reaction from Ducks would be an understatement. While some say that Oregon’s in-state competition is the biggest rival, any true Duck fan knows that simply is not the case. The fact the Oregon has owned the Huskies, riding an eight-game win in the series, only adds to the hatred coming from the foes …