IS PAST SUCCESS AIDING OREGON’S RANKING?

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With all due respect to the wonderful analysts who make up the AP and coaches polls, as we sit five weeks into the season, one can’t help but wonder about the current college football rankings. Alabama, at number one, gets a pass. After the Tide, however, things get a little tricky. But let’s back up here just a tad. Since …

GAME 5 PREVIEW: OREGON VS. WASHINGTON STATE

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After one of the most dominating defensive performances in school history, Oregon gets set to face another challenge tonight–the “Air-Raid” attack of the Washington State Cougars. WSU, coming off an embarrassing loss at home to Colorado, offers Oregon another chance to hone their defensive skills, as the Cougars will look to unleash their passing game upon the Ducks. Washington State …

GET THE POPCORN READY, THE “AIR-RAID” ATTACK IS NEXT UP FOR OREGON

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Say what you will about Washington State coach Mike Leach–the man can flat-out coach. After spending 10 seasons in Lubbock leading the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Leach finds himself leading the Cougars, looking to re-energize a program that sunk to new lows under first Bill Doba and then Paul Wulff after years of consistently being a thorn in everyone’s side …

With Offense In Flux, It’s Time To Look At The Big Picture

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

During Oregon’s 49-0 domination of Arizona on Saturday night, many in the press box began to flip through the record books, no doubt scouring the defensive section to see where the Ducks’ performance ranked all-time. Oregon, whose first-string defense rarely got to play more than a quarter and a half in their three non-conference games, saw Arizona enter their redzone …

FishDuck Game Review: Tenacious Defense, Timely Offense Lead to Shutout Victory Over Arizona

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

On a crisp, cool night at a raucous Autzen Stadium, the feel of big-time football was finally back in the air. With the 22nd ranked Arizona Wildcats in town, conference play for the Ducks had returned. Oregon, after three straight blowouts, giving zero indication as to who they really were facing a rather soft out-of-conference schedule, entered the stadium clad …

Game 4 Preview: Oregon vs. Arizona

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After three non-conference matchups to start the season, the Oregon Ducks open up Pac-12 play tonight when the Arizona Wildcats come into Autzen…And what a night it could be. The Wildcats, led by first-year head coach Rich Rodriguez, come in averaging over 600 yards per game, and promise to give Oregon its biggest challenge so far in this young season. …

Game 3 Preview: Tennessee Tech vs. Oregon

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES at OREGON DUCKS Saturday, September 15th kickoff 12:06 pm Two weeks into the season, and we know about as much about the Oregon football team as we did on August 31st, save for a couple unfortunate injuries. The defense, as expected, has been stout, yet untested. The offense, occasionally explosive, but maddeningly inconsistent. The special teams? …

Opportunities Knock After Uneven Performance

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After three straight conference championships and a Rose Bowl win, its safe to say that the Ducks have reached new heights in terms of expectations…and that was never more evident than Saturday night. 100 years of ups and downs yet never perennially considered premiere, those years of struggle have led to championship aspirations for the Ducks, who in the last …

Game 2 Preview: Oregon vs. Fresno State

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Coming off of last weeks 57-34 shellacking of Arkansas State, the Ducks look to continue their momentum, as they welcome the Fresno State Bulldogs into Autzen Stadium for the first time since 2007. The Bulldogs come in under first year coach Tim DeRuyter, who takes over for Pat Hill, the iconic head coach let go after 15 seasons leading the …

Game 1 Preview: Oregon vs. Arkansas State

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Nine months after the thrilling Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin, the Oregon Ducks kickoff the 2012 season tonight, as they welcome in the Arkansas State Red Wolves into Autzen Stadium, slated for a 7:36 pm local time kickoff on ESPN. Oregon opens the game as 35-point favorites over the Wolves, who will be led by first-year coach Gus Malzahn, best …

With ‘the decision’ made, the receivers’ time to shine has finally come

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Outside the state of Oregon, Chip Kelly naming Marcus Mariota starting quarterback barely caused a ripple. It made a clear announcement, however–Oregon is finally going to be a two-headed monster on offense. Mariota, the purer passer of the two quarterbacks vying for the starting position, won the job by his decision making, accuracy and cool demeanor. The coaching staff has …

AS CAMP BEGINS, A SPECIAL FEELING LOOMS IN THE AIR

Joel Gunderson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With 19 days left until the 2012-13 season kickoff, that old familiar feeling is beginning to rumble in the pit of the stomach…football is finally back in Eugene. It’s been nearly nine months since Oregon knocked of the Badgers of Wisconsin, earning the school’s first Rose Bowl victory in 95 years. The time has come to turn the page on …