Defense Will Determine Ducks Heights in 2015

Spencer Thomas FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The quarterback battle going on in Eugene has certainly received its share of local and national press, and justifiably so. The Ducks are replacing the single greatest player in program history, who also happened to occupy the single most important position on the field. While I do not want to diminish the importance of this position — indeed, Oregon cannot …

Dylan Ennis Provides Short and Long-Term Returns

Spencer Thomas FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With so much focus on spring football, I thought I would touch on another significant development in Oregon athletics: the transfer of graduate student — and former Villanova starting point guard – Dylan Ennis to the Ducks. Ennis’ immediate impact is obvious. Oregon is unproven at point guard going into next season. The Ducks got by last year because they had …

Keeping QB Battle Wide Open Fits Ducks’ Culture

Spencer Thomas FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

I think most Oregon Duck football fans — this one included — would love to see a clear leader emerge this spring from the pack of contestants vying to replace Marcus Mariota as Oregon’s starting quarterback in 2015. That leader would then be pitted against incoming transfer Vernon Adams in a clear two-man race to be the Ducks’ 2015 field …

Ducks Play Their Game to Outlast Cowboys

Spencer Thomas FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

I wrote this past Thursday that Oklahoma State would be a tough matchup for the men of Oregon in the NCAA Tournament round of sixty-four. The Ducks would need to play the game at their pace, limit turnovers, and limit Cowboy sharpshooter Phil Forte to ensure victory. After a hard-fought 79-73 victory, it is time to examine whether these predictions …

Do Not Sleep on the Men From Stillwater

Spencer Thomas FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

On paper, eighth-seeded Oregon’s first-round NCAA Tournament matchup with ninth-seeded Oklahoma State appears to be a one-sided affair favoring the Ducks. Per ESPN.com, the Cowboys are 178th in the nation in points per game, and 145th in field goal percentage. Oregon, meanwhile, checks in at 26th in the country in scoring, and a respectable 63rd in field goal percentage, shooting …

Secret to Oregon’s Recruiting Success Revealed

Spencer Thomas FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Disclaimer: I do not have any inside knowledge concerning Oregon’s recruiting philosophy or tactics. This is merely one man’s educated take on how and why the Ducks’ performance on the football field consistently outperforms the rankings of its recruiting classes. Having gone through the recruiting process myself (admittedly at the Division II and III level), and having played with and …

Looking Ahead to 2015: Three Reasons Ducks Will Repeat as Pac-12 Champs

Spencer Thomas FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The collective wisdom from popular media seems to be that the Oregon Ducks football team will take a step back in 2015. On January 19, ESPN’s Ted Miller predicted that the South Division will produce the Pac-12 football champion next season. Other recent articles have focused on how Oregon must improve, or adapt, in the post-Marcus Mariota era to repeat …