Brad Ecklund and the Original “Men of Oregon”

Jordan Ingram Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

The oak tree has long been a symbol of strength, endurance, valor and accomplishment. These distinguished attributes signify the separation of the ordinary from the exceptional. A century of Oregon football has produced a grove of tall firs and mighty oaks, individuals whose roots vibrantly pulse beneath a lavish wildwood of virtue. The 2014 Oregon football team was just the latest embodiment of the fortitude of the oak, led by Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and surrounded by men of robust …

Marcus Mariota: A New Norm Van Brocklin

Jordan Ingram Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

Marcus Mariota will participate in the 2015 NFL scouting combine as the most decorated football player in Oregon history. Thus begins the native Hawaiian’s arduous journey to the NFL. For three years, Mariota thrived in the no huddle, up-tempo Oregon offense, rolling out and extending plays, often racing past flat footed linebackers. But most NFL teams want pocket passers, quarterbacks comfortable making reads and capable of standing firm amidst …

Cotton – The Webfoots’ Consolation Prize

Jim Maloney History

Immediately following the conclusion of the Pacific Coast Conference games on November 21, 1948, the Conference’s faculty representatives convened by telegraph to cast their votes for the P.C.C.’s representative in the 1949 Rose Bowl game.  While the vote was 6 to 4 to send California to the Rose Bowl, the Conference never released the actual vote.  It is certain the …

The Stretch Run for the Roses

Jim Maloney History

Coming off its decisive victory over Washington State, Oregon was ranked 14th in the country with five wins and one loss. The remainder of the regular season schedule included a final home game against the St. Mary’s Gaels, and three consecutive road games against the Washington Huskies, UCLA Bruins, and Oregon State Beavers. Oregon had played an annual Thanksgiving Day …

Michigan – A Game of Firsts for Oregon

Jim Maloney History

Coming off a lackluster performance against against a mediocre Stanford team, Oregon would be on the road for the second consecutive week.  This time the trip would be to Ann Arbor to face the Michigan Wolverines, who were coming off an unbeaten season, which included a 49-0 thrashing of Southern California in the 1948 Rose Bowl game.  Michigan had tied …

The Year The Stars Shined For Oregon Football

Jim Maloney History

551 yards, that’s the NFL passing record for a single game.  Every year, the league evolves to incorporate more passing into offenses, yet that mark, set in 1951, has remained untouched for over six decades.  It was a record set by Norm Van Brocklin, one of six Ducks in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the star of the …