Oregon Football Still on the Rise

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Ducks’ 42-20 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff National Championship game had many people shaking their heads in disbelief. It seemed Oregon was finally positioned to claim its first college football national championship. The Ducks had everything a championship team needs to win: a dedicated and innovative coaching staff, a Heisman winning quarterback, a solid running game, a …

Thanks For the Memories: Tribute to Our Skinny Hawaiian

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With the upcoming departure of Marcus Mariota, I’d just like a moment to review and reflect on our beloved Skinny Hawaiian’s astounding career. In the coming days you will likely hear from ESPN how Mariota’s stock has fallen because of the Championship Game, and in the case of some, they might even say he shouldn’t be a first round pick …

Armstead Declares for NFL Draft

Adam Kruse FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

In 2012, Arik Armstead came to Oregon as a 5-star recruit, but with a caveat. He was a 5-Star offensive tackle recruit who wanted to play defense. Oregon gave him that chance. Tuesday, the 6’9, 290-pound junior defensive end decided to forgo his senior season and make himself eligible for the NFL Draft. Armstead projects as a late first-round, early …

Two, Four, Six, Eight! Who Do We Appreciate?

Graham Berry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The correct answer to this grade school cheer is readily apparent for lovers and haters of this site: The Oregon Ducks. (I realize that the technically correct answer to this is probably Ohio State, but this site is not named FishBuckeyes). Of course, appreciation exists in a variety of degrees. Older Ducks fans remember the infamous Toilet Bowl, a veritable …

A Season For the Ages

Tyler Robinson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Stadiums of 50,000-100,000 people are regularly jam-packed. Giant parades are thrown for the team that wins it all. Is there anything like sports? Can you think of any other event that can bring a whole city or state together? You can’t. For whatever reason, sports hold a special place in the hearts of so many different people. When we put …

“Injured” Ducks to Play in National Championship Game

Dave Kensler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

This season has been amazing on so many levels for the Oregon Ducks, but one of the most overlooked aspects of it might be their response to injuries. Yes, it’s a common phrase that “injuries are part of the game of football.” However, if we take a step back and look at the key impairments over the entire season, I bet …

Chip Kelly Update: Front Office Thunderdome

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

For the first time ever in his head coaching career, Chip Kelly’s season ended when the regular season did. It’s got to be killing him, as proud as he no doubt is that his Ducks destroyed Florida State and are heading into the National Championship Game favored by a touchdown. As I’ve said before, he’s Moses, unable to enter the …

Is Ohio State an Oregon Wannabe?

Randy Morse FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

“The mind,” Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer once famously quipped, “is a fragile thing.” I was thinking of that Meyer quote the other day as I watched the post-Sugar Bowl press conference. Specifically when the Buckeyes coach reacted to the news the Oregon Ducks had thoroughly cleaned Florida State’s clock earlier that same day in the Rose Bowl. A …

Anatomy of a Drive: The Method to Scott Frost’s Play-calling

Joe Kearns Analysis

When Chip Kelly left Eugene for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, he left two major voids in the Oregon football program. Kelly had not just been the face of the Ducks, he was also the play-caller for the renowned high-octane spread offense.  As much as head coach Mark Helfrich deserves credit for leading the team to a national championship game in just …

The Time Is Now for Mark Helfrich

Omar Garibay FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Remember when Chip Kelly took over the Oregon program? Many didn’t know what to expect. How would the program and its fans react to a new coach? After 14 seasons of Mike Bellotti, who is the winningest coach in Oregon Ducks football history, and who built the Ducks into a college football powerhouse, one thing was certain: Kelly had enormous shoes …

Helfrich: The Human One

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Many people liked to talk about Chip Kelly by describing him as very cold and dry. Many would compare him to Bill Belichick, with his often short, to-the-point answers and dry wit. On top of this Kelly is known for being very businesslike in his management of his football program, maybe even somewhat aloof at times. And even though they were winning, it seems there …

The Spread Offense: The Oregon, Urban Meyer Connection

Noah Smith Analysis

On January 12th, do not be surprised if you feel like you’re seeing double. Urban Meyer’s love of the spread option offense has been widely documented ever since his days at Bowling Green and then at Florida. Some people even claim that Meyer invented the read option play that we love to watch our Ducks run (Rich Rodriguez would dispute that claim). Regardless of who invented it, Meyer …