The Almost Tragic History of Oregon State Sports

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Now that there are only a couple of months left in which to humiliate Oregon State during the 2013/14 school year, I thought this would be a good time to see how the hapless Beavs got here.  I decided to try and look back to a time when there were respectable athletic endeavors occurring in the little hamlet of Corvallis. …

Harrington’s new Scholarship funds Quarterbacks of Community

Brian Libby FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Seventeen years ago this spring, Joey Harrington was a senior at Portland’s Central Catholic High School with a big future ahead of him: a legendary football career at Oregon that would make him the school’s first Heisman Trophy finalist, then seven years as an NFL quarterback and finally the broadcasting career he enjoys today.  And from the time he entered …

Tribute to Outstanding Golden Receiver Who Still Shines in Eugene

FishDuck Staff Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

The wide receiver position is a major key to success in football.  Throughout the years, Oregon has had many well-known WRs become very successful.  One receiver in particular shined brightly at Oregon in only a two-year career (JC transfer) and made a greater mark in that time than many.  Having the Oregon great Joey Harrington to throw his way greatly aided …

Former Player Tribute: “Nothing Like the Mighty Quinn”

FishDuck Staff Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

John Giustina “Come all without, come all within . . . You’ll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn!”  -Manfred Mann A forgotten starting defensive lineman made a major impact during Oregon’s late 90’s – early 2000’s rise to fortune and fame.  A quiet leader and huge anchor to Oregon’s defensive line, this valuable defensive end speedster played a key …

Remembering Past Heroes: The Best Bowl Performances in Oregon Football History

Joey Holland History

Everyone who knows football knows the value of the team. Part of the magic of the game derives from the fact that no play works unless all eleven players are doing their respective jobs the right way at the right time. With that being said, every once in a while there are individual performances so impressive that they deserve to …

Oregon’s 2001 Postseason: Part 2

FishDuck Staff History

Just a little over ten years ago at this time, the final NCAA BCS rankings were released.  At 11-0, The Miami Hurricanes were the only undefeated team and earned the undisputed #1 ranking in each poll.  The Oregon Ducks were one of only four one-loss teams at 10-1, and had done everything right other than their difficult, heartbreaking loss at …

Revisiting the Wisconsin series: 2000-2001

FishDuck Staff History

The upcoming Rose Bowl pitting Big-10 champion Wisconsin vs. Pac-12 champion Oregon is not the first time the two teams have met.  A decade ago the Badgers and Ducks played in a home-and-home grudge match that was as bitterly fought of a series as had occurred in recent memory. With the Rose Bowl looming and the recent series tied 1-1, …

Oregon’s 2001 Postseason: Part 1

FishDuck Staff History

On December 1, 2001; the celebration was on in the pouring rain at Autzen Stadium.  Hundreds of fans swarmed the field despite the harsh weather conditions, knowing their beloved Ducks had won the undisputed Pac-10 Championship and were bowl bound.  Many had brought Tostitos Chips to celebrate the berth of the Fiesta Bowl, but all true fans had hoped for …

Decade Anniversary: Ducks win memorable 2001 Civil War

FishDuck Staff History

An entire decade ago to date, the 105th edition of the Civil War was set.  Both teams had waited weeks for this game after a long absence, as ABC had given each school one million dollars to postpone the battle for a national television audience prior to the start of the season.  Expectations for both schools were very high in …

Decade Anniversary: “Captain Comeback” and Oregon Narrowly Escape UCLA

FishDuck Staff History

An entire decade ago, the Oregon Ducks traveled to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California for their final regular season road contest against UCLA; and a chance to finish undefeated away from Autzen for the first time since 1995.  UCLA had began the season strong and nationally ranked with impressive victories over Alabama, Ohio State, and Washington.  However, they were …

Family Connections Run Deep at Oregon

FishDuck Staff Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

The Oregon Ducks football team is a family. This is something stated often, the family atmosphere that surrounds the football program and its connection to the community.  It’s an easy thing to claim, but difficult to fully comprehend until seen first-hand. It starts at the top, with the majority of the Oregon Ducks coaching staff having been a part of …

King For a Week: The 7-days Jaiya Figueras Could Do No Wrong — Part 1

FishDuck Staff Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

Part 1: Jaiya Figueras and Kenny Wheaton: Freshmen Roommates Driven to Succeed Every Oregon Duck fan can probably recite verbatim the infamous Jerry Allen call of Kenny Wheaton’s interception versus Washington in 1994, or fondly remember Joey Harrington hitting Samie Parker in stride for an 80 yard touchdown in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, or Marcus Woods flattening BYU quarterback Ty …