My Best Fish (Duck) Story — and Closing Memoir

Josh White For the Fans

I’ll never forget the date: Oct. 10, 2011. I remember feeling completely lost, staring into my computer screen for literally hours. You see, I had my first post due for something called “FishDuck.com” at 3 a.m. the next morning. And, while I had been able to come up with a topic and the basis of what I wanted to say in …

Position Change Makes Johnathan Loyd One Rare Duck

Josh White FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

If there are any Duck fans out there still skeptical or on the fence about Johnathan Loyd’s place in Oregon Duck athletic history, Dana Altman’s first recruit just gave you another reason to get on board. Already the winningest player in the long history of Oregon Basketball, Loyd, like so many of the Oregon fans this time of year, has …

Huge Civil War Vaults Thomas Tyner to Elite Status

Josh White FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Expectations.  Prior to this football season, expectations for Oregon’s true freshman running back Thomas Tyner were sky high.  Probably as high as any first year player in Ducks’ history. Before committing to the in-state Ducks, Tyner had demolished an array of school and state records at Aloha High School.  Some of these included: over 3,400 yards rushing, 11.1 yards per …

Duck Football 6-Pack: Oregon’s BIG receivers

Josh White FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Photos courtesy of Kevin Cline In most of the close games and eventual losses during the Chip Kelly era, a common theme seemed to surface consistently.  An opposing team that was able to slow the run game enough force the Ducks to throw would sometimes find that Oregon couldn’t. The 2012 game against Stanford aside, we saw opposing teams like …

Are the Ducks in for a Letdown Season?

Don Gilman FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

On paper, this Oregon Ducks football team looks strong. Marcus Mariota, DeAnthony Thomas and Josh Huff all return as starters. The offensive line looks tough, as does the defensive secondary. In fact, there isn’t a single position that looks particularly weak, yet there are some vulnerabilities that should be troublesome to Duck fans. One of the issues Oregon fans should …

Can De’Anthony Thomas Survive As the Every-Down Back?

Victor Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

De’Anthony Thomas almost went to USC, but he eventually chose Oregon and has helped the team win two straight BCS bowls.  The Trojans have lost a combined eight games these past two seasons.  The Ducks have lost seven games since 2009. Those three sentences aren’t intended to be rubbed in the faces of USC fans (ok, they kind of are) …

Oregon’s Top Five Breakout Players for 2013

Sam Arney FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Welcome back my feathered friends! With the heat rising to 116+ for almost all of last week in my city in the desert, I have been inside.  Enjoying the nice cool breeze from my air conditioner, peering out the smallest crack of the blinds to watch the sweaty people go about their days, and tearing my hair out deciding who …

Oregon’s Dominance Prevented Marcus Mariota From Being a 2012 Heisman Finalist

Victor Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Marcus Mariota’s omission from the Heisman finalist group last season wasn’t the biggest travesty in world history, but he definitely should have been there. In fact, he played just as well as Heisman winner Johnny Manziel. Unfortunately, two things – both out of his control – prevented Mariota from getting the Heisman finalist spot he deserved: the team he played …

2013 Ten Most Important Players, No. 1-5

Sam Arney FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Welcome back for the second of my two part segment.  The wait is now over as I release my top five most important players for the upcoming season.  I know many of you will have differing opinions on who should be in the top five and where they should be ranked.  Keep in mind that this is my opinion as …

The Ten Most Influential Plays of the Last Ten Seasons: #5-1

Nathan Roholt History

In case you missed Part 1, read it here.  To read the list in its entirety, go here. Before we get to plays #5-1, here are some plays that just missed the list: Honorable Mention: Kenjon Barner’s punt return fumble against LSU (2011): The play had a heavy impact on the game (as well as Tyrann Mathieu’s career), but had …

“Little Brother” Thinks They Have A Chance!

Sam Arney FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Courtesy of Kevin Cline Photography I recently read that many pundits think the Oregon State Beavers might actually be a contender; not just in the Pac-12 North, but in the Pac-12 in general.  I have also heard this same statement from many of my friends who are Beaver fans.  To my friends I must nod politely while trying not to smile and …

The Day the Webfoots Broke 100 Points

Joey Holland History

We all know the Ducks are capable of posting ridiculous offensive numbers.  However, one thing the team has yet to accomplish in the modern era is entering the realm of triple digits. Recently, Oregon has gained national attention for its explosive, high-scoring offense.  Over the last three years, the team has averaged nearly 50 points per game on the way …