(Not) The Negative One(s)

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

“It’s a crisis just how you like it. The same drama in a different disguise. I’m bound to walk with a target on my back. At least I’m ready for another attack.” “The Negative One” -Slipknot So outside of football I also rather enjoy heavy metal so these lyrics from Slipknot’s new album made me chuckle while reading about how …

If Oregon Doesn’t Give Don Pellum a Raise, Could He Leave?

Jason Selby FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It was reported by 247sports two days ago that LSU might have some vested interest in Oregon Defensive Coordinator Don Pellum. While Duck fans should not worry about Pellum making any decision in the very near future (he is obviously focused 100% on Ohio State right now), should we be worried about Pellum leaving after the season is over? Coach Pellum has been …

“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 …

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 …

Recruiting Update: Oregon Gives Southern Castoff Wings

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting News On the heels of what was Oregon’s second biggest win in school history (next Monday…), the Ducks received a verbal commitment from standout junior college jack-of-all-trades Paris Bostick (NR/Tampa, FL). The former Georgia Bulldog opted to transfer after his recruited position, rover, was no longer a sole option after a coaching change. “It was a football decision,” said Bostick. …

Five Reasons Our Ducks Will Dominate the Buckeyes

McKalie Bellew FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Fans, we are six days away from the biggest game of our season and our Ducks are the talk of the town… everywhere. We will face the Ohio State Buckeyes, who defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to advance to the title game. I watched the Ohio State game and give them props as they played a good game. I have heard …

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 …

Rose Bowl Exposes Lies; Jimbo and Jameis in Person

Mike Merrell FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Mike Merrell’s Three-and-Out The 101st Rose Bowl was in the books. Most of the press had not yet made it to the room for the post-game conferences, so I greedily claimed a front-row seat, wanting to be as close as possible to those whom I viewed as the biggest villains in college football: Jimbo Fisher and Jameis Winston. I couldn’t …

Ducks Finally Discard Their “Soft” Label

Omar Garibay FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s been talked about quite a bit in recent years, and critics have always found a way to disregard Oregon’s accomplishments. Sure, as far as overall team success is concerned, the Ducks have been one of the most successful college football programs in the nation since 2009, but their inability to win a national championship has led to skepticism. Some …

Thursday Reaction: Ducks Appear Unstoppable

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Score, force a turnover, repeat. That seemed to be the game plan in what was perhaps the most exciting, yet simultaneously shocking, half of football I’ve ever seen in my young life. The Ducks steamrolled Florida State, utilizing a second half where Oregon scored 34 unanswered points and FSU turned the ball over on five of six straight drives. It was …

Oregon vs Florida State: 200 is the Magic Number

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

At 2 p.m. today, the Ducks will play in the 101st Rose Bowl game against the Florida State Seminoles. “The Granddaddy Of Them All” has multiple storylines this year: a matchup of Heisman winners in Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, traditional powerhouse Florida State facing off against the modern day power Oregon, east coast vs west coast, the come-from-behind Seminoles …