Kenny Who? Bassett Could be a New Face in RB Rotation

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

While watching Oregon’s game with Washington on Saturday, two questions burned in my head. Firstly, why was Royce Freeman getting so many carries? Second, why was Kenny Bassett, No. 31, getting a significant number of carries? Where the heck were Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner? The final game stats showed Freeman getting a majority of the work load with 29 …

Mark Helfrich Optimistic About Direction of Program and Royce Freeman

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Mark Helfrich believes Oregon is headed in the right direction. Oregon performed well against Washington, but what was so notable was the giant leap they made in their most needed area of improvement: run D. Over the last two games, our run defense had been giving up an average of 268 yards/game, and last night they came out and held UW …

Hate week is just another week according to Helfrich

Omar Garibay FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

In a interview with Ashley Young of Fishduck.com on Thursday, Coach Helfrich talked about this week’s game. This Saturday’s matchup against the Washington Huskies will prove to be a challenge for Oregon. After holding their own against UCLA last Saturday, Oregon’s offensive line will have to top that performance this weekend. Washington’s defense, which is led by linebacker Shaq Thompson …

Recruiting Update: Five Stars A-Plenty

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting Offers Increasingly popular for the Ducks coaching staff, the JUCO recruiting trail is once again heating up. Last week, defensive end Jeremiah Mitchell (2-Star/Riverside, CA) received an Oregon offer and immediately took notice. “I’m interested in the offer for sure,” said Mitchell. “I definitely want to visit Oregon and check it out. I’m going to talk to coach …

Mike Merrell’s Three-and-Out: Damnation, Redemption and Hope

Mike Merrell FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Since the previous week featured so much condemnation and in-fighting among Duck fans, a win over a ranked UCLA team was just what the doctor ordered to settle down some heated feelings. It appears that it isn’t just Duck fans who have trouble getting along when their team is losing. UCLA coach Jim Mora blessed us with quite a show …

Recruiting Update: Oregon Lurking Deep in the South

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting Commitments Following Thursday’s events, Oregon garnered an off-field victory with the commitment of defensive end Gus Cumberlander (3-Star/Ellenwood, GA). “When I got there the coaches treated me like family,” said Cumberlander. “The coaches were amazing and the fans, it was all I expected … it assured me of my decision by how the coaches responded. They were amazing.” …

Mike Merrell’s Three-and-Out: Chin Up, Campers!

Mike Merrell FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Besides being disappointing to those who came out on the short side of the upset stick, this weekend had to wreak havoc with the playoff selection committee members’ digestive systems. At this point in the season it is hard to imagine that four teams are going to distinguish themselves as being truly above the rest. Settling it on the field …

What We Learned: Comedy, Tragedy, and The Coliseum

Josh Hall FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

I ask you, college football fans around the country, “Are you not entertained?” Storied programs fell this first week of October like a game of bingo at a retirement home; painfully slow at first, then all at once as shouts rose across the empty space filled with stale air and quiet resignation. Success Breeds The Upset This day of overthrowing …

Ducks Success Hangs in the Balance

Alex Towne FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm, and harmony.” – Thomas Merton After attending college for three years now and absorbing as much enlightening knowledge as a naive 21-year-old is capable of, I feel that I can say one thing for sure. Life is about balance. Balance of work and play. Health and vices. Pleasure …

Recruiting Update: A Brutal Hook

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting News There’s something to be said about the concept of family pedigree in the world of sports. Oregon’s newest target on the recruiting trail has quite the strain of athleticism running through his roots, even if it’s not readily known on the gridiron. Running back Elijah Holyfield (4-Star/College Park, GA/Rivals250) may be the next in a long line …

Pac-12 Conference Update: Sit Back and Relax

Steven Holstad FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Another college football weekend in is the books, and although there was a lack of big time ranked teams going against one another, the weekend provided some real drama. Oregon Ducks The Oregon Ducks were idle this week, and retained their No. 2 ranking in the AP poll. They now prepare for the University of Arizona Wildcats in a “pay-back” game on …

Three Elements of Success in College Football That Nobody Talks About

Alex Kirby Analysis

Athletic directors at major schools all over the country are paid handsomely to know what makes a great college football coach, yet time and time again we see coaches fail — sometimes spectacularly — to bring success and a winning attitude to campus. So what’s the answer? Is it recruiting ability, X’s and O’s, enthusiasm, or something else? Some coaches …