Oregon QB Battle Will Have Long-Term Impact

Joshua Whitted Editorials

It’s hard to overstate how impactful Oregon’s starting quarterback in 2021 will be — for better or for worse. Despite an underwhelming 2020 season, it remains true that the Ducks have a good-enough roster to compete for a Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff berth. Oregon has its flaws, but most of them aren’t detrimental. Elite quarterback play is the …

Ducks’ Football Future Will Have to Wait

Jay Garnett Editorials

For the second year in a row, much to the dismay of national pundits and a segment of the Ducks’ own fan base, Oregon‘s prolific offense will be led by a graduate transfer. With last week’s release of the two-deep depth chart, Oregon’s closely-watched quarterback battle was officially decided (for the opener, at least). Montana State’s Dakota Prukop, one of …

OL Doug Brenner on QB Jeff Lockie: “He’s Really Stepped up”

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Jordan Ingram reporting for FishDuck.com on the first day of Oregon’s spring football practice at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. After a long offseason, the Oregon Ducks football team held their first spring practice today. Many questions surround the quarterback position as Marcus Mariota‘s departure to the NFL draft has left a colossal shoes to fill. But one of several men …

“He might be the next…” Seriously?

Dave Kensler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Now that National Signing Day is over, the voices will gradually increase in both volume and number throughout every college football program with one of the most overused phrases: “He might be the next (insert name of former great player at the respective school).” Ugh! One of my favorite quotes, which has been attributed to Oscar Wilde, is: ”Be yourself; everyone …

Back to the Future: Is Ty Griffin Oregon’s Next Quarterback?

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

While Oregon fans embrace the moment and savor the success of the mighty Ducks, their worried eyes can’t help but look to the future seeking the answer to one question on everybody’s mind: Who is going to replace Marcus Mariota? From a leadership standpoint, one answer is that it may be someone from an entirely different position. Fans have already seen glimmers of …

A Duckling Profile: Taylor Alie and the Walk-on’s Dream

Lawrence Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Three years ago, Taylor Alie was a second-string high school quarterback. Last year he was fifth on the depth chart for the Oregon Ducks. This year he could be number two and heir to Marcus Mariota’s throne. Luck, combined with an infinite amount of drive and persistence, has allowed hometown hero Alie to rise from regular Eugene native to a nationally-ranked football team …

Who Succeeds Mariota?

Brandon Gruber FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Elite quarterbacks don’t grow on trees.  Look across the college football landscape and ask yourself, “What QB would I die to have?”  For me, there aren’t many. My utterly and completely unbiased opinion wants Marcus Mariota first without a doubt.  Second, I would choose Teddy Bridgewater from Louisville.  Outside of that, I could really only move a muscle for Braxton …

Comparing Marcus Mariota to One of Oregon’s All-Time Greats

Joey Holland History

“Johnny Football” may have received the most media hype among an emerging class of elite freshman quarterbacks in 2012 (deservedly so), but Marcus Mariota is arguably the most complete of the batch. The Flyin’ Hawaiian gave the Ducks a seamless transition from Darron Thomas, who had departed early for the 2012 NFL draft.  Only the third quarterback in Oregon football …

Meet Your New Ducks: At QB, Next Man Up Isn’t a Problem

Joe Packer FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Ever wonder what would happen to Oregon’s glorious offense if our starting quarterback went down due to injury?  Unfortunately, most Duck fans will recall the 2007 season in which Heisman Trophy favorite Dennis Dixon tore his ACL on a routine read-option play shortly after a 60-yard scamper down the sideline for a touchdown.  There went the season, the national championship, …

Meet Your New Ducks: Mariota Tears ACL? No Sweat

Joe Packer FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With the recent departure of Bryan Bennett, Duck fans must be wondering, “Who’s our backup now?”  Well, right now most of the media is pointing fingers towards redshirt freshman Jake Rodrigues and that the backup position is his to lose over fellow redshirt freshman Jeff Lockie (the guy who held up all those bizarre “play call signs” between snaps). Rodrigues committed …