Perspective Key to Oregon’s Success

Nathan Roholt Editorials

How a season is viewed is all a matter of perspective. Regardless of achievement or outcome, if expectations are not met, it is viewed as a disappointment. Conversely, if the result exceeds expectations, it is viewed as a success. More importantly, when those successes and failures happen is just as relevant to their perception as whether or not they happen …

Trojans’ Coach Helton: “It Was Not a Good Day For Us.”

Mark Saltveit History

The Oregon Ducks destroyed the Trojans 48-28 in bitterly cold, sunny weather today at a packed Autzen. RB Royce Freeman ran wild for 147 yards, but USC’s players and coaches had one explanation for the reason why: Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams, Jr. The Eastern Washington transfer threw for 313 yards, completing 14 of 17 passes for 4 TDs and an interception …

Why Oregon, Underdogs, and the Pac12 Need a Four-Round National Playoff

Matt Bryant Editorials

Vernon Adams is a ringer. NFL scouts are stalking DeForest Buckner. His defense is creating turn-overs now and gets the ball back to Adams. Does anyone really think that the 2015 Ducks aren’t a top 5 team if Adams had stayed healthy? A five-fingered Adams completes the 4th-quarter pass to Byron Marshall against Michigan State. That’s a rematch Adams deserves. But …

Dispelling the Myth of Time of Possession

Joey Holland History

College football’s proverbial cool kids were so ready to get rid of Oregon with Marcus Mariota out of the picture. The Ducks sat at 3-3 midway through the season. At that point, many were ready to attribute the success the Ducks have had for the better part of the decade up to an offensive system that had finally been figured …

How to Stop the Talented Trojans

Rory Davidson Analysis

Ok, so I’m just going to keep doubting the Ducks. That’ll mean that they keep winning … right? No, in all honesty, this is why I love and hate college football! It’s so maddening that the Ducks are playing as well as they are now. This means that they clearly should not be 7-3 whatever the reason: injuries, bad play …

Recruiting Update: Ryan Kelley — Worth the Hype?

Mark Flores Recruiting

News Oregon has its quarterback of the future in the class of 2017 member Ryan Kelley (4-Star/Chandler, Ariz./Rivals250). Perhaps the most hyped passer to come to Oregon in the last two decades, Kelley is the type of prep who could make an immediate impact as a true freshman. Kelley has been a student of numerous quarterback coaches, but none more …

Paybacks — That Was For 2012: Ducks Play Spoiler to Cardinal Playoff Hopes

Nathan Roholt Editorials

When the College Football Playoff rankings were released last Tuesday, one-loss Notre Dame found itself among the top five, creating a stir, as the Fighting Irish were ranked higher than eight undefeated and all one-loss teams, except Alabama. The inevitable, and pointlessly early arguments about Notre Dame’s ranking soon began to bubble and squeak, ignoring the fact that these debates tend …

Are We Entitled? Is That a Bad Thing?

Kim Hastings Humor

“Entitled.” Some people use it a weapon when discussing fan behavior. Sort of a “drop-the-mic and declare victory” moment. Critical of the defense? “Oh, you’re entitled.” Critical of the coaching? “You should lose your entitlement attitude.” Disappointed over a season seemingly topping out with a minor pre-New Year’s Day Bowl? “You must be” — *fill in the blank* — “entitled, …

How to Chop Down the Surging Cardinal

Rory Davidson Analysis

Since the beginning of the Pac-12, the North division, crown has gone through Eugene or Palo Alto. This year is no different. Stanford has the fast track to the title game, but the Ducks are rolling as of late and are hungry to keep their Pac-12 title hopes alive. Last year, the roles were reversed; the Cardinal were having a disappointing …

Recruiting Update: Frost Going After JUCO QB?

Mark Flores Recruiting

News Oregon took a major step in honing its 2016 recruiting class with four early signatures coming by way of wide receiver receiver Dillon Mitchell (4-Star/Memphis, Tenn.), linebacker Eric Briscoe (3-Star/Yakima, Wash.), drop-end Hunter Kampmoyer (3-Star/Bishop, Calif.) and offensive guard Jacob Capra (3-Star/Auburn, Calif.). All four preps have agreed to financial aid clauses and solidified their statuses as Men of Oregon. …

Disaster Averted, New Hope Begins

Nathan Roholt Editorials

A lot can happen in three games. Three games ago, Oregon’s season appeared on the brink of disaster. The Ducks were perched at 3-3, and had just lost at home to Washington State, making FCS Portland State the only team from the state of Oregon to beat the Cougars this year. If Oregon couldn’t beat Washington State, who could they beat? Were …

Eddie Pleasant: Formerly Undrafted Safety Finds Home in Houston

Caleb Couturie Editorials

This is a slightly shorter version of a full interview conducted with Eddie Pleasant. To read the full story, please visit Game On’s blog. Nothing came easy for Eddie Pleasant. The former Oregon Duck spent the first six years of his life growing up in Compton, one of Los Angeles’ toughest ghettos. But when Pleasant discovered his talent in football, he decided …