Calling 9-1-1: A Quack For Help in the Pac-12

Jon Joseph Editorials 1 Comment

“What’s that you say? ‘Jackie Robinson, Johnny Wooden and McKay have gone away’? Hey, hey, hey!” B-r-r-r-ing! “9-1-1.” “Quaaaaaack!” It’s Poor Puddles calling to report animal abuse. Our fine-feathered friend has been whipped, spurred and ridden so hard by Trojans, Cougars, Huskies, Sun Devils, Beavers, Wildcats, Utes, Bears (both Golden and Bruin), and even two-ton Ralphie, that he is starting …

The New Oregon Defense: Quarters Coverage

Coach Eric Boles Analysis 23 Comments

New Oregon Duck defensive coordinator Andy Avalos prefers that his defense stay multiple and mix up its coverages, but quarters coverage may be his most dependable scheme on the back end. Avalos plays quarters in a more aggressive fashion, allowing his corners to play closer to the line of scrimmage in order to jam receivers and knock them off their routes …

Taking a Pulse Check on Oregon’s Top Recruiting Targets

Joshua Whitted Recruiting 56 Comments

It’s hard to believe that this is supposed to be a relatively quiet time of the year for Oregon recruiting. It’s the evaluation period, so the Ducks are able to send 10 of their assistant coaches to visit the prospects of their choice. Of course, things have been anything but quiet. Top-100 quarterback Jay Butterfield and former top-50 defensive back …

Calvin Throckmorton: The Epitome of a Student Athlete

Charles Gearing Editorials 19 Comments

For an offensive lineman, going unnoticed typically means that you’re doing your job. I’m sure Oregon offensive tackle Calvin Throckmorton is perfectly content living in anonymity and keeping feisty defenders away from his star quarterback. But Throckmorton deserves more than just a tap on the helmet from his running back after he opens up a gaping hole for him to …

Mario Cristobal Is Changing the Game

AJ Costilla Editorials 57 Comments

In 2008, Chip Kelly created the “Blur Offense,” the likes of which had never been seen. Not only did Kelly’s system propel the Ducks to championship-level heights, but it left a major mark on the entire college football landscape. Today, nearly every team uses some form of up-tempo offense, largely due to the success of Kelly’s Ducks. Now, a decade post-Chip, …

Pac-12 South Division: WORST in the Power Five?

Mike Merrell Editorials 24 Comments

Everywhere you look, you see another article about how the Pac-12 sucks. But this isn’t about the entire Pac-12. The Pac-12 North has nothing to be embarrassed about, at least not in the high-profile worlds of football and basketball. Five of the six Pac-12 North members made bowl games this academic year, and three of them won. Going 3-2 in …

Three Players You Should Be Thinking About in 2019

Cameron Johansson Editorials 18 Comments

The 2019 Oregon Ducks football season has already generated a lot of hype, and it’s only May. During the offseason, Coach Mario Cristobal was out to secure a top-10 recruiting class, headlined by recruits such as Kayvon Thibodeaux and Mykael Wright. Quarterback Justin Herbert and linebacker Troy Dye are also returning for their senior seasons. With the returning seniors and …

Could a “Minor” Coaching Hire Save the Oregon Offense?

Darren Perkins Editorials 107 Comments

The offensive coaching staff was the biggest disappointment of the Ducks’ 2018 season. Some of you will hem and haw and throw out lame excuses like, “they need time to adjust to a new system,” or, “the wide receivers were sub-par,” or even, “a coach needs four years to get his system in place.” You get four years when you’re …

Oregon’s Poised to Land a Big-Time Transfer

Joshua Whitted Recruiting 37 Comments

What if I told you that the Ducks aren’t finished adding pieces to their program-best, seventh-ranked 2019 recruiting class? While most of the news has revolved around the Ducks’ 2020 class, an elite 2019 prospect has re-entered the fold. Four-star cornerback* Chris Steele is back on the market, entering his name in the transfer portal after enrolling at Florida earlier …