As part of a new tradition on this site–we have an article published soon after the game to simply allow us to discuss it in the comments. I began this after the Washington game for the first time in seven years, and it is highly participated in and now a part of what we do. We will continue after football season having a “Ponder-Point” article on Sundays, that invite your feedback.
Another aspect of these new Saturday/Sunday articles is how I don’t have game photos yet, and I insert cheerleader photos from the present and the past. We don’t feature cheerleader photos very often at all anymore and I thought it would be fun to have the upbeat atmosphere available for all after these 2018 games. For those who object–this cheerleader photo feature won’t go on forever… Charles
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In the morning paper in Eugene–Coach Mario Cristobal spoke of the strategy (he acknowledged from the SEC) of pounding it for the short gains early in the game, and how it will wear down the defensive line to pop the bigger run plays later in the game–like the 50+ gain of Tony Brooks-James against UCLA.
A pensive cheerleader…
The challenge I see with that strategy in the Pac-12, is how those short gains put you behind the sticks and guarantees 3rd and long passing situations more often than you would prefer. It sets up the opponent pass rush as we have seen…
WHAT Did I Just See???
Holy Toledo. With about 2:20 left in the first half … Oregon ran an Outside Zone Read from the old offense! It was in the old Shotgun formation with (where the running back is offset) the backside zone read of the defensive end who was unblocked, and thus adding an extra blocker on the playside. It went for ten yards, although it got stuffed on the next play going to the other side. Is Cristobal messing with me?
In the second half–you saw triple the number of Shotgun versus Pistol plays, and Pac-12 analyst Yogi Roth pointed out the change and how it opened things up with the offense. That modest beginning was the most successful Oregon has run outside all season! It is just a start, so perhaps Coach Cristobal is starting to have his own Epiphany?
Roth was trying to pump up support for Oregon OC Marcus Arroyo, but our scoring average in Pac-12 play is not enough to beat good teams, let alone a freshman quarterback in his first start. Again–let’s start the discussion in the comments below the article as before and let’s ponder what we saw against Utah through the weekend. I want to hear from everyone, and that includes both the proponents and opponents of what this coaching staff is doing.
“Oh how we love to discuss our Beloved Ducks!”
Charles Fischer (FishDuck)
Eugene, Oregon
Top Photo by Kevin Cline
For those visiting the site for the first time–we want everyone’s comments below, but do know we are strict with our rules. We are the only Oregon site that insists upon civilized discussion; state your case as we welcome all opinions and discussions, but we must be polite to each other.
“No insults, no belittling, no name-calling and even a back-handed compliment will be deleted. Do it a second time and not only will the comment will be deleted, but you will be banned/blacklisted from commenting ever again on this site.” Charles Fischer
Charles Fischer has been an intense fan of the Ducks, a season ticket holder at Autzen Stadium for 35 years and has written reports on football boards for over 23 years. Known as “FishDuck” on those boards, he is acknowledged for providing intense detail in his scrimmage reports and in his Xs and Os play analyses. He and his wife Lois, have a daughter Christine, reside in Eugene Oregon, where he was a Financial Advisor for 36 years and now focuses full-time on Charitable Planned Giving Workshops for churches and non-profit organizations.
He does not profess to be a coach or analyst, but simply a “hack” that enjoys sharing what he has learned and invites others to correct or add to this body of Oregon Football! See More…
