The keys to the game are different for this one. An Oregon loss is so unlikely, given the dismal state of the Colorado football program, which is a walking MASH unit at 1-6, that this game is more about what the Ducks achieve and accomplish to push forward in their season. The old coaching cliche is true; this mile-high massacre …
Encore to Desert Miracle: Similar Pull-off in Palouse, 11-4-2000
Following the 2000 “Desert Miracle” victory over Arizona State, the high-flying Oregon Ducks were now soaring solo atop the Pac-10 standings. A week later on November 4, 2000; Oregon traveled to Pullman, Washington for a date with Washington State. Coming off a natural high following a miraculous win over the Arizona State Sun Devils, Oregon remained the only unbeaten team …
Sweet Revenge: Oregon upsets BYU, Detmer in 1990.
It was a momentous day in Autzen Stadium history. Televisions nationwide tuned in to see the carnage ensue, expecting #4 BYU to showcase their dominance over the up-and-comers Oregon in sleepy Eugene, OR. But what they got was something far different, as what should have been a celebratory time in the spotlight for BYU’s superstar quarterback Ty Detmer instead became …
The future isn’t written: that’s why college football is so compelling
Every season has its rhythm and plot lines, its unexpected twists and turns, moments of glory and disbelief. There’s the seemingly overwhelming adversity and miracles of belief. There is triumph, pleasure and disappointment. Few seasons are perfect, but perfection is always an elusive possibility. The Ducks came damn close a couple of times. And they’ve shot themselves in the foot …
Bennett sparks Ducks by Sun Devils
Going into Saturday night’s showdown with Arizona State, the Oregon Ducks knew they would be without LaMichael James, their All-American running back. Halfway into a locked battle with the Sun Devils at Autzen Stadium, they found they would have to carry on without star quarterback Darron Thomas, too. Missing their two top playmakers, facing a 24-21 deficit, could things have …
Ducks, Arizona State also squaring off in the recruiting sweepstakes
Oregon has special guests in town for the Arizona State game, and the fans in Autzen Stadium have a terrific chance to make a great first impression on them. For tomorrow night’s ESPN telecast, Oregon will have seven of the top recruits in the country in attendance, gamebreaking players that could be difference makers in the seasons to come, each …
Decade ago: Cal No Match for Oregon’s Fiesta Bowl Run
Exactly a decade ago to date, Oregon travelled to Berkeley to take on the California Golden Bears on a warm 78 degree afternoon in Strawberry Canyon. The high-flying #5 Ducks were 5-0 and coming off a huge win at Arizona, while the deflated Bears were sitting at the cellar of the Pac-10 at 0-5 and just looking for a win. …
Miracle in the Desert: Oregon beats ASU in double overtime (2000)
It was one of those days where by the end the masses can do little more than shrug and lament, “what else could possibly happen?” A game where the improbable and unfathomable becomes commonplace, where those who walked out early would regret it for a lifetime. A game that would be talked about for years to come, and for those …
Tales from the stat sheet: a reason for Duck fans to be concerned about the ASU game
Turnovers are a can of football whup-ass. They are psychologically demoralizing and statistically devastating. Les Miles thinks it’s the most significant statistic to predict victory. The Mad Hatter’s football sanity is often questioned, but one thing remains certain: you can’t score without the ball, either by keeping it or taking it away. Turnovers deflate the crowd, demoralize the sideline and …
LaMichael James, a Legend, Goes Down
Never has Autzen been so quiet. Never so somber. As Oregon Duck star running back LaMichael James rolled back and forth on the ground near the west end zone on Thursday night, his elbow a complete mess, the 58,796 on hand for the California game did some squirming of their own. The tortuous image of James’ arm bending backwards was …
Grading the Ducks, Cal at Oregon
Each week at my other Duck football website, The Duck Stops Here, we identify our keys to game prior to each Oregon matchup. Here’s a look at Oregon’s grades in game 5. Give LaMichael James a chance to be great James had a Heisman-worthy game with 30 carries for 239 yards, and the fat kids living the dream paved the …
The Era of the Oregon Transfer Running Back
As programs look to fill their rosters with new recruits, every year inevitably teams ponder whether or not to consider adding transfers to their ranks. Some come from junior colleges, some from other schools. Sometimes it is due to academics, or disciplinary reasons, or the opportunity for playing time that makes student-athletes pursue alternate choices in their education and football …
