Spring football games are usually yawners, but Oregon’s annual rite was interesting in many places and actually exciting in others. Heisman candidate quarterback Justin Herbert was not at his best, but was impressive at times: throwing accurate strikes on deep sideline and hook routes, but missing a couple of deep balls that need to be completed in the fall if …
In hindsight, it was inevitable. New head coach Mario Cristobal and the Oregon Ducks would be distracted by the two weeks of turmoil surrounding the departure of former coach Willie Taggart. But it was hard to understand the entirety of such a lackluster effort in losing to Boise State 38-28 in the Las Vegas Bowl. Before the game, ESPN ran a graphic showing what the …
Eugene and Duck fans are wallowing in shock, anger and despair with the departure of head football coach Willie Taggart. Right now the future of Oregon football as a major player rests in the hands of the athletic director, who was taken to the shed by the one-and-done coach. Rob Mullen’s announcement that co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Mario …
First-year coach Willie Taggart got with the spirit of the 121st Civil War and personally led the Ducks to a 69-10 massacre over the hapless Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium. Taggart had no pity on OSU, even calling a time out right before halftime to ice a kicker who was attempting a 47-yard field goal with the Beavers down, …
In one of the most complete games played by an Oregon defense in years, Jim Leavitt’s defensive unit put the kybosh on the most explosive player and team in the Pac-12, and Duck quarterback Justin Herbert returned to action prompting a surge of adrenaline that awoke a somnolent offense for a 48-28 Dad’s Day win over Arizona. The win gave …
Last week, the Ducks came to Seattle to play tough, hard-nosed football and scored on their first possession for a 3-0 lead. After stopping the Huskies on their next possession, they marched down the field only to fumble on UW’s 16-yard line. This mistake was the first of many to follow that would undo the Ducks, mistakes they could not …
After a five-week glimpse of medieval offensive football, many Oregon fans are looking forward to quarterback Justin Herbert’s return at the helm of the Ducks offensive. The latest indignity was a 38-3 thrashing at the hands of Washington that conjured up visions of last year’s 70-21 humiliation. In both years, Huskies coach Chris Petersen mercifully called off the players in the …
After disposing of Utah 41-20, the Ducks travel to Seattle and take on highly-ranked Washington, boasting a defense that is coming of age. Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt and a staff of energetic, talented coaches have transformed a corpse into a fighting defense worthy of respect in the Pac-12. Despite inexperience, and in some instances limited athleticism, coaches have molded the …
Coach Willie Taggart has shown remarkable restraint on the sidelines the past three games, all defeats for his Ducks, who have gone down under a flurry of penalty flags, missed assignments and classic gaffes that border on insubordination and attention deficit disorder. Against UCLA, Oregon fell behind quickly 14-0, but worked their way back into the game to tie at …
Since the loss of quarterback Justin Herbert, long-suffering Duck fans have watched Oregon’s offense curl up and wither. Still “PTSD’d” from the Alamo Bowl two years ago, it has blurred the brighter, optimistic future that was on the horizon. After Braxton Burmeister threw two interceptions, Coach Willie Taggart threw away his pass play sheet and decided he would attempt a comeback …
Oregon, behind backup quarterback Braxton Burmeister, hung with the Washington State Cougars for three quarters but subsequently went down, 33-10, a score that might have been 49-10 if it weren’t for stellar play by the Duck defense. Burmeister wasn’t given much of a game plan by coach Willie Taggart, but that may not have mattered based on the poor play …
Coach Willie Taggart notched his first Pac-12 conference win behind a strong push from not only a much-maligned offensive line and a fierce pass rush from an improving defense, but also a host of capable replacements who were thrown into action after a succession of key injuries cast a pall on the Autzen Stadium crowd. Going into Saturday’s key match-up with unbeaten Washington State …