Rich Rodriguez bears an uncanny resemblance to the man who sold me my first car. “Creampuff,” the man said. It was a ’62 Buick Electra, purple with zebra stripe seat covers and sawdust in the transmission. Many detractors think Rodriguez has a car salesman mentality — shifty, not-to-be trusted. RichRod started his coaching career at his alma mater, West Virginia, …
Just before the 2012 Civil War, a drunk Oregon State fan stood by Reser Stadium jeering Oregon players as they entered the stadium. Maybe you’ve seen the popular No Natty You Tube video. “Son of a Bitch!” the fan yells. “No Natty! Is there a Natty up in here? Is there a Natty?” Oregon had just lost to Stanford the …
The Ducks swept the Southern California schoolc this past week, but not in football or basketball; try volleyball. Once the down dog in Pac-12 volleyball, Oregon has risen to the top of the volleyball world under the patient guidance of co-coaches Jim Moore and his wife Stacy Metro. Though Moore is nominally the head coach; in actuality, he and Metro equally …
It was just a hit, only a hit. On September 15, 1984, two teams on the rise – Oregon and Colorado – met at Autzen Stadium. In the third quarter, Buffalo TE Ed Reinhardt caught a pass over the middle, rumbled 19 yards for a first down and went down after banging into two Oregon linebackers. Even though the hit looked …
The rumors of Dana Altman’s position on the coaching hot seat may be premature. After the Ducks’ demolition of Coppin State Friday night, it appears that Altman has yet again cobbled together a good team out of returning players, transfers and freshmen. Upperclassmen Joseph Young and Elgin Cook anchor the team. Both are NBA prospects and are very, very good. …
On September 14, 2013, Oregon played Tennessee in Autzen Stadium and Duck fans were worried. A new kid, Johnny Mundt started at tight end. Colt Lyerla, the normal starter, was missing because of undisclosed “circumstances.” There was no need for the fans to worry, though, as Mundt responded to the opportunity with a breakout game: five receptions for 121 yards and …
Here’s what you need to know about the top eight contenders for the four spots in the College Football Playoff: Mississippi State University Mascot: Now called the Bulldogs. MSU players were formerly known as the Maroons. Fun Fact: MSU denies that the famous Bugs Bunny phrase, “What a Maroon,” referred to Coach Jackie Sherrill who had his team witness the …
Marcus Mariota has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes with only two interceptions this year and is well on his way to becoming the most efficient passer in NCAA history. Yes, an accomplishment worthy of celebration, but Mariota couldn’t have done it without great young receivers, including Darren Carrington, Dwayne Stanford, Charles Nelson and Devon Allen. How did these players develop into …
After Joe Walker slashed through the line to dump a Stanford Cardinal running back to the turf, the fan behind me leaned over and said, “God, I love that kid.” Yeah, a lot of other Oregon fans agree; this year, Walker has emerged as Oregon’s go-to linebacker when the Ducks face the run. Against rush-happy Stanford, he had nine tackles …
Oregon again proved why it’s one of the best cross country teams in the nation. The women’s team took first place in the meet beating their nearest rival, Stanford, by 20 points. The men came in second with Edward Cheserek claiming his second straight Pac-12 Championship. In a news release from the University of Oregon, Coach Robert Johnson said, “Overall …
Stanford Stadium, November 7th, 2013, midway through the third quarter the Cardinal are shellacking the Oregon Ducks. My old college buddy, Ming Louie, and I sit in the stands, enduring the taunts of Cardinal fans. The wine and cheese crowd have never had it so good. Earlier, the Stanford band had poked fun at the Ducks, blaring out the Darth …
Liz Brenner is a singular Duck, a once-in-a-generation athlete that excels in every competition she enters. She’s an All-American volleyball player, a 6’1″ outside hitter who led the Pac-12 last year in kills. Not only is she gifted with power and leaping ability, she is so skilled and quick that some are touting her for the libero or defensive specialist …