Now that it’s official, and Coach Andy Avalos is set to become the new head coach of Boise State, I first want to thank him for his two seasons as the Oregon Ducks’ defensive coordinator. Coach Avalos took the Oregon defense to heights that it had not seen in quite some time, all within a couple years. Congratulations, Coach Avalos. It …
The No. 17 Oregon Ducks men’s basketball team didn’t play bad on the road on Thursday afternoon against the Colorado Buffaloes (12-2, 1-0 Pac-12). In fact, the Ducks (8-2, 3-1) had pretty decent performances from the usual suspects — Chris Duarte led with 27 points, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks; Eugene Omoruyi scored 18 points and grabbed six …
Something simply doesn’t add up. There’s a pretty simple formula to winning in college football, and it starts with getting better players than everybody else. There are other factors needed to build a consistently good program, but bringing in top-tier talent is believed to be the most important. Oregon has done that better than just about any other Pac-12 program …
The Oregon Women’s basketball team is coming off their first loss of the season, and their first loss in 27 games, to PAC-12 opponent UCLA. In what was a hard fought game, the Ducks had multiple opportunities at the end to either tie or take the lead, but came up just short 74-72. At times in that game the youth …
Dear Mario Cristobal, I, like many Duck fans, have appreciated the recruiting revolution and the defensive reinvigoration brought during your tenure. The back-to-back Pac-12 Championships are a major step accomplishment for an Oregon program that bottomed out in 2016. It has been a fast rebuild back to the top of the Pac-12, and for that we are appreciative. There is …
In the painful last month of football for Our Beloved Ducks, it’s been tough to see the bright spots in some bleak, bleak team performances. Rotating quarterbacks, disastrous special teams mistakes, losing fumbles and confidence all culminated the season on a dissonant note falling on the collective deaf ears of Oregon fans. But there were some welcome surprises in these …
Another year, another coordinator search. The idea of replacing coordinators every two or three years isn’t an enjoyable one for most Ducks fans, as they long for the days of decades-long staff continuity, but it’s the reality of having a great staff. Coach Mario Cristobal has done a tremendous job building Oregon’s staff. These coaches aren’t leaving the program for …
34-17. That was the score Iowa State piled on the hapless Oregon Ducks in the 50th Fiesta Bowl. Oregon could do no right, gifting the Cyclones 4 extra possessions, while allowing them to possess the ball for over 70 percent of the game while rushing for 228 yards. Contenders aren’t built overnight, or in one offseason. Oregon has to travel …
Say it, and say it loud: 2020 Pac-12 Champions! With as bad a year as this could be in so many ways, Our Beloved Ducks still pulled off a conference championship among so many unforeseen challenges? Yes, Washington fans assert that Oregon backed into the Championship game, but only because they backed out of a rivalry game with Oregon due to …
It has only lasted for six games, but the Tyler Shough era at Oregon is in serious jeopardy of reaching an abrupt end. Fans had high expectations for the sophomore quarterback entering the 2020 season. All indications were that he had the talent and potential to pick up right where Justin Herbert left off, especially with a better and more …
OK, the Wizard’s crystal ball has suffered a few cracks since the Wizard went public. I’m starting to feel odd, fellows. Mr. FishDuck called on me to come forth with my picks. Since coming out of the dark, I have gone 2-3 in week one and 2-2 this last week. Apparently, I do better as a mushroom? In the dark, …
This year was marked by an underachieving defense from the outset. However, it is worth reiterating that a great deal of the defense’s underachievement came as the result of Jevon Holland, Brady Breeze and Thomas Graham opting out. At the end of the season, though, we can say that this is the start of a new era for Oregon’s defense. Mario …
