Here’s what we know about the 2013 version of Oregon’s defensive line (Hart, Keliikipi, Heimuli, Armstead, Buckner): the group is likely top-ten nationally. Here’s what we know about the 2013 version of Oregon’s defensive backfield (Ifo, Patterson, Mitchell, Hill, Jackson, Dargan): the group is likely top-five nationally. Here’s what we know about the 2013 version of Oregon’s middle linebacking group …
Special Teams Analysis: It Starts With A Kick!
Let’s face it – the game we love to watch and learn about starts with a position that we love to hate and hate to love, and that’s the kicker. The kicker is rarely thought of unless the game comes down to the final seconds and he is called on to either be the hero or the goat. My goal in …
The Oregon Game Plans: Kelly or Helfrich?
You knew this discussion had to begin: who WAS primarily responsible for the game plan and play calling on the field? I thought it critical because I developed a checklist of what we needed Chip’s replacement to be skilled at, and the only item on the list unresolved was GAME-PLANNING. I have detailed the unique attacks that Oregon has unleashed …
Referee Analysis: The Stanford Debacle
Larry Scott knew he had a problem. If he didn’t know it when he took the job in 2009, he certainly knew it when he brought in former NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira in 2011 to fix it. His referees sucked, to put it bluntly, and it was the one of the key obstacles in harnessing the growth potential …
Oregon Has A Counter Play After All!
Read, react, adjust: that’s probably the fastest way to summarize the inner mechanisms of Oregon’s increasingly deceptive and effective play calling. With defenses constantly finding new ways to attack and defend the Duck offense, reading each scheme and then reacting to the defenders is hard enough on every down; but what Oregon fans have learned over the past four years …
Is Oregon Adding a Tight End Twist?
We veterans of Oregon football are accustomed to the usual movements within the Inside and Outside Zone Read play and their blocking schemes. Yet in the Fiesta Bowl we ran something unusual with our tight end…. a twist within our Zone Read plays? How did it work and what were the results? Will we see it again? These are great …
Oregon Special Teams Analysis: Swinging What?
How does Oregon get so many two point conversions? We have a variety of plays that we have used over the years on extra points, and the Swinging Gate Formation is just one of the reasons Oregon puts the “Special” in special teams. In every aspect of Oregon football we can see an attack style mentality, including after we score …
Aliotti’s Zone Coverages Keep Wildcats’ Pass Game in the Kitty Carrier
In the Fiesta Bowl, even though the Ducks began closing down the running game in the first half, Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein piled up short completions to his receivers, most notably former Duck Chris Harper. As the Cats converted first downs via short completions again and again in the first half, I could almost hear the collective groan from Duck fans: …
Ducks Zone Blitz Attack De-Claws the ‘Cats Deep Passing Game
Early in the Fiesta Bowl, Collin Klein and the Kansas State offense had success with short throws to help put together some lengthy drives. My article last week described how the Duck defense stuffed the K-State option game when it counted in the first half, helping Oregon score three unanswered times to build a comfortable lead. Once the Ducks began piling on points, …
How Oregon Stuffed “Optimus” Klein and the Kansas State Option Attack
(Note: I’ve previously helped Charles with his defensive tutorial series, and written a few articles, one if which really riled up our friends in the SEC. I’m very excited to now present some written defensive analysis for FishDuck.com.) “C. Klein rush for no gain…C. Klein rush for 3 yards…C. Klein rush for 1 yard…C. Klein rush for 4 yards…C. Klein …
Oregon’s In-Game Adjustment Skins Cats
This post was originally featured at PacificTakes.com, and is being shared with FishDuck.com Oregon has seen dozens of variations of defensive schemes to slow down their offense over the years. Some, like the Cover 0 defense, and Bear front were more effective in longer stretches, and others were, simply put, less effective. Those less effective schemes have included the scrape exchange and fake injuries. …
Fiesta Bowl No Huddle Dynamics
One of the most exciting moments from the 2013 Fiesta Bowl had to be the half-ending touchdown drive Oregon put together to effectively finish off the Kansas State Wildcats. After the Wildcats had marched down the field and threatened to take a 17-15 lead, Oregon’s defense held tight and forced KSU to kick a field goal, which they promptly missed, …