After struggling to put together consecutive hits earlier in the year, Oregon’s offensive stock has been rising for the past four weeks or so. On Saturday night, Scott Heineman and the previously “nerfed” Oregon bats pummeled the Cal pitching staff to the tune of four homeruns, to give the #16 Ducks a 10-4 win. After pushing across five runs …
Receiving Corps Thinning, Opportunities Rising
When the news arrived Friday that Dwayne Stanford, the lanky, 6’5″ true sophomore receiver, was going under the knife to fix a potentially serious knee injury, panic began to spread amongst the Oregon faithful. With Mark Helfrich now leading the charge, it’s expected that the Ducks could be looking to the air more this season, which will require the receivers to …
“42” and Other Numbers of Cinematic Import
I’m taking my wife to see “42” tonight. The “based on history” story of racial strife, cultural change and baseball in the late 40’s is right in my strike zone. Of course, I’ve never spent two consecutive hours rooting for the Dodger, but that’s a story for another day. Thinking about this movie brought me to mind of other …
Au-Burned: The Long Con of Mark Emmert
“If you flip Montana, there’s no going back.” – University of Washington President Raymond B. Allen, 1948 Alright, I made up that quote, but a conversation to twist the knife on Oregon took place that fall. With Cal and Oregon tied atop the Pacific Coast Conference, a tiebreaking vote amongst the members was set. The legend goes that the rivalry …
Offseason Stat-Plosion: The Team Efficiency Index
It’s 2013, and statistics are ubiquitous in college football: yards per play, 3rd down conversion rate, points per game, defensive efficiency, time of possession, attractiveness of fake girlfriends, turnover margin, blah blah blah blah. We’ve got all kinds of “objective” statistical methods to “measure” how “good” a football team “is.” This clearly ain’t Knute Rockne’s football. The problem with all these objective …
Oregon Emerges Victorious over OSU in Battle of Pac-12 Heavyweights
Oregon had to buckle down in their two week road trip against some of the Pac-12’s best, and after capping off a whacky weekend in Tempe with a win, the Ducks extended their good fortune into their matchup with the best the conference could throw at them. The Beavers have been untouchable to start the season, and came into the …
Recruiting Update: Quarterback eyes Oregon
Football Recruiting Visits/Offers A somewhat quieter front on the recruiting trail, Oregon’s D-Line brass made waves offering in-state talent Henry Mondeaux (3-Star/Portland, OR) and southwestern-based Jalen Jelks (3-Star/Phoenix, AZ). “I was down in Eugene Saturday and I spent I think around 10 or 11 hours around the school and football team,” said the 6’5″, 245 lb. Mondeaux. “I watched practice …
The Pac is on Fire
Featured Photo © Gary Breedlove Photography The PAC-12 baseball race is starting to heat up as the conferences’ top two teams face off in a non-conference Civil War game in Corvallis, Oregon. The Ducks have been the most impressive team in the conference thus far, winning their first three series in conference play before losing to Arizona State this …
“Little Brother” Thinks They Have A Chance!
Courtesy of Kevin Cline Photography I recently read that many pundits think the Oregon State Beavers might actually be a contender; not just in the Pac-12 North, but in the Pac-12 in general. I have also heard this same statement from many of my friends who are Beaver fans. To my friends I must nod politely while trying not to smile and …
(Duck) Stepping Forward
Each year some players graduate and move on, while new players step onto the court at Matthew Knight Arena for the first time. The people that are leaving have our gratitude for the year(s) they spent in the Oregon green and yellow, and our best wishes for the future. Those returning or joining the team for the first time feel the weight …
Irvin Solid as Ducks Crush Devils to Avoid Sweep in Tempe
Newsflash: Cole Irvin is the real deal. The freshman phenom from southern California has been one the best pitchers that Oregon has put on the mound this season. Irvin pitched seven innings and allowed just three runs to earn another quality start, and improve his record to 6-1 on the year, and Oregon demolished ASU 16-3 on Sunday afternoon. The Ducks …
Second Half Stampede: Bears Catch Ducks
The Oregon Ducks went after their first conference win for the 2013 season against the California Golden Bears yesterday. Oregon is ahead of the Bears with an all-time record of 7-6, winning their last three meetings, but this contest held the promise of having a great deal of give and take to it! The morning match began, and the Bears were …
