The Year of the Transfers — A Critical Test Sunday

Luc Hancock FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Craig Strobeck I don’t know how he does it, but Dana Altman has done it again.  After losing three of five starters to graduation, this pragmatic coach has somehow found a way to piece together a team.  A team which is off to one of the best starts in Oregon basketball history.  The Ducks have set a torrid pace, winning …

Recruiting Update: The Week After the War

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Craig Strobeck Football Recruiting Visits Oregon may have won more than a football game this past Friday.  On the recruiting trail, linebacker Jimmie Swain (4-Star/Olathe, KS) is committed elsewhere (TCU) but his time amid the Autzen Zoo may have shifted his future plans. “I really loved seeing the team and the coaches interact together and how close they are,” said …

Learning from Oregon’s Civil War Passing Attack

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Blast from the Past!, Fish Reports, FishWrap

From Video We have a TON of good subjects to study from the Civil War game, and this week we have some special insight from the receivers coach of Villanova University, Brian Flinn.  He is helping us look at some pass plays Oregon ran, and this gives us an opportunity to learn a little about the defensive coverages we’ll see …

BCS Bowl Hopes for Oregon Still Well Alive

Bryan Holt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kevin Cline The Oregon Ducks concluded the regular season this past weekend with a dramatic 36-35 victory over the Oregon State Beavers. The win gives the Ducks six straight victories over OSU and in that same span, they have now finished each of the past six seasons with at least 10 wins — tying Alabama for the longest current streak …

Ducks Outrun Mustangs, Remain Undefeated

Josh White FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kevin Cline The 14th-ranked Oregon basketball team defeated the overmatched Cal-Poly squad, 82-61 on Sunday evening before an announced home crowd of 5,580.  The Ducks were able to jump out to an early double-digit lead against the Mustangs behind a lights out performance in the opening minutes from eventual game MVP Johnathan Loyd, and a sharp shooting effort by sophomore Damyean Dotson. Loyd, the senior point … Continue reading

Is Helfrich Establishing a New Identity for the Ducks?

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kevin Cline Is Mark Helfrich’s team taking on a new identity?  Did anyone see that ending coming?  What about Oregon’s other senior receiver?  Following the closest Civil War in more than 30 years that was part of the craziest weekend in college football in recent memory, some thoughts: Mark Helfrich is Beginning to Establish His Own Identity as Head Coach Remember …

4 Things Some Duck Fans Had Forgotten in 2013

Josh Hall FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Craig Strobeck 1. Oregon has the ability to win a close game (though not on the leg of their kicker) — For those questioning Oregon’s heart these past few weeks, a gritty performance by Josh Huff reminded fans that Oregon hasn’t completely lost its mojo.  The offensive line continues to lack depth and strength up front in spells against aggressive …

The Green and Yellow Outshine the Green and White

Dean Davis FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Craig Strobeck EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon looked to continue its five-game winning streak on Saturday against the North Dakota Bison.  The Ducks had competed their hearts out on Friday with a dominating win against Pacific, which meant that the bench needed to contribute on Saturday to help alleviate the stress and fatigue of the starters. That’s exactly what happened, as Dana Altman … Continue reading

The Hunger Games: Oregon Transfers Play to Win

Lawrence Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Steve Francis When it comes to college basketball, most fans focus on star power and the celebrity of a team.  Several NBA franchises are even suspected of “tanking” their seasons to increase their chances of drafting incoming stars who have only played a small handful of college-level games.  Every year, sports analysts and wannabe sports analysts (ahem, my friends) gather around the television set or radio to … Continue reading

College Football Nation: Rivalry Week and Olympus has Fallen

Jeff Hostetler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

  If you were not near a TV or news feed today, then you missed out on some of the greatest games we have seen all season.  When it is Rivalry Week, you can just throw out the records and expect both teams to bring it.  So many exciting finishes, and I think we just might have a Heisman winner …

From the Oregon State Locker Room: Beavers Upbeat Despite Loss

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Kevin Cline After beginning the season ranked in the Top 25 and coming off a 2012 season where they won nine games, expectations were high for the Oregon State Beavers this season, or least the hope was for more than six wins.  Book-ended around those six wins were an embarrassing season-opening loss to FCS school Eastern Washington and a regular …

Ducks Scare Away the Tigers

Dean Davis FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Craig Strobeck Eugene, OR.-  The undefeated Pacific Tigers matched up on Friday against the Ducks. This contest was Oregon’s first of three battles in the Global Sports Hardwood Challenge.  Hosted in Eugene, the Challenge should test the Ducks’ mental toughness and bench depth, as it will surely be a long weekend for the No. 14 team in the country. The Ducks …