Fans’ Response Tarnishes a Solid Road Performance

Mike Merrell Editorials, FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Mike Merrell’s Three-and-Out Adversity develops and reveals character much more than pleasant trips to the beach. That’s just one of the inconveniences of living on Planet Earth. So when your team loses on the road by a field goal to a top five team, what do you do to show the world who you are? For too many Oregon fans, …

Ducks Downed in East Lansing

Tyler Timm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

“Revenge,” “redemption” and “heavyweight fight” were all used to describe Michigan State’s much anticipated top-10 showdown with Oregon on Saturday night. “We have lost 3 of our last 30, and we know what teams we lost to,” Spartan coach Mark Dantonio stated in an interview with mlive.com earlier in the week. The 46-27 loss a year ago to the Ducks was still very fresh in …

Take It in Stride: Why It’s OK the Ducks Lost

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Look, for starters, there are hundreds of reasons why it’s OK Oregon lost. There are the “excuse-y” reasons, like how the team was on the road against one of the toughest defenses in the nation — starting a QB who’s been with the offense for roughly a month now. There are the obvious reasons why it’s OK, like how Oregon lost …

Marcus: Impossible

Kylie Stiglbauer FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

This is the story of how Oregon fan Waylon Coy got the experience of a lifetime with Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota. Mariota had an unforgettable last season with the Ducks, which led him to win myriad awards, including the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award. Marcus was to receive the Golden Arm on Friday in Baltimore, about an hour’s drive from where I live. The media …

The Adventures of Captain Comeback

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Back before Marcus Mariota, Darron Thomas, and even before Dennis Dixon, Oregon had another famous quarterback or two. Of this lot, only Joey Harrington had Oregon’s interest from birth. Born to former Oregon quarterback John Harrington, Joey’s potential was recognized immediately by his dad’s old head coach Len Casanova. Casanova sent his congratulations to his former quarterback on becoming a …

Heisman Hype, Meet Vernon Adams Jr.

Mark Weber FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Ask most Oregon fans and they’ll tell you Royce Freeman is the Ducks’ best chance at bringing the Heisman Trophy back to Eugene after this season. That claim isn’t entirely false, as Freeman is an electric running back who has surprising speed despite his power back frame; he can run between the tackles and on the outside, he excels in pass protection – most …

Recruiting Strategy: Shift of Focus

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After bringing in a strong class last year, Oregon got off to an amazing start on the 2016 recruiting trail. Some people, including myself, believed this class was going to be one of, if not the best freshman classes in UO history. Now, after key targets have committed elsewhere and other recruits have decommitted from the Ducks, it’s important to realize that …

Coach’s Comments/Football Gossip: “The Defense Will Be Fine”

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

I liked seeing Eastern Washington on the schedule at first, because my study of the Eagles (for Vernon Adams articles) revealed a sophisticated passing offense. Their strength matched up against our weakness? I love it. I wanted our young turks to get schooled and learn a ton before the games that count (beginning in late October) are upon us. I …

Maneuvering the Battle with the Spartans

Rory Davidson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

One of the premier non-conference matchups of the season is a rematch from last year. This time though, the Ducks are traveling to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans. Last year’s matchup at Autzen set the Ducks on the path to the National Championship Game. This year’s game could have the same ramifications. Now something you might notice in …

Chip Kelly Update: The Final Cutdown

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After a crazy off-season of frenetic wheeling and dealing, controversies and silly hype, the Eagles season begins, for real, on Monday night during Prime Time. The final preparations are done. The Eagles lost their fourth preseason game, the most pointless, which strangely reassured some people who love to tell you preseason games don’t matter. Which is sort of true, except that …

Recruiting Update: Oregon Continues to Haunt Mike Riley

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

News It was the weekend of quarterbacks both present and future in Eugene as Vernon Adams thoroughly silenced any naysayer that remained of his ability to adapt to Oregon’s system. Mere yards from the gridiron sat recent Nebraska commit, ala Mike Riley’s signal-caller of the future Terry Wilson (3-Star/Oklahoma City, Okla.). He did not stay committed for long. After watching …

Saturdays are Back at Autzen

Sam Felton FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It was the most highly anticipated moment for Duck fans across the country. Autzen Stadium was shaking from the roar of more than 58,000 people packed in tight to see the season opener. More importantly, to see Vernon Adams in his debut game. I was fortunate enough to be one of those screaming fans and watch first hand as Adams displayed his skillset …