The Oregon Duck defensive backs have been through a trial-by-fire season, where they have yielded a lot of yards and points. They have learned many tough lessons as a young — but still talented — crew. Through these trials and lessons, they also have steadily improved. Will their improving skills and teamwork prove enough this coming week to vanquish one of …
Vernon Adams was given an impossible task — be the quarterback who replaces Marcus Mariota. Media and fans tried to temper expectations, but it was clear from early on; no one said they expected Adams to be Mariota, but secretly they were evaluating his performance based on the same standards — winning the first Heisman Trophy in school history can …
Mike Merrell’s Three-and-Out Reminiscent of the Joey Harrington-led Miracle in the Desert of 2000, the Oregon Ducks once again broke hearts in Tempe, Arizona with a 61-55 triple overtime win over the Arizona State Sun Devils Thursday night. In what some fans would call a rebuilding year and others would call a year to fire all the coaches, the Ducks …
Dominance is defined as “the condition of being dominant,” and to be dominant is to “occupy or be in a commanding or elevated position.” For a team to be dominant in college football is now somewhat rare, and apparently becoming more so. Regardless of how you define dominance – including which era (No. 1 ranking in a poll or polls, BCS champion, …
They never wear the same uniform twice, they train on Brazilian hardwood, and their stadium features not one but two waterfalls. It is safe to say that Oregon has one of the best facilities and uniforms in the country, if not the world. This is the world that Oregon lives in now, but it was not always like this. Their uniforms were ugly, their …
Philadelphia lost on the road to the Carolina Panthers Sunday. That shouldn’t be such a huge shock. Carolina is undefeated after seven games, with an excellent defense featuring two of the league’s best linebackers (Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis) and the NFL’s hottest young cornerback (Josh Norman). On offense, they have a creative running game, featuring two stars that Chip …
The Arizona State Sun Devils host the Ducks tomorrow with little on the line for ASU. They have already secured a record which may remain unbroken forever. The Sun Devils have lost at least three games every year since at least 1998. The record probably goes back further than ’98. FishDuck.com/psychologistsinoursparetime asked me to examine the persistent mediocrity extant in Tempe. …
News Oregon’s resurgence in the 2015 campaign couldn’t be coming at a better time as the fall recruiting push is in full swing. Just to the south, tabbed athlete Damian Alloway (4-Star/Fontana, Calif./Rivals250) made his thoughts known about a move to Eugene. “If Oregon offers that’s going to put them right at the top,” said Alloway. “I’m definitely going to …
The Ducks and Sun Devils are coming off much needed byes. Not necessarily because of injuries, although it is good that Vernon Adams got a week of rest, but because of their need to step back and regroup. With Adams’ return last week, the Ducks offense looked much more explosive and reliable, so hopefully the team realizes this and rallies …
Keeping with the Halloween theme that always accompanies late October, this analysis reviews the marvelous, monstrous sacks by Oregon Duck defensive linemen that took place during the Washington game. Oregon’s improvement pressuring the QB in its last contest was certainly a welcome sight. Here’s to hoping this keeps up Thursday night, and that the remaining season reveals the true sack monsters of Oregon. …
Even on the weeks the Ducks have a bye, college football Saturdays are great. Midseason may have a large number of teams on their bye week, and many highly-ranked teams delivered blowouts Saturday, but that doesn’t mean Saturday wasn’t filled with plenty of sneaky good games. It started with a pair of quadruple-overtime games in the first two blocks of …
Mike Merrell’s Three-and-Out There’s no doubt about it — Chip Kelly changed the game of college football and Oregon was blessed to have him during his short tenure. But there’s a segment of Oregon football fans who have taken it a step further and anointed the Chipster with sainthood. It seems that in everything from recruiting to play calling, anything …