First Year Results: Mark Helfrich vs Oregon’s Coaching Greats

Joey Holland Editorials

Oregon’s 2013 season was without question one of the greatest in school history, as the Ducks finished with 11 wins for only the fifth time ever. The year started out about as well as it could have with the team setting a school record 772 yards of total offense against Nicholls State on its way to a 66-3 win. Oregon …

Recruiting Update: “Vile Lyle” Picks Oregon

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Basketball Recruiting Commitments Amid swirling rumors, heavily-touted point guard JaQuan Lyle (5-Star/Huntington, WV/Rivals150) made his college decision public last Wednesday naming Oregon as his future destination.  One of the last nationally-ranked five stars to commit, Lyle left no doubt at the press conference mic. “Next year, I’m going to attend the University of Oregon …” Lyle, standing 6-foot-5 and tipping …

Oregon Conference Update: The Ducks Have Sprung into Spring

Bryan Holt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The weather in Eugene has been remarkably pristine for this early in the spring and the Oregon Ducks are taking full advantage of its presence.  It seems these blue skies have provided the Ducks with just the right amount of vitamin D to succeed. It has sparked momentum in both the baseball and softball teams, who sit in the top-10 of their respective …

How Coaches Use Trap Plays to Complement the Zone Read

Levi Steier Fish Reports, FishWrap

It is well established that the zone scheme, including the Inside Zone, Outside Zone and the Zone Read, is the key concept of Oregon’s Spread Offense.  As such, there has been a great deal of attention paid to these schemes, including my previous article on developing offensive lineman for the zone. To complement the zone scheme, it is also important …

This Season’s Over, but Here’s Three Reasons to Be Excited About The Next One

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With the 2013-14 Oregon men’s basketball season concluding on Saturday evening, there are two ways that the scope of the season could be viewed.  One approach is to hang one’s head at the missed opportunity; disappointed at seeing a second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance (which would have been a first in the program’s history) slip away following the evaporation of …

Defense: The Missing Ingredient For a Spot in the Sweet Sixteen

FishDuck Staff FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Many have heard the adage “Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships” but is that the truth?  Though some question the validity of the statement, the Oregon Ducks have proven that for them, defense has been a crucial part in their 2013-14 late-season success. The Ducks showcased both heart and skill in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament proving …

College Football Nation: Washington Goes Both Ways and March Madness

Jeff Hostetler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

As spring ball is about to start, the nation still has its eyes turned toward March Madness.  It has been the most exciting two days the tournament has seen in years.  Not a single perfect bracket is left.  Watching the underdog win and move on is always exciting.  I am really pulling for a “Cinderella” team to win it all. The …

Yes, Nick Saban, This is What We Want Football to Be

Alex Kirby Coach's Opinion

The never-ending evolution of football schemes has resulted in more points lighting up the scoreboard than ever before.  These days, however, it seems like some of the biggest battles in the sport are occurring off the field.  College football has never been more popular in this country, and the sport’s rise in prominence has coincided with an increase in offensive …

Television Alternatives For the Broken-Bracketed

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s Saturday morning, Ducks fans!  There is reason to rejoice as our beloveds are still alive in the NCAA Tournament.  Later today, the Ducks take on the Wisconsin Badgers in a second-round match-up that Wisconsin fans have been awaiting ever since a certain Rose Bowl.  Badger fans are FIRED UP for this, baby! But what happens if we *gulp* lose? …

Pac-12 Power Positions: Tight Ends

Pat Pannu FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

As we continue to trudge through the long wait before the start of football season, we’ll  look at some of the best returning talent at key positions in the Pac-12 — one of those positions is tight end.  At the close of last season, the conference lost some top talent at the position to the NFL such as Austin Seferian-Jenkins’ …

Mark Helfrich Assaulting Record Books With Chip Kelly’s Best QB

Josh White Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

Entering what is now the second spring of the Mark Helfrich era at Oregon, Chip Kelly’s influence remains visible across all facets of the Oregon football program.  From the up-tempo style of play Kelly initially installed as a coordinator to the commitment to unique and cutting-edge preparation with a focus on continuous daily improvement – as well as maintaining the invaluable coaching …

Draw the Line

Steven Holstad FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Peppered with talent, various levels of success, and featuring a new man calling the shots, it’s time for Oregon’s defensive line to draw the proverbial “line in the sand.” We’ve all heard the knocks on Oregon’s teams over the past few seasons, critics talk about their perceived lack of physicality; if you slow the game down, their neon jerseys just …