Notes from around the college football nation:Oregon playing in China and FSU wins SEC

Jeff Hostetler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football is still forever away but something fun and interesting is about to happen. Media Day is quickly approaching for most major conferences. This is where some coach or player will say something controversial about a certain game and have everyone talking about it for the next two months. I am putting my money on South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier …

Can De’Anthony Thomas Survive As the Every-Down Back?

Victor Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

De’Anthony Thomas almost went to USC, but he eventually chose Oregon and has helped the team win two straight BCS bowls.  The Trojans have lost a combined eight games these past two seasons.  The Ducks have lost seven games since 2009. Those three sentences aren’t intended to be rubbed in the faces of USC fans (ok, they kind of are) …

What if There Were No Sports?

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Good morning, Ducks! This coming Monday is the annual slowest day in sports.  Baseball is on All-Star Game break (a break that used to be three days and is now four.  A change that no one cleared with me.)  Pro football camp is still two weeks away, basketball crowned the “LeBrons” just last month and the Blackhawks won Lord Stanley’s …

Chip and the Eagles: Quarterback Thunderdome

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Top photo courtesy of Keith Allison and Matthew Straubmuller I’ve been resisting the endless discussions about the Eagles’ quarterback competition, because as Chip Kelly has said, he simply won’t have the data to make a decision until he sees his players wearing pads and getting tackled. It’s the same exact policy he used in Oregon. In addition to training camp …

Oregon’s Top Five Breakout Players for 2013

Sam Arney FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Welcome back my feathered friends! With the heat rising to 116+ for almost all of last week in my city in the desert, I have been inside.  Enjoying the nice cool breeze from my air conditioner, peering out the smallest crack of the blinds to watch the sweaty people go about their days, and tearing my hair out deciding who …

Oregon Unknowns: The Undefeated Season and Actresses in Pajamas!

Don Gilman History

1916 was a milestone year for the University of Oregon. Mighty Oregon was penned by the songwriting team of John Dewitt Gilbert and Albert Perfect. Before the song was written Oregon actually played On Wisconsin as their fight song! YIKES! Also in 1916 the Pacific Coast Conference was formed, the precursor of the Pac-10 and now Pac-12. The Webfoots were …

Meet Your New Ducks: He Shoots, He Scores

Joe Packer FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

For Duck fans, a field goal has become a gut-wrenching, last second act of desperation gone awry. The Oregon football program is no stranger to hanging its national title hopes on a fourth quarter field goal, and unfortunately, they have come up short and to the left … twice. Oregon’s prolific offensive schemes and stout defense can only take it so far; …

Where did Puddles come from?

Dean Davis The Duck

No matter where you are, whether on campus or at Autzen Stadium, our Duck mascot “Puddles” is sure to be nearby making new friends with Oregon fans.  With his loving personality, the fun qualities he exhibits, and powerful chest from all of the pushups he has to endure throughout the season, our mascot is one of the best in the nation.  …

Recruiting Update: Oregon Raids Southwest for Newest PG

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Basketball Recruiting Commitments Head Coach Dana Altman landed his first commitment of the 2014 campaign in up-and-coming point guard Casey Benson (3-Star/Tempe, Ariz./Rivals150). The newest Duck took a slightly under the radar approach to his recruitment and made his first trip to Eugene in early fall of last year. After an eye opening weekend among the team and coaches, the …

Ducks Heat up Heading Into Summer

Brandon Gruber FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The freshmen have been on campus for a few weeks and summer workouts are nearly underway. For the Ducks, there isn’t a whole lot needing to be figured out.  The running backs look talented, though experience isn’t plentiful.  Marcus Mariota looks to build upon one of the best freshman seasons for a quarterback in college football history, and the Ducks …