What do you call players and fans of the football team at Leland Stanford Junior University? Cardinals? No, do not do that, or you’ll make Stanford people very angry on social media. “We’re not Cardinals!” they will tweet in your face, maybe even going into lunatic all-caps mode: “WE ARE THE CARDINAL!” Whatever. Personally, I don’t think that anyone in …
Circa 2012: Lanning Replicates Bend-But-Don’t-Break Defense
Duck fans, sometimes two heads are better than one, and amazing minds tend to think alike. It appears Oregon’s head coach Dan Lanning has concluded that the best path to follow with his team during his first year is the Chip Kelly recipe. Kelly certainly displayed an amazing mind during his tenure coaching the Ducks. Lanning can’t do any better …
Best Defense: Wazzu’s Cover-1 or Oregon’s Cover-2?
Many Duck fans were surprised by the Wazzu defense, as they seemed to be faster than the Ducks, getting into the backfield and blowing up plays. Fans’ observations that two defenses appeared different were correct: they are two different pass defense schemes. Both teams run a 4-2-5 scheme for the most part. This defense consists of four men on the …
Oregon vs WSU: How Oregon’s DBs Will Win the Day
What a WIN last week. I think we all had a collective sigh of relief when Our Beloved Ducks showed up so big against BYU. I hope you enjoyed the victory week riding high and are ready for another exciting weekend ahead. Now, it’s time to turn the page and gear up for a team that’s off to a 3-0 start in …
Irving, Whittington Demonstrate Oregon’s Backfield Depth
The No. 25 Oregon Ducks (2-1) appear to have found their web-footing when it comes to a reliable and productive run game. Despite looming questions ahead of the game with the absence of Ducks starting running back Byron Cardwell due to injury, those fears were coddled and put to bed before halftime with remarkable performances from Oregon’s talented backfield. Leading …
Do We Really Have to Play Boring and Blue BYU?
BYU–alternately known as Boring You Unmercifully–arrives as a wooden and waxen opponent this weekend for Our Beloved Ducks, and no, we don’t want them around any more than you want your dimwitted Aunt Mildred sitting at your Thanksgiving table two months from now. Somehow, and there must be fowl play involved, these lugubrious oafs from Utah got added to our …
Oregon Ducks Football: Season-Defining Moment Against BYU
Would a loss to BYU be the end of the world for Our Beloved Ducks in the 2022 season? No. But how the Ducks fare against the Cougars tomorrow should boost our expectations for the year in a big way. Just two weeks ago, Oregon contended for a top-12 ranking in the nation. Now it’s time to get back up there. …
Five Keys to Oregon’s Game Against BYU
Glaring questions about the Oregon Ducks and coach Dan Lanning remain as we head into this Saturday’s home game against No. 12 BYU. The Ducks have dropped their last four games against Top 25 teams. The question on everyone’s minds is whether or not the Ducks are going to show they can compete with a Top 25 team. 1) Bo …
Setting the Edge in Oregon’s Lanning/Lupoi Defense
You will often hear the phrase, “setting the edge” or a reference to the “force defender” when you watch television football games, and it makes sense to take a few minutes to observe how the new Oregon defense under head coach Dan Lanning, and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi fulfill this important mission. How important is it? A Pac-12 team recently won …
Oregon Unveils Upgraded Offense
What a difference a week makes. Just seven days removed from a rough showing against Georgia to open the season, the Ducks bounced back in a big way. Sure, Oregon’s Week Two opponent was a sizeable step down in competition. But still, the Ducks looked like a completely different team than the lifeless, seemingly overmatched squad that took the field …
EW! It’s Eastern Washington and We Need to Worry
The Eastern Washington Eagles swoop in today, creating trepidation and real concern for Duck fans flocking to Autzen Stadium: “Did I pack the paper plates for the tailgate?” “Is there enough ice for the IPA?” “Where’s the Weber grill?” I know the answer to that last one–it’s in the garage under all that junk that’s been thrown on top of …
Can We Neuter the Bulldogs in Neutral City?
Oh, the anticipation! It’s just a few hours before it all begins–the dashing, the smashing, the brutal bashing. But enough talk about those screwy malls and commencing holiday shopping. We’ve got football today–Georgia, at last. Our Beloved Ducks have flown across the continent to not-so-neutral Neutral City, led by Coach Dan Lanning, Our Beloved Savior of the Gridiron Who Can …












