Stanford Duck Syndrome–It’s Worse Than You Think

Alan Lohner Humor

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

DazeNconfused Analysis

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?

DazeNconfused Analysis

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 …

Irving, Whittington Demonstrate Oregon’s Backfield Depth

Jordan Ingram Editorials

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?

Alan Lohner Humor

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 …

Setting the Edge in Oregon’s Lanning/Lupoi Defense

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Analysis

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

Joshua Whitted Editorials

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

Alan Lohner Humor

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?

Alan Lohner Humor

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 …