You’re 20 years old and 24 hours away from unarguably the biggest game in the history of college football. You’ve been out with an injury, but your rehab went well, you’ve put in pad time and shaken off some rust. You aren’t a backup or a third stringer. You are the #1 WR on the #1 offense in the country. …
“Injured” Ducks to Play in National Championship Game
This season has been amazing on so many levels for the Oregon Ducks, but one of the most overlooked aspects of it might be their response to injuries. Yes, it’s a common phrase that “injuries are part of the game of football.” However, if we take a step back and look at the key impairments over the entire season, I bet …
Is Bralon Addison Going to Play?
As we all now know, the Ducks flew to Los Angeles on Christmas Day to start their game-week preparation. Center Hroniss Grasu made big headlines, as he was seen practicing in pads for the first time since injuring his leg against Utah on November 8th. Running back Thomas Tyner has been seen practicing as well, despite suffering through a multitude of injuries towards the end …
The Freshman Factor
I don’t even try to keep it a secret that I’m absolutely enamored with this freshman class. Royce Freeman, Darren Carrington, Devon Allen, Charles Nelson, Doug Brenner and Aidan Schneider have all made their own significant impacts on the Ducks’ 2014 season. In fact,one could make the argument that without these guys the Ducks wouldn’t have a shot at playing Florida …
Not So “Lowe” Anymore: Ducks Welcome Back Dynamic Wide Receiver
Statistically speaking, Keanon Lowe is nobody special. The senior receiver is on pace to break his season high for receptions, but that mark was set his sophomore year with a meager 22 catches. If you ask Head Coach Mark Helfrich or Offensive Coordinator Scott Frost about what Lowe means to this team, I’m positive they will give you a much …
Johnstone’s Setback Comes With an Important Lesson
When the news broke on Tuesday that left tackle Tyler Johnstone re-tore the ACL in his right knee during practice, Duck fans could do little else besides shake their heads in disbelief. It’s the latest loss to an offense, which had already lost their best receiver – Bralon Addison – to the same injury in April. Losing either a No.1 receiver or starting …
Oregon’s High-Speed Offense Shows No Sign of Slowing Down
The Oregon Ducks’ dynamic high-speed and high-tempo offense has been truly amazing to watch during the last several years. With a brilliant mix of veteran talent and developing young stars looking to make names for themselves in the 2014 season, the Ducks show no sign of slowing down. Fortunately, the 2014 version of the Oregon offense will include several crucial veteran returnees from …
Now or Never: How Next Season Will Decide the Fate of Certain Ducks
When a new class of freshmen arrives to a football program, it’s always a mixed bag. Players of all positions gather from different high schools or junior colleges, states and backgrounds, to come together as teammates. Some are prized recruits coming in from premier high school programs; some are lesser-known players that the coaches hope are diamonds in the rough. …
Will Devon Allen Be a Difference Maker for the Ducks This Year?
You may know Devon Allen’s name from his recent record-breaking hurdling performance in the NCAA Western regionals, but the redshirt freshman is still somewhat of an unknown on the football field. Allen is working tirelessly to change that unknown status by establishing himself as a difference-making receiver for the Ducks, and I believe he’s in for a huge 2014 season. …
Four Reasons You Should Go to the Spring Game
The Oregon Ducks are holding their spring game tomorrow, Saturday, May 3, at Autzen Stadium, kicking off at 11 am. The game signals an end to spring ball and brings us to the precipice of another four months or so without any football games on the tube. There are a coupla reasons to attend the spring game – I give you: 4. Position Battles When Marcus …
Duck Receivers Are No Passing Fancy
Mike Bellotti raised a lot of eyebrows in 2007 with the relatively uninspiring, no-name hire of someone named Chip Kelly out of Division IAA New Hampshire. Result: Oregon has been among the nation’s leaders in rushing since. During that span, perfecting the zone read has not only turned quarterbacks into de facto running backs, but it has made talented running backs even …
NFL goal helps Oregon tight end Pharaoh Brown push past tragedies
When Pharaoh Brown called his mother on graduation day, he sounded calm. Jeannetta Smith assumed her son was pulling another prank, but this one angered her. “This is not how you play,” Smith said. Brown wasn’t joking. His friend, Fred Zuber, had drowned hours earlier. He sounded calm because he was in shock. Brown, Zuber and three […]