3 Ducks that are Flying Under the Radar Heading into 2015

Tyler Timm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s mid-July and the time of year when college football fans are in limbo. Spring practices have been over for close to two months and fall camp is still a couple of weeks away. Fans are looking for anything to read, watch, discuss or interact with regarding college football. It is the time of year when fans dissect their favorite …

Defense Will Determine Ducks Heights in 2015

Spencer Thomas FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The quarterback battle going on in Eugene has certainly received its share of local and national press, and justifiably so. The Ducks are replacing the single greatest player in program history, who also happened to occupy the single most important position on the field. While I do not want to diminish the importance of this position — indeed, Oregon cannot …

Defensive Leadership Role Set for Rodney Hardrick

Forrest Welk FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

FishDuck.com sportswriter Austin Willhoft managed to catch up with linebacker Rodney Hardrick after Friday’s spring practice, coming away with the impression that this coming fall will be the defining season for Hardrick. After a disappointing defensive performance in the National Championship game against Ohio State, the Ducks defense looks to reload and improve despite the loss of graduates Tony Washington and Derrick …

Oregon Football: The “French” Connection

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Jordan Ingram reporting for FishDuck.com at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. While the football forecast in Eugene seems a little cloudy at times, there is one position group that will give Duck fans a sunny outlook. The Oregon linebacker corps boasts the return of seniors Rodney Hardrick, Joe Walker, Tyson Coleman and Christian French, under the guidance of linebackers coach Erik Chinander. These football veterans have become …

Spring Practice Update: Alex Balducci Talks Technique and Leadership

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Jordan Ingram interviewed Oregon Football defensive lineman Alex Balducci yesterday for FishDuck.com at the University of Oregon Hatfield-Dowlin Complex. It’s not often that linemen make the headlines, especially for the Oregon football team. With such a potent offense, the Ducks’ defense often gets overlooked. However, many fans got to know the impact players on that side of the ball; Ifo …

A Holiday Visit with a French Twist

Alex Towne FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

While the Ducks may not have too much time off to spend with their families this holiday season, it definitely isn’t stopping them from spreading some holiday love. Yesterday, linebacker and defensive end Christian French made a visit to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to visit his little sister’s elementary school and talk with students about how to plan for the future and become …

Oregon Football: Six “Other” DLs to Watch in the Spring Game

Josh White FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Oregon Ducks football team is scheduled to play its annual Spring Game on what should be a picturesque Saturday inside Autzen Stadium.  And with it, the 2014 season will be officially under way. And, like every season, another batch of seniors have graduated, which leads to a bunch of question marks heading into the Spring Game coming up on Saturday.  Some of the …

In Defense Of: The Duck Defensive Line

Casey Fluegge FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Gone from the 2013 Duck D-Line are such stalwarts as Wade Keliikipi, Taylor Hart and Ricky Havili-Heimuli.  All very good players who will be missed, but the cupboard isn’t bare.  Though some fans panicked at Oregon’s inability to close on a couple of highly regarded D-Lineman on LOI day, there remains much to look forward to from the Duck’s DL …

Ahh…Spring (Game) Is In The Air!

Carl Blackwell FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Featured Photo Courtesy Gary Breedlove Photography   The weather forecast earlier last week called for partly cloudy skies on Saturday, with a chance of some showers.  That gloomy prognostication never materialized, and yesterday’s spring game by the Oregon Ducks was held under clear and warm conditions — as perfect an April morning as you could hope for. Once again, two …