In the Fiesta Bowl, even though the Ducks began closing down the running game in the first half, Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein piled up short completions to his receivers, most notably former Duck Chris Harper. As the Cats converted first downs via short completions again and again in the first half, I could almost hear the collective groan from Duck fans: …
Fiesta Bowl No Huddle Dynamics
One of the most exciting moments from the 2013 Fiesta Bowl had to be the half-ending touchdown drive Oregon put together to effectively finish off the Kansas State Wildcats. After the Wildcats had marched down the field and threatened to take a 17-15 lead, Oregon’s defense held tight and forced KSU to kick a field goal, which they promptly missed, …
Chip Kelly’s Surprise “Throwback” Fiesta Bowl Strategy
Chip surprised both the Wildcats and me in this game! A major component of what makes Chip Kelly so successful is not just how he coaches the spread offense and runs a rapid “no-huddle” tempo, but also how he brings something new to nearly every game he coaches. It is the last major area the media have not understood or covered, …
Chip Kelly pulls out the “Power-Read” play to Defeat Wildcats
The NFL has been attracted to coach Kelly because of his commitment to an up-tempo offense that everyone can see as being difficult upon his foes. Yet a factor in some of his victories has been his propensity to change-up his game plan for the opposing defensive coaching staff. How can you defend something well if you haven’t prepared for …
FishDuck Game Review: A Fast, Hard Finish to a Season…and an Era
“We don’t let outside influences define our program.” – Chip Kelly That’s been the definition of Win The Day, the mantra of the Oregon Ducks since the start of the Chip Kelly era. The team only worries about what it can control, and what it cannot is ignored. Yet despite playing in its fourth consecutive BCS game, including the National …
We See Kansas State Bruises, But We Wanted SEC Blood
What would happen if an unstoppable force were to meet an immovable object? If Oregon had received a bowl bid to play a top SEC team with an elite defense instead of Kansas State, then the college football world may have finally found an answer to that age-old question. I don’t mean to take away from the No. 5-ranked Wildcats …