Nothing shows the character of a team more then its willingness to fight through injury. Last year, the offensive line for the Oregon Ducks were no strangers to injury, with star linemen Jake Fisher and Hroniss Grasu both missing extended periods of time due to lower leg injuries. Many people thought losing these guys would derail the Ducks hopes of doing anything long-term, but they continued …
When college football fans tune in to the games every Saturday, there is one team that is always easy to spot. Whether it is because of the shiny, colorful nature of the uniforms or the overwhelming speed of the team, the Oregon Ducks cannot be mistaken for anyone else. The distinct nature of Oregon football is not always seen as …
On Friday February 20th, the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine officially began in Indianapolis, Indiana with on-field testing. So far this year the players have demonstrated amazing football talent throughout the group which is giving NFL scouts, coaches, owners and managers a show. The six Oregon players who are participating in the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium are Marcus Mariota, …
Disclaimer: I do not have any inside knowledge concerning Oregon’s recruiting philosophy or tactics. This is merely one man’s educated take on how and why the Ducks’ performance on the football field consistently outperforms the rankings of its recruiting classes. Having gone through the recruiting process myself (admittedly at the Division II and III level), and having played with and …
If there was a weakness for the Ducks last year, it was without a doubt, the offensive line. As difficult as it is to say, the line play is the reason we lost the Arizona game, and almost lost against Washington State. But when we got healthy, we were once again the usual explosive offense us Duck fans were used …
Mike Merrell’s Three and Out It stands to reason that the top football recruits will inevitably make for the best teams. Three of the four teams playing in the 2014-15 National Championship Playoffs — Alabama, Ohio State and Florida State — habitually have top-five recruiting classes. But the fourth — yes, our Oregon Ducks — don’t even come close. In …
After national signing day came and went, the Ducks’ newest additions are excited to begin their transition from high school to Division I college football in Eugene. And for a few special Ducks who left an indelible mark on an Oregon football program that finished the 2014 season as Pac-12 and Rose Bowl champions, a different journey continues to unfold. 7 Ducks invited to @NFL Combine: Armstead, Ekpre-Olomu, …
While the hot topic in Eugene pertaining to the NFL Draft is Marcus Mariota’s stock, the fact is, there are other players from Oregon going into the draft who are just as intriguing. These players are all mountainous men who play in the trenches, from Hroniss Grasu on the offensive side to Arik Armstead on the defensive side of the line. …
As a Ducks fan, I can’t stop fathoming at all the great times that happened this season. From beating Stanford to finally annihilating Arizona, this season will be remembered as one of the best years of the Oregon Football program. Unfortunately, all of us didn’t want all the hype that was occurring to suddenly end in a depressing fashion as …
Having to head to class the day after watching the almighty Ducks fall to the No. 4 team in the country was heartbreaking to say the least. To make matters more interesting for some Duck fans, Oregon lost two of its key players in DE Arik Armstead and Heisman QB Marcus Mariota to the NFL Draft. It’s been one eventful …
He stood on the sidelines as a redshirt freshman, and unlike many other first-year players, he had experienced a magical season. First it was one win, then it was another, and as the weeks and months progressed, his team kept on winning. The magical ride that he was on was memorable, not only for himself and his teammates, but for …
Ask any football analyst and they will tell you the difference between a good team and a championship team is timing. A great team that peaks too early can wind up crumbling while a mediocre team that peaks at the right time can win a championship. Oregon however is something very rare, a great team that is peaking at the …