Kevin Cline It feels like Josh Huff has been a Duck for much longer than four years. Since the beginning of his true freshman season in 2010, Huff has been an exceptional playmaker. In his four seasons as a lethal offensive weapon, he has done as much for Oregon Duck football as anyone. Capping Oregon’s meteoric rise to the top of …
Learning from Oregon’s Civil War Passing Attack
From Video We have a TON of good subjects to study from the Civil War game, and this week we have some special insight from the receivers coach of Villanova University, Brian Flinn. He is helping us look at some pass plays Oregon ran, and this gives us an opportunity to learn a little about the defensive coverages we’ll see …
Is Helfrich Establishing a New Identity for the Ducks?
Kevin Cline Is Mark Helfrich’s team taking on a new identity? Did anyone see that ending coming? What about Oregon’s other senior receiver? Following the closest Civil War in more than 30 years that was part of the craziest weekend in college football in recent memory, some thoughts: Mark Helfrich is Beginning to Establish His Own Identity as Head Coach Remember …
An Emotional Civil War Victory Marks the Beginning of an Era
Kevin Cline In five years, the previous decade of Oregon football may end up being remembered as two separate eras: before and after the Arizona game of 2013. Some would say that opening sentence is nonsense, arguing that the latter era began once Mark Helfrich became the head coach. I would respond by suggesting that for the first time this year, the …
The Winning Mindset
Attitude is everything. And, while it was only two Ducks who expressed disappointment not being able to play in the National Championship, one has to wonder if that attitude has affected the rest of the team. To many fans it was disheartening to hear Josh Huff and DeAnthony Thomas expressing their lackluster enthusiasm about a return to a Rose Bowl. …
2013 Mid-Term: Top 5 Ducks — so far
Craig Strobeck Now that we are halfway through the season, I thought I would take this chance to highlight some of the top players. Most of the names on this list are the usual suspects and for good reason. While there are players on the team whose roles go unnoticed on the stat sheet – for example, offensive linemen – I am sticking with …
No Tyner, No Surprise
Kevin Cline Now that we are officially one game into the season, I can breathe a sigh of relief and satisfaction at finally having watched an Oregon Duck football game again. As expected, there were very few surprises about Saturday’s game. And, given the predicted outcome, here are five things that did not, in fact, surprise me: Mark Helfrich kept it under wraps Oregon …
Ducks Plaster the Nicholls Colonels, 66-3
Craig Strobeck The Oregon Ducks demolished FCS doormat Nicholls as expected Saturday afternoon, by a score of 66-3, but the game gave the plucky Colonels some reasons to feel proud, and the Ducks’ coaches areas to improve this season. Speculation that the Ducks would pass more under Coach Helfrich proved unfounded on Saturday. For the first time in history, three …
Offensive Positional Units: Scenarios, Predictions and Three 1,000-yard Rushers?
Steve Francis With a returning offense capable of ridiculous stats, expectations run high across the college football landscape for Oregon’s 2013 campaign. New head coach Mark Helfrich and his team have set a high bar for themselves, and as is the natural tendency for sports fans everywhere, the Duck faithful also have soaring hopes for their team. While perfection is …
5 Oregon receivers who put the “go” in Go Ducks
Oregon Football is often defined by one word: Speed. Whether it is the grueling tempo that the offense uses, or an individual player racing past an entire defense, the Ducks do it fast. Over the last few seasons, observers would see LaMichael James, De’Anthony Thomas, or Kenjon Barner breaking a long touchdown run on the highlights and might assume …
Huff Doesn’t Need Hype To Be Dangerous
The names of the top Oregon offensive players since 2010 are easy for even casual Ducks fans to rattle off: James, Barner, Mariota, De’Anthony, Darron Thomas, Maehl, Tuinei, Paulson, Lyerla. Others can certainly be put on that list, but those nine are probably the most recognizable. Receiver Josh Huff doesn’t get quite as much hype as those guys, and while …
Oregon’s Top Five Breakout Players for 2013
Welcome back my feathered friends! With the heat rising to 116+ for almost all of last week in my city in the desert, I have been inside. Enjoying the nice cool breeze from my air conditioner, peering out the smallest crack of the blinds to watch the sweaty people go about their days, and tearing my hair out deciding who …