The lineage of running backs coming through Eugene has been almost mythical the last 10 years. From Jonathan Stewart to LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner, the Oregon running game has been in good hands. In 2013, despite losing Barner, nothing will change, and that has nothing to do with De’Anthony Thomas, or the two highly touted recruits coming in. That’s …
Notes From Around the College Football Nation: NCAA Stinks and Recruiting Visits
As signing day approaches a few questions come to mind…how many Oregon recruits will be left after Urban Meyer is done raiding them all? I bet the NCAA is wishing the Miami mess would go away, because it keeps getting worse, with more evidence turning up. Anyone want to bet that #1 recruit Robert Nkemdiche will sign with an SEC team? …
Message Board Armageddon! The Battle is Afoot!
Important decisions are being made in the athletic department offices. How to salvage a good recruiting class in the face of coaching turnover. Who will call the plays? What will be the vehicle for the transmission of play calls? (Hand signals, message board or, my favorite, carrier pigeon?) How do we replace the two graduate assistants who were responsible for…something? …
Next Man Up: How Coaches Replaced Legends
Next man up. That mantra doesn’t apply only to the roster, it applies to Oregon’s coaching staff as well. 1977 was the last time the Ducks didn’t hire their previous offensive coordinator to fill their head coaching vacancy. On Sunday, Mark Helfrich became the latest one to follow that path, and in doing so allowed a staff that had previously …
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, …
Is Oregon the Most Tortured Sports State in America?
Chip Kelly left town Wednesday morning, and a fan base mourned. His teams had been perennial national title contenders, going into November with a shot at a national championship in five of his six seasons in Eugene. Oregon never won it all during that time, but Chip Kelly had Duck fans believing that the law of averages would eventually prevail, …