The Path to Glory Is Covered in Blue-Blood

Matt Bryant Editorials

There’s been a lot of grousing about preseason rankings and critics. When did Ducks fans develop such a thin skin? Rather than pound the table, I say bring it on. To the national pundits we’re known as the Blur or Track Town, USA. Speed may impress, but it doesn’t always earn long-term respect. We hear it all the time. They …

I Fell in Love With a Defensive System

Coach Morris Advice for the Coaches, Analysis, Fish Reports

 [A confessional from an old, retired coach. But first a warning to potential readers:  There may be nothing in this article about Oregon Duck football. This article is about a SPECIFIC 4-3 defensive system, and the Ducks will be using the 4-3 next season. But the two systems might — probably will — differ a lot.  The system Brady Hoke …

Shock and Awe — The Oregon Ducks’ Football Hangover Effect

David Miller FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Everyone knows that Oregon goes fast. Duck football is synonymous with speed and tempo and heaps and heaps of points. This article, however, will delve into the mental aspect of the uptempo pace the Ducks have favored is seasons past, as experienced by the Ducks’ opponents. I want to know if there is a hangover effect from playing the Ducks. Before we go …

Maneuvering the Battle with the Spartans

Rory Davidson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

One of the premier non-conference matchups of the season is a rematch from last year. This time though, the Ducks are traveling to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans. Last year’s matchup at Autzen set the Ducks on the path to the National Championship Game. This year’s game could have the same ramifications. Now something you might notice in …

Saturdays are Back at Autzen

Sam Felton FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It was the most highly anticipated moment for Duck fans across the country. Autzen Stadium was shaking from the roar of more than 58,000 people packed in tight to see the season opener. More importantly, to see Vernon Adams in his debut game. I was fortunate enough to be one of those screaming fans and watch first hand as Adams displayed his skillset …

Examining the Realistic Expectations for the Ducks in 2015

Aaron Lewis FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Expectations have become perpetually high in Eugene for the Oregon football team. The Ducks have been ranked in the top five of the preseason AP and Coaches’ Polls for each of the last four years. The Ducks have then backed up these expectations by making it to the National Championship Game twice in the last five years and by being …

Giant Steps: André Yruretagoyena’s Life After Football

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Jordan Ingram reporting for FishDuck.com in an exclusive interview with former Oregon Ducks offensive lineman, André Yruretagoyena. The 2015 Oregon Ducks are halfway through spring practices, and the excitement and anticipation from fans that comes with a new season continues to grow. But for one former Oregon player, the spring season signifies a rebirth of a different kind. Senior André Yruretagoyena has chosen to forego his …

Ducks’ 2015 Schedule Brings Intrigue

Ben Salaman FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The schedule for the Ducks’ 2015 season has been released, and there are some big matchups you should keep your eye on. The season kick off with the Ducks’ home opener against Vernon Adams Jr.’s former team, the Eastern Washington Eagles. The matchup should be interesting, especially after the dispute between EWU’s head coach Beau Baldwin and the University of Oregon. Depending on …

Looking Ahead to the 2015 Non-Conference Schedule

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

No one is ever happy when it comes to non-conference scheduling. Fans want to play top-ranked teams year in and year out, and sadly, that’s just not possible. Oregon scored big time when it secured the home and home with Michigan State, adding a key match-up of Top 10 teams early in 2014. Early out of conference games are a win-win …

How The Mighty Have Fallen: SEC, Pac-12 and Ranked Bowl Games Review

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oh how the mighty have fallen. West Coast football fans have been saying it for years, but finally the SEC took an undeniable turn and it wasn’t in an upward direction. The storied “powerhouse” conference saw it’s least successful bowl season in years among ranked teams, of which it led the nation with seven. When the final bowl game with a …

Five Important Aspects of Tonight’s Civil War Game

McKalie Bellew FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s game day and the anxious butterflies in my stomach are going crazy! Not only is it the last game of the regular season for our Ducks but it’s the Civil War game. I have heard people say that this is not a rivalry game but I can’t think of any reason it wouldn’t be, and it seems to be …

Helfrich Explains: A Clockwork Oregon Line

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Jordan Ingram reporting for FishDuck.com from the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex Sunday night about the Coach Mark Helfrich press conference. All season, questions have swirled around Oregon’s offensive line, but with the loss of veteran center senior Hroniss Grasu, growing concerns were cast asunder with yet another tight knit performance from Oregon’s heavyweights. In his press conference, head coach Mark Helfrich spoke to the challenges and resiliency …