Oregon’s Turn-Around — The Beginning

Henry Swift History

“The Pick” by Kenny Wheaton is one of, if not the most memorable and iconic plays in Oregon football history. However, as great as it was, it did not necessarily signify the turning point of the program. That notion belonged to Joey Harrington, and to our delight, it was also the downfall of the Washington Husky program. Before Marcus Mariota, …

1994 — Ducks Renaissance Remembered

Cheryl Hudson For the Fans

Duck Family Day is a new feature for every Saturday where Oregon fans share their stories of . . . being Oregon fans! Email charles@fishduck.com to share your experiences of you and your family and what it means to be a Duck fan. Cheryl Hudson (below) is an editor/writer for FishDuck.com and is extremely passionate about our beloved Ducks, the same as …

Where Are They Now? Danny O’Neil (1991-1994): Bigger Than Life

Jerry Thompson Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

Oregon Duck fans everywhere can always be grateful that former Oregon assistant Nick Aliotti stretched the truth when Aliotti was recruiting high school quarterback Danny O’Neil in 1990. Twenty years ago, O’Neil led the Ducks to the Pac-10 championship and 1995 Rose Bowl game vs. Joe Paterno’s Penn State Nittany Lions, and in that game O’Neil broke the Rose Bowl passing record …

Oregon Football Success is by Committee

Dave Kensler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

We have all heard it from coaches and players at some point: “If everyone just does his assignment, the team will succeed.” Despite the understanding that football is a team game, fans still have their favorite or preferred individual players. In a sense the coaches pick favorites as well, because at some point they have to name the starters. Essentially, …

Why Oregon Football Will Continue to “Win the Day”

Tyler Timm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

What once used to be considered a “gimmick” has now turned into a dominant program. Ever since Mike Bellotti transitioned into an up-tempo spread offense team and then handed the reigns to Chip Kelly, the Oregon football program has since been in question. After making a Rose Bowl appearance in 2009 followed by a national championship game appearance in 2010, …

Throwback Thursday: Remembering 2007 and the Rise to Elite Status

Nik Brownlee History

The Oregon football program has ascended to the top of the college football world. The Ducks have reached the national title game twice in five years, won four other bowl games, and haven’t finished outside the Top 10 in that same five-year stretch. The Ducks are now elite, and it’s very hard to argue against that fact. But how did Oregon achieve …

The Time Is Now for Mark Helfrich

Omar Garibay FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Remember when Chip Kelly took over the Oregon program? Many didn’t know what to expect. How would the program and its fans react to a new coach? After 14 seasons of Mike Bellotti, who is the winningest coach in Oregon Ducks football history, and who built the Ducks into a college football powerhouse, one thing was certain: Kelly had enormous shoes …

ESPNU’s Mike Bellotti on Oregon vs FSU: “Don’t Play Them In The 4th Quarter”

Paul Jones FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

ESPNU hosted four, thirty minute segments on Sunday, each focused on a playoff team and the road required to get each of them to a College Football Playoff victory on New Year’s Day.The show, “Road to the College Football Playoffs,” was co-hosted by former Oregon Football Coach and Athletic Director Mike Bellotti. While the Oregon segment focused on how the …

ESPN: ‘Oregon Football Has Officially Arrived’

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

From Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota winning the Heisman Trophy to playing in the College Football Playoff for a chance at a national championship, Oregon football has officially gained status among the college football elite. According to ESPN’s Ivan Maisel, the years of steady program building starting with head coaches Rich Brooks and Mike Bellotti are paying big dividends, positioning the Ducks with an opportunity to realize their dream …

After 120 Years, Maybe This Is the Season

Omar Garibay FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The year was 1894. What were people doing in 1894? They weren’t on the internet and it’s certain that Twitter didn’t exist back then — and what about touch screen phones and GPS systems — did they exist? Nope. Technology was pretty much unheard of during that time. Most people were probably reading newspapers and using this device called the typewriter. But in …

Former Ducks Football Head Coach Inducted Into College Football Hall of Fame

McKalie Bellew FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It seems as though the University of Oregon is creating  history left and right, lately! First we have Marcus Mariota who is soon to be awarded the Heisman (seemingly), we have multiple other players winning all kinds of different awards and now we have a former head coach of our Ducks being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. Mike Bellotti coached at …

gang-green

Twenty Years After “Gang Green” Era: Stalwart Defender Visits FishDuck

FishDuck Staff Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

Twenty years ago, Oregon began its 1994 “Cinderella Season” quest for its first Rose Bowl appearance since 1958. Picked no higher than 8th place in the Pac-10 preseason poll, Oregon stepped up its game to prove to naysayers that the team could compete on a national level. Particularly known for its defense that season (aka: the dominant and iconic “Gang Green” Defense), …