The Green Wall: Oregon’s New Offensive Line

David Marsh Editorials

This is not the year we envisioned for Oregon’s offensive line. We all expected to have Penei Sewell anchor the left side this fall. However, the pandemic robbed us of the opportunity to watch Sewell dominate the line of scrimmage for one final season as a Duck, as he instead prepares for the 2021 NFL Draft. Sewell’s opt-out dramatically changed …

Oregon Explosion Plays: How the Ducks Win in the Trenches

Levi Steier Fish Reports

I used to have a coach that said the key to winning football games was winning the war in the trenches.  Obviously, there are many factors involved in winning football games, but it is hard to argue against the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage. Early in 2014, Oregon suffered multiple key injuries to the offensive line, resulting in a scenario …

Scouting a Duck: What Should NFL Scouts Think of Jake Fisher?

Joe Kearns Analysis

Although Marcus Mariota won the Heisman Trophy in 2014, it is not a stretch to say the man protecting his blind side saved the Ducks’ playoff hopes. Jake Fisher was not supposed to be Oregon’s left tackle last year. However, an ACL injury to the slated left tackle Tyler Johnstone forced Fisher’s move from right tackle to left, where he had …

A Tale of Two Games…and Two Offensive Lines

Levi Steier Analysis

Charles Dickens famous opening to A Tale of Two Cities perfectly captures Oregon football and illustrates the vast range of emotions that its fans have endured in the last five years. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, …

Zach Okun Brings Size, Speed And Skill

Max Thornberry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With the departure of key components of the offensive line it was important that the Ducks secure a strong offensive line class in order to ensure the continuing success of the offense. The most exciting recruit for the line is Zach Okun the 6-3, 340 lb guard from Southern California. Okun had verbally committed nearly a year ago on an …

A Familiar Face Back on the Line: the Return of Andre Yruretagoyena

Ashley Young FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

To say the Ducks’ offensive line has been through a lot is an understatement. Battling numerous injuries, including those to redshirt junior Tyler Johnstone, redshirt junior Andre Yruretagoyena, senior Jake Fisher and now redshirt senior Hroniss Grasu, the Ducks’ offensive line seems to have had a target on its back from the beginning. Recently, we have seen several new faces filling in …

Weapon in the Trenches: The Center in Chip Kelly’s Offense

Joe Kearns Analysis

When people talk about Chip Kelly’s offense, one of the most common buzz words they use is mobility. Although mobility helps running back LeSean McCoy burst through the line of scrimmage or receiver Jeremy Maclin get wide open, it is arguably more important for the offensive linemen who keep defenses out of the backfield. Kelly has been fortunate to have …

Evan Voeller: Leader by Example

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The subject of this profile is another one of Oregon’s very own, and he is as talented as they come. Evan Voeller hails from West Linn, Oregon, where he played four years under the Lions’ head coach, Mike Fanger. He wasn’t a very vocal leader, but actions often speak louder than words. Fanger informed Aaron Fentress from The Oregonian that …