Not every high school athlete makes it in college sports, especially at the D-1 level. Success at this level requires diligence, athleticism and commitment much greater than even the most demanding high school programs. It’s a rare athlete who can star at even one college sport, but Arik Armstead has his eyes set on two. Armstead, a 2012 graduate of …
Huge Civil War Vaults Thomas Tyner to Elite Status
Expectations. Prior to this football season, expectations for Oregon’s true freshman running back Thomas Tyner were sky high. Probably as high as any first year player in Ducks’ history. Before committing to the in-state Ducks, Tyner had demolished an array of school and state records at Aloha High School. Some of these included: over 3,400 yards rushing, 11.1 yards per …
Coach Aliotti: Bend, Don’t Break, Your Ties to the Ducks
The Oregon Ducks currently have one of the most seasoned coaching staffs in college football. Position coaches such as Gary Campbell and Steve Greatwood, for example, have been on Oregon’s staff for more than 25 years. Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti was a huge part of that experience, having spent more than 20 years himself as an assistant coach in Eugene. With Aliotti’s …
Knowing When to Leave: The Stark Contrast in Finales for Aliotti and Mack
Knowing the right time to leave is a sign of a professional, and at the same time is never an easy task. No one wants to walk away when they are up, hoping to sustain those highs as long as possible. Conversely, no one wants to walk away when they are down, always assuming that their fortunes will reverse …
Deep in the Dark Hearts of Texas
Good morning Ducks fans of good faith and disposition. On behalf of fishduck.com and it’s international subsidiaries, allow me to be the first to wish you a Happy New Year and a pleasing beating of them Longhorns hailin’ from the University of Texas. The Texas Longhorns. What can be said about them that hasn’t already been said on NCAA investigations …
Five Big “Ducking” Deals of 2013
With 2013 quickly coming to a close and only one major event remaining on the calendar, (Men’s basketball vs Morgan State doesn’t really count) it’s time to take a look back at some of the greatest impact moments for the Oregon Ducks in 2013. The Ducks Win Another BCS Bowl Game Oregon hammered Big 12 champion Kansas State Wildcats, 35-17, to secure a Tostitos Fiesta …
Predictive Recruiting Analysis: Pac-12 Rankings, Top Recruits
With the 2014 recruiting cycle ending in five weeks, those teams atop the conference recruiting rankings are beginning to separate themselves. Currently sitting atop these rankings is none other than the Oregon Ducks. In question, however, is whether or not they can maintain their position. What about your Pac-12 school of choice? Here’s the objective data, commentary and individual school …
Oregon is Valuable, but Here’s How it Gets Richer
Much like recruiting has its dead periods, college football news has its dead periods – and between post-regular season and pre-bowl games, is one of its quietest. Oregon fans may not have noticed in recent years, as their presence in BCS bowls has led to plenty of words being written about their team leading up to those marquee games, but with the …
Get a Grip! Perspective Needed on 2013 Season
Oh no! How much worse can it possibly get? It’s the end of an era! The sky is falling! It’s sadder than a country & western love song! In fact, it should be a country & western song: “I’m a poor Duck; I’m so out of luck. Ten & two is so bad; I’m cryingly sad. With a quivering lip …
Mariota’s 2013 Season Was the Best in School History, So Where’s the National Love?
Kevin Cline Marcus Mariota has completed arguably the finest regular season ever put together by an Oregon quarterback, or any offensive player for that matter. With 39 total touchdowns and 3,994 yards of total offense, the Flyin’ Hawaiian has cemented himself among the college football elite. Since Mariota was named the starter in Eugene at the beginning of the 2012 …
How to Spend the Days Until the Alamo Bowl
Kevin Cline For die-hard football fans, the calendar is broken up into two sections, football season and the off-season. The off-season is primarily spent wishing for the runaway train of football season, where once the season starts, die-hard fans jump on and bid adieu to their friends and family until the winter. Only the absence of footballs at season’s end …
NFL Ducks: Pushing for the Playoffs
Kevin Cline As the current Oregon football team begins preparing for their showdown against the Texas Longhorns (whose coach, Mack Brown, is expected to resign after the Valero Alamo Bowl), college football has entered the elongated calm before the storm of bowl games. The weekly rhythm of the football season has come to a halt, and many are left with an unfamiliar …