I learned last night that our Ducks can stay with a very good Louisville team. Nine times out or ten we’re going to go down to defeat to them, but we played them tough, won the game over the last 37 minutes, and comported ourselves well in a Sweet 16 game. We also covered the spread, which did me no …
Baker’s Dozen: A Duck-Centric Ranking of the Remaining Teams
Everyone’s got some formula for solving The Bracket: Always pencil the 1s and 2s in the first round. Pick at least one 12 over a 5. You have to choose a few upsets, because even though going chalk will land you in the top third of your pool, no one will respect you for how you got there. Every year …
Oregon Unknowns: Ducks the odds-on favorite to advance in the Sweet Sixteen
When Oregon and Louisville tip it off tonight at 4:15 on CBS, the Ducks are matched up against arguably the hottest team in the country. But you should also know that this “Return of the Firs” team has been bending their knees and breaking all kinds of records this year. Also, Oregon has some distinct historical and statistical advantages in this game. …
The Day the Webfoots Broke 100 Points
We all know the Ducks are capable of posting ridiculous offensive numbers. However, one thing the team has yet to accomplish in the modern era is entering the realm of triple digits. Recently, Oregon has gained national attention for its explosive, high-scoring offense. Over the last three years, the team has averaged nearly 50 points per game on the way …
Biggest Key to Akili’s Smith’s Success: Michael Klews
The Akili Smith Era was a special time at Oregon. Many fans remember Smith for his arm as well as amazing ability to scramble. Aside from Smith were also great rushers such as Reuben Droughns, Saladin McCullough who rumbled past opponents. However, such success never could have been achieved without one of the most under rated offensive line units in …
Recruiting Update: Early In The Spring You Say?
Football Recruiting Offers/News With a mere 31 days left until Oregon takes the field for our annual spring game, activity on the recruiting trail remains at a fevered pitch. Under new head man Mark Helfrich, offers and heavy interest from the Oregon brass appear to be an overwhelming priority heading into the spring season. With a commitment already achieved in …
The Oregon Game Plans: Kelly or Helfrich?
You knew this discussion had to begin: who WAS primarily responsible for the game plan and play calling on the field? I thought it critical because I developed a checklist of what we needed Chip’s replacement to be skilled at, and the only item on the list unresolved was GAME-PLANNING. I have detailed the unique attacks that Oregon has unleashed …
Oh So Sweet, Do We Dare Hope for More?
For the first time since 2007, the Ducks are dancing in the Sweet 16. Last weekend it was the Damien Dotson show, right? Or was it the Arsalan Kazemi show? Actually, it was Dotson, Kazemi, Singler, Emory, Loyd and every other Duck-player-on-the-team; at least that’s what it felt like. Watching the Ducks simply overpower Oklahoma State was nice to see because it …
Oregon Recruiting Manifesto: What Went Right — The Oregon Brand
This multi-week series will attempt to take a reasonable, logical and unbiased look at Oregon’s recent recruiting successes and failures, while analyzing the program’s recruiting philosophy under Chip Kelly. The series will then look at how that philosophy already has and may continue to evolve under Mark Helfrich before ending with a detailed breakdown of the author’s ideal recruiting blueprint. …
Ducks Hold Off Arizona To Complete First Conference Sweep
© 2013 Gary Breedlove Photography In the competitive Pac-12 conference, any win is a good win. The Ducks seemed to bury the Arizona Wildcats early with a 6-1 lead, but a late Zona rally nearly cost Oregon a clean slate weekend. Luckily, the Ducks were able to hold on for a 7-6 win at PK Park on Sunday afternoon, finishing up …
Singler Legacy Getting A Wonderful Sendoff
For the better part of the last four years, Oregon senior E.J. Singler has been toiling around the University of Oregon program, steadily going about his business as if he were working a boring 9-5 job. The last remaining holdover from the Ernie Kent-era, Singler has quietly put together one of the best careers in Duck history, and continues to be …
Oregon Was In The Zone … Defense
The 12th seeded Oregon Ducks took down 4th seed St. Louis Billikens Saturday in San Jose, 74-57. It should be blatantly obvious to everyone after this game that Oregon got no seeding respect from the selection committee. However, it seems to have worked out in the Ducks’ favor, as Oklahoma State and St. Louis were seeded high, and probably not deserving of …