Take It in Stride: Why It’s OK the Ducks Lost

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Look, for starters, there are hundreds of reasons why it’s OK Oregon lost. There are the “excuse-y” reasons, like how the team was on the road against one of the toughest defenses in the nation — starting a QB who’s been with the offense for roughly a month now. There are the obvious reasons why it’s OK, like how Oregon lost …

The Adventures of Captain Comeback

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Back before Marcus Mariota, Darron Thomas, and even before Dennis Dixon, Oregon had another famous quarterback or two. Of this lot, only Joey Harrington had Oregon’s interest from birth. Born to former Oregon quarterback John Harrington, Joey’s potential was recognized immediately by his dad’s old head coach Len Casanova. Casanova sent his congratulations to his former quarterback on becoming a …

Recruiting Strategy: Shift of Focus

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After bringing in a strong class last year, Oregon got off to an amazing start on the 2016 recruiting trail. Some people, including myself, believed this class was going to be one of, if not the best freshman classes in UO history. Now, after key targets have committed elsewhere and other recruits have decommitted from the Ducks, it’s important to realize that …

Ducks Travel to East Lansing Asking, “Where?”

Kim Hastings Best of FishDuck.com Humor

The Oregon Ducks got the kinks out offensively last week against Eastern Washington (and played defense somewhat offensively at the same time, but we’re not going there today) in preparation for the meatier part of the schedule. This week, the Michigan State Spartans host the Mightys at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. FishDuck.com sent their crack staff (me and an …

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 …

Recruiting Update: Oregon Continues to Haunt Mike Riley

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

News It was the weekend of quarterbacks both present and future in Eugene as Vernon Adams thoroughly silenced any naysayer that remained of his ability to adapt to Oregon’s system. Mere yards from the gridiron sat recent Nebraska commit, ala Mike Riley’s signal-caller of the future Terry Wilson (3-Star/Oklahoma City, Okla.). He did not stay committed for long. After watching …

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 …

Between College and Career, Stands Vernon Adams

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Rarely is there an opportunity to outshine your predecessor when your predecessor is a Heisman Trophy winner. But freshly-minted Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams did just that on Saturday, demonstrating an ability that exceeds even that of Marcus Mariota: the ability to move the needle of public interest. Not only is Adams’s presence drawing national attention, but he’s showing he can move …

Unreasonable, Unrealistic? Or are Duck Fans’ Expectations the New Normal?

David Miller FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

When did it happen? When was it that we stopped hoping to win and started expecting to win? Was it the pick in ’94? Nah, too early. Was it our #2 ranking after 2001? Nope, but we’re getting closer. Expecting wins is a more recent trend, but it’s not unreasonable. Unless you’ve been living in a hole for the past …

EWU’s Plucky Game Marred by Cheap Shot on Adams

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Eastern Washington fought the Ducks fiercely and cleverly Saturday, but a surprisingly competitive game was ruined by a cheap hit on Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams by one of his former teammates. After Adams scrambled for seven yards and slid to the ground untouched, EWU sophomore rover John Kreifels dove on top of him, delivering a helmet to helmet hit that …

Vernon Adams — A Different Kind of QB?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Any time a star athlete the caliber of Marcus Mariota moves on, his successor will inevitably be compared to him. It happened to Steve Young when Joe Montana left San Francisco, it happened to Andrew Luck after Peyton Manning left the Colts and it’s happening to Vernon Adams now that Mariota is gone. Many comparisons have been made between Mariota and …

FishDuck Correspondents Around the League at the Start of the Season

Kim Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The beginning of the football season marks the return of many of our long-term writers at FishDuck.com, and Kim Hastings providing the humor is something I’ve been looking forward to all summer! He will not be on Saturdays as in the past because beginning next week — he will be spoofing our opponents on Thursdays! Welcome back, Kim!  – Charles Fischer …