Recruiting Strategy: “Nike The Opening” Camp Headlines Big Weekend for Ducks

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

June is in full swing. Graduation time is upon us, and so is the beginning of summer and summer sports camps. In fact, the Nike The Opening regionals just wrapped up in Eugene over the past weekend, and with the camp in the Ducks’ backyard, the event was an excellent opportunity for Oregon to make headway on the recruiting trail. …

Recruiting Update: From Big Red to Don Thunder Green

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting News The Eugene Regional brought a degree of validation and a few surprises along the recruiting trail as it wrapped up late this past Sunday. Island-based runner Vavae Malepeai (3-Star/Mililani, HI) confirmed his intention to become a Duck following a long recruiting rapport with Eugene. A tabbed running back at the prep level, Malepeai bears the athleticism to …

Is the New NCAA Scheduling Format hurting the Athletes?

Bruce Nelson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Having attended track meets since the early ’60s, I’m not much of a fan of change in my favorite sport. However with the steep decline of the fan base over the past three or four decades, it has became apparent that something needed to be done to bring younger fans into the fold. The old dual meets were a great …

My Top Five Oregon Offensive Players

Rory Davidson History

Oregon is certainly not Notre Dame or USC with their rich histories of great football, but we still have had our fair share of great players — from great running backs and wide receivers to a host of great quarterbacks. This is my list of the top five Oregon football players on the offensive side of the ball. 5/4. Bill Musgrave …

Questions Heading Into Summer Ball

Jason Selby FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Coming off one of the most successful seasons in Ducks history, hopes are high. Despite losing Marcus Mariota and other contributors to the success of last year, the players this year are ready to show they can win too. Head Coach Mark Helfrich has done a great job at succeeding with the personnel he has in uniform. Many people didn’t believe in his ability …

As Seen While Under the Knife

Kim Hastings Humor

It was supposed to be a 12-minute procedure — anesthetized, wheeled into the operating room, surgery, and home that afternoon. Blood pressure 128/81. Perfect. Oxygen saturation, 96%. Very good. Heart rate 91. Not unusual pre-surgery. All systems go. IV attached and running smoothly. Kiss the wife goodbye, and I’m off. The cold air and bright lights of an O.R. are …

Duckling Profile: Austin Maloata Developing as Role Expands

Forrest Welk FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

While Duck fans know Oregon football for its high-powered, speed-kills offense, they also know the Ducks have a nagging need to get bigger and faster on defense. Enter Austin Maloata, a true sophomore defensive lineman looking to move up the depth chart this season. While he didn’t play much his freshman season, Duck fans should look out for his intimidating 300-pound frame, topped with …

Recruiting Update: Best Point Guard in ’15 Coming to Oregon?

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting News By now, just about everyone in and around Autzen Stadium knows the name Hunter Kampmoyer (3-Star/Bishop, CA). But what was behind the almost instantaneous pledge to become a Duck? Kampmoyer, it appears, has had his eyes trained on Oregon since his decommitment from Arizona State earlier this year. “I told my parents last week if Oregon offers, …

Loaded With Talent — Ducks Passing Game Set to Soar

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Although Oregon has been a run-oriented football team the past few years, the number of times they have run the ball has decreased in both of Mark Helfrich’s seasons as head coach. The difference in the Helfrich era thus far has been athletic passers playing the QB position rather than runners who can somewhat throw. The Chip Kelly-type QB will always be defined …

Should Oregon Retire Numbers?

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

While watching  ”The Sandlot” the other day, I couldn’t help but get caught up in my nostalgia. Babe Ruth comes into Benny’s room and gives him advice on his predicament, and before he leaves, he says, “Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” I began to think about Marcus Mariota. His contributions to the Oregon football program go far beyond …

Mariota Looking to Buck Trend of Ducks Busting in the NFL

Aaron Lewis FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Former Ducks football players can be found across the NFL. Oregon even had the distinction of having more former players starting in last year’s Super Bowl than any other college team with three. Over the last 20 years, 71 Oregon players have been selected in the NFL Draft, including nine first-round picks. In the 2015 draft, Marcus Mariota became the …