Rejoice for Royce Freeman

Laura Brehm FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Just like fifty percent of Ducks at the University of Oregon, this next Duckling Profile subject did not reside in Oregon prior to arriving at the University. He’s from the golden state of California, adding to the growing abundance of Californians and also adding to the argument that the UO might as well be called “UC Oregon.” But, there are no …

Track Town USA: The Legacy Of Hayward Field Lives On

Kerry Merrill FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Located on the University of Oregon’s Eugene campus, Hayward Field is one of the world’s most famous track-and-field-only facilities.  But before Hayward Field was the fan-filled, legendary home of insanely talented track and field athletes, it was a small, quarter mile dirt track named Kincaid Field.  The track itself actually dates all the way back to 1895 when the University …

Recruiting Update: Oregon to Steal South Bend Gold?

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

  Football Recruiting News Oregon has spent much of 2014 searching for a quarterback of the future. With Kyler Murray no longer in play, the Ducks have come full circle and are going for broke in their pursuit of Notre Dame commit Blake Barnett (4-Star/Corona, CA/Rivals100). One of the nation’s top dual threat signal-callers, Barnett made a long-anticipated visit to Eugene this …

The Unlikely Trap Game on Oregon’s Schedule

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

I’m not saying it is going to happen; just saying it is possible. Not likely, just possible. Like writing a will before travelling abroad: if there’s even a moderate chance of something bad happening, prudent people take precautions to mitigate the danger. Wills are written in case the unexpected happens, that remote possibility no one else saw coming, to let everyone know you …

An Overview: The Pac-12’s Second-Year Coaches

Pat Pannu FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

In the past three years a lot of teams in the Pac-12 have had coaching changes, with the sole exception being the University of Utah where Kyle Whittingham has been the coach since 2005. The other 11 schools in the conference have all hired new coaches since 2011. There are three programs — Oregon, California and Colorado — heading into Year …

Recruiting Update: All Eyes on Murray

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

  Football Recruiting News Swirling rumors will finally be put to rest as the nation’s top dual-threat quarterback, Kyler Murray (4-Star/Allen, TX/Rivals100), will announce his program decision later today. The southwest phenom accounted for 57 touchdowns during his junior season and will attempt to lead his team to their third-straight state title this coming year. While only 5-foot-11, 175 lbs., …

A Developing Rivalry: Stanford University Cardinal

Pat Pannu FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Oregon-Stanford football rivalry might not be the oldest or most polarizing, but for the last few years it has been the one with the most on the line for both teams.  The rivalry is not new, only recently becoming intense enough to warrant the level of dislike and hatred between the teams and fan bases for it to be called a …

Chip Kelly Update: Murderleg, RC Cars, 3 Ducks and the Draft

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The long, slow, dull days of winter are over and Chip Kelly’s Eagles are crackling with activity.  He drafted a solid if unflashy group of players (including Ducks Josh Huff and Taylor Hart), added a number of UDFAs (such as a savage-tackling kicker nicknamed “Murderleg”) and wielded some innovative technologies that caused a stir around the league. Better yet, Chip’s …

How Does Oregon’s 2014 NFL Draft Class Compare to Those of the Past?

Joey Holland History

The NFL Draft has been in place for nearly 80 years, and in that time it has changed significantly. With no Internet, no combine, and few formal scouting reports, executives used to draft players that they had never seen work out and, in many cases, had never even seen on film.  At the time of the first draft in 1936, the NFL minimum salary …

Recruiting Update: Oregon Tripping Air-Raid Sirens

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting News Oregon’s push into the summer camp cycle is gaining momentum as one of the west coast’s top linebackers, Cameron Smith (4-Star/Granite Bay, CA) is slated to visit over Memorial Day weekend.  The 6-foot-2, 240 lb. “Mike” defender is said to be interested in the Ducks after an offer was extended March 3. Oregon’s no stranger to prying recruits …

One Goal, One Word: Shutout

Ashley Young FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The safety: the last line of defense, constantly going in and out of attack mode, able to sift through offensive structures and break them down.  Arguably the position that gives the quarterback the most trouble, due to the safety’s ability to move undetected.  The Oregon Ducks have seen several players come through this position who have had a great impact. Now it’s …