Ducks Finally Discard Their “Soft” Label

Omar Garibay FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s been talked about quite a bit in recent years, and critics have always found a way to disregard Oregon’s accomplishments. Sure, as far as overall team success is concerned, the Ducks have been one of the most successful college football programs in the nation since 2009, but their inability to win a national championship has led to skepticism. Some …

Thomas Tyner to the Rescue? A Ducks Fan Hopes So

Randy Morse FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

OK Thomas: from one Oregonian to another, man, I need your help. Specifically, I need you to help Royce Freeman, Byron Marshall, Kenny Basset and Marcus Mariota run roughshod over the Florida State defense in the Rose Bowl this Thursday. It’s personal, Thomas. Do it — for me! Top photo by Kevin Cline

The “Underdogs”: An Analysis of the Seminoles

Rory Davidson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Principal’s Note: Instead of the usual analysis of Oregon, I felt it important to focus this week upon the opponent we are facing. Rory Davidson has done an outstanding job teaching Duck fans what to look for in the other team, and this week is no exception. I will be back next week, but do look for a short joint …

ESPNU’s Mike Bellotti on Oregon vs FSU: “Don’t Play Them In The 4th Quarter”

Paul Jones FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

ESPNU hosted four, thirty minute segments on Sunday, each focused on a playoff team and the road required to get each of them to a College Football Playoff victory on New Year’s Day.The show, “Road to the College Football Playoffs,” was co-hosted by former Oregon Football Coach and Athletic Director Mike Bellotti. While the Oregon segment focused on how the …

Recruiting Update: Oregon on the Move in Mora’s Backyard

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting Offers With Christmas closing in, Oregon’s trek along the recruiting trail will see a momentary hiatus. However, a flurry of winter activity has tripped the radar of several top recruits as the new year inches ever closer. Linebacker Josh Woods (3-Star/Upland, CA) gave a commitment nod to UCLA earlier this year, but the Ducks now seem to be back in …

Will Oregon’s Defensive Secondary Seize the Moment?

Randy Morse FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With news of consensus All-American Ifo Ekpre-Olomu’s season-ending knee injury splashed all over college football pages and blogs from Tallahassee to Eugene, attention has been largely focused on the dire implications for a depleted Ducks’ secondary now forced to go up against last year’s Heisman winner, Jameis Winston, and a dynamic receiving corps led by Rashad Greene, a 6-foot senior …

Next Man Up: Oregon’s Defensive Loss May Be Key to Rose Bowl Victory

Paul Jones FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The loss of All-American Ifo Ekpre-Olomu hurts, and it hurts a lot, simply because Oregon fans know he has the potential to be great at the next level. Since the Rose Bowl match-up was announced, most experts considered the Rashad Greene vs Ekpre-Olomu battle a key to who would win the game. Now that Ekpre-Olomu is out, Greene running wild …

Depth and Stars Matter at Florida State

Randy Morse FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Florida State, Oregon’s opponent in the upcoming Rose Bowl on January 1st, knows how to win. An established football tradition and excellent coaching are complemented by top recruiting classes attracted to the school of 32,000 in Tallahassee, year after year. As the ‘Noles prepare for their showdown with the Ducks, they have not-so-quietly put together the nation’s second-ranked 2015 recruiting …

Oregon’s Fabulous Freshmen Crush Arizona

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The PAC-12 Championship between Oregon and Arizona was a battle of the babies, with both teams led by talented freshmen. Friday, the Ducklings crushed the Wildkittens, which is a great sign for Oregon’s future. Arizona’s Anu Solomon (287 yards passing) and Nick Wilson (3 TDs, 92 yards on the ground) killed Oregon in the Wildcats’ upset victory last October. Friday, …

Ducks Destroy Wildcats, 51-13, Take Home Pac-12 Championship

Randy Morse FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

After a shaky first quarter, the Oregon Ducks, led by an outstanding defensive performance and a Heisman-clinching game from Marcus Mariota, absolutely destroyed the 7th-ranked Arizona Wildcats, 51-13 in this evening’s Pac-12 title game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. After leading 23-0 at the half, the Ducks wasted no time asserting themselves in the third quarter. They moved …

Oregon – Arizona at the Half

Randy Morse FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The first half in this one looked more like a South Eugene – North Eugene early December tilt, complete with sometimes driving rain, slippery turf, and the odd dollop of mud. The 23-0 halftime score hugely flattered Arizona, who did as close to absolutely zilch as possible, short of not trotting out onto the field at Levi’s in the first …