The Numbers Can Lie

Max Thornberry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

With the conclusion of the NBA and NHL Finals, baseball has taken center stage, meaning that football is right around the corner. Bringing with it many questions, hopes and fears for Oregon fans. Is the Pac-12 the best division in college football? Can a team without a definitive quarterback take them to another National Title game? Will Oregon put up …

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 …

Running Styles: Oregon Runners Griffin, Tyner and Freeman

Adam Kruse History

It was 1993 and I was a senior in high school playing running back for the South Salem Saxons.  I wore No. 43 before Darren Sproles made it cool to wear the number. The Ducks running back in 1993, Sean Burwell, finished with 457 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns on the season. Last season, Oregon ran for 301 yards in …

Why Oregon Will Have Two 1,000-Yard Rushers

Shonti Tager FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s no secret the Ducks are loaded in the backfield this year. With three proven every-down backs, and a slew of young talent waiting for a chance to shine, Oregon is in as good a position as any team in the nation. A favorable schedule, and a competent quarterback to keep teams from stuffing the box could mean Oregon will …

Stewart Mandel on Oregon: Taking that Last College Football Step

Omar Garibay FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

College football has been one of the most talked about sports in recent memory. Whether it’s been the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) dominance or Florida State‘s off-the-field issues, it has kept people glued to their seats. However, despite the fact that the southern portion of the United States is known as “football country,” west coast football has been on the rise, …

ESPN’s Kevin Gemmel Ranked Oregon’s QBs Fifth in Pac-12

Max Thornberry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Considering the fact that no one knows how the quarterback situation is going to play out in 2015 for the defending Pac-12 champion, Oregon Ducks — it is impressive that Kevin Gemmel of ESPN.com ranked Oregon as fifth in the conference at the position. With match-ups against all four quarterbacks ahead of them, an intriguing battle within arguably the strongest conference in the country …

Oregon’s Top 5 2016 NFL Draft Prospects

Rory Davidson FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Marcus Mariota to the Titans, Arik Armstead to the Niners, Jake Fisher to the Bengals, Hroniss Grasu to the Bears, and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu to the Browns.  These are the names of the Oregon players we heard called by Roger Goodell in this year’s NFL Draft.  Now I think it’s obvious that Mariota was a once-in-a-lifetime player.  The Ducks are also not …

Can Jeff Lockie Fill the Void?

Jason Selby FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

When Marcus Mariota was leading the Ducks, everything seemed fine and dandy. Last season rolled along, with much success coming for our men in green and yellow, and black and pink, and white and gray, etc. Towards the end of the season, rumors of Braxton Miller transferring to the other dominant ‘O’ were swirled around, but nothing came of it. In the weeks recovering …

Spring Game Shows Flashes of Both Good and Bad

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football is back, baby. Sure it was just the Spring Game but, hey, we’ll take it! In the annual classic, Team Oregon (White) faced off against Team Pathway (Green). A full list of the rosters can be found here. While it was certainly no regular season game, players came out hard and fast. It was the team’s first game without many …

Freeman Speaks Volumes on Progress With Few Words

Daniel Kantor FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Last season, freshman sensation Royce Freeman took Autzen Stadium by storm. The freshman, from Brawley, Calif., became a household name in Tracktown within the first two games of his college career, posting back-to-back multiple touchdown performances against South Dakota and Michigan State. Even with veteran backs Byron Marshall and Thomas Tyner in the stable, Freeman managed 1,365 yards on 252 attempts, …

Byron Marshall Reflects After Spring Ball

Austin Willhoft FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Despite the quarterback situation being the major concern going into next season, another pivotal aspect that’s worth mentioning is the running back situation in Oregon. Last season, the addition of current true sophomore RB Royce Freeman proved to be effective for the Ducks as he finished the season fifth in the Pac-12 in rushing yards. Plus, the Ducks were able to slide …

Oregon Football Success is by Committee

Dave Kensler FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

We have all heard it from coaches and players at some point: “If everyone just does his assignment, the team will succeed.” Despite the understanding that football is a team game, fans still have their favorite or preferred individual players. In a sense the coaches pick favorites as well, because at some point they have to name the starters. Essentially, …