3 Reasons Oregon Ducks Rely on Running Backs in 2015

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The college football off-season has seen an immense trove of educated guesses as to how the Oregon Ducks football program will adjust to life without Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Marcus Mariota. Today, we are exactly 1/2 year away from opening kickoff. Never too early to start counting down is it? #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/bA1eWYQyTc — QuackCave (@QuackCave) March 6, 2015 Indeed, the future looks bright …

Ducks in the Backfield: Too Much of a Good Thing?

Caleb Couturie FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

When the Ducks landed Taj Griffin, the fourth-ranked RB in this year’s class, my initial reaction was joy. Afterwards, though, I got to thinking. Royce Freeman is a way-too-early candidate for Pac-12 player of the year, Thomas Tyner returns healthier than ever and Byron Marshall is still the most dynamic player the Ducks can hand the ball to. In short, there are …

Do Ducks Overlook Oregonians?

Aaron Lewis Editorials

What you see above is a $60 million high school football stadium. It is not located in the state of Oregon. Not a total surprise…. Ducks 2015 recruiting class does not include any Oregonians. Earlier this month Oregon closed a solid recruiting class. This was Oregon’s best recruiting class according to 247 Sports, ESPN, and Rivals since Chip Kelly’s last class …

ESPN Poll: Royce Freeman the Next Pac-12 Player of the Year?

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Duck fans can expect a lot of changes next season. While questions surround the Oregon football program in the post-Mariota era, it’s the return of running back Royce Freeman that gives the Ducks a legitimate shot at another post-season run in 2015. In a recent ESPN poll, Freeman is among four Pac-12 candidates projected to be Pac-12 player of the year. At http://t.co/BcNwBE0UGy — Missing Oregon Football! Simple edit …

The Rich Get Richer: Kirk Merritt and The Ducks’ Run Game

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Monday night the Oregon Ducks won big time by getting four star athlete Kirk Merritt to commit to play college ball at Oregon. Merritt, a versatile prospect who can play WR and RB, adds another threat to a backfield already full of them. With the addition of Merritt to a backfield already boasting Royce Freeman, Thomas Tyner and Byron Marshall, Oregon’s run …

Looking Ahead to 2015: Three Reasons Ducks Will Repeat as Pac-12 Champs

Spencer Thomas FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The collective wisdom from popular media seems to be that the Oregon Ducks football team will take a step back in 2015. On January 19, ESPN’s Ted Miller predicted that the South Division will produce the Pac-12 football champion next season. Other recent articles have focused on how Oregon must improve, or adapt, in the post-Marcus Mariota era to repeat …

Oregon Makes ESPN Favorite Plays of the Year

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Some things just get lost in the excitement. Many Duck fans are returning to their DVRs, searching for footage from the 2014 Oregon football season, reliving the memories of their historic season with the projected top 2015 NFL Draft pick, quarterback Marcus Mariota. Mariota finished his 2014 Heisman Trophy winning campaign completing 68 percent of his passes for the Ducks, throwing for 4,454 yards, 42 touchdowns, and two …

Next Heisman Up? A Unique Opportunity for Ducks

Jordan Ingram FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

The Oregon football season ended with as many questions as achievements, leaving many speculating about how the Ducks’ football program will respond to the magic and disappointment of 2014. As recruiting enters its final stretch, the quarterback discussion has started to heat up in Eugene. It’s true, the 2015 Oregon football program has the unenviable task of replacing its Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Marcus Mariota. Unfortunately, the …

5 Areas in Need of Change for 2015 Ducks Football Season

McKalie Bellew FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It is no secret to anyone that the Oregon Ducks had a memorable season with many different successes both as a program and for individual players. Although it is sad that it had to come to an end with a brutal loss to Ohio State in the National Championship Game, the Ducks should be considered a threat in college football …

Predicting Next Season: Heavy Run Game?

Noah Smith FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

While everyone, myself included, loves to speculate about who the next QB will be now that Marcus Mariota has left, there is one very important truth we must remember; Oregon is a run oriented team. Yes, having a great QB this season certainly helped, but Oregon’s offense always goes through the run. The good news is, since the run game …

Running Backs: Too Much Of A Good Thing?

Nik Brownlee FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

It’s not often that a team has too much talent–especially at one position–because having depth is a good thing, right? Well, with Byron Marshall (Sr.), Thomas Tyner (Jr.), and Royce Freeman (So.) all returning; there might not be enough carries to go around next year. There is no doubt the Ducks have found their feature back in Freeman. With him …

Ducks Dominate Pac-12 All Bowl Team

Max Thornberry FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Even if the Ducks didn’t bring a national title back to Eugene we can still look back at their bowl season and appreciate their accomplishments. Which is exactly what Ted Miller of ESPN.com did in compiling the Pac-12 all-bowl team. Miller gave credit where it was due to the Ducks’ offensive standout performances, giving Oregon players five of the 11 spots. …