Charles Fischer

Basketball season is officially in full swing, and it sure is a great thing. Albeit a little bumpy at times, it’s happening. Through schedule changes and postponements, the season goes on, and we have another fun and exciting set of Oregon Men’s and Women’s teams to watch and root on as we bring in the New Year. Watching these two ... Read More Source View the full article...

Scott Roussel of FootballScoop (who tracks the coaching job openings and coaches) is stating that his sources tell him the Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore is the target of Boise State for the their HC spot to fill. If things go well--the deal should be done over the next couple of days. And that could keep Andy Avalos here in Eugene! Thanks to Notalot for providing the information...

From our great member of this forum, Notalot... Charles ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Know your enemy is a mantra of both war and sports. Survival in conflict whether on the football field or the battlefield is reliant on out maneuvering the opponent. As the Ducks begin the ramp up of a game preparation for the Iowa State Cyclones the coaches and players are studying the team, its schemes, personnel, and tendencies. As fans it will serve us well to learn something about Iowa State football. Given that the team is from conference outside of the PAC-12, is from a midwestern state and it is not one of the darlings of the powerful sports media we have much to learn about. The Iowa State Cyclones are the football team at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The team is coached by Matt Campbell. The Cyclones compete in the Big 12 Conference and are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the NCAA. The Cyclones went 8-1 in the Big 12 standings, and 8-3 overall in the 2020 Season winning the conference title. Of the three total losses over the 11-game season, two of the losses came at the hands of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State with a combined shortfall of 8 points. ISU is a good and powerful football team with balance in all facets of the game, and with few weaknesses. The ISU Offense averaged 32.8 points per game while the Defense held its opponents to a paltry and impressive 21.8 ppg. #8 – Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Junior. At 6’ 3” and a rangy 207 lbs. Hutchinson led the team with 60 receptions on the season, averaging 12.7 yards per catch. #88 – Charlie Kolar, TE, R-Junior. Standing 6’6” and 257 lbs. Kolar has prototypical size for a Tight End. On the season he booked 39 catches for 538 yards averaging 13.79 ypc. On the defensive side of the ball the Cyclones are stacked with power and speed. #23 – Mike Rose, LB, Junior, 6’4” and 245 lbs. Rose registered 90 tackles in leading the team for tackles while recording 10 TFL. #3 – JaQuan Bailey, DE, R-Senior, 6’2” and 261 lbs. is a tackling machine giving QB’s fits with 13 TFL while showing relentless push while rushing. You may be wondering if ISU has a star Running Back? The answer is a resounding “yes” in Breece Hall. Hall is a powerful threat running, blocking and out of the backfield. #28 – Breece Hall, RB, Sophomore, 6’1” and 215 lbs. Hall gained nearly 1500 yards averaging almost 6 yards per carry. He is a consistent, tackle breaking running threat who seldom settles for lost yards. So, who is the leader of the pack? Who is the IQ of the team on the field and how good is he? ISU is led by #15 Quarterback Brock Purdy who with a QB Rating of 143.5 threw for 2594 yards with 18 TDs and 9 interceptions. Purdy ran for 343 yards with 4 scores. Though more prolific as a passer, Purdy is a dual threat. The Ducks are stacked with talent, but young. Oregon played a short season, and with the rest between the PAC-12 Championship game and the Fiesta Bowl, the team should be rested and eager to play. With the thrill of the Bowl game and a last time to take the field this season, expect the Ducks to be prepared and emotionally jacked up to face the Cyclones. On the other hand, ISU has fought its way to the Fiesta and the big stage of a national audience in prime viewing time on January 2nd. Now that we know more about who we are going to play let us see how our Beloved Ducks perform. What can you add in this discussion of the enemy?