Charles Fischer

We have already discussed this subject at length, and while I don't mind doing it again--I would rather focus on the bowl game for the next two days, and haggle about the players getting paid in the long off-season when there is nothing else to discuss. Suffice it to say that for one of the few times--I disagree with my friend BigDucksFan, in the biggest way possible. Let's not get off in these weeds yet... My thanks.

John is a man-with-a-plan, and this is one time I sure agree with him! What say you?

OK, the Wizard’s crystal ball has suffered a few cracks since the Wizard went public. I’m starting to feel odd, fellows. Mr. FishDuck called on me to come forth with my picks. Since coming out of the dark, I have gone 2-3 in week one and 2-2 this last week. Apparently, I do better as a mushroom? In the dark, ... Read More Source View the full article...

EUGENE, Ore. – University of Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens announced today that the University has reached an agreement on a contract extension with head women's basketball coach Kelly Graves. The extension runs through the 2028-29 season, and the incremental increases are funded through private athletic gifts. In his seventh season with the Ducks after being named the program's head coach on April 7, 2014, Graves owns a record of 162-54 (.750) and has led Oregon to three consecutive Pac-12 regular-season championships as well as two conference tournament championships in the last three years. "Kelly Graves has built a tremendous culture and family atmosphere within Oregon women's basketball program that has created a first-class experience for our student-athletes," said Mullens. "He and his staff have elevated the standard in our program to consistently competing for and winning Pac-12 championships while also competing at the highest level nationally. Kelly and Mary Graves have formed a strong bond to the Eugene community and all Duck fans, and we are grateful for their continued commitment to our student-athletes and the University of Oregon." "I am extremely grateful to President Schill, Rob Mullens, Lisa Peterson, and the entire administration for their continued support and trust in me to lead this program," said Graves. "My family and I absolutely love being a part of the Duck family and the amazing University of Oregon community. We are building something special here in Eugene, and this is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of the tremendous student-athletes we have had the privilege of working with over the years, as well as the commitment of my incredible staff. I also want to thank the best fans in the nation for their unbelievable passion and support of this program; we can't wait until the day we are able to pack the house at Matthew Knight Arena again." The John R. Wooden Pac-12 Coach of the Year in each of the last two seasons, Graves guided Oregon to the program's first-ever Final Four appearance in 2019 while also leading UO to three consecutive Elite Eights. The Ducks set a program record for wins in 2017-18 with 33, a total equaled in 2018-19, and Oregon went 31-2 in the COVID-19-shortened 2019-20 season to become the only team in the nation with 30-plus wins in each of the last three campaigns. The Ducks – 7-0 overall and 5-0 in Pac-12 play to open the 2020-21 season – have won a program-record 26 consecutive games dating back to last season, the longest active winning streak in the nation. Oregon also owns current win streaks of 23 consecutive in conference play, 21 in a row at home, and 13 consecutive on the road, and the No. 8 Ducks have been ranked in the Associated Press top 10 for 64 consecutive polls. In his 24th season as a Division I head coach, Graves owns a 544-216 (.716) career record with 13 total conference titles, and his 162 wins as Oregon's head coach rank second in program history. Graves has coached and recruited some of the greatest players in women's college basketball history, including the only two players ever to record 2,000 career points and 1,000 career assists in Oregon legend Sabrina Ionescu and former Gonzaga star Courtney Vandersloot. Ionescu is the undisputed NCAA triple-double queen with 26 during her incredible career, and she was the unanimous national player of the year as a senior in 2019-20 before going on to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft. Under Graves' tutelage, Ionescu teamed up with fellow All-Americans Ruthy Hebard and Satou Sabally to form one of the most lethal trios in the history of the game. Sabally followed Ionescu as the No. 2 pick in the WNBA Draft and Hebard went at No. 8, becoming just the seventh trio of teammates ever to go in the top 10 of the same draft. Despite losing the "Big Three" as well as a fourth starter from 2019-20 in Minyon Moore, Graves has maintained Oregon's status as one of the nation's premiere programs in 2020-21 with the addition of the nation's No. 1 recruiting class as well as multiple talented transfers. The top-ranked freshman class – made up of five McDonald's All-Americans – is the first in program history.

I share your concerns OC, as I don't know what generated more stomach acid for me; watching Texas score again or hearing more praise and tribute to the Longhorn QB. I figured it had to end at some point, and finally just muted the darn thing...

Interesting article about the Iowa State defense that also includes a video of Joe Moorhead talking about it right here. As a side-note...the writer, Ashley Young, got her start as a sportswriter right here at FishDuck while at Oregon!

I cannot link it because it is a subscription site, but today's Register-Guard has an article about Demo Lenoir considering a return to the team for next season since 2020 is an eligibility mulligan. On one hand it says he is considered one of the top 15 corners in the next NFL draft, (??) yet he says there are things he can still learn and improve. I don't know if this is just talk to stir up Social Media, or if he is serious. How would that alter our thoughts about the secondary for next year? (Or should we withhold our comment until after the Fiesta Bowl?)

Perhaps you do not understand; we will be posting articles, tweets, videos and GIFs from all websites off the web, and a FishDuck article is one of them each day that we will be posting in here because we soon will not have comments below the article at FishDuck. Thus to comment on the FishDuck article...we do it here. Or you did not click on the link? It takes you right to the article at FishDuck, or anyone can read the article at FishDuck without the link. I guess I am not sure of the question, or I am the one confused...

These are new and fantastic to see!

Super-Ducks to the Pac-12 rescue again? It is up to Our Beloved Ducks to save the pride of the Pac-12, after that ugly beat-down on Colorado by a mid-lin Big-12 team? That was a worst scenario outcome for the conference...

Great article by David Marsh about a topic we thought we would never see at Oregon; an emerging defensive tradition. Read the article right here, as there are some really good points-to-ponder! Thoughts?

This year was marked by an underachieving defense from the outset. However, it is worth reiterating that a great deal of the defense’s underachievement came as the result of Jevon Holland, Brady Breeze and Thomas Graham opting out. At the end of the season, though, we can say that this is the start of a new era for Oregon’s defense. Mario ... Read More Source View the full article...

I wrote of this before, and boy is this sweet; five sports events in four days! Thursday, December 31st, Mens Basketball, Cal at home at 7:00 PM at 6:00 PM on Pac-12 Network Friday, January 1st, Womens Basketball, USC at home at 6:00 PM on Pac-12 Network Saturday, January 2nd, Football-Fiesta Bowl at 1:00 PM on ESPN Saturday, January 2nd, Mens Basketball, Stanford at home at 7:00 PM on ESPN2 or ESPNU Sunday January 3rd, Womens Basketball, UCLA at home at 1:00 PM on Pac-12 Network

Very cool; the Men are No. 21 and the Women are No. 8 and I think both are going to be rising!

This would not be good for Oregon, as this is what was said in the Cristobal's Press Conference. Of course another tease about Cam McCormick; even if he did play--there is two years of rust to knock off and I'm happy with the play of Kampmoyer and DJ Johnson. (Below)

As good as Buckner is....there is only one defensive lineman better who would require double and triple teams these days, and that is Haloti Ngata. He was a true freak of nature, and such a good person as well.

It’s a common phrase at the NFL level to say your team is a “quarterback away” from being a playoff contender. The same could be said about many college football programs, and although the Ducks may not be particularly needy at the quarterback spot, they may be one all-time great player away from being a College Football Playoff contender even ... Read More Source View the full article...

SAN FRANCISCO – Start times and television selections for the Oregon women’s basketball team’s first six games of the 2021 calendar year were announced by the Pac-12 office on Monday afternoon. The No. 8 Ducks (7-0, 5-0 Pac-12) – riding the nation’s longest active winning streak at 26 straight dating back to last season – will return to action this Friday, Jan. 1, at home against USC at 6 p.m. PT before hosting No. 11 UCLA on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both games are set to be broadcast on Pac-12 Network. Oregon will then head to the Bay Area to take on top-ranked Stanford on Friday, Jan. 8, at 6 p.m. on Pac-12 Network. The Ducks will play California in Berkeley on Sunday, Jan. 10, at 1 p.m. on Pac-12 Network. The Ducks’ contest against No. 6 Arizona in Tucson will be nationally televised on ESPN or ESPN2 at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, with a showdown at Arizona State to follow at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17, in Tempe (Pac-12 Network). Jan. 1-17 Game Times & TV Selections: Jan. 1 vs. USC – 6 PM PT – Pac-12 Network Jan. 3 vs. #11 UCLA – 1 PM PT – Pac-12 Network Jan. 8 at #1 Stanford – 6 PM PT – Pac-12 Network Jan. 10 at California – 1 PM PT – Pac-12 Network Jan. 14 at #6 Arizona – 4 PM PT – ESPN or ESPN2 Jan. 17 at Arizona State – 11 AM PT – Pac-12 Network

FishDuck writer Ryan Robertson is pretty sure of this and gives his reasons why right here. Thoughts?

Oregon is going to win the Fiesta Bowl. There, I said it. Iowa State is a really good football team. They were a few plays against Louisiana and Oklahoma from having a case for the college football playoff. They have a good QB, a really good defense and one of the best coaches in the country. They have a unique ... Read More Source View the full article...

Great topic Santa Rosa Duck! A good one to ponder... 1. I do think Autzen will be opened up if enough can be vaccinated up to then. 2. Yes we should be vaccinated and be able to show proof, as I want to know the people in the stadium will not get COVID, sue the university and ruin our Oregon Sports. 3. I absolutely will get vaccinated as soon as I can, as I am age 64 and will be around a ton of retired people and do not want to inadvertently give them the disease. 4. If I am vaccinated--yes I would attend, but I would not advise the university to allow those who are not vaccinated, IMHO. How did I did do Single Spacing? At the end of the sentence when I would hit "Enter" in my PC, ("Return" on Mac) I would first hold down the "Shift" key in the lower left corner, and then hit "Enter" and BINGO...we have a single space. It is amusing...on FishDuck, the problem with the comments was automatic single spacing and asking people to hit "Enter" or "Return" twice every three or four sentences. But this site automatically makes a double space when you hit "Enter" and now we have to explain how to single-space for times needed. What a hoot. All the advice on how to do things are in the Pinned Topic at the top of the forum called, "Directions."

What has surprised me is how fast the Men and Women both have jelled in a year of so many newcomers and with the weird COVID pressures taking place. Coach Nordy...it is wonderful to have you back writing with passion about Our Beloved Ducks on the hardwoods!

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?