In January 2016, the Ducks entered halftime of the Alamo Bowl with a 31-0 lead and ultimately lost the game to TCU 47-41 in three overtimes. The following day I wrote a piece I called The Sun Also Rises: A Football Edition. I am reminded of that today as I reflect back on a game that could have turned out much differently. When I first thought about that article last night, I thought to myself...
Read MoreCategory: Football
This weekend played out differently than I had expected for a variety of reasons – not all of which are related to football. Due to some of those vagaries of life that sometimes creep into our days, I decided I needed to take my wife to Bend and spend a night away from home. We stayed within walking distance of the Old Mill District and were able to have a nice dinner at a local seafood restauran...
Read MoreI have always loved fall. As a boy, the cool, crisp air came with football and the World Series. Whenever I go outside on a fall evening the smell of wood-burning fireplaces always transports me to football practice as a kid. As I am now firmly in the fall of life, it takes on a unique duality to experience the onset of the season. Last season, as I walked to and from the press box, I knew ...
Read MoreA few weeks ago, I posted an article via this website. Not sure if anyone noticed the difference, but I created this site at the beginning of the year when there was some uncertainty about what the future might look like. I was very open that I liked writing for Rivals and communicated with our new publisher that I would like to continue writing for the site. But you also never really know how...
Read MoreJohn Canzano wrote a piece about his grandfather attempting to get to the Rose Bowl in 1929 - and how he made it to Pasadena a day late. This reminded me of my first trip to Pasadena. I would love to tell you a romantic story about a just graduated college kid who hitched a ride to Pasadena and found his way to the 1995 game against Penn State, but that would be a fantasy; a story that may be...
Read MoreThought I would make this a freebie portion because it really is a fun little section.REVISIONIST HISTORYThere is a certain renewed sense of hope and energy within the Oregon football boosters and alum. Josh Wilcox has been very vocal about his dislike of Oregon’s previous coach – but how much of that is related to Taggart’s inadequate attempt to reach out to former Ducks from the pre-2010 era
Read MoreSounds like the title of a strange B-grade horror flick from the 1950’s; so what does it have to do with sports? Everything.I have not been one to make too many open criticisms of local media in Oregon; I have to work with them, have a decent relationship with them and attempt to treat them with respect. But it is interesting to me how much the local media is trying to fan the flames of longing i...
Read MoreIt is a fascinating development over the last twenty or so years to monitor recruiting. What used to be a press release in February – with maybe some tidbits in local newspapers along with SuperPrep magazine – has become an industry to itself.Along with the proliferation of recruiting information has come a different feeling at times among fans; it’s like reading all of the NFL pre-draft hype the...
Read MoreThursday Musings – Basketball scandal, some recruiting thoughts, and baseball
A DEEP HOLE - A DEEPER DILEMMAThe biggest scandal in sports – potentially the most destructive scandal in sports history – is not going away anytime soon. After the initial news broke that several college basketball assistants and two apparel company executives had been arrested, the news exploded then seemed to become just background noise.Until this week.More subpoenas have been issued to addit...
Read MoreEarly WSU Thoughts After a gut-wrenching victory which saw the Ducks exorcise some demons from last season, the Cal game also cost the team its star quarterback, star running back and a starter at linebacker.How on earth can Oregon win against Washington State? The Cougars are ranked No. 11 in the nation and are coming off of their first victory over a top 5 team in a quarter century. The Cougar d
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