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B 2013 EDITION
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012 î mark helfrich. Oregon’s new head coach has some mighty big shoes to fill. After four consecutive bowl appearances under Chip Kelly, Duck fans have lofty expectations for Oregon football.
018 î lineups. Marcus Mariota emerged as a star last season, who will be the next breakout player?
036 î section 8. Meet the folks who call the student section home. These guys ooze school spirit (in a good way.)
044 î the future. With the loss of key players like Kenjon Barner, the Oregon team will rely heavily on some lesser-known Ducks.
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* future
Autzen is growing but not in the way you think î After being recognized as one of the greenest universities by the Princeton Review, Oregon can look forward to further enhancing “going green” as Autzen Stadium undergoes renovations on its north side. What started as a simple concept idea from Nike shoe designer Tinker Hatfield has turned into a potential creation of a forest on the Autzen Stadium premise, falling in line with the Pat Kilkenny “deep in the woods” floor at Matthew Knight Arena. Already being called “Zen North,” Uncle Phil can give back to his alma-mater once more in an unmatchable way as he attempts to transform the north side of Autzen into a forest. From the 39 mature Douglas fir, incense cedar, coast redwood, giant sequoia, western red cedar and Canadian hemlock trees that will be brought in by contractors to the 6 to 15-foot-tall saplings that will include an additional 76 Douglas firs, 115 vine maples and 12 western red cedars, the “Zen North” will be visible from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and above. Knight has budgeted more than $5 million on the landscape project, donating work to the University of Oregon after signing a deal with the University back in February. Included in the budget will be a whopping $8,000 per mature tree planted and Zen North will also feature thousands of different ground-cover plants, ranging from 1,092 Oregon grapes to 8,868 wild gingers. Aside from the incomparable and unique potential for design that Knight has masterfully crafted, the renovations serve the purpose of allowing easier access to fans on the north side entrance. Fans will also have the chance to experience different themed benches outside their seats on the newly remade paths. It may never rain at Autzen Stadium, but with the newly added drip irrigation system that is designed to water all the plants automatically, there may be a need for a new saying. — Hayden Kim
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D Phil Knight is doling out upward of $5 million to create a forest on the north side of Autzen Stadium. Dubbed “Zen North,” this new addition will feature more than 100 trees.
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DuckSeason, the Emerald’s annual football magazine, is published by Emerald Media Group, Inc., the independent nonprofit news company at the University of Oregon. Formerly the Oregon Daily Emerald, the news organization was founded in 1900.
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newsroom edi t o r i n C h ie f S am S tit e s S u mmer edi t o r i n c h ie f J ak e C rump p ri n t ma n a g i n g edi t o r e d e r campuzano A r t direc t o r s A nd y R ossback & J ak e C rump S p o r t s edi t o r A ubr e y W i e b e r C o p y c h ie f ch e ls e a wicks p h o t o g ra p h er nat e barr e tt W R I T E R S H a y d e n K im , J ackson L ong , B e th M aiman , Eddi e P askal
B US I N E SS P u bli s h er R y an M . F rank x 3 1 7 m o bile & w eb D e v el o p er I v ar Vong M a n a g er K ath y C arbon e x 3 0 2
ad v er t i s i n g D irec t o r B rittn e y R e y nolds x 3 0 3 R e p re s e n t a t i v e s C all y A dkisson , K awika B e rnal , Erin O ’ C onn e ll , M ar y D uk e , A riana G ara y , B e n G ilb e rts , K ath e rina K our y , C oll e e n R og e rs , C art e r R uss e ll , C al T homas , G raham T homas crea t i v e s er v ice s M ich e l e R oss , T ara S loan
o n t h e c o v er Star running back De’Anthony Thomas scored 11 touchdowns for the Ducks in 2012. Thomas famously returned the kickoff for a touchdown in the first seconds of the Fiesta Bowl. Photo by Michael Arellano.
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Mark Helfrich 99.2 percent the same. Oregon’s new head coach says minor differences await. Will this be another Duck Dynasty or a year of losses?
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BY JACKSON LONG
Change of direction. Oregon football is the master of it. During an unprecedented four-year BCS binge, the Ducks have been identified by their read-option, expeditious offense, which has melted the legs and minds of wouldbe defenders. On the field, nobody (including coach or quarterback) knows where the ball is going before the play begins. Once things are set in motion, defenses are analyzed and decisions are made, opponents are left wondering which way the Ducks are headed until all they see is the back of Oregon’s fashion-forward uniforms. Much like the ball carrier who passes tacklers with haste to add another six points for Oregon on the scoreboard, in just five seasons with a certain visor-clad man on payroll, the UO football program rocketed itself in college football’s elite in no time at all, all under the enigmatic genius that was Chip Kelly.
Change of mind. In true Chip Kelly fashion, no one (including himself) knew where the sought-after head coach would go until it was a done deal. Kelly orchestrated his own play-action of sorts in January 2012, just after the Ducks’ redemptive Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin when he reportedly committed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be an NFL coach, but veered off at the last second to continue in Eugene. The following January, again as only Kelly would do, he added a wrinkle — a double-reverse play, if you will. After crushing Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl, Kelly became the most wanted coach in football, interviewing for head coaching gigs with the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. For a second time in less than a year, Kelly elected to stay put, a shock to almost all, as his departure to the NFL seemed to be a foregone conclusion. But Kelly shifted once more, reneging on his decision to hold tight in Oregon, opting to go with what looked apparent weeks earlier, signing on to become the coach of the Eagles. He even did it when
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New head coach Mark Helfrich and quarterback Marcus Mariota lead the Ducks as they rush the field in the spring game.
few were looking, inking his deal with Philly while the sun was barely up in Eugene. Change of the guard. Just like Mike Bellotti and Chip Kelly, Mark Helfrich served as Oregon’s offensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach. Bellotti and Kelly had never been head coaches for a Division I program before they led the Ducks. Helfrich continues the trend. The one departure from the norm was Helfrich’s roots, as he became the first native Oregonian to be named head coach in almost 70 years — Jim Aiken took the job in 1947. Helfrich was the contingency plan since Kelly head-faked in early 2012, and after being appointed by Phil Knight, Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens made it official just four days after Kelly had left, naming Helfrich top dog on Jan. 20. “Coaching at Oregon is the pinnacle for me,” Helfrich said. Kelly was not shy in taking a few things from the cupboard, as eight Oregon staffers left with Kelly, most notably, defensive line coach Jerry
“We’re going to be about 99.2 percent (the same). From a philosophical standpoint, we’re going to be identical. I’m a much different person than Chip is but the 0.8 percent of the time is the stuff people are going to be like, ‘Oh my gosh this is the biggest thing in the history of the world.’” Azzinaro. As Helfrich moved upward, so did former receivers coach Scott Frost, who has taken on the role of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Taking Frost’s position as receivers coach is Matt Lubick, who held the same title at Duke until this offseason. Replacing Azzinaro is Ron Aiken, who left his post as a defensive line coach in the NFL to come to Eugene. Change in focus. Kelly wore a visor. Helfrich wears a baseball cap. The change is slight but noticeable. Helfrich
hopes his changes are noticed for the right reasons. “We’re going to be about 99.2 percent (the same). From a philosophical standpoint, we’re going to be identical,” Helfrich said. “I’m a much different person than Chip is but the 0.8 percent of the time is the stuff people are going to be like, ‘Oh my gosh this is the biggest thing in the history of the world.’” While the alterations may not be the “biggest thing in history,” they certainly could be significant. Helfrich has said time and time again that he will continue the “blur” offense that is powered by read-option decisions. He didn’t invent the offensive system the Ducks have run for a few years now, but he knows it, inside and out, mentoring the central player in the scheme, Marcus Mariota, from day one. A former passer himself, Helfrich was a quarterbacks coach at Boise State, Arizona State and Colorado before taking the same job in addition to offensive coordinator at Oregon. Helfrich and Mariota were tethered from the first day the Hawaii native signal-caller arrived in Eugene. Their performance this season will likely be hitched to the success of Duck football this season and possibly beyond. Last year, the Emerald’s Patrick Malee authored a profile piece on Mariota, painting him as a potential breakout star and starter. Both of those claims were confirmed in 2012. Mariota had an astonishing year, as the 19 year old threw for 2,677 yards and 32 touchdowns, while tossing only six interceptions. He also rushed for 752 yards and five
PHOTO BY MASON TRINCA
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scores. He finishes sixth in the nation in passing efficiency, seventh in completion percentage. His aerial aptitude combined with the ground ensemble of feature back Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas led the Ducks to a 12-1 season and a Fiesta Bowl win. In 2013, Oregon is without a known commodity to fill Barner’s void as the primary ball carrier. Thomas is an athletic anomaly, a player so versatile it is almost a sin to classify him as just a running back. But his 5-foot-9, 173-pound structure and multidimensional use means he will likely not be a guy to carry the ball more than 12 times per game, falling well short of Barner’s 21 attempts per game last season. Sophomore Byron Marshall is a bigger back at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, and while tallying 447 yards and four touchdowns on the ground last season, he was only asked to carry the ball more than 10 times on three occasions. With the uncertainty in whether or not the rushing assault can be as effective as in the recent past, and the play caller’s penchant for the pass, there is good reason to suspect a strategy modification. With Helfrich’s involvement in the quarterback position, the leader of the green and yellow could lean on his star pupil (Mariota) a lot more this year. Frost is a former quarterback at Nebraska and has coached the pass catchers for Oregon since 2009 until becoming the QB coach and offensive coordinator for the coming season. Lubick is an esteemed receivers coach and will hold the title of “Passing Game Coordinator” in addition to receivers coach in Eugene. Change of address. Beyond those who call the plays are those who execute them. The talent on the field meshes well with what could be an air-oriented game plan. Mariota is a full-fledged superstar at quarterback who looked unstoppable in his last public appearance at the spring game in late April, passing for 169
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D Oregon players celebrate with the Fiesta Bowl trophy following the Ducks’ 35-17 victory over Kansas State during the eponymous competition on Jan. 3.
yards and two touchdowns on 13 of 15 passing in just four series. Yet for every delivery there is a recipient, and Mariota will have quite possibly the most talented division of receivers that Autzen Stadium has been home to in a long time. The long-awaited arrival of Josh Huff as a legitimate superstar could be on the horizon. Huff, who has been hyped as a paragon of athletic pass catchers, has gradually improved over his three seasons as a Duck, putting together his best year yet in 2012, finishing second on the team in catches (first amongst wideouts) with 32 for 493 yards and seven touchdowns, despite missing two games. If he can stay healthy and focused on the field, the breakout year most Ducks’ fans have expected could come in 2013. He played in just the first quarter of the spring game, snagging four passes for 60 yards and two touchdowns. “Josh has a high standard for himself, he’s a competitive guy,” Helfrich once
said of Huff. “And he’s a guy that is a leader of that unit. We expect great things from him, obviously.” Another receiver who expects to make a splash and could be a part of a more active passing game is sophomore Bralon Addison. Addison showed flashes of brilliance last season a freshman who was one of seven receivers to record 20 or more receptions. He tallied 22 catches for 243 yard and three scores. But Helfrich said the 5-foot-10-inch, 185-pound Addison worked hard this spring, and it showed in the spring game, as he hauled in eight grabs for 136 yards and a TD. “He had an outstanding spring and that is the standard moving forward,” Helfrich said. Last year’s leading receiver, the multi-talented running back De’Anthony Thomas will no doubt be a go-to for Mariota in 2013. Just as athletic at 6-foot-5, 238 pounds, Colt Lyerla will look to improve on his 25 grabs and
nearly 400 yards and six touchdowns from last year, at the tight end position. Beyond those four moving marks for the quarterback is an ocean of receiving talent with around seven more receivers varying in size and skill set for Helfrich to play chess with. “We’ve got a lot of guys on this team that can make plays,” Addison said. “Coach Helfrich knows that, and that’s his main goal, just get the ball to guys in space.” Change in landscape. 2013-2014 will be the last college football season with the Bowl Championship Standings in place as the deciding factor of the nation’s best program. Beginning with the 2014-2015 season, the system will shift to the slightly more fair, just as complex structure of the College Football Playoff, which will consist of two semifinals and one championship for the nation’s top four teams. Oregon is currently the only
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university in America that boasts four consecutive appearances in a BCS bowl game, having lost the Rose Bowl and the national championship in 2010 and 2011 before winning the Rose and then Fiesta Bowls in 2012 and 2013. With likely a top-five preseason rank heading into the coming season, Oregon has its sights set as being the last program ever to claim the title of BCS National Champion. Whether you see the switch from the current format to that of the future as good or bad, there is no denying it is both exciting and important. But Oregon’s involvement was a big question for some time. The NCAA mounted a 27-month investigation on Oregon’s recruiting practices. Details on what the Ducks would be penalized for came out in midApril, as the payment to Willie Lyles’ “recruiting service” for around $35,000 and some minor recruiting technicalities were deemed “major violations.” While this recalcitrant behavior was cause for concern, the Ducks were compliant with the NCAA, which stated “no finding of lack of institutional control and no finding of unethical conduct.” In the end, the sanctions imposed on Oregon came to be little more than a slap on the wrist. The Ducks are officially on probation for the next three years, they’ve lost one scholarship and a handful of recruiting visits. Chip Kelly has accepted his share of responsibility for the recruiting fiasco — the man faces steep fines should he coach at the collegiate level before 2015. Change in power. With talk of sanctions officially a thing of the past, Oregon looks forward to a regular season in 2013. But the term “regular” has become relative as of late in the Pac12 conference, as the powers that have ruled the league in such an obstinate way, refusing to relinquish victories, have fallen from the mountaintop, and programs from the back of the pack have escalated toward the front. Oregon
has been a fresh fixture in the elite of the conference, and Stanford has begun to follow suit, but last season the Ducks were joined atop the standings with programs such as UCLA and Oregon State. Typically dominant USC finished in a three-way tie for fifth, despite beginning the season No. 1 in the country. The coming season looks to be a continuance of a more open jockeying within the Pac-12, with the Ducks and the Cardinal as early favorites and likely preseason top-five teams. Programs on the rise are ones with relatively newly tenured head coaches; Arizona State with Todd Graham, Arizona with Rich Rodriguez and UCLA with Jim Mora Jr. In 2009, USC was named “Team of the Decade” by loads of media outlets, having won six BCS bowl games in seven tries. From there, the Trojans have slipped, going four years without a BCS bowl appearance, while Oregon has assumed the mantle as the Pac-12 titan. USC and Stanford are the only two Pac-12 teams that have beaten Oregon in the past four years, as the Trojans did it in 2011 and the Cardinal did it in 2009 and 2012. In 2013, the Ducks will have only Stanford on the schedule, not USC, which is the first time that has happened in decades. Change is inevitable. Such is the nature of life with all its moving parts and such is the nature of college football with its perpetual turnover. Change for Oregon has proven to be good over the past four decades, as the five head coaches that have captained Oregon since 1974 have improved on their predecessor’s winning percentage. That is 39 years of gradual improvement. When Mark Helfrich, at age 39 himself, has been alive to just barely witness all of it — he will now be in charge of it. Some things are under his control and others are not. On the precipice of cementing itself as a dynasty, Oregon football hopes change continues to be kind.
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P H O T O B Y N AT E B A R R E T T
old ducks are out. who will be next? B Y B e th M aiman & Eddi e P askal
Quarterbacks î There is no doubt that Marcus Mariota will lead the Ducks as quarterback this coming season. However, with Brian Bennett leaving Oregon and transferring to Southeastern Louisiana, the spot for back-up quarterback is still very much up for grabs. Fighting for the position will most likely be Jake Rodrigues and Jeff Lockie. The spring game provided fans with some insight on both candidates’ potential ability, but the decision, as head coach Mark Helfrich anticipated, is not clear-cut. If healthy, Rodrigues proposes a threat in the run game, while Lockie boasts a strong arm. Oregon also has senior and former walk-on Dustin Haines, as well as incoming freshman Damion Hobbs out of Texas.
D Marcus Mariota makes a pass during Oregon’s 70-14 victory against the University of Colorado Buffaloes.
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Offensive line
Los Angeles native Hroniss Grasu prepares for a kick in a 41-21 win against the Arizona State Sun Devils Oct. 18. This game marked the eighth straight win over the Sun Devils.
î Although the Ducks are returning linemen Jake Fisher, Tyler Johnstone and Hroniss Grasu, Oregon also lost talent in graduating guards Kyle Long, Ryan Clanton and Nick Cody. However, health will be the main factor in the success of Oregon’s O-line in this upcoming season, with linemen Mana Greig, Hamani Stevens and Johnstone all suffering injuries in spring ball. The Ducks also have five incoming freshmen in Cameron Hunt, Jake Pisarick, Doug Brenner, Evan Voeller and Elijah George. James Euscher, Jamal Prater and Andre Yruretagoyena also add to Oregon’s roster, but all three host the problem of inexperience. If Oregon can stay healthy, the offensive line will most likely be solid and will hopefully not have to throw in any players with limited experience.
photo b y M icha e l A r e llano
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Running backs
D De’Anthony Thomas caught the opening kickoff and raced to the endzone for a touchdown during Oregon’s 35-17 victory over Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3.
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î Entering the 2013 campaign, with the departure of Kenjon Barner to the NFL, one question looms large for the Oregon running backs; does De’Anthony Thomas have the capability to be an every down back? Thomas has been nothing short of spectacular during his two seasons in Eugene, but he has never had to shoulder the load as the primary back. Now with Kenjon Barner in Carolina it will be interesting to see how Mark Helfrich utilizes Thomas and his unique skill set. After showing glimpses of what he is capable of last season, Byron Marshall is also sure to see plenty of meaningful touches on the ball and to help Thomas with the potent Oregon ground attack.
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special teams î Highlighting special teams for Oregon this upcoming season will be the introduction of freshman kicker Matt Wogan. With Alejandro Maldonado not coming up for Oregon in big games in the last two seasons, the three-star recruit Wogan will undoubtedly provide some competition. The Ducks also have redshirt junior Dylan Ausherman who could make waves with strong performances in pre-season practice. De’Anthony Thomas and Bralon Addison will most likely be Oregon’s go to guys on punt returns, as well as kickoff. Thomas ran for 611 yards in both punt returns and kick offs last season. Junior Keanon Lowe, who averaged 22.7 yards off kick returns last season, is another potential option for Oregon on special teams.
D Alejandro Maldonado kicks off in Oregon’s 70-14 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes on Oct. 17.
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defensive backs î Experience is not something Oregon will lack at the defensive back position this upcoming season. The Ducks return four starters with cornerbacks Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and Terrence Mitchell, as well as safeties Avery Patterson and Brain Jackson. Oregon only lost safety John Boyett, who wasn’t even a factor in defense last season due to a knee injury. Oregon also has security in the safety position with junior Erick Dargan, who stepped in last year for Patterson after he suffered an injury against Cal. With a squad full of veterans, the defensive backs should similarly dominate like last season were Oregon led the nation in interceptions with 26.
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D Cornerback Avery Patterson got his second interception for a touchdown in as many games in this 43-yard drive during Oregon’s 52-21 victory over Washington on Oct. 6.
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Linebackers
Left to right: Boseko Lokombo, Brian Jackson and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu attempt to take down a USC player during the Ducks’ 62-51 victory over the Trojans on Nov. 3 in Los Angeles.
î Replacing defensive leaders Kiko Alonso and Michael Clay will certainly not be easy for
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Oregon. But senior outside linebacker Boseko Lokombo is the Ducks’ best hope in providing new leadership at the linebacker position for the upcoming season. Oregon will look to linebackers Tyson Coleman and Derrick Malone to step up in starting positions as well. Others for Oregon include sophomores Rahim Cassell and Carlyle Garrick, as well as junior Rodney Hardrick.
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Receivers î Many media pundits have speculated that with Mark Helfrich at the helm, the ball will be aired out more and Marcus Mariota will have a little more freedom in the passing game. The sophomore quarterback will not have a shortage of explosive receivers to target, either. By all accounts, Josh Huff had a tremendous spring camp and is ready to take on a more defined leadership role in 2013. Huff will probably be the number one receiver but Bralon Addison and Keanon Lowe can take some of the pressure off of Huff.
D Keanon Lowe catches a 32-yard pass over the outstretched arm of USC’s Torin Harris during Oregon’s 62-51 victory over the Trojans at Memorial Coliseum Nov. 3.
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Tight ends
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ĂŽ 2012 was a surprise year for the Oregon tight end unit. Colt Lyerla had an impressive season, finding the end
Hillsboro, Ore. native Colt Lyerla scores a touchdown for the Oregon Ducks in their 59-17 victory over the California Golden Bears on Nov. 10.
zone six times and becoming a legitimate threat that defenses had to game plan for. In 2013 Lyerla will be back, stronger and with another year of game maturity under his belt. Nothing short of a physical specimen, the Oregon native has the intangibles and skillset to be one of the best tight ends in the country. It will be interesting to see how Helfrich utilizes his big tight end if any plays or packages are drawn up specifically for him to get the ball.
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defensive line
Taylor Hart attempts to wrap up Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan during Oregon’s first and only loss of the season (17-14) on Nov. 17 at Autzen Stadium.
î The Oregon defensive line was an underrated but crucial part of the team’s success in 2012. A sizable amount of this was courtesy of Dion Jordan who went No. 3 overall in this past April’s NFL draft and now calls Miami home. Jordan will no doubt be missed, and the storyline regarding the defensive line will be to see how the remaining players and coaches adjust to his absence. Taylor Hart and Ricky Havili-Heimuli will return as mainstays on the line, and much will also be expected from the Sacramento-native Arik Armstead.
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the ultima What differentiates college football from the National Football League? Is it the vast array of trick plays that are prevalent in college and will never see the light of day in the NFL? Sure. Could it also be a plethora of teams and the importance that is placed on every single game of the regular season? Absolutely. B Y Eddi e P askal
ate fans However, the one thing that truly separates the collegiate football game from the NFL, more than anything else, is the student section. There is no equivalent in the professional game to 6,000 screaming college students all packed together like sardines, screaming and living and dying by every converted third and seven. What the student section represents is the most unadulterated form of fandom. This section is not rooting for professional players who they have no connection with — they are cheering on their peers, fellow students who are enrolled in the same educational institution they are. The connection that the student population shares with student athletes at any Division I school is a unique one, and as such, the dedication level of the fans is truly something special.
Autzen Stadium, the home of the Oregon Ducks football team, is constantly heralded as one of the loudest and most raucous environments in the nation. There are many reasons for this but one reason that stands at the forefront is the student section. In the student section, there is particular group of students who lead the charge and act as the “face” of the student section; these are the students of Section Eight. After spending two years in the Oregon Marching Band, Kevin Wade could not help but notice the students donning
D Who are these people? You’ll find out if you visit Section 8 at Autzen Stadium. That’s where these mega fans live nearly every Saturday during the fall.
P H O T O S B Y N AT E B A R R E T T
face paint and leading the chants in Section Eight at home games in Autzen Stadium. “I saw all the kids having fun down at the front row of the student section,” Wade said. “So I was like … ‘I want to be with them’”
From there he was hooked, and showing up at the gates of Autzen Stadium seven hours before kickoff became the norm for his fall Saturdays. He even went so far as to spend the night in front of the stadium with a few friends in preparation for the monumental matchup against USC two years ago. While this behavior might seem excessive to some, it is this dedication to the Oregon football team that truly makes Autzen Stadium one of the most feared venues in the entire nation. Wade is not alone in his dedication either. Several other students join him on these autumn Saturday mornings to wait to see their team play. University student and Pit Crew member Andrew Stephens has joined Wade and other students on these early morning stakeouts and spoke of the steps it took to ensure a front row seat to the game. “We camp right outside the south entrance, the student entrance,” said Stephens. “We hang out there for four hours and put on all our stuff as CMS lets us in. Everyone springs to the top of the north ramp and we hang out there for another hour and then at the 90-minute mark before kickoff, they let all the students sprint down into their section and it’s just the ultimate mad dash of students.” This frantic dash from the top of Autzen into the student section has resulted in scrapes, bruises and at times even broken bones for the students participating. So why wait outside in the elements all day and risk bodily injury just for a good seat to a football game? “Memories. That and just being around a great group of people … It’s a lot of fun,” said Stephens.
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B predictions
oregon went 12-1 in 2012, what’s going to happen now? B Y hay d e n kim
î With the 2013 season rapidly
approaching, that can only mean a few things: new teams and new players. The Ducks are coming off one of their best seasons after posting an impressive 11-1 regular season record along with another BCS Bowl win over a viable Kansas State team in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, but the fans still aren’t satisfied. Fans have been expecting nothing less than a national championship year-in and year-out ever since Chip Kelly created the current football culture here at the University of Oregon. Now Mark Helfrich will have to take those expectations and turn them into titles. There is an almost surreal level of expectations among Ducks fans, fair or not, but that doesn’t mean the Ducks can’t meet them. With no USC to worry about, Oregon State at home and an up-and-coming UCLA team at home as well, the Ducks have a perfect schedule lined up in their favor and if there is any year to go all the way, this could be it. Vs. Nicholls State Colonels (1-10) Overall (0-7) Southland The only time Nicholls State made any sort of headlines last season was when its opening game against Oregon State was postponed due to Hurricane Isaac. Not only did Nicholls State get obliterated in a rescheduled meeting with the Beavers, losing 77-3, they only managed to grab one win, against Evangel, who mind you is in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. It would be an understatement to say the Ducks have this one in the bag. O r e gon 7 0 , N icholls S tat e 1 4
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D Trojan wide receiver Marquise Lee hauls in one of his twelve receptions of the game as Oregon safety Brian Jackson shoves him out of bounds during the second quarter in the The Coliseum.
At Virginia Cavaliers (4-8) Overall (2-6) ACC Coastal The ACC has been steadily improving over the past few years, but there is an argument to be made that Virginia football is not a part of that change. Last season, Virginia posted a dismal 4-8 record along with an 0-1 record against Top 25 teams. There wasn’t anything to be positive about other than being ranked 37th in passing yards last season. The Ducks will be the second team they play in the upcoming season and there is no telling that they will be anywhere near the level of play to compete with a national powerhouse in Oregon. Once again, the Ducks have this game in the bag. O r e gon 5 6 , Virginia 1 3
Vs. Tennessee Volunteers (5-7) Overall (1-7) SEC East The Tennessee Volunteers haven’t been playing at a high level in quite some years now. Arguably home to some of the best fans in college football, the Volunteers haven’t produced teams anywhere near what some experts projected them to be. Now as they head into a brand new season, they will have the mindset of proving the nation wrong, but it will have to come against some great competition as they are set to face the Ducks week three, Florida week four, Georgia week six and Alabama week eight. Head coach Butch Jones has adjusted
to his new team, but after losing their starting quarterback and two wideouts, their team will once again rely on their defense to stay in games. The Volunteers likely won’t be ready for the high-octane offense Oregon runs three weeks into the season and their defense will definitely be tested early in the season. Senior linebacker Dontavis Sapp was voted the top ranked SEC player during the spring and will try to lead a very capable defense heading into next season, which could pose a threat to some teams, just not so much for the Ducks. O r e gon 5 9 , T e nn e ss e e 2 8
Vs. California Golden Bears (3-9) Overall (2-7) Pac-12 North After 11 seasons, head coach Jeff Tedford was fired by California Golden Bears and scrambled to pick up the scraps of another disappointing season. New head coach Sonny Dykes has implemented a pass-heavy offense that should resemble an “air raid,” but without any real quarterbacks to do the throwing, it may be another lost cause for the Golden Bears this season. California doesn’t have too much to look forward to in regards to offensive talent and the same goes for the defense. The Ducks shouldn’t have much of a problem here as they play California at home and it will be another reminder pointing to the fact the Ducks are continually on the rise and the Golden Bears are on the decline. O r e gon 4 2 , C alifornia 1 7
At Colorado Buffaloes (1-11) Overall (1-8) Pac-12 South Finishing on the bottom of the conference, Colorado looks to be the easy win in the Pac-12. There is
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D De’Anthony Thomas caught eight passes for 101 yards during the Ducks’ 59-17 victory over the Golden Bears on Nov. 10.
always that one team that everyone is looking forward to and this year, it’s the Buffaloes. Aside from switching to the Pistol offense this season, which the Ducks have become accustomed to over the years with Nevada and UCLA, not much has changed. With their starting quarterback Jordan Webb out for the season, it may be another long season for the Buffaloes. The Ducks defeated the Buffaloes 7014 last season and all signs are pointing to a similar scenario. If there is anything as a sure win on the Ducks schedule during Pac-12 play, it might as well be the Buffaloes.
WHO’S READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?
O r e gon 6 2 , C olorado 2 4
At Washington Huskies (7-6) Overall (5-4) Pac-12 North The ever-so appealing rivalry game between the Ducks and Huskies will be in Washington this year as two of the better offensive teams in the Pac-12 fight for bragging rights. The Huskies have installed their version of a no-huddle offense this year and with quarterback Keith Price continuing to develop as a dual threat, it will be interesting to see if this Washington team can make the step to compete in the Pac-12 North. Both teams look to be ready for this upcoming season and despite the Ducks being favored in virtually every match up this season, Washington may be up to the challenge this year. Washington being the first real competition on the
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B predictions
Ducks’ schedule, this game could easily sneak up and cost the Ducks their first and lone loss of the season. O r e gon 4 5 , Washington 4 8
Vs. Washington State Cougars (3-9) Overall (1-8) Pac-12 North Washington State has a plethora of upperclassmen returning for the 2013 season, but the talent level remains under whelming. With returning quarterback Connor Halliday, alongside numerous other players, the Cougars are going to have one of the most experienced teams in the Pac-12 this season. But having said that, their inability to recruit high quality players has been the main issue in the past. Despite head coach Mike Leach claiming to have stressed a better tempo in his no-huddle offense, not many will be surprised if they remain towards the bottom of the Pac-12 north once again this season. O r e gon 6 3 , Washington S tat e 1 7
Vs. UCLA Bruins (9-5) Overall (6-3) Pac-12 South While the Bruins are returning quarterback Brett Hundley, they will be trying to fill the void that has been left by running back Jonathan Franklin. The Bruins were the ninth wonder of the Pac-12 south as they have made the Pac-12 championship game two consecutive years, but amid the confusion might actually lie a solid group of players. Whether or not the Bruins reach the Pac-12 Championship for a third-straight year is up in the air, but they aren’t going to be an easy opponent to play, even at home. O r e gon 4 5 , U C L A 3 1
At Stanford Cardinal (12-2) Overall (8-1) Pac-12 North The Stanford Cardinal have been the worst nightmare for the Ducks over past few seasons. First it was Andrew Luck and then it was the unknown quarterback Kevin Hogan. For whatever reason, the Ducks have had trouble handling Stanford, especially late in the season. The Cardinal have crushed the BCS title dreams of Duck fans one too many times, but this may all come to an end
P H O T O B Y A l e x m c dougall
sooner than later as Stanford regroups after losing their running back, two tight ends and an offensive line that was comparable to a poor man’s NFL team. The Cardinal were the lone loss for the Ducks last season in a low scoring 17-14 OT game and the only goal every Duck will have will be to not only crush the Cardinal for what they have done, but also create a new positive memory that will attempt to erase an erasable curse that Stanford has put forth on this program. Sure the Cardinal return a talented quarterback and have likely regrouped to a certain extent, but it will be hard to match last year’s success. O r e gon 5 2 , S tanford 3 8
Vs. Utah Utes (5-7) Overall (3-6) Pac-12 South The Utah Utes picked up an invaluable weapon this season in new co-offensive coordinator Dennis Erickson, but a coach can only do so much. With a mediocre season behind them, the Utes will be looking to gain respect in their new conference, but they simply do not have enough fire power to keep up with the better teams in the Pac-12. The Ducks didn’t have the opportunity to play Utah last season, but it will be hard to argue against a possible blowout win for the Ducks. O r e gon 5 9 , U tah 1 7
At Arizona Wildcats (8-5) Overall (4-5) Pac-12 South Head Coach Rich Rodriguez will be under a lot of pressure this season as he
D Stanford celebrates knocking off the Oregon Ducks 17-14 at Autzen Stadium on Nov. 17. The loss to the Cardinal was the Ducks’ only defeat for the 2012 season.
tries to prove that his team is capable of being among the best teams in the conference. Last season Arizona finished in the middle of the pack and unless running back Ka’Deem Carey can manage to carry his team to a higher level of play, the Wildcats will most likely see a repeat of last year. The Ducks will have every advantage in this matchup and due to a season ending injury to wide receiver Austin Hill, the Wildcats will be lacking on the offensive side of the ball. O r e gon 6 2 , A rizona 2 0
Vs. Oregon State Beavers (9-4) Overall (6-3) Pac-12 North The Beavers will be an interesting team to look at throughout the upcoming season. Despite losing two tackles and their middle linebacker, the Beavers return running backs Storm Woods, Terron Ward and Chris Brown. The Beavers finished the season in the top-25 and could do the same this year if they can recover on the defensive side of the ball. This year’s Civil War will once again be a must-go event, but the fact that it will be held in Autzen this year could be the difference between a close game and a possible blowout. O r e gon 5 6 , O r e gon S tat e 3 1
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8 best/worst
They could win the natty or defense could struggle A lot of mystery and speculation is surrounding the Oregon football program heading into the season. The team lost Chip Kelly as its coach, LaMichael James as the leading rusher, its best offensive lineman and most of its top defensive players. The team’s best returning players, Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas, have extremely high expectations to live up to. Mariota is expected to elevate his game to the next level, which really means the Ducks want him to be a Heisman finalisttype player. Thomas will likely start the season as an everydown back, a position he may be physically unable to play. The season could go many ways.
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8 BEST CASE It is easy to profile a season and say that the best-case scenario would be said team winning the national title since, of course, that is the best possible outcome. But that is lazy and unrealistic. Best case for Oregon this season would be to achieve what Duck fans — realistic Duck fans at least — have become accustomed to. Oregon needs to beat Stanford for revenge and try to limit its slip ups against lesser teams to one. The national championship is probably out of reach, but the Rose Bowl is expected, and rightfully so. The team is extremely talented. To get to Pasadena, Oregon needs its stars (Mariota, Thomas, Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and Colt Lyerla) to grow the same way they did the year before. The Ducks need their receivers to vie with the running game for the most important part of the offense, and to perform them. With Barner gone, they don’t have a real running back that they are comfortable using to grind out games. The receiving core needs to alleviate some of the pressure placed on the ground game. Whether that be Josh Huff, Keanon Lowe, Daryle Hawkins or someone else, it is crucial that the Ducks are able to take to the air.
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D Marcus Mariota runs for a 42-yard touchdown in the first half of the Civil War game against Oregon State.
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á opinion
A season to be nervous a b o u t. ( i n t h e b e s t way p o s s i b l e )
Sports are so incredibly intriguing because of the mystery that surrounds each season. Sure, teams projected to do well generally experience an influx of fandom, but that’s because the stakes have been raised. If that team fails, it becomes a monumental failure. If the results for each game were predetermined, fans won’t tune in. During the four years that Chip Kelly held the head coaching position, he dominated college football like few men have. His run of three straight conference titles in his first three years on the job is unprecedented. He experienced so much success that he left to try his hand in the pros. In those four years, Kelly established an identity around Oregon football, made the University of Oregon a national brand and created a culture in the locker room that will carry on for years after his departure. In college football, that takes a program much further than a five-star recruit. A brand produces a stream of five-star recruits.
P H O T O B Y M icha e l A r e llano
+ Editor’s Bio Emerald sports editor Aubrey Wieber just graduated from the UO with a degree in journalism and will pursue his interests with an internship at The Oregonian in Portland.
That is a pretty impressive legacy. It is also important to realize that Oregon is looking at more than just a coaching change. The departure of Kenjon Barner, Michael Clay and Dion Jordan will have an impact, but it will also make room for Oregon’s budding stars to step into the limelight. While the ride of one-loss seasons was fantastic, Duck fans have now been given the gift of a new era filled with excitement and uncertainly. With a new coach, some new players and likely a tweaked offensive scheme, the upcoming season should have fans nervous in the best possible way. And while the change will certainly be
visible on the field, Oregon will still be a top-tier team. Maybe the only change this year will be the games staying competitive into the fourth quarter. Maybe Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas will make great strides and take Oregon to new heights. Colt Lyerla and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu already have NFL scouts drooling and still have two more years of eligibility. Likely with the introduction of the four team playoff, the Ducks can be more competitive than ever and not have their season rendered meaningless with one loss. I’m not saying root for mediocrity, but I urge Duck fans to drop the “natty or bust” mentality. Not everyone can be Alabama. The highs a sports team experiences draw fans in, but the lows strengthen the bond. Look to the coming season through eyes that haven’t been jaded by four years of success. Remember the decade of growth Oregon experience before Kelly and take each game one at a time.
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