Welcome our newest addition to the ScoopDuck Flock, Chris Anderson. As a graduate from Oregon in 2012, Chris has put his life into motion in another field of work. However his passion for writing and college athletics continues to beckon his attention.

Below is his first of what will be many contributions to ScoopDuck, including an introduction into his personal passion along with some historical data on Oregon for those that just might not know all about their beloved Ducks. For those who do know, it’s always fun to refresh your memory.

At times I wish I had a romantic story to tell about what led me to the University of Oregon. A story about being a legacy who grew up steeped in its lore, traditions and passion. Or one about living within reach of Oregon’s major impact on surrounding communities, making treks to Eugene to celebrate all things Ducks.

But I do not.

I was born and raised in the Seattle suburbs, surrounded by the supporters of the University of Washington and Washington State. I grew up in the shadows of Husky Stadium, lived across the street from the founder of the Husky Fever Hall of Fame, with an equally rabid Cougar fan next door. My high school graduating class was seemingly split between UW and WSU.

I, however, chose the Ducks.

It’s hard to pinpoint what made me decide to attend the University of Oregon. Maybe it was the campus, or the positive reviews of the Department of Political Science and School of Journalism & Communication (a tribute to my abandoned ambition to become a lawyer) or a girl I thought would attend the university (great way to make a massive life decision). I like to joke that it was just out of reach of my parents’ arms.

Whatever it was, when that acceptance letter arrived I knew I would be a Duck. I had done my research into the university: The football and basketball programs were in the throes of their first national media frenzy, and there was a connection with Oregon that was just, well, meant to be.

My first Oregon football game, rather fittingly, was Oregon’s 2008 season opener against the Washington Huskies. I was a wide-eyed, adrenaline-filled freshman basking in the Autzen ambience. Having only heard about the stadium’s raucous atmosphere, the fans, noise and experience were greater than I expected.

I’ll admit -- I was intimidated. There’s a passion in Oregon fans not found in many fan bases throughout the West. If I was going to do Oregon right, I knew I had to step up my game.

I dove into its history, attended as many events as possible (free student tickets? Yes, please!) and connected with past and present greats.

I was in the front row for “College GameDay’s” trip to Eugene on Halloween for USC vs. Oregon (a feat that required staying up the entire night waiting in line), and I was always in the first few rows of the student section. I attended the 2009 Civil War in Corvallis, where Oregon sealed its first trip to college football’s BCS National Championship.

Needless to say, I was hooked.

I write this because Oregon is now a national brand. Fans flock to support the Ducks from all corners of the globe, and for a variety of different reasons. And while not all will be die-hard supporters of sports, I’m guessing there’ll be more than a few.

With the Ducks primed for the national spotlight in 2019, an influx of attention will bring new fans and spark the interests of old. So whether you’re new to the program and want to talk the talk with confidence, or a veteran needing a refresher, here is an Oregon football primer.



The Basics

First season: 1894

Number of seasons: 124 (no team in 1944 or '45)

Overall record: 656-486-46 (.572)

Bowl record: 14-18

National championship appearances: 2

National championship Wins: 0

Conference: Pac-12 (North Division)

Division Titles: 4

Conference Titles: 11

Heisman Winner(s): 1 (QB Marcus Mariota, 2014)

Consensus All-Americans: 8

Stadium: Autzen Stadium

Seating Capacity: 54,000

Mascot: Ducks (The Oregon Duck)



The Recent Past

Oregon football’s current decade began with a perfect season and the Ducks’ first appearance in college football’s National Championship Game (a 22-19 loss to Auburn). It is ending with one of the more anticipated seasons in recent years.

What happened between is nothing short of outstanding – and perplexing.

Since 2010, the Ducks have won three conference titles, appeared in two national championship games (2011 and 2015) and won five bowl games, including two Rose Bowls and one Fiesta Bowl. Oregon also saw its first Heisman winner in Marcus Mariota, given the recognition for his role in leading Oregon’s 2014 squad to appearances in the College Football Playoff and National Championship Game.

It was during those years the Ducks became well-known for their high-powered offense and flashy uniforms. In 2007, Chip Kelly became offensive coordinator and brought his spread offense to Oregon; we saw it stun defenses with blitzkrieg-like play. The offense continued its momentum after Kelly departed for the NFL, with Mark Helfrich appointed Kelly’s successor.

But while the Ducks saw success in Helfrich’s first two years, the team cooled in 2015 and 2016, due in part to an inability to replace key players, including Mariota. After going 4-8 in 2016, Helfrich was fired and much of Oregon’s long-tenured staff either left or did not see their services carried into the Willie Taggart era.

Not all was bad in 2016, however. It did see Oregon’s introduction to Justin Herbert, who became the first true freshman to start at quarterback since 1983.

2017 brought with it Taggart, a new staff, a new attack (the Gulf Coast Offense) and plenty of renewed enthusiasm. After starting 4-1, the Ducks lost Herbert to injury; they would win just one game during his absence. Herbert returned in the final two regular season games, leading the team to two wins. Despite the mid-season slump, the pieces were there for a positive future.

Taggart, however, would not be part of it.

Slated for an appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl against Boise State, more media attention was given to rumors suggesting Taggart was about to become the head coach at Florida State, a position left open by Jimbo Fisher’s resignation. After at first denying the move, Taggart soon left Oregon for an opportunity closer to home -- leaving a bad taste in the mouths of fans, coaches and the media.

For the second time in as many years, Oregon was on the hunt for a head coach. It found one in Mario Cristobal, brought to Oregon by Taggart as an offensive line coach, co-offensive coordinator and run game coordinator. Cristobal served as interim head coach in the Las Vegas Bowl.

An elite recruiter known for developing top-level offensive lines at powerhouse Alabama, Cristobal was able to maintain Taggart's momentum. He filled his coaching staff with the pieces necessary to implement his own offense: a power-run/spread attack, often launched out of the pistol formation. It was Oregon’s third offensive scheme in as many years.

Led by Herbert, a potential first pick in the NFL draft, the Ducks saw themselves surge to a 5-1 record before dropping three of six games to finish the regular season at 8-4 – 9-4 after a victory over Michigan State in the Redbox Bowl. Considered a big success in Year 1, Cristobal infused the program with his style of play. To the surprise of many, Herbert decided to forego the draft to play his senior year.

The rise of the Ducks has coincided with an increase in national attention and an improvement in recruiting. While the Helfrich years did see a dip, Oregon has since recovered on the recruiting trail under Taggart and Cristobal. The Ducks in 2019 inked the seventh-best class in the country, even signing the nation’s top player: Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Oregon will be looking to continue that trend in the coming years, with some of the nation’s best recruiters on staff.



The Current Team

Oregon enters 2019, the final year of the decade, as the favorite in the Pac-12 North. The Ducks run a version of the spread offense that incorporates more power runs and the pistol formation. On defense, the Ducks will be multiple out of new defensive coordinator Andy Avalos’ base 3-4 scheme. Important to note is the incorporation of a versatile Stud end along the line and a nickel look in the secondary.

Offensive Notes

Not only is Herbert a potential first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, he is on numerous college football awards watch lists. He’ll be commanding an offense anchored by one of the top offensive lines in the nation and featuring a mix of young and experienced skill players.

Having lost its most productive receiver (Dillon Mitchell) to the NFL, Oregon hopes to fill the void with graduate transfer Juwan Johnson, a cadre of to-date-inconsistent veterans, and a number of inexperienced receivers with lots of potential. Juniors Jaylon Redd, Johnny Johnson III and Justin Collins will be relied upon to set the tone for young receivers Bryan Addison (R-Fr.), Mycah Pittman (Fr.) and Josh Delgado (Fr.).

The tight end position saw increased emphasis in Cristobal’s first year, and that trend figures to continue. It is one of Oregon’s more veteran position groups, with Jacob Breeland (R-Sr.), Cam McCormick (R-Jr.) and Ryan Bay (R-Sr.) bringing game experience. While McCormick will be coming back from injury, having him and Breeland available will be critical to the development of Spencer Webb (R-Fr.) and Patrick Herbert (Fr.), young players with huge potential at the position.

The running back room is jammed with young talent, led by four sophomores: CJ Verdell, Travis Dye, Darrian Felix and Cyrus Habibi-Likio. Freshmen Sean Dollars and Jayvaun Wilson will be fighting for carries.

Defensive Notes

Oregon’s defense continues to move in a positive direction after being one of the nation’s worst in 2015 and 2016. Although Jim Leavitt has left as coordinator, young Avalos looks to build on the success from he had at Boise State with some wrinkles of his own. In Oregon’s Spring Game, Avalos’ official debut, Oregon often played a 3-3-5.

Two important positions in Avalos’ defense will be the Stud end and the nickel, a fifth defensive back.

The Stud is a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher who plays outside the offensive tackle and either rushes the edge or covers the slot. The nickel is somewhat of a rover position in what should be more zone coverage schemes. Bigger defensive backs such as Haki Woods Jr. (Sr.) and Jamal Hill (Fr.) may be players to watch for in that role.

Like the offense, Oregon’s defense features a mix of experienced athletes and rising talent. Senior linebacker Troy Dye, who will captain the crew, leads an outstanding linebacking corps that is filled with the likes of La’Mar Winston Jr. (Sr.), Bryson Young (Sr.), Sampson Niu (Jr.), Adrian Jackson (So.) and Isaac Slade-Matautia (So.).

An influx of young players will also see their names called in 2019, with lots of attention already given to Thibodeaux (Fr.), Mase Funa (Fr.), Mykael Wright (Fr.), Jevon Holland (So.) and Verone McKinley III (R-Fr.).



The Coaches

Oregon has had 32 head coaches since 1894. The current staff looks like this (not including strength and conditioning staff):

Head Coach: Mario Cristobal (Year 2)

Offense

Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Marcus Arroyo (Year 3)

Wide Receivers: Jovon Bouknight (Year 1)

Running Backs/Run Game Coordinator: Jim Mastro (Year 2)

Offensive Line Coach/Centers-Guards: Alex Mirabal (Year 2)

Offensive Graduate Assistants: Jonathan Krause, A’lique Terry

Offensive Analysts: Nate Costa, David Gilbertson, Prentice Gill

Defense

Defensive Coordinator: Andy Avalos (Year 1)

Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line: Joe Salave’a (Year 3)

Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties: Keith Heyward (Year 3)

Cornerbacks Coach: Donté Williams (Year 2)

Linebackers Coach: Ken Wilson (Year 1)

Defensive Graduate Assistants: Ikaika Johnson, Tre Watson

Defensive Analysts: Kwame Agyeman, Matt Coombs, John Neal

Special Teams

Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach: Bobby Williams (Year 2)

Special Teams Analyst: Chris Norris

The Ducks have been led by a number of famous coaches. Rich Brooks, the man with most games coached, held the position from 1977 to 1994, posting a record of 91-109-4. He saw the team to one Pac-10 Conference title and Oregon’s first Rose Bowl appearance since 1957, when the iconic Len Casanova (82-73-8; 1951-66) was head coach.

Mike Bellotti (1995-2008) is the winningest head coach in Oregon football history, going 116-55 with two Pac-10 Conference titles (three-way tie in 2000). It was during his tenure the rapid rise of Oregon football would occur.

Bellotti was followed by Kelly (46-7), who led the Ducks to three consecutive Pac-12 Conference titles, two Rose Bowls, one BCS National Championship Game and Oregon’s first Rose Bowl win since 1916. Kelly’s tenure was marked by his fast-paced, potent spread offense and the establishment of Oregon as a national brand.

Notable coaching names who didn’t serve as head coach but did make their mark at Oregon include Nick Aliotti, Jerry Azzinaro, Scott Frost, Tom Osborne, Don Pellum, Chris Petersen, Jeff Tedford, Norv Turner and Justin Wilcox.

Famous Players

From NFL Hall-of-Famers to current standouts, Oregon has seen outstanding talent over the years. Here are some names you should be familiar with:

Marcus Mariota (2012-14). Led Oregon to the inaugural College Football Playoff and a National Championship Game. He was the first player in Oregon football history to win the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted second overall in 2015 by the Tennessee Titans, a team he starts for to this day.

Dan Fouts (1970-72). The Future NFL Hall-of-Famer and six-time Pro Bowl selection set school records during his time at the University of Oregon. Drafted in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft, he had an illustrious career with the San Diego Chargers and was named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.

Jonathan Stewart (2005-07). Stewart came is as one of the biggest recruits in program history and did everything on the field to justify his 5-star ranking. A Doak Walker Award semifinalist in 2007, Stewart amassed 2,891 yards on the ground and was drafted 13th overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2008. He retired from the NFL in 2019.

Joey Harrington (1998-2001). An Oregonian responsible for the Ducks' first surge to the national stage, Harrington was a three-year starter and a Heisman Trophy finalist, Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and the third overall draft pick in the 2002 NFL Draft (Detroit Lions). Although his NFL career proved to be a disappointment, his 25-3 record at Oregon included headline wins over Texas and Colorado.

Ahmad Rashad (Bobby Moore) (1968-71). Originally a wide receiver, Rashad found success at Oregon throughout his career, especially once he moved to running back, a position that would earn him All-American honors in 1971. Known as Bobby Moore during his time with the Ducks, the versatile back piled up 2,306 yards on the ground and would be selected fourth overall in the 1972 NFL Draft. Moving back to receiver in the NFL, Rashad saw success with the Minnesota Vikings, for which he become a four-time Pro Bowler and was named second-team All-Pro in 1979. He is now a widely known personality in sports media.

Other notable names to throw around in conversation are LaMichael James, Royce Freeman, Patrick Chung, Haloti Ngata, Max Unger, Dennis Dixon, Steve Smith, Mel Renfro, Kenny Wheaton, Akili Smith, Bill Musgrave, Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and De'Anthony Thomas.

The Stadium

Autzen Stadium may be small, but don’t let its capacity fool you: it can be DEAFENING.

Known as one of the most intimidating places to play in the nation, the stadium lists a capacity of 54,000, but given the raucous atmosphere it may as well be 100,000. With standing-room- only crowds that approach 60,000, the House of Loud gives Oregon a distinct home field advantage when the stadium reaches peak intensity.



What Else To Know

It’s The Oregon Duck. Not Puddles. Not Donald. The Oregon Duck. Or The Duck.

Stay for the fourth quarter, no matter the score. While Oregon has handed out its share of blowouts in recent years, the period between the third and fourth quarters has become special. During the break, fans treat themselves to a rousing celebration of “Shout,” made famous by National Lampoon's Animal House,a film that used Eugene and the surrounding area as backdrop for its college shenanigans.

It Never Rains in Autzen Stadium. It may drizzle. It may even pour. But it NEVER rains.

Uncle Phil. Phil Knight, the Nike billionaire who is perhaps the university's most famous alumnus, is a massive presence at Oregon. His contributions and the way Nike prioritizes the Ducks are a major reason why this out-of-the-way gem in Eugene has been able to attract so much attention.

The Pick. Iconic in Oregon football lore and the mark of the Ducks’ ascent in the conference, it was a 97-yard interception returned by Kenny Wheaton for a last-second TD. The Pick sealed a win over the hated Washington Huskies, triggered a Rose Bowl run – and is undoubtedly the most-replayed Oregon football highlight of all time. Just ask any Washington fan!

Rev your engines. The Ducks enter the field led by the Oregon Duck riding on the back of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. It is a unique, loud tradition that sets the stage for a thundering Autzen Stadium.

The best is yet to come. There have been a lot of successes in Oregon football history – and a lot of failures. But with the way the team has developed and established itself as a national power, the best years are ahead of us.

With 2019 the most anticipated season in recent history, it could be a launching point to the next golden era in Oregon football. And while only time will tell if that’ll be the case, you can bet it’s going to be one helluva ride.

I know I’m happy to be part of it.