Charles Fischer

Well, this thread was supposed to be about the defense... I believe the offense is going to blow-doors off, but that is another thread. But the point is--if the defense really slows down the elite teams we play, (and I think they will) then the bar for the offense to win is not very high in the very tough games on the schedule. And this receiver core with an experienced QB (who yes, is back to be better) will do better in big games this year. But it all starts with this incredibly talented and experienced defense returning. And as OD noted above....we have a deep bench of talented depth that I believe will see a ton of playing time. We will get a lead with the first team defense holding them down, and the offense on the march against the less talented opponents. Thus the playing time for the young-guns on both sides of the ball to prepare for the future as well as this year. But this year....it all starts with this defense... Nice pick by Iffy!

We post Scott's writing here each week, and will be posting the articles of former FishDuck writers as well. And I agree; Scott is a great writer who has been around the program so much that he provides superb perspectives based on his knowledge and vast experience. I thought his free recruiting article in a post above was excellent.

If you go up to the depth chart at the top of the front page, where is says, "Depth Chart" and look at the defense and hover over the projected starters--you will be surprised as I was. Who Were Starters on Defense Last Year? CB: Ify Obidegwu R-So, A 12 game starter at Oregon last year! Safety: Aaron Flowers R-So, A 15 game starter at Oregon last year. Safety: Koi Perich Jr, A starter and star safety at Minnesota. CB: Brandon Finney Jr. So, A 15 game starter at Oregon last year. LB: Jerry Mixon Sr, A 13 game starter at Oregon last year. Rover/Star: Carl Williams IV + R-Jr, a starter and star at Baylor last year. DE: Matayo Uiagalelei Sr, A 15 game starter at Oregon last year. DT: A'Mauri Washington Sr, A 15 game starter at Oregon last year. DT: Bear Alexander R-Sr, A 12 game starter at Oregon last year. Edge: Teitum Tuioti Sr. A 15 game starter at Oregon last year. TEN returning starters at Oregon or former schools? Holy Crap! The Only Non-Starter Projected on the 2026 Oregon Defense? LB: Devon Jackson Sr. A starter in two games last year, but has played a TON over the last three years, and been in the system for a redshirt year as well. My gosh that is a ton of experience returning! My Duck-Buddies...have you ever seen anything like this before at Oregon? Two Observations: -That is an unbelievably rare defense...to have all that experience returning. -That is a defense positioned to be a "Natty" defense. Agree? Baylor's Carl Williams Deflects the Pass

Question for Lex: What kind of player is Oregon getting? “They’re getting a technician. A hard worker, a very disciplined person,” Mailangi said. “I definitely say that I try my best to be the best, and if not I’ll keep going. They’re getting a damn hard worker. I get on that field, I’m gonna be the best.” Mailangi’s recruitment took him all over the country before he settled on Oregon and he reflected on what he learned. “I learned a lot. I feel like this whole journey was a self-assessment, so being able to see my likes and dislikes,” he said. “I learned that I’d rather choose a group of genuine people, just surround myself with people that are there for me. I learned that this journey is going to be lonely, but the whole point is to meet new people and make new friends." “I believe that I found the place that will allow me to do that, and also just to focus on my dreams. A lot of people go for a party school or somewhere that is pretty much just exciting, but this is not my end game. So I feel like Oregon is a great place to do that.”

It doesn't affect me at all!

Lex Mailangi is ranked in the top 60 interior offensive lineman in the US, and considering that every team has three interior OLs...that looks better. He had three visits to Oregon, but had four visits to UCLA, and three to USC. He was also offered by Louisville, Michigan, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama and Washington. (Ha!) At 6'4" and 340 already?

Scott, I am so delighted that former FishDuck writers will publish articles and have their links posted here this next season at your site. Everybody wins in this scenario, and am happy that it could happen. Former FishDuck writers will still have access to the original FishDuck Photo Archive, and the photo editing software that I acquired for their use. Glad to see that their work will still be here, and that your work will continue be posted here as before. What a season it will be!

Great article David, but where we have missed Lupoi is in recruiting defensive line. We've whiffed on some key targets that think Tosh may have closed this year, but we do have to give Hampton some time to get his Mojo going in recruiting. I always got the impression that Lanning had the biggest impact on defensive play-calling, and if Lanning hired Hampton--then the confidence is there. I do think that with NINE players who started at Oregon or elsewhere last year lining up to start this season....this years' defense has the potential to be our best yet! I was worried that A'Mauri Washington will get double-tripled teamed this year, but with ALL the other starters coming back? Offense lines can't focus on just him, and it will open things up for EVERYONE.

A great article from OUTKICK SPORTS with quite a bit I did not know about how Our Beloved Duck is changing fans' minds about him... Wyndham Clark Handled his US Open Win with the Perfect Attitude to Win Back Golf Fans

Here is another look at the new helmet...I'm OK with blending some old with the new.... Of course I am a Fuddy-Dud, who still likes the helmet from the 1980s... (And I LOVE that color of green--really rich)

McClellan Mastery...

Many MOORE touchdowns this fall!

What a game he had!

Josh Christensen was offered and visited: Oregon, Oklahoma, Cal, Illinois, and Washington. (Ha!) Nope!

Great upside and a good project for two years from now when he blossoms. Super-strong, good at shedding blocks with fast hands, and could play inside later with some weight gain, (250 lbs.) but could also play strong side defensive end. He could be like a Jerry Mixon, who came here as a three star and blossoms into a good performing starter for us…

BTW, last year the runner-up for conference championships was Ohio State with four, as UCLA and Michigan did this year. Funny how the Buckeyes had none this year?

Last year in the 2024-25 academic calendar, Our Beloved Ducks won eight outright conference championships. Conference championships in the regular season included: Mens: Football, Baseball, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track, while Womens: Golf, Softball, Cross Country & Indoor Track. It is little known that Oregon did this in their first year--so how did the Ducks do this academic 2025-26 calendar? First...I am not counting the silly conference tournament championships, only the usual regular season championships. Shared regular conference championships do count for both or all three who tied to win the conference championship. Oregon: Six Conference Championships, The Double-Triple Crown of both Mens and Womens Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track. UCLA: Four Conference Championships, Womens Basketball and Gymnastics, and Mens Golf and Baseball Michigan: Four Conference Championships, Womens Swimming-Diving and Tennis, and Mens Basketball and Gymnastics Northwestern: Two Conference Championships, Mens Field Hockey, and Womens Lacrosse Nebraska: Two Conference Championships, Womens Volleyball and Softball Washington: Two Conference Championships, Womens Rowing and Soccer Maryland: Two Conference Championships, Mens Soccer and Lacrosse Penn State: Two Conference Championships, Mens Lacrosse and Wrestling Indiana: Two Conference Championships, Mens Football and Swimming-Diving Michigan State: Two Conference Championships, Mens Ice Hockey and Tennis USC: One Conference Championship in Womens Golf This is a Pretty Incredible Untold Story About Our Beloved Ducks!

A HS pitcher in the state of Oregon was offered 50K NIL and a car. He verbaled to sign with Tennessee for a car and for 175K. We do not have the NIL funds for the highest level of college baseball. We have enough to be in the top 15 as we are, but not a CWS team at this time, it appears. Players come here to blow up, and get stats...and get paid elsewhere...