Spring practices have reached the halfway point for the Oregon football team and there are still many pressing issues that new head coach Mark Helfrich and his staff must address this month leading up to the Oregon Spring Game on April 27.
The linebackers, quarterback Marcus Mariota and the running back position are among the topics that Anthony Piganelli and Andrew Murray discuss in this analysis segment.
DuckTV Sports kicked off winter term with the first episode of the new season.
The week’s episode reports on Oregon’s new head football coach Mark Helfrich, Pac’n Heat talking aabout Chip Kelly’s departure, Oregon Men’s basketball’s sweep of the California schools, and a roundtable discussion on Pac-12 hoops.
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News broke yesterday that Oregon head coach Chip Kelly would be leaving for the NFL to become the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. In this week’s edition of Pac’n’Heat, DuckTV’s Sports’ weekly analysis segment, AJ Palazzolo and McLean Cannon break down Chip Kelly leaving the Ducks program, the future of Oregon football, and whether Kelly’s offense will work in the NFL.
Before Oregon’s 35-17 victory in Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl, the DuckTV Sports staff made some predictions on the final outcome.
Oregon was explosive from the opening kickoff when De’Anthony Thomas kicked things off with a 94 kick return touchdown. Oregon was up from that point on and clinched things with a game clinching field goal by much maligned kicked Alejandro Maldonado.
Senior running back Kenjon Barner paced the Ducks with 143 rushing yards on 30 carries. Barner also caught a 24 yard pass from RS freshman quarterback Marcus Mariota. Mariota finished his debut season with flying colors in the form of three total touchdowns, two in the air.
The domineering storyline in this contest though was the impending future of Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Kelly is reportedly close to a deal with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, according to Fox Sports report. Kelly will be interviewing with Buffalo and Philadelphia soon.
If Kelly were to leave, offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich will be the leading candidate to take over, according to USA Today’s George Schroeder.
McLean Cannon, DuckTV Sports Producer
Oregon 35, Kansas State 20
Kansas St. hangs tough with Oregon for the majority of the game to keep it close, but Ducks distance themselves in the fourth quarter. Mariota tosses two scores and runs for another and DAT has a long touchdown run. Barner adds a TD run of his own but is otherwise a non factor. On the other side, Klein throws an ill-timed interception and struggles to find a rhythm throughout the game.
Shannon Hartley, DuckTV Sports Reporter
Oregon 36, Kansas State 27
The Oregon Ducks will be able to run their offense effectively against the Wildcats. The Wildcats have a great offense and defense, but won’t be able to keep up with the pace at which Oregon scores. I have the score as 36 instead of 35 because Chip Kelly will undoubtedly go for two to throw the Wildcats off.
Preston Hiefield, DuckTV Sports Producer
Oregon 34, Kansas State 28
While many think Oregon will run roughshod all over this Wildcats defense, people forget how talented and well-coached this team is on that side of the ball, led by All-American linebacker Arthur Brown. Klein keeps K-State in it with his legs, but eventually Oregon’s defense stifles the Wildcats’ ground game and forces Klein into a late interception.
