This is the first mono-black uniform since 2021win against Cal. And the first all-dark since the 2022 all Nightmare win vs BYU. In Mario Cristobal's four years the Ducks wore all-dark severn times. And it's been an almost-annual combo since the first black helmet in Mike Belotti's last season in 2008.
It makes sense to wear very little green this game since they play the green-heavy Michigan State.
This combo has been relatively uncommon over the years, but its last appearance was in the 2023 opener. Before that the ducks wore this combo of black-yellow-yellow was a game 2 win vs Virginia in 2016. This look was most common during the Helfrich years. But they did wear nightmare-yellow-yellow in week 3 of 2019.
The release says that it is inspired/designed by Dan Lanning's wife Sauphia who is a surviver of bone cancer, and she and her boys helped design the uniform.
Helmet: The helmet is matte black, with silver wings on either side. The nose bumper features Oregon’s trademark “O” logo incorporated with a yellow ribbon, which was based the concept sketched by Sauphia Lanning. The bumper also multi-colored stripes, each representing a different form of cancer. The same pattern with the words “STOMP OUT CANCER” is featured on the neck bumper.
Jersey: The jersey is yellow, and features several “harkback” elements from previous Ducks’ uniforms. The feather design is black with some gray/anthracite, while there is also some silver/gray diamondplate pattern below the wings. The base color is yellow, in acknowledgment of Sauphia’s battle with osteosarcoma, but the helmet, cleats, gloves and sleeve patches all feature a multi-color panel acknowledging victims of all cancers. Numbers are black in Oregon’s bespoke font. On the right sleeve is a “FLIGHT +FIGHT” logo patch, which has Sauphia’s “O”/ribbon concept. This was done at the urging of the Lannings’ middle son, Kniles. The patch also features silver wings on either side of the “O” logo. According to the team, “Sauphia’s original sketch of the “O” with a ribbon included the phrase “Take Flight + Fight.” She purposely utilized a plus sign, rather than the word “and” or an ampersand, because it mimics the sign of the cross that is an international symbol for health care providers. One sleeve of the uniform has a “Flight + Fight” patch, while the other has one reading “Stomp Out Cancer” under the image of a bell, which cancer victims ceremonially ring to mark the end of their treatment.” On the opposite sleeve is a similar logo, featuring a yellow bell with the words “STOMP OUT CANCER” beneath.
In his concept uniform, the Lanning’s oldest son, Caden, suggested the use of an ice cream cone. This can be seen, along with the formula for one of the chemotherapy drugs Sauphia took during treatment, on the compression sleeves available to the players.
Pants: The uniform pants are yellow and stripeless. The final Lanning touch comes on the cleats, which feature a multi-color panel on the tip, suggested by the Lanning’s youngest son Titan.
The last time the Ducks wore this combo was in the 2021 Fiesta Bowl loss to Iowa State. This combo made almost-annual appearances the last decade, but was a real staple of the road before 1998.
The last few seasons, Oregon has used the UCLA game (and Rose Bowl) for some daring new combos like Eggshell, Pink, Ohana, Nightmare Green, Chrome etc. See my post from 2023 here.
It's weird to see Civil War in September, but alas better here than never.
Breaking a recent tradition of color-on-color, the Ducks play IMHO one of their best road combos. Green-white-green is a combo they have worn, mostly in winning efforts, every season since 2019. And, except in 2014 & 2018, it's made an appearance every season since 2005.
The last time Oregon wore a white jersey in the Civil War was a loss in Mark Helfrich's bad year of 2016. Ever since they have worn color. They broke the streak of the road team losing as well.
Boise State came to town and the Ducks were really hoping for a better game than week 1, but at least it was better than their three previous losing games vs. the Broncos! They wore the same helmet (but with green facemask instead of yellow) and jersey from week 1 and added their new white pants.
This exact combo was last worn in the 2023 Civil War victory, but that was its first appearance.
But white-green-white combos have been seen in 2022, 2021, the "Duck Mascot" inspired loss in 2016, a 2015 win, the 2014 Pac-12 Championship and the 2010 Rose Bowl loss.
IMHO I'm not fan of white pants with all green top. I can imagine they might be saving yellow for week 3 Civil War?
It's finally here! Real live Duck football in the Big-10! and many people didn't see it (and those who did may have wanted to look away from the really messy victory over Idaho) if they live in the Pac territory and have Comcast, but that is an other story! LOL
The Ducks going mono apple green with their new template. All new, but very familiar.
The helmet is glossy apple green with yellow O. The yellow facemask with green helmet is quite rare: the only other time I can find is the 2022 Georgia game!
Mono apple is a great combo, and thankfully it's Idaho, who hasn't beaten Oregon in 6 decades. Since the last 2 times the Ducks have gone mono-green they lost! Georgia and Oregon State in 2022. They did not wear this combo in 2023, but it's been a staple of each season in the last 10 years except for 2020.
