Monday, September 30, 2024

"Generation O" #4: "Heroes" uniform


The Ducks announced their fourth "Generation O" "Heroes"uniform just in time for their Big-10 home opener vs. Michigan State. It is their almost-annual Stomp Cancer uniforms. You can see my post from 2022 showing their previous cancer uniforms.

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. 





Quoting Phil Hecken at Uni-watch:

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.






Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Week 5: September 28, 2024

Oregon's first official Big-10 game, and it's at the Rose Bowl against a familiar opponent (UCLA) with a historically-familiar uniform.

This game is the first appearance of the "Generation O" throwback-ish yellow and white road uniform they teased in the summer. The Ducks had previously worn the "Gang Green" green and white the first three games.

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.


Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Week 3: September 14, Civil War

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.



Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Week 2: September 7, 2024

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?