In more ways than one, the uniforms worn by the Oregon football program last Saturday perfectly symbolized the state of the team and its program.
Nike unveiled its new Oregon Pioneers uniforms in the Ducks’ 45-38 double overtime loss to Washington State. The uniforms were grey and featured multiple decals on the helmet, including a Lewis and Clark logo to replace the traditional ‘O’ and a “handshake” on the forefront.
These uniforms may have represented the history of the state of Oregon, but they did not represent the history of Oregon football.
According to GoDucks.com, Paul Sullivan, Nike NCAA football art director and lead University of Oregon designer, said:
“The handshake signifies both what Nike was built upon (the agreement between Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight) and what Thomas Jefferson wanted to advance as the Corps of Discovery traveled west.”
GoDucks.com released an article detailing “10 things to know about the new Oregon Ducks uniform” because there were so many aspects of Oregon’s jersey that needed an explanation. For instance, each uniform was different from the next, as the combination of pants and jersey helped make up a portion of the map explored by Lewis and Clark back in 1804.
While the jerseys may have looked cool and innovative, the Oregon players don’t play for the Lewis and Clark expedition, nor for the state of Oregon. Most importantly, they don’t play for Nike.
Every additional step Oregon takes to expand its national brand, the program grows farther away from its most recent success. Oregon’s program has become known more for its innovative jerseys than its results on the football field.
Throughout the year, Oregon’s jersey combinations have featured the colors black, yellow, white and grey multiple times. Green, the school color that many people around the nation associate Oregon with most, has been used once and almost completely disregarded.
“We just have to keep moving forward, but really, I don’t know what to think or what to do… we’ve got to keep fighting,” defensive end DeForest Buckner said after the loss Saturday. “We are still the Oregon Ducks even if we haven’t looked like it this season.”
The Ducks’ loss to the Cougars was one of the worst they’ve suffered since they began their rise to national stardom. While their uniforms reflected what’s wrong with the state of the football program, the symbolism of the jerseys couldn’t have been more precise.
Oregon is in uncharted territory right now, having suffered its third loss in a season for the first time since 2009. Now is also the first time since 2004 it has lost three games before the calendar year hits November.
Issues plaguing the Ducks range from poor tackling and communication on defense, to, most obviously, the quarterback conundrum that has left the offense one-dimensional.
Oregon can navigate its way through these tough times, it just has to get back to what’s made it successful in the past: green and yellow uniforms honoring the history of the program, a high-flying offense on the brink of innovation and a defense that bends but doesn’t break.
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka
Kostecka: With every new jersey, the Oregon Ducks grow further away from success
Ryan Kostecka
October 14, 2015
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