The Oregon Ducks, the No. 2 ranked team in the nation, are headed to Purdue tomorrow night for a Prime Time showdown against the Purdue Boilermakers. Purdue unveiled a new black helmet and an all-black uniform for the game, and has asked for game attendees to wear black for a “blackout” game.
The all-black trend has really taken hold in college football these days, but at least in Purdue’s case, it’s a school color. But we’re seeing more of these, and in several cases, the opponents of an all-black outfitted team will counter by going all-white. Some have likened this to “chess pieces,” and I’ve been referring to them as Spy vs. Spy games.
The Ducks have now unveiled what they’ll wear, and while it won’t be quite an all-white vs. all-black game, it’ll be close. The Ducks will wear their gold/white Generation O uniforms, which will feature gold helmets over white jerseys and pants.
Oregon Incoming.#GoDucks pic.twitter.com/IJ9yVhl0su
— Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) October 17, 2024
The Ducks will also add a bit of color to the very bottom of their uniform, with special green cleats.
The gold/white/white combination, according to Oregon Live, marks just the second time in the modern era that the Ducks will go with that exact color combination.
Of course, the custom green cleats come with a “message” as well: “FEBU,” which is in reference to the team’s latest motto intended to block the outside noise. FEBU is an acronym for “Forget Everybody But Us.”
Oregon is debuting new “FEBU” Nike Vapor Edge Dunk cleats against Purdue 🦆 pic.twitter.com/qkyfKWq0XT
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) October 14, 2024
So at least Oregon will be wearing school colors, although we’ll still end up with a an all-black uniform versus a white jersey/white pants uniform.
So far this season, no matter what colors or combos the Ducks have worn have resulted in wins. And, perhaps surprisingly, the Ducks have worn school colors for every game but one: last weekend’s narrow victory over Ohio State, when the Ducks went… mono-black.
Here’s a look at all the uniforms worn by Oregon this season, along with their opponent and scores:
Oregon 24 – Idaho 14
August 31, 2024
Oregon 37 – Boise State 34
September 7, 2024
Oregon 49 – Oregon State 14
September 14, 2024
Oregon 34 – UCLA 13
September 28, 2024
Oregon 31 – Michigan State 10
October 4, 2024
Oregon 32 – Ohio State 31
October 12, 2024
With the Ducks currently 6-0 and Purdue 1-5, the game appears to be a mismatch, at least on paper. But maybe the blackout will inspire the team and the fans, and will keep the game close.
If you’re planning to watch, the game will take place at 8:00 pm (ET) at Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana, and will be broadcast by FOX.
I’ve been very impressed with most of Oregon’s uniforms this season, and I love the gold/white/white combination for this game. Contrast certainly won’t be a problem. Unfortunately, because of Purdue’s blackout (and especially the Boilermakers’ ghosted helmet decals), this game won’t land on the good side of Jimmer Vilk’s College Football Five and One. Hopefully, Oregon’s strong uniform choice will keep it from being on the “bad” side.
Your thoughts?
Man, those gold face masks on that Purdue helmet are sweet. The Jaguars need these. While they’re at it, just relegate teal to a third/accent color. When looking at their helmet, they look like a black and gold team.
Going black and gold just makes them a Saints rip off. I’d rather see the Jags go with a gold helmet and teal jersey, using black as only an accent color.
I have no problem with two teams being being black and gold, especially if one team primarily wears a gold helmet and the other black.
I don’t think the current logo would look good on a gold helmet.
Ideally, they would go with a teal helmet (As much as I don’t like always teal, the League needs a teal helmet.), teal jersey, gold pants, and black accents everywhere.
Teal, teal, gold would be good too. Understand what you mean about the logo being too gold to be on a gold helmet, but I think it could still work. Either way, I think a full rebrand away from the black helmet is in order. That would also allow them to keep their original design as a throwback that is completely distinct from a new uniform. Right now the throwback is similar enough that is only serves to contrast with how weak the current set is.
Got my hopes up when I saw the lede photo, thought they’d be going yellow pants too. This isn’t a bad combo per say, but feels like a WFWS with the pants considering they have yellow pants in their wardrobe to match the helmet.
Same here, they almost nailed it. Disappointing.
Yes, the yellow pants would have made this very good.
Worst part about this whole Spy vs Spy crap, is most of those games would really look great if they just wore their regular uniforms.
Except in Oregon’s case… what even is a “regular” uniform for them?
Truth…………
Very true. Though I think if you take the yellow O helmet and corresponding pants, paired with this white jersey and the green version of the jersey, that would be a great full time home and away look for Oregon. I’d even be ok if it was that design but the brighter shades of yellow and green they’ve worn.
I agree. Thanks for showing the full season of Oregon unis- Better than usual this year. The generation O, especially with the yellow helmet and yellow pants is a winner.
I wish that the pants were yellow! Even in white, a triple stripe (to match the helmet) would have really made them stand out. The plain look is so blah.
P.S. – This is my third comment today talking about pant stripes.
Ditto, but since ducks already wore yell O pants (with yell O helmet) vs UCLA doubt they would wear them again with this combo. Best realistic hope would have been the green pants.
Pant stripes are an endangered species.
They were in the 90’s and early 00’s and “mostly” came back. Maybe they will again someday?
The shoes, uniforms, and helmets are outstanding. I love the creativity of Oregon
That’s not what that stands for…
Well, this is the PG version.