OREGON SET TO BEGIN FIESTA BOWL PREPARATIONS – Ducks Practice Schedule Begins on Friday

After a significant break and some much needed time to heal those typical end of season bumps and bruises, the No. 4 Oregon Ducks ( 11-1 ) are set to begin their Fiesta Bowl preparations against No. 5 Kansas State ( 11-1 ).

Chip Kelly and the Ducks will gather this Friday for the first time as an entire unit to begin practice sessions for their 4th consecutive BCS bowl appearance to be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 3rd.

As of now, the Ducks will practice four days each week over the next two weeks on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday before breaking for the Christmas holiday.    That schedule though, could be altered slightly before the team departs for Phoenix.

According to team officials, Oregon practice sessions will begin Friday maintaining their typical regular season morning schedule with work-outs ending at approximately noon each day.    Like they do during the season, the players will practice in the morning and likely attend position meetings in the later part of the afternoon.

Kansas State QB Colin Klein rushes for 1 of his 22 touchdowns in 2012

The Ducks begin their preparations this week to face the Kansas State up-tempo offense led by Heisman Trophy candidate ( QB ) Colin Klein.   The Wildcats are 10th in the country in scoring at 41 points per game and are 33rd overall in rushing at 198 yards per contest.

On the season, Klein has thrown for 2,490 yards with 15 touchdowns.    Even more impressive is Klein’s numbers on the ground.  The senior quarterback has rushed for 890 yards on 194 carries and has found the end zone 22 times.

When asked about his initial thoughts on the Cats, Duck head coach Chip Kelly told reporters he was impressed with Kansas State coach Bill Snyder and his programs success.

“He is a model for how to run your program, and does an outstanding job” said Kelly in this weeks conference call.

“Impressed with him in all three phases, offense, defense, special teams.  I think they lead the nation in turnover margin.    Top in punt returns, kickoff returns.  They have one of the best players in college football in Colin Klein at quarterback.

It’s a big challenge and we’re excited about it.”

As for the Ducks, they’re 2nd overall in scoring at 51 points per game and 3rd nationally in rushing at 323 yards per game.

“It’s an amazing challenge” explained Wildcat head coach Bill Snyder earlier this week when asked about facing the Ducks fast paced blur offense.

“They’re extremely talented and well coached collectively.  Offensively they go faster than the speed of light, so to speak, and they do it with a great deal of expertise and talent.   It’s a challenge for us just as it would be for anybody that they play.”

Stay with Oregon Duck Football News for all the latest Fiesta Bowl news and video interviews leading up to the game on January 3rd.