Moments to Remember

Photos from AP sources.

Days later I woke up and thought, No I'm not dreaming. Oregon won it's second consecutive BCS Bowl. Here's another look.

Oregon’s offense was supposed to be the difference maker, but it was the Ducks’ defense that was the story of the game. It limited K-State to 283 yards and had it not been for a pass interference call in the first half, the Wildcats’ only touchdown in the first 48:25 might have been averted.
That is from a story by Bob Lutz of the Wichita Eagle, which stands in sharp contrast to Kansas State running back John Hubert's comment that Oregon's defense were a bunch of prima donnas.

Oregon held Hubert to 55 yards on 17 carries. Senior running back Angelo Pease had 47 yards. Honorable Mention Heisman candidate and QB Collin Klein was dishonored with 30 yards rushing on 13 carries, only 151 yards passing with no TD's and two interceptions.

Here are a few photos of Oregon's "prima donnas" at work.

I count four or five "prima donnas" eager to hug
their old friend Chris Harper.

Prima donnas Hill and Jackson are giving
Harper something to think about other than
the ball -- like "Is this landing going to hurt?"



In the second half, Eric Dargan
prima donnas four feet off the ground
like a freakin' ballerina to snag a rare
pick from Heisman candidate QB
Calvin Klein.




And prima donna linebacker Kiko Alonso sacks Klein so hard,
he brings down the QB's family.



Speaking of which, a note to Mrs. Klein.
Having married into a family of hair dressers,
I can say with competence that if there's ever a
chance you're going to have your picture taken,
Honey, you have GOT TO color those roots.

As for the offense, Marcus Mariota got off to a sluggish start before heating up and earning himself the Offensive Player of the Game Award.

Flyin' Hawaiian leaves 'Cats cryin'.
(Ha Ha . . . I just thought of that. Just now!!!)

Kenjon Barner was his usual spectacular self with 143 yards rushing plus a key TD reception to end the first half and make K. State go to the locker room feeling small and inadequate.  

In a beautiful delayed pass play where Mariota and Barner both
recognize that the defenders have neglected him for a moment,
Barner gets wide open and, with the help of excellent blocking,
sees nothing but purple endzone.

And then there's DeAnthony Thomas. What more can you say about DAT? Did you see the look on all the Kansas State fans' faces when he ran back the opening kickoff? Kansas folk never seen a space shuttle launch before.

I think I'll put this video on my desktop to click whenever I need a boost. One technical note: The clock stopped two seconds after DAT "broke the tape" at the finish . . . or goal line. It took about 10 seconds for him to run that 95 yards. Someone estimated he was going 26.5 mph. That's fast.

Like most teams, Kansas State quickly discovered that they
just don't have the personnel to keep Thomas out of the endzone.
This was his second score; and just like "dat", K State was down 0-15.

I have to wonder if the Wildcats became a little stunned after that opening TD. They might have thought, "Was Oregon really going to score every time they touched the ball?". Perhaps on paper Oregon was only eight points better than KSU as the odds predicted. But their jump to an early lead proved to be self fulfilling prophecy. Kansas State couldn't catch them and they knew it.

A FEW MORE OBSERVATIONS THRU PHOTOS

When the 'O' is flyin' and K State fans are not,
you can guess what's happened.

A lot of players have deliberately flashed the Heisman pose,
but Barner naturally twisted into this perfect "huck and buck"
in the middle of traffic. But if they ever decide to adopt a new
trophy for the Heisman . . . .

Now THAT's a pose. That's a statue.
DAT's taking the opening kickoff across the goal line is
"The Flying Duck".

More trophy pics.
Gold-flek paint and rhinestones never looked so beautiful.

Coach Kelly to Defensive Player of the Game Michael Clay,
"I love you, Man!"

War Eagle!

WAR DUCK!!!

Speaking of mascots:
Kansas State, yours scares children.

And so after three 12-win seasons, three Pac-10/12 Championships and winning two for four consecutive BCS bowls, Oregon fans should spend this time to reflect on these best days to be a Duck. Who knows what the future holds. But we won't fret. It's not our style. For in these four years, someone taught us to not worry about the future or the past, but just "Win The Day".

No Chip, YOU the Man!

But if you still feel sadness or anxiety for the future, I invite you to read the following Oregonian article that puts things in a good perspective: Chip Kelly must do what's best for Chip Kelly

Still pining for Chip to stay? You can sing with the following Eugene songwriter and Duck fan who shares your pain. Very funny.



--KB