MAD DUCK 2020

Don't Let Oregon Football Leave With Kelly

2012-01-24T14:20:00.000-08:00

It was all just a bad dream. While we were in bed the other night, we overheard Daddy tell Mommy he was leaving her for a fancy floozy in Florida. Sister told us she saw him pack his bag. We heard the door slam. He was gone.

When we came downstairs the next morning, there was Daddy sitting at the breakfast table. Mom was dishing him a second helping of eggs. All was right with the world; and Daddy told us he would never leave again.

At least until next time.

My poor Oregon State Beaver friends
who were flipping me shovel loads of crap
the night we heard Kelly was most likely gone . . .
Here they were the next morning.

We got a scare, didn't we. The latest word I heard was that Chip did indeed accept an offer from Tampa Bay. But around midnight, after talking on the phone to a (ahem) "significant Oregon booster", he had a change of heart and decided to stay.

Here is a link to the story as A.D. Rob Mullens tells it to the Oregonian.

Speculation is that the Bucs offered him anywhere from 5 to 7 million dollars. But after his $3.75 million buyout clause with Oregon, it didn't amount to much more than what Oregon was paying him.

Still, let's not fool ourselves. Chip is not going to be like Rich Brooks and stay for 16 years. He's not the JoePa type to stay for 1-1/2 generations until he's revered as a god.

The Oregon Athletic Department would be wise to consider this a fire drill and plan ahead for what should happen WHEN Kelly leaves. When Bellotti left, the transition plan was pretty much in place. Oregon should do the same with Kelly.

Names of Kelly's possible replacement consisted of Offensive Coordinator Mark Helfrich, D. Coord. Nick Allioti, Chris Peterson of Boise State, Jeff Tedford at Cal., Tony Dungy -- the unofficial member of Oregon's coaching staff, Gary Patterson at Texas Christian, and -- back by popular demand -- Mike Bellotti.

First of all, why would Bellotti want to come back? If he lost more than two games in a season, he would be considered a failure. Why would he set himself up for that?

And Tedford? Are you kidding? He has raised Cal's level of game from low mediocrity to high mediocrity. He represents Oregon's past, not it's future.

When it's time for Kelly to go . . .
To me, the following would be the perfect scenario for everyone.

A smart NFL team brings in Tony Dungy and Chip Kelly together. They either make Kelly offensive coordinator and let Dungy deal with all the other duties and hassles of a head coach, or they make Kelly head coach and put Dungy in the front office for two main tasks: To secure the personnel Kelly wants, and to occasionally remind the owner of the big picture as Kelly transitions the team.

Meanwhile back at the Casanova Center, A.D. Rob Mullens announces that Oregon's new head coach is none other than (Are you sitting down?) Nick Allioti. That's right, the quintessential assistant finally gets the big desk.

I know. A lot of people don't care for Allioti. I know Duck fans who have called for Allioti's firing in the second quarter of a game -- only to change their minds by the fourth -- EVERY WEEK. But no one else on any short list has Allioti's tenacity, spirit and dedication. And for experience, he's seen it all.

If the AD told him, "Nick, you're the man if you can keep this thing going.", he would work 24/7/365 to do just that. He would keep the same proven pace at practices. He would let Helfrich continue to run the offense. He would make sure every player fed off his fire and energy.

Best of all, he would fill his previous position by calling Justin Wilcox and Peter Sirmon -- who have just signed on as defensive coaches at Washington -- and say,
"Get down here, NOW. . . . Why are you still talking? Why are you not in your car yet? I'm not asking. MOVE YOUR BUTTS!!!"

Stealing those two away from the Huskies would be a real low blow, wouldn't it? It would really piss off the Dawgs.

See? You're liking the idea already!

Why the focus on keeping the coaching change inbred?

It's The System Stupid.
It's not Kelly's charm that took Oregon to the next level, it's his system. The less-talk-more-action fast paced practices. The "blur" offense. Once Kelly leaves, it doesn't make sense to then say, "Well that was fun. Now let's abandon it all and get another coach to do something different."

Oregon's style and system works (Yes, I said Oregon's. Not Kelly's) . It's very successful. Very distinctive. Why change it? It would make sense to bring in a Chris Peterson or Gary Patterson if Kelly only had the Ducks plodding along with more or less the same success as before.

But when you have the most successful program in the nation over a three-year period, why would you look anywhere other than within your program? What would you put it into the hands of someone who was doing less?

Putting it another way, the first time a new coach makes the Ducks huddle, I'm going to throw up. When he punts the ball on fourth down more than two times in a row, I'm going to boo.

People including writers like John Canzano are still calling the Ducks way of doing things a "gimmick". It WILL be merely a gimmick if the Oregon brass don't embrace it. All of this would be for naught if Mullens, Knight, Brooks, Pat Kilkenny and other members of the inner circle fail to look at the big picture.

It's not just about Chip Kelly.
It's greater than him.

They need to see that what Kelly has done here hasn't just changed Oregon. He's changing football. I don't want to just see Oregon continue to play this way. I would love to see ALL teams play this way. I want to see huddles and automatic punting on fourth down go away with other 20th century dinosaurs like the pay phone and the fat box tube TV.

You look at the great football coaches of the past: Woody Hayes, Bear Bryant, Knute Rockne, Vince Lombardi, Len Casanova, Pop Warner, Joe Paterno . . . What do they all have in common?

They're DEAD! And so should be their style of football. Why do we still have to play the game like they did? Why haven't we seen a significant change since the invention of the forward pass?

Who besides me is bored with "4-yards and a cloud of dust", Lazy, unconvincing play action passes. Street-style football where the QB stands and stares to see who got open. Wasted time between plays watching a fat old coach stare at a laminated two-sided menu like he's deciding what toppings to put on his baked potato and steak. Then he talks into a microphone. The QB reads something off his forearm. The team circles together and listens intently. "Ready, BREAK" [Clap]. . . . It's like an offense run by the government.

HEY. IT'S BAKED POTATO AND STEAK. Run the damn play and let your quarterback decide the toppings on the fly.

Have all of you figured out why an average Denver Broncos team made it to the 2nd round of the NFL playoffs? Did you see Tebow putting the ball into the running back's belly for a second, reading the defense, then pulling it out? They wouldn't have gone anywhere had they just stuck to the same ol' generic vanilla pro football. If only they would eliminate the huddle and speed up the pace . . .

I don't watch pro football regularly anymore. Haven't in years. Why? You see one pro game, you've seen them all. They all play the same, look the same. At least college football still mixes up styles and systems. You're more apt to get something different every week, every game even. This is why people across the nation are liking Oregon football.

It's different.

Now I know the arguments can be made that the spread option is not unique. The no-huddle offense is nothing new. Kelly isn't the first to go for it on fourth down (Look at any high school or small college team with a crummy punter). And I'm sure other coaches will claim they practice their teams just as hard and fast.

But Coach Kelly is the latest and greatest to successfully put all of these elements together and make it an ATTITUDE. A BELIEF SYSTEM. A RIGID STYLE. The results are eye opening, jaw dropping.

Today's Oregon football is THE CHANGE to the game that we've been waiting for for over a century.

When Kelly leaves, don't let it leave with him.

--KB

At Last

2012-01-04T21:47:00.000-08:00

The key word: "Champions".
No Championship Participation souvenirs this time.

What did Wisconsin learn from this?

1) Don't bet the dairy farm on a wide open shootout with the Ducks. Imagine if the Clantons brought a Gatling gun to the O.K. Corral.

2) Never, NEVER try to kill the clock with only two seconds left. It's already dead.

Playing fearless. I mentioned it last week. Coach Kelly talked about it in the postgame. (That's right. Kelly is as smart as me.) Wisconsin's style and weaknesses played right into Oregon's hands so that every time the Badgers scored, Darron Thomas and Co. jumped off the bench like kids flying out of their beds and running toward a present-rich Christmas tree.

They couldn't wait to open another gift. "Oh goody. Another can of whoop-ass for Wisconsin!"

And after they scored, the offense just sat down and waited. With Wisconsin's customary high number of plays and time of possession, they waited for Alliotti's defense to exploit a mistake. In the second half, they got three.

Kiko Alonso was the defensive player of the game because before Monday, his most noticeable stat was the number of games he was suspended for alcohol related trouble. He was destined to watch the game from a couch somewhere next to Cliff Harris.

He took his punishment like a man and came back with great courage.

Great shot by Orange County Register just before interception.

It was a good pass. Kiko just "Wheatoned" it.

After game, Kelly can't say enough about how proud he is of Kiko.

The second mistake was what will forever earn Coach Kelly the name "Air Kelly". After Russell Wilson completed a 29-yard pass to Jared Abbrederis, Terrance Mitchell stripped the ball to watch it lay on the carpet for what seemed like an eternity. Michael Clay pounced on it, and a second Wisconsin drive was killed.

Kelly leaps as Michael Clay recovers fumble.

Below is what Duck fans know of as Oregon's "other" fight song featuring Air Kelly and the Fumblettes. Thanks to Mad Duck reader E.Z. for showing me this.

The third and final mistake, as mentioned before. Wisconsin tried to kill the clock and they killed themselves. What is Oregon's motto? Win the Day: Fast, Hard, and the most important, FINISH.

In the postgame, Badger QB Russell Wilson talked about losing three games this season in a total of about 40 seconds and just a handful of points. That's got to be harsh. Yet in this game alone, they can look at two pointless timeouts early in the second half to go with the clock-stopping blunder.

Finishing has to do with playing smart. And that partly comes with experience. Looking for their first BCS win in three tries, I saw some very smart Oregon coaches and players the other night. Sure they had a couple of turnovers. But they didn't hurt themselves with stupid penalties, panic or mental blunders. They finished this thing.

What was that moment like for you when you saw Wilson spike the ball with 00's on the clock?
"It's over," I said to the other people in the room. But even after uttering the words I didn't believe it myself. This is the Rose Bowl after all -- the kind of game Oregon loses. They haven't lost yet. Shouldn't the football gods give Wisconsin one more chance to ruin it all?

The silence and chaos in the stadium transmitted through every TV in the nation. We were watching the most important official replay review in Oregon Duck history. Then the ref flipped on his mike.

"After further review . . . Prior to the spiking of the pass, the clock went to zero. The game is over."

This is what I saw and heard. The ref walked up and tapped on the TV screen, "Hey Killer Bee, the game is over. Pinch yourself. It's real. Your Ducks have just won the Rose Bowl."

The next sound I heard was from across the room -- a gasp from my wife. She was as stunned as I was. We just looked at each other forever. I walked over to her, still gazing into her eyes.

I can only think of two other moments when her eyes were that beautiful. Our wedding, and the Kenny Wheaton interception.

And right then and there, I pressed my lips to hers, and we just started making out wildly in front of seven other adults and at least one grandchild.

OK maybe it didn't happen exactly like that. And maybe the referee didn't say those precise words to me. But it was still that kind of moment. Real, yet unreal. True, but unbelievable.

The Oregon Ducks are Rose Bowl Champions.
The Oregon Ducks are Rose Bowl Champions.
The Oregon Ducks are Rose Bowl Champions.

Go ahead, say it three times. Then say it about 300 more. Don't ever get tired of saying it, because as a long suffering Duck fan like me, you've earned it.

Here's to us, Ducks.

Etta, get well soon. And could you sing that song just one more time while we peruse the following pics we've waited so long to see?

"After further review . . .The game is over."

D.T. was only sacked twice during the game,
but numerous times after.

Barner

Offensive linemen aren't afraid to hug.

Duck Banatic?

Finally. Green and yellow confetti.

All season long, Darron Thomas said,
"Put the team on my back."

(Whew) Did the room just get warm?

DAT all smiles.

The Mayans predicted a Duck holding a Rose Bowl trophy
is the first sign of the coming 2012 apocalypse.
Sorry world. But, you know . . . priorities.

Letting the fans touch it.

Injured Carson York holds trophy.

--KB

Ducks To Face Their Fears on Monday

2011-12-29T11:26:00.000-08:00

LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner (seated in front) are buddies.
They got this pic on the Space Mountain ride at Disneyland.
What did Barner do once he saw this image of LaMJ crying like a little girl?
He did what any good friend would do and immediately sent it viral.
I got this off of international gossip site, TMZ.

SIDE NOTE . . . ._____________________
You would think that with internet blogs and such, you would get a lot more quality coverage of Oregon and the Rose Bowl (I know. My blog is clear proof that that's bull.).
But really, it's hard to pick through so much blah, blah, blah, to find some really insightful analysis.
Here's an example. Perhaps you've heard of the blog Bleacher Report? Here is a line from one contributor's analysis of the game:

In the end, this matchup is going to come down to who racks up the most points.

Genius. And he picked Oregon! With logic like that, who could argue?
____________________________________

Brian Bennett contributed a post to the Big Ten blog of ESPN. It spells out some trends in much of the analysis I'm seeing.
Opposite offenses could attract Rose record

By Brian Bennett

When they paint the end zones at Rose Bowl Stadium, they might want to consider a second coat. Because there's a pretty good chance Oregon and Wisconsin could end up trampling lots of colored grass under their cleats.

On paper, at least, this matchup has the potential to surpass the record 80 combined points that Iowa and Washington put up in the 1991 Rose Bowl game. The Ducks average a little more than 46 points per game, while Wisconsin is just a hair under 45 points a contest. Each team has scored at least 50 points four times this season and has broken the 45-point barrier seven times.
   Bowl games between a pair of high-scoring teams are nothing new, of course. What sets this one apart, though, is how radically different both styles are and how difficult each may be for the other to slow down
"The great thing about this matchup is it's kind of like the direct opposites of offensive philosophy," Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said. "Obviously, Chip [Kelly] and Oregon like to score at a very rapid rate, and we like to hold the ball and score as often as possible for the most amount of time. It's a very unique situation, and something that we're excited about."

Boil the contrast down to the essence, and you have Oregon's warp-speed spread attack versus the Badgers' Midwestern brute force. It's not nearly that simplistic, but for the purposes of the next couple of paragraphs, let's follow that narrative.
   The Ducks would like to snap the ball before the officials remove the pigskins from the equipment case, if that were possible. They try to hit you with as many plays in a short amount of time as the laws of physics allow. Oregon has 41 touchdown drives this season that have lasted two minutes or less and 13 that have taken less than a minute. Their last-place FBS ranking in time of possession is a source of pride.
Even though the Big Ten is more familiar with 21st-century offenses than casual fans believe, nothing in its league can quite prepare Wisconsin for what's coming.
    "We've seen some spread offenses like Michigan that used to be like that," Badgers defensive end Patrick Butrym said. "But they didn't move nearly as fast. It's unbelievable. I've never seen anything like it."

Wisconsin doesn't have Phil Knight or flashy uniforms, and the team's main offensive strength -- its offensive line -- isn't exactly sexy. But the Badgers can be equally effective, as Kelly knows from watching some Big Ten games during pregame breakfast on the West Coast.
"It just seems like it's a pinball number sometimes when you're watching Wisconsin games," Kelly said.
   And the offensive line provides the paddle. The front five is massive at an average of more than 320 pounds per man, and that doesn't include the fullback and tight ends that offensive coordinator Paul Chryst often employs to bludgeon people with the ground game. Wisconsin averages nearly seven minutes of possession per game more than Oregon and has had 11 scoring drives of five minutes or more this season.

But it's not just size that overwhelms opponents. The Badgers' big uglies are shockingly athletic, and defenses often aren't ready for that until a guard pulls and plows open a gaping hole for star running back Montee Ball. Just as teams can't adequately simulate Oregon's speed, they can't exactly find scout-teamers who can duplicate Wisconsin. Kelly said that while the Ducks have faced beefy, pro-style attacks from Stanford and USC, those Pac-12 teams don't also have a high-caliber back such as Ball.

Big Ugly Badgers

"People know what we're going to do, but a lot of teams don't see our style of offense very often," left tackle Josh Oglesby said. "That's an advantage that allows us to really go after guys early and confuse them with some sets. We've got power and we really move. The way we do it, you don't see too often."

The offensive philosophies aren't complete opposites. If Oregon were merely a finesse team, it wouldn't be averaging a nation's best 6.5 yards per carry. LaMichael James may be a smaller back at 5-foot-9, but he's no fun to bring down. Wisconsin doesn't just plod away; with the dynamic Russell Wilson at quarterback, it has a dangerous play-action passing game that can occasionally quack like a Duck.

   "When you look at our offense, it's unconventional in its own way," Wisconsin defensive coordinator Chris Ash said. "We've got some quick-strike ability with our quarterback and Montee Ball. We can score from anywhere on the field, also; it's just in a different way."

Projected high-scoring games often disappoint. Just look at last season's BCS games involving these two teams. According to statistics, the Oregon-Auburn BCS title game and the Wisconsin-TCU Rose Bowl matchup should each have been played in the 40-point range. The combined point total for both games: 81.
   Something about this feels different, though, probably because the contrasting styles could give each side fits. Better apply that second coat of paint in the end zones just in case.

I think he's right about this being a high scoring game. The major difference between Wisconsin and Oregon's three games with Ohio State, Auburn and LSU are the latter teams' defenses. Those three teams each had NFL-ready D-linemen. While Wisconsin is good, it's not that good.

Also, I will be interested to see when one of Oregon's ball carrying speedsters breaks into the open and starts running to the endzone. It was a shocker when that happened against the other three teams. They had the personnel to catch up to our guys and bring them down from behind time and time again.

Does Wisconsin have the men to do that? When I hear one prognosticator after another say Oregon is going to win (I swear, the ratio is like 4 out of 5 favoring the Ducks), that is what they tend to point to. Speed.

Oregon can score a lot of points on Wisconsin.

But Wisconsin is easily the most prolific offense in the Big 10. If Andrew Luck had Wisconsin's offensive line and star running back, they might be going to the national championship.

USC showed that when the QB and receivers can have a great day, they can beat Oregon. Wisconsin's Russel Wilson had great days with his receivers all season long. And then they have Heisman candidate running back Montee Ball.

Wisconsin can score a lot of points on Oregon.

So if high-scoring is the kind of game it's going to be, who does that favor? Again, this is why everyone is pointing to Oregon. Even if the Badgers and Ducks are trading TD's, who has the better shot at scoring with less than 2 minutes on the clock? In addition, as the game moves on and Oregon can establish pace, can Wisconsin keep up?

Another way of looking at this: Compared to the other three big games, this could be the first time when Oregon doesn't have to worry so much about adjusting to the other team and just focus on being themselves. This being their third consecutive BCS game, Oregon can feel at home against a quality opponent rather than on another planet against freaks like Terrell Pryor, Cam Newton or Nick Fairley.

When Wisconsin scores, the Ducks need to smile and say, "This is fun. Now give us the ball."
Oregon can challenge high scoring Wisconsin to beat them at their own game. They can help tired Badgers up onto their feet again to get ready for the next play. They can ignore the scoreboard and just play.

They can be fearless.

And no one is more eager to do that than this guy:

Space Mountain? Maybe.
But Badgers? He don't fear no stinkin' Badgers.

Rose Bowl: Monday January 2nd, 2pm Pacific on ESPN.

May this be the year.

--KB

The Most Awesome Uniforms EVER!

2011-12-27T15:50:00.000-08:00

My question is, will they actually get to wear those wings in the game? Are the wings like swords to stab would-be tacklers? Can they fly?

Luke, I am your father.

These uni's look like they're about $1 million per copy. They're like Oregon't finest china. Do we really want to smash-bang with the Badgers and scratch that gloss finish on the helmets?

With wings on the sides, they slid the 'O' to the back of the helmet.

As for those Badgers, they're supplier -- Adidas -- is unveiling a new Rose Bowl uniform for Wisconsin. And if you go to this website: http://wisconsinrose.com/ , you'll see a countdown clock to when the BIG REVEAL of these fancy uni's will be. It's scheduled for about two days, TOO LATE!

For one thing, an online jersey shop is apparently already selling them, and I've got the pics right here.

Adidas' and Wisconsin's weak attempt
to keep up with Oregon and Nike.

Notice the lovely rose petaling in the numbers.

Secondly, in comparison to Nike's unveiling, timing, and overall look, Adidas is already knocked out of the ballpark.

This link to goducks.com tells the story.

http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=205352242

BADger

2011-12-27T09:41:00.000-08:00

Recently I was at one of those classic old movie theaters. They try to do things a little different to distinguish themselves from the main line theaters.

For instance they still use those old style square red and white popcorn boxes; not the big round horse buckets you get today.

Another cool thing they offer are genuine s'mores! Hot whipped marshmallow with chocolate bits stirred in and sandwiched between two graham crackers.

I ordered one of each along with a coke. It was tricky to get it all into the theater. I carefully balanced the s'more on top of the striped popcorn box. When I held it up, it looked a little like this.

Mouth watering s'more on top of a box of popcorn.

You know, it's perfectly understandable for people to make fun of our Duck, It's a DUCK! All Duck and Beaver fans have occasionally found themselves envying teams with a cougar, a wolverine or a badger. With a ferocious animal, your mascot design is off to a great start.

How does this . . .

. . . become this?

At least it should be. So where did Wisconsin go wrong with "Bucky"? At some point they apparently decided to go more cute than mean. What they ended up with was weird. The candy striped shirt gives me a headache. The beady eyes set in the malshapen head must confuse children.

"Daddy, is Bucky happy or sad? Did he get hit by a car?"

The face is made of discount fleece you can buy at JoAnn's Fabrics. It's cheeks swell out beyond it's ear-like protrusions like it had an allergic reaction to a rabies shot. You can fold laundry across the top of it's head.

Bucky is Buttugly.

And while having a badger for a mascot is cool, imagine doing the following with one . . . .

What? You were hoping for critical football X's and O's?
Wisconsin is big. Oregon is fast. Discuss.

More of that stuff later,
--KB

Throwing out the HIP

2011-12-22T21:18:00.000-08:00

A seven-year old who knows me pretty well asked me if Santa brought me just one present this Christmas, what would it be.

I thought about the usual politically correct answers like world peace and ending hunger. But I knew he was looking for a real answer. I told him what I really wanted.

"A Rose Bowl win for the Ducks," I said. He smiled and nodded.

This is the third time in as many years that we in Oregon can walk into most any store and find Duck shirts showing off the BCS Bowl game they are ATTENDING, PARTICIPATING in. It's that Certificate of Attendance that you get when that was about all you accomplished.

One of the latest Rose Bowl shirts. This reminds me of what happens
when I mess with the margins and tabs too much in MS Word.

Last year, shirts and hats everywhere told the story that Oregon was in the National Championship. And after Auburn won, that same Natty gear was marked down half price. You could still own something saying the Ducks participated in the National Championship.

I remember staring at those shirts thinking that right now, an Auburn fan is in Louisiana looking at a shirt that reads 'National Champions'. Ours say 'National Championship'. I stared at those last three letters . . . 'ChampionsHIP'.

Maybe I can take a felt marker and cross out the 'HIP'. After a few years, no one remembers who won. I could get away with it.

I know. Pathetic.

This one is cute.
But someone didn't get the memo that
the Ducks haven't huddled in three years.

Every Duck fan I've talked to this year feels the same way. It's time to win one. It's time to put a better ending on one of these fantastic seasons.
You know what it's like? It's like the Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" -- my all time favorite movie next to "Starship Troopers".

The most frequent criticism of it was that in the end, Old Man Potter got away with his crime of taking and hiding the $8000. There was no vindication or retribution. Bailey didn't get any justice over Potter.

So it goes, the thought of watching the Ducks face another tough opponent in a third consecutive BCS game is like watching Wonderful Life every December and thinking, "Just once I would like to see Bailey kick the crap out of Potter."

So I leave you with this, Duck fans. Here's to changing the ending and making it right. . . . .

I wish you the happiest of holidays. May all of your wishes (and especially one of them) come true.

Oh, and by the way, it's always good to wish for world peace and ending hunger any time.
--KB

It would be just like him to win.

2011-12-01T22:51:00.000-08:00

Pac-12 Trophy

One thing that keeps entering my mind is the one question where Rick Neuheisel is concerned, What if?

A master of getting the last laugh, what if Neuheisel pulls it off? What if he gets to leave Autzen one last time pointing upward and shouting, "Scoreboard baby!"?

Neuheisel (which is German for "God cast him out of heaven") gave the following quotes at the Pac 12 Champ press conference.

"Yet, despite all the difficulty and all the adversity on the field or off with injuries or the like, we’re a game from playing in the Rose Bowl, which is the amazing thing about all of this. We’re going to take our swings."

"We do have experience in getting up off the mat. We’ve done it before. We had a very difficult loss in Tucson on a Thursday night and came back the next outing and defeated a talented Cal team, and then followed that with a victory over a very talented Arizona State team. We have experience under our belt to lend itself to getting up, finding yourself and playing much better football. Hopefully that will be the case again tomorrow night."

"It’s all about commitment. Ultimately commitment is just that - finishing what you start. I was excited that I got to stay in my role as head coach for this particular game and just do that. See if we can find lightning in a bottle and make this a game."
We shouldn't expect any less of him.

Meanwhile, Chip Kelly has his usual approach to this game. . . .
Q: Can you speak to having a chance to play in the Rose Bowl for the second time since you’ve been here?

COACH KELLY: Haven’t talked one thing about that. Our sole focus is just playing another game. We don’t play games and say, “Hey, if we win this game, we get this.” It’s not about the prize at the end; it’s about the game itself. That’s all we’re focused and concentrated on.

Q: Did you guys get to finally practice in Autzen today? What did you think about what they’ve done with your stadium? [Note: Apparently, Autzen will look a little different. Pac-12 signs will cover up Duck stuff. Don Essig won't be the main announcer. However, the Pac-12 will allow the motorcycle to lead the team in. Coach Kelly clearly shows great concern about the changes . . .]
COACH KELLY: Yeah, we practiced in there today. I think they put some new banners up and covered up our stuff. We don’t care.

Q: You don’t think about the other team’s mindset, but do you think in this situation, which is fairly unique, with Rick Neuheisel coaching his last game, did you have to prepare mentally that maybe they’re going to try some pretty tricky, funky stuff in terms of trick plays on offense and really let it all hang out instead of just sticking to some of the things they’ve done in the 12 games before this?

COACH KELLY: You can talk about that, but then you’re chasing goats. If you don’t prepare based upon what they’ve done and then just say, “Hey, I think that their mindset is going to be this. I know they’ve done this for 12-straight games, but let’s start practicing halfback passes and double reverses and all these other things,” we’d be kicking ourselves if they run the ball up and down the field like they’ve done the last 12 games. The other thing you have to be conscious of is everybody in a short week only had two days to really practice, so how much can you put in that’s new at that point in time? I think we’re prepared. It’s about understanding where your keys are. No matter what people run for a trick play, there still should be someone watching it. [Ha ha. Kelly called the Bruins goats.]

Two things that will save Oregon from Neuheisel's last stand.
1) Kelly got it right when he said that the teams have little time to prepare for each other. That affects UCLA far more than it affects Oregon.
2) The way the Ducks focus on the next thing is so solid. The next game, the next play, the next option. Even if UCLA were to jump out ahead, they would have the joy of trying to maintain that lead.

I just thought of one more factor. This isn't just Oregon's chance to win. It is their DUTY. The whole nation is counting on them to keep a terrible Bruin team from going to the Rose Bowl. The thought is so horrible, Rose Bowl officials in Pasadena will actually be rooting against their home team.

Neuheisel is frighteningly correct. UCLA is just one step away -- perhaps only one dislocated elbow away from winning it. They are the Sarah Palin of college football.
They must be stopped at all costs; and Oregon is just the team to do it.

Ya. That's the stuff.

Game time: Friday, 5pm Pacific on FOX (Not Fox Sports, the other FOX where you watch the Simpsons, Judge Judy, or reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond.)

A True Reward

2011-11-29T23:02:00.000-08:00

Team WTD

Oregon beat OSU as scheduled. The Beavers played really hard, but Oregon just had the better blah blah blah . . . OK whatever.
Here's a video and some pictures if you want to see it again. But then we gotta move on . . . .

Photos from Oregonian.

DAT's a TD.

Tight end of the future, Colt Lyerla makes the snag.

Beavers could not stop Barner around the edges.

"Oh ya? Well you lost to Louisiana State. So there!"

. . . . So much has happened since then. You probably heard -- Rick Neuheisel got fired! And as punishment for his coaching crappiness, UCLA is sending him to Eugene and forcing him to watch the Ducks further humiliate him and his team. Here are some juicy quotes from Neuheisel before his firing as he defended his job in The Orange County Register's story, "Neheisel Says He Deserves to Return".

"We've won five conference games as opposed to three last year," Neuheisel said. [Ya. That's better than Arizona, ASU or WSU; and you don't see they're coaches getting -- Wait . . . what's that? . . . . Oh, never mind.] "We have won the right to represent the South in the conference championship. ["Won the right"? At 6-6 and with USC on probation, there's a HUGE asterisk next to that statement.]
"I was told that we needed to move the needle," Neuheisel, 50, said during a news conference. "And if the needle moved then we would be fine and I'd get to continue along my five years of my five-year contract. [Through that 50-0 drubbing by USC, you can say he moved the needle as he prompted UCLA fans to stab it into their eyes, blinding them from the horror. ]

For the second time in two weeks, he gets to watch his team get stomped. And it won't be by just anybody, but by the one team who hates him most (not counting the schools where he has coached). The Ducks get to say goodbye to their old nemesis in the most excellent way.

If fact this is shaping up to be a really good year. Oregon gave OSU an ol' fashioned thrashing just like the old days.

The Ducks beat Washington for the eighth consecutive time -- a reality so painful for the Dawgs that they tore down their stadium in despair.

Oregon was also successful in playing a part with the conference-wide intervention to FINALLY convince Arizona that their coach was an embarrassment.

And although they don't get to go back to the Natty, they are given a wonderful, WONDERFUL consolation prize complete with a challenge:
Beat the crap out of the one coach you despise most in the world, and we'll send you to the Rose Bowl!

It's like giving the whole Jedi Council 10 minutes in a locked room with Darth Vader tied to a post.

People are calling this matchup a disappointment. Sure, USC or Stanford would have been a far more interesting game. But Oregon fans will clearly see the upside to this. I just hope for two things:
1) Will someone please make a fitting sign that says it all:
"SCOREBOARD BABY. Bu'bye Rick."
and 2) I want Neuhoser to personally hand the Pac-12 trophy to the Ducks with a sincere smile on his face.

George Schroeder of the R-G talked more of the absurdity of this matchup in his story, "UCLA makes Pac-12 title a Friday night blight"

I was just getting a little sentimental over the exit of our departing friend.
So I picked up and started flipping through the old photo album when I pulled out this gem.
"Neuhoser kicking a baby sea lion. Reason #105 of why he's a terrible person."
Gonna miss you, Rick. We never loathed anyone quite like you.

More later,
KB

No Beaver Trap this time.

2011-11-25T00:42:00.000-08:00

Bucky Justin Beaver
(Would love to take credit for this,

but I stole from Facebook.)

Obviously after the letdown last week, we're worried about a letdown trend. What if the team didn't learn from last week? What if they allow OSU to put them in a big hole again? The following article suggests otherwise.

From the Washington Post . . .

No. 9 Oregon focuses on what’s left, starting with Civil War rival Oregon State

By Associated Press, Published: November 22

For the ninth-ranked Oregon Ducks, there is no use looking back at what might have been.

Oregon (9-2, 7-1) lost last Saturday to USC, eliminating any chance of a repeat bid for a national title. But the Ducks still have the inagural Pac-12 championship game to look forward to, and perhaps even the Rose Bowl, if they can get past rival Oregon State in the annual Civil War game.

“We’re not really used to handling losses but you just think it over for about a day and when Monday comes around you just have to focus on the next week,” Ducks tight end David Paulson said. “It’s the same as a win. You get to enjoy it for a day, then you have to come back and focus on the next week.”

While the Civil War doesn’t seem like much of a challenge — the Beavers have won just three games this season — the Ducks are wary. They were supposed to beat the Trojans, too, but instead lost their first game at Autzen Stadium since September 2008.

The Ducks trailed USC 38-14 in the third quarter but pulled within 38-35. On Oregon’s final drive, Alejandro Maldonado missed a 37-yard field goal that would have sent the game into overtime.

Oregon also lost its season opener to top-ranked LSU, but had climbed back into the national championship picture after a 53-30 victory at No. 4 Stanford.

“When you lose a game you can’t wait to play the next one,” Ducks running back LaMichael James told reporters on Tuesday. “Practice has been going really well. We’re really fired up. It’s gonna be a different game than it was last week. Everybody’s really motivated to put that loss behind them.” [No more "second-half team" crap. They need to be the team that beat Stanford wire to wire.]

The Beavers (3-8, 3-5) are coming off a 38-21 win over Washington last Saturday. A victory over Oregon would further ease the disappointment of a second straight season with no bowl berth.

“They’re going to bring everything they’ve got,” Paulson said.

Even their scented candles and Snuggies?!?!?

Oregon State coach Mike Riley grew up in Corvallis and his dad was an assistant for the Beavers under celebrated coach Dee Andros, so he’s seen more than his share of Civil Wars.

“It’s especially tough this year with a great Oregon team,” he said on Tuesday. “Every phase of the game we’re going to have to play at a tremendously high level to compete. But, I’ll tell you this: I think our team will compete hard and prepare well. I know they’re looking forward to a great opportunity.”

Saturday’s game is the 115th Civil War. Oregon has won the last three, sending the Ducks off to the Rose Bowl in 2009 and the national championship game against Auburn last season

With a victory over the Beavers, Oregon will win the North Division and host the first Pac-12 title game on Dec. 2. The championship game was added this season after Colorado and Utah joined the league.

Should the Ducks lose, Stanford (10-1, 8-1) will host the game. The Cardinal play Notre Dame in a non-conference finale on Saturday.

The South Division’s representative for the game is also undecided. UCLA can clinch with a victory over USC in their rivalry game, but Arizona State and Utah could still claim the South under certain circumstances.

The league champion will earn a trip to the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, to play the winner of the Big Ten title.

While Oregon has long espoused Chip Kelly’s “every game is our Super Bowl” philosophy, the Ducks still headed to practice this week with a little extra enthusiasm.

“For us, it’s the same every week. Practice is Groundhog’s Day here,” offensive lineman Mark Asper said. “But I do enjoy the energy around town and on campus and stuff when we’re playing a traditional rival. I get excited for that. The community energy fuels the fire a little bit.”

Prediction:

Beaver Fail

Gametime 12:30 Pacific on ABC.

--KB

Everyone loses . . .

2011-11-22T23:01:00.000-08:00

Ducks make statement . . .

\/
\/
\/
\/
Beavers reply . . .

True . . . . True.
--KB

Oh Well. I didn't really want the Ducks to play LSU again anyway.

2011-11-20T22:44:00.000-08:00

This was the worst part for me. After the game, the Trojan Band playing on and on at Autzen.
Barkley up there directing them. It's like watching Fidel Castro take a dump
on the lap of the Lincoln Monument. It's like watching Russians catapult
pumpkins at the faces of Mount Rushmore. It's an insult and a crime
against all that is good.

First of all, let me say that I was completely wrong about Matthew Barkley. He backed up what he said about exposing the Ducks' weaknesses. He passed with perfect precision. He came with a game plan and executed it almost flawlessly. He is a fine young man with a heart of a champion. He and his Trojans won deservedly.

"OK Matt, now can you let go of my arm and get your knee off my head?"

I thought Montana played for Washington. But
Barkley and his two main receivers did a re-enactment
of Joe, Jerry Rice, and Dwight Clark all night.

Perhaps we Duck fans and maybe a few players all fell into the "trap" of thinking, after beating Stanford at Palo Alto, that handling USC in Eugene would be a sure thing. Could you ever imagine in all your years that USC would prove to be a trap game for the Ducks?

Meanwhile, down in L.A., the Trojans were stewing about the last two humiliating losses to Oregon; and no one more than Matt Barkley. It's one thing to circle a game on a calendar and get all worked up about it. It's so much more to set a good plan, prepare, and execute it effectively.

Lots of teams have gotten all fired up for playing the Ducks. A few came out with good game plans, only to run out of gas in the end. USC did it exactly right. They stunned the Ducks and built a big lead. Then they hung on for the ferocious comeback that Oregon was sure to serve.

Oregon's motto is WTD -- "Win The Day". Another fitting motto might be ANQ -- "Absolutely No Quit". Sure, the Ducks lost. But those in witness saw them working their tails off to erase the deficit. They almost did it. But as Vince Lombardi once said, "We didn't lose. We just ran out of time."

Talking to other Duck fans, we agreed that had that field goal kick gone through, Oregon had the momentum to carry them through overtime and win.
Photos from Oregonian.

Absolutely No Quit in Kenjon Barner, Darron Thomas, David Paulson, or the rest of the Ducks Saturday night.

But that's all moot under the bridge today. All we can do now is face the realities, which aren't so bad.

Oregon isn't ready to go back to the Natty. USC showed that. But that's OK because the Ducks need to take care of other business first. They need to go back to the Rose Bowl and win that thing. That possibility is still very much alive.

Beat Oregon State and they host the first Pac-12 Championship. Win that and the Ducks are likely back in the Rose Bowl as long as the big giant heads of the BCS don't suddenly decide to get creative with the placements.

At the end of the USC game, I was smirking to myself, "Congratulations, Trojans. Have fun sitting at home watching the Ducks play in the post season."

But ironically, their probation turns out to be a bit of a shame. They lead the Pac-12 South right now. How cool would it have been to say, "Nice game Trojans. Now come back in two weeks and try it again. Only this one will be for all the marbles."?

How we would've loved to see our Ducks run into the locker room right after Saturday night's game, seething, and saying "Rematch, baby. Let's beat OSU and get USC back up here."

Oh well. The bottom line is still the same as it always was. Take care of business for the coming Saturday. It's Civil War week. Had Oregon beaten USC as expected, they might've shown mercy on the Beavers and beaten them nicely, humanely, and without a lot of bloodshed.

But that's not gonna happen now. The Beavs will be walking into a cranky Autzen. And they can bet the Ducks will be certain not to underestimate their opponent again.

Have a Cookie
When you were young and you had a bad day, did your mom ever try to cheer you up with a cookie, or brownie, or bowl of pudding? Did she give you some treat to help take the sting away? Well Duck fans, wipe away your tears and bite into this treat. . .
Thomas Tyner, five-star prospect from Aloha, verbally commits to Oregon Ducks
Published: Saturday, November 19, 2011, 9:30 PM
By Jason Quick, The Oregonian

The fastest athlete in Oregon high school history has come to a quick decision about where he will attend college: Thomas Tyner is verbally committing to the University of Oregon to play football and run track.

A junior from Aloha, Tyner is the state record holder in the 100 meters and the reigning Class 6A offensive player of the year in football. He gave Oregon football coach Chip Kelly a verbal commitment Saturday after the Ducks lost to USC 38-35 at Autzen Stadium.

Tyner is regarded as a five-star recruit, and figures to be near the top of the nation's recruiting lists. His decision is not binding, but he said "I'm pretty sold on Oregon.""Being a big recruit, and all that goes with that, I think making this decision early will take a lot of the stress off," Tyner said Saturday. "I've been going to nearly every Oregon game this year and I got the feeling that's where I belong."

Tyner said assistant Steve Greatwood and Kelly did the majority of his recruiting, but the school and the football team sold themselves. Tyner also wants run track and study broadcasting. Oregon has a storied track and field history and a well-regarded journalism program

He was being recruited by every power conference in the nation, including several Southeastern Conference schools.

"Football wise, I think I fit pretty well into Oregon's offense," Tyner said. "I think with a lot of those SEC schools, they run a Pro-I, grinding type offense that would take a toll on my body. In Oregon's spread offense, I can get out in the open and use my speed. I think I can rack up some yards. Plus, Oregon has shown they do a good job recruiting offensive linemen.

"And school wise, I want to go into broadcasting and I looked into their program, and I think it will be great for me."

Tyner (6-foot, 208 pounds) missed six games this season with a variety of injuries, the last a hairline fracture in his right tibia that caused him to miss Aloha's final two games. He will be in a walking cast for two more weeks. He still finished with 1,136 yards (8.9 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns, plus one kickoff return for a touchdown.

Last season, he rushed for 1,821 yards and 19 touchdowns in leading Aloha to the Class 6A state title. He also won the state title in the 100 meters, and set the state record of 10.35 (wind-aided), which was the fifth fastest prep time in the nation last year. He said he will run track for the Ducks as well.

At one point it was believed that Oregon State had the inside track to Tyner, and he admitted the Beavers held a special place with him entering the school year because they were the first team that recruited him and the first team to offer him a scholarship.

"For any athlete, the first school that offers you, you automatically like that school; it's going to put a big smile on your face," Tyner said. "So I gave Oregon State a lot of attention, and I really loved it in Corvallis, and the coaches are amazing, they made me feel like family. Then I went down to the Sacramento State game ... and that wasn't too pretty. I ended up leaving at halftime. It seems like their sports are going down, and Oregon, I don't know, I just like it down there. It's awesome."

Oooo. Ouchy, Beavers. That loss to Sac. State came back to bite you again, didn't it. That's unfortunate.

Let me hammer home what you just read. This guy is five star. Nationally recruited by the major schools. The fastest sprinter in the state, he's not a 5'8", 175 pound squirt. He is 6', 208 pounds -- and only a junior in high school. Thomas Tyner has been compared to Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson.

I saw a video of him where he looked like a runaway downhill freight train. When he gets in the secondary on a head of steam, smaller cornerbacks just wave at him as he runs by. They ain't no fools.

When I heard this, I immediately started dreaming. Think along with me. In 2013, QB Brian Bennett and RB De'Anthony Thomas will be juniors. Tyner would be a freshman. That's two years of talent and leadership in key positions. Add a good supporting cast around them . . . . . savor those cookies for a moment.

Here's one video for a little taste. Tyner is #4.

Ya think Coach Kelly will talk to him about getting back to the huddle a little quicker?

--KB

We'll see who's not as good as before.

2011-11-18T09:58:00.000-08:00

Michael Clay and Avery Patterson stop by to wish Andrew Luck
all the best with the whole Heisman thing.

[Two stories from L.A. take differing views of Oregon's defense. The following is from the L.A. Times.]
Oregon isn't all about offense

Ducks' defense, while not posting flashy numbers, gets the job done. Like the offense, they are deep and troublesome.
By David Wharton

November 17, 2011, 4:30 p.m.

Reporting from Eugene, Ore. — Just to be clear, Michael Clay does not want to sound like a complainer.

The linebacker understood when he signed with Oregon he was joining a program known for its rapid-fire offense. For outracing opponents, not stopping them cold.

Defense is something of an afterthought.

"Can't deny that," Clay said. "We kind of fly under the radar."

But this fall, with the fourth-ranked Ducks sneaking back into the national championship hunt, scoring almost seven touchdowns a game, Clay and his defensive teammates are starting to get noticed.

They frustrated Heisman Trophy favorite Andrew Luck in a lopsided win over Stanford last week. Now comes another test against Matt Barkley, who leads No. 18 USC into Autzen Stadium for a Pac-12 Conference showdown Saturday.

"Their defense is really good," USC Coach Lane Kiffin said. "Probably the best it's ever been there."

At first glance, the statistics make that sound like normal pregame talk from a coach. Giving up an average of 384 yards a game, the Ducks rank around the middle of the conference.

But look closer.

Their offense, which can score as quickly as some teams go three-and-out, has left the defense on the field a wearying 797 plays. That's 122 more than USC — almost two games' worth.

"I'm not going to sit here and [lie to] you," defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti said. "Sometimes it can be difficult."

Where Aliotti's squad shows its worth is in per-snap statistics, giving up only 4.8 yards, which would put the Ducks among the top 20 or so defenses in the nation.

"They cause you a lot of problems," Kiffin said. "They're all over the place."

Much like the offense, the defense tries to confuse opponents with an array of looks from a variable scheme that can switch from 4-3 to 3-4 in an instant. But deception goes only so far.

The Ducks have to reach deep into their roster to keep fresh legs on the field for so many minutes. It's not unusual for them to rotate seven or eight linemen, a handful of linebackers and seven or eight defensive backs.

"You're not going to find anybody in the nation that rotates that many people and gets the results we do," defensive end Terrell Turner said.

It also helps that they work against that offense for parts of each day's practice, hustling through Coach Chip Kelly's distinctively frenetic drills. In one regular segment, the ball is placed for a new snap even as the previous play is coming to an end.

"That's full-tilt, hyper-speed," Aliotti said. "You'd have to see it to really understand."

The deep rotation necessitates playing some underclassmen and suffering through growing pains. Oregon has also missed All-American cornerback Cliff Harris, suspended multiple times for traffic tickets.

Harris sat out a 40-27 season-opening loss to Louisiana State, a game in which three turnovers left the Ducks continually scrambling to defend a short field.

Since then, they have matured enough to hold the likes of California and Washington to 17 points or fewer and would have shut out Colorado if not for a safety on Harris' fumbled punt return.

A big part of the Ducks' success comes from pressuring the quarterback, collecting a conference-best 32 sacks. Luck credited the front seven for pestering him into a subpar game that included a fumble and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

"They did a good job with stunts and blitzes," he said.

Still, most of the talk this week has centered on USC needing to keep pace with Darron Thomas, LaMichael James and the rest of an Oregon offense that averages almost two touchdowns more than the Trojans.

Hardly anyone has talked about the Ducks who play on the other side of the ball.

Which is fine with them. If anything, the defense can see an advantage to being overlooked.

"We like being the underdog," Clay said. "We can surprise people."
[It's true that Oregon's defense has been playing much better the past three weeks. But one person still has his doubts. . . .

Barkley: Oregon's defense still vulnerable

November, 15, 2011
by Pedro Moura, ESPN LA

USC quarterback Matt Barkley said after Saturday's 40-17 win over Washington that the Oregon Ducks, the Trojans' next opponent, have been better in the past than they are in 2011.

But his head coach, Lane Kiffin, said the next day that Barkley would realize he should retract his statements once he started watching film of the Ducks, and Barkley did just that after Tuesday's practice.

“They’re a great team,” Barkley said. “They’re well-deserving of their ranking. That (assessment) was just based off of scores I had seen -- I had never really watched them. [He would do well in the Republican debates.]

"After watching tape of them, they’re probably one of the top defenses we’ll be facing this year."

But, even so, he maintained that there are options on offense for USC. There are ways to beat the Ducks, he said.

“They show a lot of different fronts, a lot of different coverages and blitzes," Barkley said. "They try to confuse you. But there are weaknesses and holes that we’ll have to exploit."

“They get after it when they do that, and they’ll catch you off guard. That’s when we have to be smart enough to, especially me, recognize those and get our offense in the right checks. But they are vulnerable in some aspects.”
[Well good luck with that, Matt. Oh by the way, your #1 receiver probably won't be playing Saturday, or at best he'll be playing hurt. Also, your running game sucks (166 yards/game). But good luck with that. ]

After Barkley's initial comments, Oregon safety Eddie Pleasant told Eugene-area reporters that the Ducks "don't even care" what any of the Trojans have to say about the matchup.

“Ever since I’ve been here (USC players) always have something to say before we play them,” Pleasant said, according to The Oregonian. “We just can’t do nothing about that. We just have to go out there and play."
[It's easy to quantify Barkley's statements. Last year against the Ducks, he was sacked twice and intercepted twice. If he's asking the Ducks to prove that they're better this year, I'm sure they'll be up to the challenge. After all, they lead the league in dishing out sacks.

To be fair, USC currently leads the league in giving up the fewest sacks. Stanford did hold that lead, but then Oregon added three more to their total last week.

Oregon ranks third in the league with 12 interceptions (USC is ninth with 8). But stats mean nothing once the game starts. So Barkley, if you see holes in Oregon's D., make it your calling to exploit them.

Level with us, Barkley. Things haven't turned out for you quite like you hoped, haven't they? Three years ago, you were the Man. The PHENOM! The Boy Wonder.

Now all you hear is LUCK, LUCK, LUCK. You must be sick of Luck. Why if you weren't a good Christian boy, you'd think of a bad word that rhymes with Luck and scream it into your pillow!

But that's not all. There's a new Phenom. A new boy wonder in Keith Price of Washinton. He currently leads you in passing efficiency.

And that's still not all. Nick Foles of Arizona is still around, out-passing you. And so is Brock Osweiller at ASU. When people talk about the great QB's of the league, they may rattle off the names of up to four or five guys before they think of you.

This wasn't how you had planned it. MATT BARKLEY was supposed to be on the Heisman watch. MATT BARKLEY was supposed to be the talk of the league. MATT BARKLEY was supposed to be leading his team to the Natty.

But it didn't work out that way. Even if you had won all of your games, you wouldn't be going anywhere because USC is on probation.

Oh well, Matt. Don't worry about it. Just focus on those weakness and holes in Oregon's D that you're sure about. You do that and I'm sure you'll beat Oregon.

Hey, at least you'll be the best quarterback on the field. . . . . . Oops. . . . . Darron Thomas has a better pass efficiency rating than you too.

Sorry about that, Matt.

Gametime 5pm Pacific on ABC.

The following features footage of the last time Barkley and Co. visited Eugene.

Nation take notice. Oregon is back.

2011-11-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

It wasn't just that Oregon beat Stanford, it was how they beat them. The Ducks never trailed, dominated start to finish. Playing at Stanford wasn't a factor. The long wet grass wasn't a factor. Andrew Luck wasn't enough of a factor. As exciting as it was, it was almost anticlimatic. Their best performance of the season by far, Oregon made all of the build up and hype seem a little silly. They never let Stanford make a competitive game of it.

Photos from Oregonian

Bad Luck fumble.

The Stanford Daily, your smarter than average college newspaper, wrote a nice wrap up of the game complete with honest assessments by Stanford players including Luck about Oregon.

Below is an article from Ted Miller of ESPN.

Oregon just won't go away

By Ted Miller, ESPN

When Oregon trudged off the Cowboys Stadium field after a 40-27 loss to LSU on Sept. 3, just about everyone counted them out. That was made real when they were poleaxed by pollsters, dropping from No. 3 to No. 13 and No. 14 in the AP and coaches' polls, respectively.

That will teach Oregon -- and anyone else -- to agree to a marquee nonconference matchup against an elite team that everyone wants to see!

Most turned away from the team with loud uniforms. Andrew Luck and Stanford were now the interesting team in the Pac-12, and Oklahoma, Alabama, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State, Boise State, Florida State, Texas A&M and those LSU Tigers were the real contenders.
But teams, as they are wont to do in college football, started falling by the wayside, and the Ducks kept coming. It was quiet at first. Nevada bludgeoned a week after LSU; a pounding of Arizona on the road; California and Arizona State dispatched with prejudice.

DAT: Can't catch him.

And when Oregon gamboled off the field after a 53-30 victory over Stanford, just about everyone started counting them back in.

It made me recall that cool sequence at the beginning of Rocky III when Clubber Lang is, one by one, clubbering a sequence of foes on a bigger and bigger stage, and his dominance is attracting the worried attention of Rocky's manager Mickey.

And just as Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" ends, Clubber barks at Mickey, "I want Balboa! I want Balboa! You hear that, Old Man?"

Said Ducks running back De'Anthony Thomas after the game, "I feel like if we get another shot at [LSU] again, I feel like it will be a better game."

Not exactly the same sort of bravado, but LSU is more Ivan Drago than Rocky.

[Loved that movie. "He's gonna KILL ya, Rock. He's gonna MURDER ya."]

Oregon would like to play LSU again with an offensive line and defensive front seven that have jelled. It would like to play LSU again with a healthy LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner. It would like to play LSU without four turnovers, including two fumbles from Thomas.

It is a longshot to happen. And to be absolutely fair to how things went down in game one -- it sure as heck was as much about LSU's size and speed as turnovers -- and how good LSU has looked since then, my guess is few, including our friends who look at things without emotion in Las Vegas, would pick the Ducks to win a rematch.

It would, however, be interesting. Let's recall that the last offensive-minded evil genius to get a rematch in a national championship game against a defensive power -- Florida and Steve Spurrier in 1996 with Florida State -- won and won big.

Huff: Can't catch him.

If Oregon wins out impressively, and some dominoes fall here and there, maybe it will happen. It just won't happen today, this week or next. So let's bracket off the national title stuff.

And, as we look big picture, let's bracket off the potential endgame with L'Affair de Willie Lyles. I've talked to smart people who think Oregon may get hammered, and I've talked to smart people that think they won't. You never know with the NCAA, an institution where logic and fairness aren't always part of the process.

[A lot of time has past. Much has happened lately. Unless Oregon paid Lyles to shower with Lache Seastrunk, the NCAA needs to move on and get its priorities straight.]

The big picture is this: Oregon is on the cusp of a third consecutive conference title. It's won 19 consecutive conference game, all but three by double-digits. If I were projecting coach Chip Kelly's record after his third season ends this January, I'd guess 34-5 (.875). Yes, I'm projecting a BCS bowl victory.

And Oregon will be a preseason top-five team in 2012 and will be the overwhelming favorites to win a fourth consecutive conference title, even if running back LaMichael James doesn't come back.

2013 looks like it will set up nicely, too.

Get the point? Oregon, barring a bomb from the NCAA, is set up for the long haul. It's on the cusp of becoming one of "those" programs. You know, where nine wins is viewed as a rebuilding year.

Look at the size of that hole for LaMJ!
BTW, in case anyone is still keeping score of that other
best running back in the league, Washington's Chris Polk
finished the day against USC with 36 yards.
LaMJ: 146 yards.

Of course, all the Ducks haters are barking about the lack of a Rose Bowl victory much less a national title. [Underline the word barking. Until the Ducks win the big games, they'll just have to keep beating those barkers down -- for another eight years if necessary.] True. Snarky, but fair. That's why some of this hangs on the Ducks taking care of business in whatever January bowl they end up playing in.

Said Thomas, "I wouldn't want to play us."

Oh, there are lots of fans of lots of teams across the country that would have smart alec replies to that. That's the trash talking, message board, comments section face of college football.

But also know that plenty of measured, football-smart fans -- even LSU and Alabama fans -- watched the tour de force display against Stanford and thought to themselves, "I don't want to play them."

Would it be a better game? Ya, probably. Can Oregon beat LSU in the Natty? I just can't help but think that the laws of physics would come into play again. Oregon is fast. But LSU is BIG and fast. Kelly would have to come up with the game plan of his life to pull that off.

Kenjon Barner showed no mercy any time
LaMJ stood on the sidelines.

Speaking of Kelly, they call him WHAT?!?!?!
Bruce Jenkins of the SF Chronicle wrote a nice story about Chip Kelly following Oregon's defeat of Stanford. He tells of Kelly's style, particularly his gutsy calls on fourth down or for a two-point conversion. But something stopped me cold like a phonograph needle scraping across a record album. Jenkins seems to know of a nickname that "they" around campus have given Kelly. Here's the excerpt:

Leading 15-9 with three minutes left in the second quarter, Oregon faced a 4th-and-7 at the Stanford 41. I'm not sure another coach in the country would have taken that gamble, especially with an offense that gained a total of minus-1 yard in the first quarter. Come up short, and you've given Andrew Luck some pretty nice field position to orchestrate his hurry-up offense and take the lead at halftime.

Then again, this is a coach they call "Big Balls Kelly" around the Oregon campus, and he didn't have a first down in mind. A wide-open De'Anthony Thomas turned a screen pass into a 41-yard touchdown, a 22-9 lead, and a sense among the sellout crowd - everyone aside from that lively pocket of Oregon partisanship in the northeast corner - that things might not end well.

Really now?!?! That's what people call him? Is it only players or staff, or do all the students call him this too?

"Hey look who just walked in, it's Big Balls Kelly. 'HEY, GREAT GAME LAST NIGHT, BIG BALLS!' "

"Welcome to Track Town Pizza, Mr. Big Balls. Can I interest you in a Large Meat Combo? It's sure to fill your testiculars."

I have never heard of this. Can somebody out there confirm it? Can somebody say to me, "Yes, we call Coach Kelly 'Big Balls' ."?

Is there a certain Oregonian reporter out there who can go up to Coach Kelly and ask him to confirm or deny Jenkins' claim? Better yet, just ask him, "So do you have an injury report for us this week, Big Balls?"

It just stuns me. For one thing, someone would have to have some pretty big balls to call Coach Kelly "Big Balls". Furthermore, there are lots of other things you can call him. Better names.

Iron Guts Kelly, Cold Kelly, Crazy Kelly, Fearless Kelly, Genghis Kelly, Kelly the Merciless, Rock Chip . . . . . . .

But Big Balls? When I read that, all I could think of was the movie "The Jerk" when Steve Martin broke his foot kicking Iron Balls McGinty in the groin.

But then if you earn yourself a nickname, I suppose Big Balls Kelly is better than Keep Quiet Paterno, Gropefather's Cain, Overstay Our Welcome Occupiers, or "I'd make a great president as long as I don't talk" Perry.

--KB

Duck D's Success will Decide Winner, as Luck Would Have It.

2011-11-11T10:15:00.000-08:00

Last year at Autzen, Stanford led 21-3 in the first quarter.
Oregon roared back to win 52-31.

Stanford or Oregon. Oregon or Stanford. We may not have known it at the time, but these two teams have been preparing for this game since the final buzzer of their match last year. Who will win? Odds makers have Stanford by 3-1/2. But that's little more than a home field spread. It's like picking the horse who has run more on grass.

What does Stanford have going for it?
1) Lotsa' Luck. Andrew, that is. Clearly the best Stanford QB since John Elway. Probably the best Pac-10/12 QB since . . . . well, John Elway. He's won because he's big, talented, smart, and he hates to lose.

2) The talent around Luck. I thought Luck was crazy for coming back his senior year. I didn't think he had a decent supporting cast. Turns out he does, starting with his offensive line. Two All Americans anchor his line, allowing him time to check off his options and engineer drives to perfection.

3) Home field @ The Farm vs. Autzen. Night and day.

What does Stanford have going against it?
1) Injuries. An alarming number of those talented players supporting Luck won't be playing tomorrow evening. Wide receiver Chris Owusu is out with three concussions. Tight end Zach Ertz is doubtful with a knee injury. Offensive tackle Cameron Fleming is questionable.

2) Not well tested. While Oregon was growing up against LSU, Stanford was feeling invincible as they clobbered San Jose State. Their win against USC could just as easily have been a loss as they allowed the Trojans to score 48 points through three overtimes. In their win over Oregon State, I saw a very beatable Cardinal. If the Beavs had just a few more play makers and thrown a little more pressure at Luck, things might have been different.

Enter Oregon

Oregon's defense took over last year against Stanford.

Oregon's defense is peaking right now. Holding an improved Washington team to 17 points in Seattle, their defensive line punished RB Chris Polk and forced QB Keith Price into throwing errors when they weren't sacking him six times.

Another key stat for the Duck defense? ZERO. That is the number of points Oregon allowed Andrew Luck and company to score in the second half last year. ESPN's story, "Oregon Not Awed by Andrew Luck" pits Nick Allioti directly against Luck. This story suggests that either Oregon will bring enough pressure to mess up Luck, or he truly is the best QB since Elway and Stanford is the Pac-12 champ.

Scout Inc. noted the same thing when they wrote:
The amount of pressure Oregon is able to apply to Luck will be crucial to the outcome of this game. The Ducks have notched 29 sacks on the year, with DEs Dion Jordan and Terrell Turner flashing first-step quickness and athleticism off the edge, and defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti being creative and aggressive bringing pressures from various launch points on the second and third levels. Stanford LT Jonathan Martin and RG David DeCastro are first-round prospects, but the offensive line as a whole has allowed some leakage in protection and has issues communicating against the blitz. Stanford has given up only four sacks on the season, but much of that is thanks to Luck's elite pocket presence and mobility. Oregon must apply pressure but must do so under control and maintain gap integrity because Luck has the ability to extend plays and to make accurate throws downfield -- or use his feet to pick up big chunks of yardage.

When Oregon has the ball, it'll be all about the Ducks' specialty: Making the defense believe one thing and then doing another. Again from Scout Inc.:
Discipline and awareness also will be key for the Cardinal's last line of defense. The fast-paced offense of Oregon coach Chip Kelly will provide little time for the Stanford defense to align and make any pre-snap calls or adjustments. The secondary can ill afford to become flustered and overzealous filling in run support, or try to get an early break on quick-hitting perimeter passes. The Ducks do a great job of frustrating defenses, creating confusion and then capitalizing on play-action downfield. Thomas is much-improved as a thrower this season, and TE David Paulson and WR Lavasier Tuinei have the size and long strides to exploit vertical seams. Stopping the Ducks' ground attack is a big challenge on its own, and giving up big plays in the passing game, as well, would mean a very long day for the Stanford defense.

Stanford will need all the Luck it can get
to keep up with Oregon's running backs.

I will be excited to see what Chip Kelly has cooked up for the offense. He mostly used LaMichael James last week. Nothing wrong with that. But throw in Kenjon Barner and line up DeAnthony Thomas in the backfield OR as a receiver, that creates the potential for mistakes Stanford is worried about.

And if Stanford starts off by successfully staying on top of it, good for them. Now get ready for the second half.

I like Oregon's chances. I don't think Stanford belongs in the BCS top five and Oregon is just the team to show them. I'll say this, though. Although this isn't the official Pac-12 Championship, everyone knows it's the "Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink Pac-12 Championship". The Championship of football, I mean, not of nudging and winking. I only meant nudge nudge wink wink because these are the two best teams. You see, it's a metaphore. We know something that isn't official. Not that it's OFFICIALLY the "Nudge Nudge Wink Wink . . . . " (sigh)

Anyway, Ducks are gonna win.

Oregon at Stanford game time 5pm Pacific on ABC.

Ducks Defense Takes Wrecking Bar to Husky Stadium

2011-11-08T09:42:00.000-08:00

Before we dicuss the latest football games, here is BREAKING NEWS from the NCAA Investigations unit regarding the recent developments at Penn State University. Penn State's Athletic Dirctor and Vice President both stepped down Sunday. Yesterday they were both arraigned for failing to report suspected child abuse.

All of this stems from an investigation into whether former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky sexually abused eight boys over a 15 year period. Here is the following statement from the NCAA Investigators:

We at the NCAA take the allegations at Penn State University very seriously. And it is our intention to fully investigate these alleged child molestation accusations just as soon as we finish with our investigation at Oregon.

Currently all of our investigators are tied up with the crime spree at Oregon, and we believe it is important to handle these issues in the order of priority. We would be doing a disservice to justice if we did not fully complete our work on Oregon's heinous crimes. . . . . .If only we could remember what those crimes were.

Did Oregon pay players? No. Help players cheat on test scores? No. Entice recruits with parties, alcohol and sex? No. New cars? No. New house for players' parents? No. Hide players' sales of team memorabilia? No.

But we will not rest until Oregon is thoroughly investigated and punished. Then we will look into the Penn State matter and the alleged . . . .uhhh. . . . what did they do again?

_________________________

More than the previous seven games, I think Washington wanted to win this one the most. Their team appeared stronger and better than they had in years. This was the last game in their ugly old stadium. Now would've been the perfect time to break the Ducks stranglehold on them. The crowd was loud and proud and ready.

It didn't take long to pop their balloon. On Washington's opening drive, Eddie Pleasant picked Nick Price's overthrow out of the air and returned it into Husky territory to set up Oregon's first score, and a lead they would never give up.

Sack

Mugging and theft of Husky reception.

The Ducks defense shut Washington down with three turnovers -- including one honest, unapologetic purse snatch of a clean reception -- and six sacks. The sixth sack sent Price to the sidelines for three plays. Andrew Luck, take notice.

LaMichael James was back. He re-established himself as the nation's premier rusher at 151.5 yards per game. He outran his friend Chris Polk 156 yards to 80.

Darron Thomas is the man again. Despite that crazy moment when the spirit of some long past Husky knocked the ball out of his hand as he threw it, he controlled the team and completed all the important passes. Take four drops by his receivers out of his throwing stats and he did excellent.

Did anyone else notice the major change in the Ducks offensive plays in the second half? In the first half as well as all the games prior, if Oregon's running back lines up on the QB's left side, he's probably going to run right if not straight, and vice versa.

Who's the best running back?

In the second half, Thomas just tossed the ball to James like they were a part of a brick laying line, and he ran on that side. They did that for nearly two scoring drives before Washington realized they were being punked. Now when Stanford looks at films, what do they prepare for?

In fact Oregon showed a lot for Stanford to look at. But for as much as they showed, they hid so much more with LaMJ being the solo back for most of the game.

The Register Guard's George Schroeder wrote a good story about showing Oregon's defense some more love.

Emotionally, I wanted this win more than any other. But, by Chip Kelly's watch, it's over and time to move on. The second game of the century in two weeks is coming. Only this one is sure to have some touchdowns. Sportscenter will be there.

More later,
KB

They want us to BOW DOWN.

2011-11-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

With lyrics . . .

Has kind of a Third Reich ring to it, don't you think?

The longest winning streak Washington had over Oregon was six games, done more than once. Oregon eclipsed that streak last year by beating the Dawgs for the seventh consecutive time.

An eighth victory tomorrow would just be gravy, right? I wish I could believe that, but the thought of the Huskies winning even one game is harrowing.

This year we all wanted the Ducks to beat LSU, and we're really hoping they beat Stanford next week. Of course we want to beat the Beavers, and we really want the Ducks to win their bowl game, wherever it may be.

But I must say, I cannot breathe until we notch another win on the Dawgs. I have more anxiety for this game than any other this season. It's not because I'm afraid Oregon will lose. I'm afraid of what will happen if Washington wins.

The Oregonian asked it's readers, "Why do you hate the Huskies so much?". Below are a few of the comments:

Most fans in the NW talk about how "arrogant" the ducks are, and I agree to an extent. This used to be the Huskies, and still is for that matter. I once saw a shirt in the late '90's that said " UW Huskies, we aren't arrogant, we are just better than you."
I hate the huskies and their fans with every ounce of my being. I don't care that the ducks have won 7 in a row, I want to win by 50. Go Ducks!
______________________
All the NW schools hate the huskies. It's because they beat the living crap out of the other NW schools for 50 years.

______________________
I never hated the huskies... until they danced on the "O" after a victory. That was, of course, an indication of their classless coach, but that act made me hate the Huskies more than any other team. It is forever emblazoned in my mind and will never dissipate regardless of how many times we thump them... I don't care if we win 100-0 for the next 30 years, that image will ALWAYS get me riled up...
______________________
uw and their fans have arrogance built right in. They've set it in stone with their pompous fight song: "Bow Down to Washington". Other schools fight songs urge their teams on to victory or reflect on past glories. At uw, it's "Bow down to us. We're better than you." The height of arrogance.
______________________
Under-30 Duck here ... I grew up a UCLA fan on the mean streets of Orange County and always saw UW as the USC of the North. The Huskies competed for Rose Bowl berths and national title year in and year out through the late 80s and early 90s and were still just as prominent in my eyes during their probative years in the mid- to late-90s. I was impressed by them. I even enjoyed watching UW during the Marques Tuiasosopo (spelling?) years. But once I received my acceptance letter from UO, all that admiration turned to loathing, albeit respectful loathing.
First day of college, a friend of mine on the same door floor – he's a Duck lifer – taught me two things: Never leave a game early and hate Washington.
Huskies beat us in a driving rain by 40 that year in Autzen. We stayed until the end.
______________________
For us much older - we can remember the insults of the past - the Washington vote that put the duck out of the rose bowl - right up to the Huskies (team) dancing on the center field after beating the ducks in Autzen. We have a long history of hatred, and for those of you that are too young to remember all that - you will certainly learn that this game means more than just a W in the win column.
______________________
If you really want to know why we hate the huskies - wear Oregon colors to a game up in Seattle and you'll come away understanding why...... very simple - the fans and the players up there are idiots.

For me it was 1983 at Autzen. The Huskies brought their band, which was much bigger, louder, more organized than ours. Before the game, legend has it that Husky DL Steve Emtman tore the paper towel dispensers off the wall in the visiting locker room to get his team fired up. On the field the Dawgs pounded the Ducks in the first half.
Then at halftime their band came onto the field, and in the middle of whatever they were playing, they suddenly broke into the Oregon fight song in a waltz. The whole stadium booed. Then the teams came back out and Washington pounded the Ducks some more for a final score of 32-3. The band leader later said they only meant to "honor" the Ducks. All the while any Husky fans in the stands (and there were a lot of them) would not sit down, would not shut up. They kept turning around pointing to us, laughing.
"OK. It's official," I thought, "I hate Washington." And I hope a nuclear submarine in Bremerton blows up and destroys the entire Puget Sound.

Here is the point that the above posts keep making. If you don't have a reason for hating the Huskies, you have never been an Oregon fan at a Husky game. Duck fans are not born to hate the Huskies, they learn it through horrible experiences with Husky fans, Husky players, Husky coaches, the Husky band, Husky cheerleaders, Husky flag team, even Husky bus drivers.

An eighth consecutive win over Washington means two full generations of four-year Duck students having never experienced how a victorious Husky acts. We alums can try to warn them what it's like, but they won't really know until they experience it themselves. Because even after seven consecutive losses, one Husky win and it's like giving purple gremlins water after midnight.

We cannot allow the Huskies to win their final game at their ugly crumbling stadium. It would be so poetic if Oregon swings the first blows to destroy that wasteland.

I hope the Ducks make history by being the answer to the trivia question, "Who scored the final points in old Husky Stadium before they tore it down?" Darron Thomas? LaMJ? I'll even settle for a field goal.

Seven consecutive wins? It's not enough. Eight is not enough. Talk to me again at 80.

Wanna see the Huskies at their Huskiest? Roll the ugliness . . .

Finally, let me cleanse your pallet with this. From AllDuckedOut:

Gametime 7:30 Pacific on Root/FSN.

BTW I was just kidding about the whole nuclear sub, Puget Sound thing. Sorry. It's just these Huskies . . . . They bring it out of me . . . Well, you understand, don't you?

--KB

Running Joke

2011-11-02T23:44:00.000-07:00

Chris Polk steps over a Wildcat on his way to a showdown with Oregon.

Guess who is telling everyone that they have the best running back in the Pac-12. No, it's not USC. It's none other than those Delightful Dawgs from Dumbville, the Washington Huskies.

If you had watched the Arizona/Washington game on the channel Root (formerly known as FOX Sports, but still the All-Seattle-All-the-Time Network), you would have heard one of their talking heads (Not Penus Poppoluffogus or whatever his name is. The other one, I think his name is Klapp.) calling Chris Polk the best RB in the Pac-12 three or four times through the game.

And -- just like the Tea Partiers belief in the stories that pro wrestling is real and Obama's birth certificate is fake -- Dawg fans lick this stuff up like sweet ball sweat, roll in it like a cow pie from the gods, and then shake it off their stinky coats and all over the blogosphere.

Lindsay Schnell of the Oregonian talked with the Duck's running backs coach who said LaMichael James is the best back in the league. Meanwhile Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times believes Polk is the best back ever to wear a Husky uniform.

Granted, Washington's star RB, Chris Polk, is currently leading the league in a couple of categories. One thing the bloggers conveniently overlook however, is that he was only able to reach this pinnacle because LaMichael James took a couple of weeks off to heal his arm.

Allow me to show you the numbers without making you too bleary eyed.

Total yards:
Chris Polk -- 1016 in eight games.
LaMJ -- 905 in six games.

So yes, Polk has more yards. And he earned them at an average of 127 yards per game versus 150 for LaMJ.

Polk has 12 TD's in eight games. LaMJ, only 10 in six games. By the way, DeAnthony Thomas has 11 TD's and Kenjon Barner has 8. And while we're on that subject, let's not forget that DAT and Barn Burner can drop 100 plus yards on anyone, anytime, on command.

Want more numbers? How about All Purpose Yards (running, receiving, kick returns)
Barn Burner is the "slacker" at 738 yards in eight games.
LaMJ has a mere 1201 yards in only six games.
DAT: 1262 yards in eight games.
Polk? (Drum roll please) a whopping 1265 yards. Only three more than Oregon's third stringer.

I'm not saying Polk isn't currently the running back with the best stats. I'm not saying he's not a great back. We'll see him on Sundays next year. What I'm saying is that come this Saturday, we're going to see who the best running backs are. And we're going to see if Polk is the best RB on the field, or the second best, or the third, or fourth.

LaMJ. Not running hurts him
worse than his arm.

We're going to see that while Oregon can focus primarily on Polk, Washington's 'D' will have to hold down LaMJ and Barn Burner and DAT. Even if Polk runs 101 yards, Oregon's three-headed monster can still run or catch for 100 yards each. . . . Oh darn, that makes Polk the better RB . . . . and a LOSER.

As for LaMJ, the poor guy is so chomping at the bit to get back out there and smack pads. He's the kind of guy who will duct tape his arm onto his elbow and crawl on his knees for 100 plus yards if the coach would let him. He was able to put in 50-something yards against WSU. But he looked frustrated. I wonder if he's heard all this Polk talk.

I will make a prediction, if LaMJ's arm feels halfway good, he will stampede through the Dawgs. He will re-establish his rightful place as THE Running Man of the league. If his arm works at all this Saturday, he will use all the pained strength he has, just so he can lift one finger to the Huskies.

--KB

Thanks Cougs. We needed that.

2011-10-31T22:52:00.000-07:00

Washington State reminded at least this Duck fan of something. Anyone can beat anyone anytime in this league. Oregon couldn't get away with playing hurt and sporadic in the first half. The Cougs stayed right with them and went into the locker room ready to pull off the big upset. Had WSU played this way against Oregon State they would've won easily. But they chose to save it for the Ducks. They, along with every other team, planned to bring their best against Oregon.

(Pics from Oregonian.) It's enough to just beat them,
but DAT made the Cougs look downright silly.

Fortunately Oregon is brandishing a weapon no one counted on -- their incredible depth of talent. Bryan Bennett finished the game for Darron Thomas and showed at the very least that he was not bothered by a hurting knee. Kenjon Barner and DeAnthony Thomas combined to amply equal the typical output of LaMichael James. And the defense outdid themselves while Cliff Harris was at Kinko's faxing a copy of his new driver's license to Coach Kelly's office.

It still came down to the second half. Can the other team keep up? Oregon is starting to get a reputation as a "second half" team, implying that they usually outscore and pull away from the opponent at that point.

While that is true, I don't believe that is an accurate depiction of what's happening. It's not that Oregon suddenly gets better in the second half, it's that the other team starts to loosen it's grip and slide away at that point. Oregon's conditioning is more intense. Their approach to the entire game is speed and never letting the foot off the gas.

I was shocked that as fast as Thomas is at getting the next snap off after the whistle blows the previous play dead, Bennett is even faster. Couple that with Bennett being fresh and healthy, Barner and DAT were feeling good, the offensive line rotated players -- the Cougs, like most other teams, couldn't keep up.

Hard to remember Bryan Bennett is just a redshirt freshman.

Nevertheless, I am glad that WSU played Oregon tough and never quit. Better the Ducks get that fresh bloody lip at this game in Eugene, than at Seattle or Stanford in the coming weeks. Coming off their exciting win over Arizona, you can bet the Huskies are going to bring it. Lots more on those mutts later.

Lavasier Tuinei, The Big Tuna.

As for Stanford, they remain undefeated after their thrilling triple overtime win at USC. That game got to a point where each team was just waiting for the other to make the critical mistake. It ended with USC fumbling in the endzone.

That poorly played game suggested to me that Stanford wasn't ready for the Natty. But it said so much more to Oregonian columnist Jon Canzano. In his column, Andrew Luck is human, Stanford is beatable and Oregon could return to BCS title game, he, of all people, watched Oregon's and Stanford's games and came away convinced that the Ducks deserved to go back to the Natty.

That thought didn't occur to me. I still think there is a simple law of physics at play here -- that being the physical size and speed of the top SEC and Big 12 defensive lines. But hey, who am I to argue if someone thinks the Ducks belong back on top.

This is Husky H8 week, the week that Oregon Ducks reflect on all the ways and reasons we hate the Washington Huskies. Fortunately the Ducks have beaten the Dawgs into submission for several years now.

These days, I can actually have a cordial conversation with a Husky fan in the elevator or grocery store line without him going all obnoxiously rabid on me. But one defeat to the Dawgs, and it's like their purple fever comes right back and it takes another three or four years of beatings before the bitches lie down and stay again.

I'll have more on them later this week.

--KB

You want Who to What, WHERE?

2011-10-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

Check this out:
Chip Kelly fine with playing Washington State in Seattle,
but not every year

Published: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 2:00 PM Updated: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 2:11 PM
by Lindsay Schnell

EUGENE -- Just as Washington State hosted Oregon State at CenturyLink Field last Saturday — home of the Seattle Seahawks — Chip Kelly said on Tuesday that there is a possibility the Ducks will play the Cougars in Seattle next season.

But as for moving the entire series to Seattle — including when the Ducks are the home team — Kelly said he’s not interested.

“The whole deal that was presented to me was that we don’t play at home, we’d always play in Seattle,” Kelly said. “I don’t want to trade a game at Autzen Stadium. If they want to move a game, that doesn’t bother me.

"The one proposal I heard was that we got to Seattle every year: we don’t go to Pullman, but we don’t come back to Eugene, either, and I’m not in favor of that. I love playing in front of our hometown fans.”

Oregon spokesman Dave Williford said nothing official has been proposed for next season's Oregon-Washington State game, or any future games.

--Lindsay Schnell

"Hey Oregon, we at Washington State have this great idea. You'll just love it! Why don't we play in Seattle every other year when we're the home team so you don't have to fly all the way to the bitter cold Palouse? Sound good?

Great. Then maybe you can host us in Seattle every other OTHER year! It'll give us a chance to get away from your noisy place and we can have a nice peaceful game in Washington.

Hey, we're just thinking of you, Oregon. You'll save money by not having to clean up your stadium after the game. Your fans will love it because you know how much they hate having Autzen always packed to the rim. They'll have more access to bathrooms and shorter lines at the concessions. After all, isn't that what it's all about?

It'll be like camp. A sleepover! Won't that be fun? Oh and we forgot the best part, Oregon.
Three words: Pikes Place Market!

So shall we schedule the first game in Seattle saaaay, oh I don't know. . . . . maybeeeee tomorrow?"

COUGARS, Have you finally gone completely brain pickled? Are you over-fertilizing your barley and hops? Do you believe with all your heart that you truly know the difference between a good idea and whatever is collecting on the bottom of your boots at this very moment?

Did you really think we were going to say, "Gee Cooter, that sounds like a pretty good deal! Instead of playing you in Eugene where 57,000 Duck fans give Autzen it's reputation as one of the most feared stadiums in the country, we'll mosey on up to Seattle Stadium where we'll have about 20,000 Duck fans, 30,000 Cougar fans, and about 10,000 Husky fans throwing beer and garbage at all of us just because we're there. PRETTY GOOD DEAL!!!"

How about this idea, Cougs. Just for you, we're going to change the name of our stadium. To everyone else it's still Autzen. But whenever you come to Eugene -- starting tomorrow -- we'll call it something else. From now on, you, and just you, Cougs, will know Autzen as . . . . .

THE WOODSHED.

That's right. It's the place where Daddy has to take you whenever something stupid comes out of your primary face hole. You know, something like, "Duuhhh, why don't we play in Seattle instead of Eugene?"

You see, it breaks Daddy's heart whenever stupidness emanates from your big round skull. He thinks your brains have dropped down to your ass. And he loves you so he's going to have to WHACK those brains back up into your head again.

So come to the Woodshed and get your medicine, Cougs. Go there tonight, drop your pants; and you just stand there and wait for Daddy. He'll be there tomorrow at noon to show you how much he loves you.

As for your specific punishment, the current point spread is set at 35 points. I'm afraid we'll have to increase that to 47 . . . . wait, I forgot Cliff Harris won't be playing . . . .make that 49.

And in the future, stop coming to us with your silly "good ideas". You haven't had a good idea since you invented fruit leather rollups in 1985.

It just makes Daddy mad. And then he has to beat you more, which he hates to do. So that makes him even madder, and then he has to beat you even more. See how that works?

So you run along now, Cougs. And tomorrow at lunchtime we'll see you and give you a good righteous beating, and then you can run on home, put your butt in a sling, and we'll never have to talk about this again.

OK?

Game time: Saturday 12 noon Pacific on FSN/Root Network.

Over the Cliff?

2011-10-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

If this ends up being the last play Cliff Harris makes for the season, it's perfectly appropriate. It shows his amazing Willie Mays-like physical ability to twist around and catch a punt over his shoulder, equaled only with his absolutely stupid brain activity that made him believe doing so was a good idea.

I know what I said in a post just two weeks ago (To get more wins, we'll need more CASH) about letting Cliff Harris out of the box and allowing him to be a little of his old self again. But now I'm thinking of the adage, "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it."

I'm wondering if we've seen the last of Cliff Harris in a Duck uniform at least for the season. If you didn't hear, he screwed up again (Oregonian article: Chip Kelly calls Cliff Harris situation 'very disappointing'). After serving up a safety last Saturday to give Colorado their only two points, he got stopped by the cops in downtown Eugene.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing on the news. There was a policeman talking to Harris, making him tow the line, etc. The TV sound happened to be turned down so my instant thought was this was a replay from last summer.

But no. It's fresh footage. Once more with feeling: Driving without a seatbelt. Driving without a license. Driving without insurance. Driving without a clue. Driving without a brain.

And now he's driving without permission to step foot near any Oregon athletic facilities. That's a harsher suspension than what Kelly had given him in the past. It's a worse sanction than even for reporters; and we know how Kelly feels about reporters.

Coach Kelly says Harris fails to listen in practice. He fails to follow basic routes; to stay disciplined in his defensive assignments. Yet he has made some of the most beautiful defensive plays anyone has ever seen.

Why does Cliff Harris do what he does? Why does he catch the punt that carries him into the endzone? Why does he drive illegally? Why does he trash talk Colorado during warmups to earn the team a 15-yard penalty on the opening kickoff? Why does he hear people tell him what he should not do, and he agrees; then when backs are turned, he does it?!?!?!

He's got the talent. But to borrow a line from Bull Durham, he's got a million dollar body and a ten cent head. I won't leave these questions of "Why" as rhetorical. I think I have an answer.

Cliff Harris is the ultimate quintessential, eternal optimist.

If he blew off one of his fingers while playing with fireworks, he would look at the other nine fingers he still had, and smile at all the fireworks still left in the box.

He's not happy-go-stupid. Just stupid. He sees the trouble he gets himself into, says "Ah oh," but then just thinks about the next play, the next day, the next car ride -- all without examining his decisions that led to the "Ah oh".

Somehow in his mind, he thinks he has it all figured out. He's in control. Life is good. It's OK for him to take these risks and do the dumb things that people told him, begged him, ordered him not to do. But he'll do them anyway because now is now and he really wants to do it now. So he'll just do it and things will work out.

And if they don't work out . . . . . . . . . ."Ah oh." But it's OK because things will still work out later, somehow. He can fix it. He's in control.

Guys like him could outlive us all. If someone made a movie about a person like Cliff Harris, it would be a dark comedy. And he would one day end up being king of the world. But as he turned around to view his domain, the camera would show a land of desolation. Destruction that he caused, unintentional consequences of his stupid actions.

He'll say, "Ah oh. But hey, it's OK. I'm in control. Let's move on. There will be another day, another play, another place for me."

It just may never be Autzen again.

The following is a song that I believe is the soundtrack running through his mind. Whether he's sitting on the bench serving a suspension, or sitting in a car waiting for the policeman to walk up, this song keeps him looking forward, believing it's OK, he's got it all figured out.

It's called Clint Eastwood, though it has nothing to do with the actor. I prefer to call it Cliff Harris.

--KB

You've Fallen a Long Way, Baby

2011-10-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

Remember the days of Bill McCartney? Before he founded Promise Keepers teaching Christians to be manly men and men to be Christiany Christians, he was the coach of Colorado from 1984 to 1992. His Buffaloes won the Big 8 conference title three times including a national championship in 1990.
Then came Rick Neuheisel with his infamous "Scoreboard, Baby" quote to remind Oregon fans what he had done to their Ducks in a 38-6 Cotton Bowl romp in 1996. He led Colorado to another heartbreaker over the Ducks in the 1998 Aloha Bowl.

Rashaan Salaam, Running Back
Heisman Trophy winner 1994
That was a looooong time ago.

Oregon and Colorado met one more time in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl. Joey Harrington and Maurice Morris led a fast team to dominate them 38-16.

Those Buffaloes were coached by Gary Barnett. Afterwards, Barnett's teams grew mediocre for several years. Then Dan Hawkins came from Boise State and really let the Buffalo chips pile up. After five years he had compiled a record of 12-28.

This year is the first for Jon Embree to coach Colorado. And he's hosting Oregon with a sad and hurtin' 1-6 team this Saturday. Colorado is a shadow of it's former self. Could they still upset the Ducks? Anything's possible. That's why Oregon shouldn't overlook them.

STOMP ON THE GAS. STOMP ON THE BUFFS.

A San Antonio online publication had a good story about what Colorado thinks it must do to stop Oregon.

It's cute. Bless their hearts.

Buffs looking for ways to corral Oregon's offense
PAT GRAHAM, AP Sports Writer
Updated 05:32 p.m., Thursday, October 20, 2011

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — The Colorado Buffaloes have a basic outline for bottling up Oregon's explosive offense: Set the edges so the Ducks can't run outside and, above all else, don't miss tackles. [Ya, no running to the outside. Oregon can't score if they can't run to the outside.]

As for a more detailed blueprint, well, Colorado first-year coach Jon Embree doesn't think one really exists.

He even jokingly suggested that he will conduct a thorough Google search, just to see if there's any tips floating around in cyberspace.

The banged-up Buffaloes (1-6, 0-3 Pac-12) will have their hands full Saturday trying to contain No. 9 Oregon (5-1, 3-0), even if the Ducks might be without quarterback Darron Thomas (leg) and tailback LaMichael James (elbow).

Oregon's backups are more than capable of running an offense that's averaging nearly 49 points and 539 yards a game.

And that's an enviable trait.

"Someday," Embree lamented. "I just want to get to where we know who we have."

For that, Embree almost has to consult with the trainers on a minute-by-minute basis.

The Buffaloes have been besieged by injuries in their inaugural year of Pac-12 play. They're missing leading tackler Douglas Rippy after he suffered a season-ending knee injury last weekend, along with top tailback Rodney Stewart (knee). They're also without receiver Paul Richardson (knee), cornerbacks Brian Lockridge (ankle) and Travis Sandersfeld (leg) and ... the list goes on and on.

So much so that when Embree was asked if he might be getting anyone back this week, his mind went blank.

"You have to be more specific because I know we have a lot of guys out," Embree said.

Through the assortment of ailments, Embree and his staff are trying to implement a defensive scheme to ground the high-flying Ducks. They're even looking at what top-ranked LSU did in a season-opening 40-27 win over Oregon. Even then, the Ducks' vaunted offense was hardly stopped as they still outgained LSU by a wide margin.

"This is a video game-like team," CU senior defensive end David Goldberg said.

Sure is. They operate fast and score even faster.

Of their 38 TD drives this season, 19 have taken 1 minute, 39 seconds or less.

That's why Embree is harping on setting the edge, making sure nothing bounces outside.

"If you make a mistake, with their speed, it's over. The band is playing," Embree said. "We have to be very technique sound and assignment sound."

The Ducks could be without James and Thomas, two of their most prolific playmakers. James dislocated his elbow on Oct. 6 against California, while Thomas was hurt last weekend against Arizona State.

Should James be sidelined, Kenjon Barner steps in. And if Thomas can't go, redshirt freshman Bryan Bennett will be under center.

Either way, Oregon coach Chip Kelly's confidence in his offense won't wane in the least. It will be all systems go, because injuries are simply part of the business.

"It's life. You're going to get knocked down in life," Kelly said. "Feeling sorry for yourself ... isn't going to make anyone better." [That's good, hard wisdom, Coach. Not exactly an inspiring bumper sticker like "Win the Day", but we get it.]

The Ducks insist the Buffs have their full attention. They realize full well that beating the Ducks would be just the signature moment Embree and his program craves.

"They're looking forward to this game," Oregon safety Eddie Pleasant said. "It'll make their season to knock us off."

The Buffs certainly have taken their lumps this season, losing at Stanford and Washington the last two weeks by a combined score of 100-31. And despite being at home Saturday, they're still more than a 30-point underdog.

"We just have to be really crisp on all our assignments and we have to do everything perfectly," Goldberg said. "Or close to it. They're a fast team for sure."

Colorado does have one big advantage that could slow down the Ducks — elevation. Boulder is around 4,915 feet higher than Eugene, Ore., making a no-huddle offense more lung searing.

Or so the theory goes.

"We're going to turn the whole (practice center) into a hyperbaric chamber," Kelly cracked earlier in the week. "There's nothing we can do about it so we don't really talk about it."
___
AP Sports Writer Anne M. Peterson in Oregon contributed to this story.

Buffalo. It's what's for dinner.

Oregon's offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich came from Colorado. He said that the teams who suffered the most from the thin air in Boulder were those who worried about it the most. The ones who stressed about it and brought in the oxygen tanks had the most trouble. It'll be interesting to see as the second half goes on which team will be more gassed. Oregon prides itself in training and conditioning to force the other team to suck air, thin or otherwise.

Darron Thomas says he'll play. That's Thomas with the statement, mind you, not Coach Kelly. Meanwhile, Ken Goe said that LaMichael James did not participate significantly this week in practice. Really, why should either of them play? The running back corp is solid. Everybody wins if Bryan Bennett gets the start. And I still think Oregon will cover the 30 point spread.

Game time Saturday, 12:30 Pacific on ROOT, formerly known as FSN.

Ducks Win Again. So Shut Up.

2011-10-17T23:36:00.000-07:00

My favorite part is the immediate reaction of the dork wearing neon green.

Ya. Shut up everyone!

Shut up, Will Lyles.

Shut up, NCAA Investigative Inquiry Imbeciles.

Shut up, Stoops . . . FINALLY.

Shut up media dummies who thought ASU would steal this one.

Shut up stupid spoiled noisy kids too young to remember Duck teams back in the day when a 6-5 record was considered a good season.

Shut up Washington Huskies for getting all geeky and giddy because you're in the top 25 for the first time since 'Friends' ended their show. You're at Stanford next week.

Cougars come out, proud to be gray.

Shut up Washington State for thinking, "Hey, we got new fancy uniforms too," and looking like North Korean dirt farmers.

Shut up first year 49er coach Jim Harbaugh where your victory over a better than average Detroit team makes you think you can act like an ass.

Did I get everyone . . . . ? One more.

Shut up SEC, just in general.

That felt good. Thanks for that, Coach Kelly.

Oregon Outslugs ASU
This was a good game. ASU came to play. They've got the tools. They walked into Autzen with confidence and a mission.

It's not a slap at the Devils that Oregon beat them going away with backup QB's and RB's. It's a testament to Oregon's depth. It's a testament to Oregon's offensive line. It's a testament to their much criticized defense. And it's a testament to their character.

The defensive secondary tightened up in the second half, and suddenly ASU's Brock Osweiler was having a tough time finding receivers.

(Pics from Oregonian) Troy Hill locks down his side.

Terrance Mitchell welcomes Aaron Pflugrad back to Autzen.

The old CASH is back, waving the towel after returning
an endzone interception 50 yards.

Sun Devil can't stop DAT from scoring.

Running backs Kenjon Barner and DeAnthony Thomas did just what the doctor ordered and picked up the load left by an injured LaMichael James.

Bryan Bennett. Ya, he can do it.

And then there's redshirt freshman backup QB Bryan Bennett. If I talked to any of you about him, let me just say now that I told you so. Watching him at Spring scrimmage, you could see that he had the arms and legs to run this offense. And if he looked comfortable out there, it's because he was. He ran a very similar offense at his California high school with great success.

When they described Darron Thomas' knee injury as a "tweak", were you thinking what I was thinking? Did that sound like dejavu all over again? Dennis Dixon "tweaked" his knee against ASU, then went on to Arizona where it tore completely apart. Nobody wants to see that again.

It creates a possibility that Thomas is out for a long stretch or worse. Bennett has the tools, but obviously he lacks experience. He'll be fine at Colorado and against WSU at home. But going to Seattle and then finishing the season at Stanford and against USC and OSU is a tall order for even a healthy Duck team.

"What do you think, Coach Kelly?" (I'm talking to my Coach Kelly hand puppet . . . . . .
What, you DON'T have one?!?!?!?)

Coach Kelly says to Win The Day and focus on Colorado. He's right. He's always right.

"You're right on, Coach. I like talking to you because you know a lot of things about football and life. I feel I can tell you anything, my dreams, my fears, politics, religion, nutrition, personal hygiene, sex . . . . . ."

OK, now he's telling me to shut up.
--KB

To Get More Wins, We'll Need More CASH

2011-10-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Somebody tweeted last week that Cal's QB Zach Maynard missed a lot of throws -- throws that Stanford's Andrew Luck will NOT miss. The point he was making was that Oregon's defense gave up a lot of yards again, particularly passing yards.
ASU's QB doesn't miss much either. This will be a good test for Oregon. Can they shut down a prolific offense when they have to?
The answer to this could hinge on the comeback of one player, Cliff "CASH" Harris. His performance on the field is legendary. Unfortunately, so are his offseason screw ups. He's been under Coach Kelly's thumb for so long, he's got a thumb print on the back of his head.
This article by Ken Goe in today's Oregonian sums it up:

Ducks Insider: How Oregon's Cliff Harris conundrum influences the defense
By Ken Goe, The Oregonian EUGENE -- It's worth noting that Cliff Harris leads the No. 9 Oregon Ducks in pass break-ups this season. .

The junior cornerback hasn't started a game this year and isn't listed on this week's two-deep depth chart. But he has broken up five passes in limited playing time. Three players have four.
It's a strange situation. Four organizations -- the Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, SI.com and ESPN.com -- named Harris a first-team All-American in 2010.
But at midseason 2011, with 18th-ranked Arizona State rolling into Autzen Stadium on Saturday for a 7:15 p.m. nationally televised showdown, Harris is -- on paper, anyway -- a third-stringer.
Much of what happens in the UO football program is as transparent as the bottom of a Coke bottle. This much we know.
Harris didn't have an offseason to remember. He was ticketed for driving 118 mph on I-5 with a suspended license in the wee hours of a Sunday morning in June. When the state trooper asked who had the marijuana he could smell, Harris replied: "We smoked it all." [Now available on T-shirts!]
He was suspended indefinitely, the suspension lasting through the Ducks' season-opening 40-27 loss to LSU.
All of that supposedly is -- excuse the expression -- in the rearview mirror. Coach Chip Kelly lifted the suspension. Harris made what seemed to be a heartfelt public apology on Comcast SportsNet, expressing regret for his actions and a determination to be a positive role model in the future.
That apparently didn't move him up the depth chart. Neither did the three fourth-quarter pass break-ups Harris had off the bench during last week's 43-15 victory over California.
"Everything we do is earned in this program," Kelly said Tuesday, responding to a question about Harris. "Nothing is handed to anybody."
Kelly, apparently, is talking about performance in practice, because Harris' play in games would seem to earn him a spot on center stage. This is a player who led the Pac-10 last year in interceptions and the NCAA in passes defended.
Asked to define in what way Harris needs to improve in practice, Kelly said: "Specifically? Breaking on a 'T' cut on a 45-degree angle out of a post-corner route."
Uh huh. After Wednesday's practice, Kelly again was asked about Harris.
"Cliff's effort was as good as the questions I've had today," Kelly said, eyes twinkling.
Asked how good he thought the questions were, Kelly responded: "Again, as good as Cliff's effort."
[Oh, OK. Hey, wait a minute coach, . . . . . Are you messin' with us?]
Kelly's "Win The Day" mantra is about giving maximum effort for each hour of each day, each day of each week, each week of each year. The idea is to make pursuit of excellence a habit. As a personal philosophy, it's not bad.
Some players, though, are gamers. Harris seems to rise to the occasion when the lights go on. And his teammates respond to the elan he brings to the field.
Cornerback Anthony Gildon, while claiming full confidence in all of his teammates, said: "Anytime Cliff is on the field it adds an extra bit of confidence to the field. I mean, you just know he knows what he's going to do."
As a 17-year-old freshman, Harris reportedly stood up in a team meeting and introduced himself by saying: "My name is Cliff Harris, and I'm here to lock (stuff) down."
It's not bragging if you do it.
Harris had to play his way onto the field last year too. He didn't start until the seventh game of the season. The Ducks are only five games into this one. Last week Harris apparently resumed his role as primary punt returner. Maybe things are right on schedule.
Last year, though, the Ducks forced 37 turnovers in 13 games. So far this year, they have forced four in five games.
"We've had a lot of chances," Gildon said. "We just have to finish. We have to finish plays. We've touched the ball a lot of times. We just have to finish with the ball in our hands."
There would be no time like the present. ASU's spread offense averages 421.3 yards per game. Quarterback Brock Osweiler can pick between four receivers with 17 catches or more.
The best way to put a crimp in that Osweiler-triggered attack would be to take away the ball.
"We're doing a really good job in ball security in not turning the ball over," Kelly said. "We had one turnover against Cal, and obviously those four in the opening game. That's it so far through five games. On the flip side, we need to create more turnovers. ... You're not going to continue to be really, really successful if you're even or losing the turnover battle."
The UO students, who spent parts of last week's game chanting "We want Cliff," think they have the solution.
Kelly is trying to teach Cliff discipline, like playing a 45 on a T-bone at the corner post office or whatever. But in doing so, is he also breaking Cliff's spirit? What if Cliff is more of a free spirit type who has to be turned loose before he can come back with the love? If this tough discipline, "keeping him down" method isn't getting Cliff to perform like his old self on the field, I recommend he switch tactics.

Friday before a game, Kelly should throw Cliff the keys to a sports car and say, "Harris I have a job for you. I need you to skip your afternoon classes, drive to Portland, pick up a pizza, and come back to my office. And I want that pizza on my desk in three hours."

Cliff "Disciplined, Behaved, Yes Sir" Harris

That should get his mojo back. Let Cliff be CASH again.

Cliff "Oh no, Lock Down Sh*t, CASH" Harris

LaMJ is doubtful for Saturday night's game. No worries. Between the three other running backs (I don't even want to call them backups. They're all so talented.), along with Darron Thomas, the Ducks will get the job done.

ESPN College Gameday from Eugene @ 7am. Game Kickoff at 7 pm on ESPN.

--KB

Take the Hose to Cal!!!

2011-10-05T23:06:00.000-07:00

Three weeks ago, Cal hosted an opponent that caught my attention -- Presbyterian College from Clinton, SC. A small lower division school with an enrollment of only 1200, they didn't stand a chance against the Bears. But obviously they made the trip to Berkeley for exactly the same reason Missouri State came to Eugene -- a check in excess of $400,000.

Presbyterian at Cal.

The Presbyterian Blue Hose, yes the Blue Hose, lost 63-12. They peaked my curiosity because I am Presbyterian, but I've never heard of them. Turns out they're a small but proud undergraduate college. According to their website, their Blue Hose moniker is like Red Sox or Knickerbockers. Think of a Scotsman wearing a kilt and blue knee-high socks or "hose".

"I LOVE MY HOSE"

Anyway they instantly became my second favorite team. Coming all that way to get their hose kinked, they got crushed, but they made some highlights. Their star player, cornerback Justin Bethel, scored all of PC's points as he blocked a punt for a TD and then returned an interception for another TD.

And now Thursday night, the Blue Hose will have their revenge. Yes, tonight, let us all be Presbyterians for a day and cheer on the Ducks to beat down the Cal Bears who pushed around a tiny church school.

Furthermore, I wish we could all wear PC Blue Hose shirts. I wish Oregon could wear Blue Hose jerseys. Because as ridiculous as that sounds, it beats the alternative. . . . .

Tinker, you been sniffin' the shoe glue again?

These are the jerseys Oregon will be wearing tonight. They call it "Throwback" uniforms while freely admitting Oregon has worn nothing like this before. The green is too bright. The numbers are too modern. And then there's that Duck on the shoulder pads.

Now THAT'S a Duck!

That is NOT the Duck we have known -- the DTO (Duck Through the 'O'). This looks more like a crime suspect sketch of our mascot that runs the sidelines. I know, it's a part of Nike's and Oregon's attempt to divorce the school completely from Disney.

So do you have to replace it with something. . . . . I don't know . . . . . ugly?

I have celebrated EVERY uniform metamorphosis Oregon's uni's have gone through since their first wardrobe revolution in 1999. The black uniforms. The diamond plating. Bellotti Bold font. The wings, I LOVE the wings.

Now I have to say this is just silly, even for me.

Let's hope it's just a one time thing and after the game they'll box these disturbing jerseys up and ship them to homeless people in Seattle. Force Husky fans to look at them for awhile.

As to the game itself, Oregon has received tons of crap for not winning last season's game well enough by a score of 15-13. People forget the Ducks -- who normally score lightning fast -- engineered a nine minute drive to completely kill the clock in the fourth quarter. Darron Thomas took a knee on Cal's 15 as time expired.

I'll bet the Ducks are wishing they had just punched that last drive in to make it 22-13 and tell everyone that "No, Cal did NOT almost win that game." It was a tough game to be sure. But in the end, Oregon was in control.

Ken Goe wrote a good story about that final drive in the Oregonian.

This time around, LaMIchael James says he's determined to have a better game. Game films showed the offensive line made a lot of blocking mistakes last year. Plus Darron Thomas and his receivers had a terrible time connecting all evening.

If Thomas throws like he has lately, that opens up LaMJ's options. Add Kenjon Barner and DAT to the mix. The odds makers are right to give Oregon a 23 point edge.

Cal apparently knows it too. In answer to Oregon's crazy wardrobe choice, the Bears will be wearing white "surrender" helmets.

By the way, Cal's quarterback, Zach Maynard is a JC transfer from Buffalo, NY. I'm just wondering, has anyone on the team told him about Autzen Stadium yet, or are they just going to stay quiet and hope he won't have a problem?

Game time: Thursday, 6pm on ESPN.

Go Ducks! AVENGE THE HOSE!!!
--KB

Arizona, Time to Stop Being Stoopified.

2011-09-26T23:25:00.000-07:00

Photos from AZCentral.com. Video from goducks.com.

Best Offense of the Season

Darron Thomas
11 out of 20 for 101 yds and 2 TDs

In the opening drive, that was some of the best decision making by QB Darron Thomas we've ever seen. It appears he decided that if Arizona was going to key on LaMichael James, he was going to take full advantage and run the ball himself.

Thomas ran the ball four times and passed twice before finally handing the ball to LaMJ. The Heisman worthy running back then scored on his second touch.

The stage was set for the rest of the game. Oregon gave Arizona the message, "You can key on our star running back if you want. But we have a dozen other ways to score on you." With indecision firmly planted in the Wildcats' minds, add some solid blocking, and LaMJ had the best day of his career with 288 yards on just 23 carries.

But he only had two of Oregon's eight TD's. Kenjon "Welcome Back" Barner scored three times with two runs and a catch. David Paulson caught one. And Darron Thomas kept the ball twice for scores. It is amazing how much Oregon spread the ball around, yet LaMJ still carried his share of the load with his career day.

Wildcat defense . . .

. . . spent entire game . . .

. . . behind LaMJ.

The first step, Arizona, is to admit that you have a problem.

Of course none of this would have been possible had Arizona not been so pitiful. But don't blame that on QB Nick Foles. If I was in a Fantasy Flag Football league, he would be my first pick. There's no one better at throwing a perfect spiral upon counting "3-Mississippi". Granted he got hammered anytime after that. But he well represented the Arizona players who want to shout to the world, "Hey, we're trying!"

No, Zona's problems lie with one person. One pathetic loser of a person. I'm sorry Zona fans, but it's time you hear the truth and get real about your program.

Your coach sucks. He sucks in every way. Weren't you embarrassed watching him on national TV with his bulging eyes and red face yelling at every living thing that came within ten feet of him? If he were Old Yeller, Ma would tell you to get the gun. The last time I saw someone like him carrying on as he does was in downtown Portland on a street corner until paramedics came and took the poor homeless guy to the hospital to get his medication refilled.

"I'm telling you, he's mad, Son.
We've got to put him down."

And it might be arguable if his tirades resulted in motivated over-achievers who won for him. But that's not the case. His players face a tough team, run into adversity on the field, come to the sidelines, get yelled at, go back onto the field for more of the same, back to the sidelines for more yelling. . . . Are you proud of that? Do you stand behind it? You call that coaching?

Coach Stoops Squeeze Toy
Watch his eyes bug out!

You want your Wildcats to be a winning program? Mike Stoops is not the guy to get you there. Never was. Never will. His best records were 8-5 in 2008 and 2009. Last year was 7-6. It's only going to get worse as top recruiting prospects ask themselves if they want to play for a guy like Stoops. In an Oregonian article, 'Was the 2009 Version of Oregon-Arizona a Turning Point for Both Programs?', writer Lindsay Schnell points to the following fact.

In February of 2010, the Ducks signed the 13th-best recruiting class in the country, highlighted by players like Josh Huff and Bryan Bennett. Arizona signed the 37th-best class. Last winter, the separation got bigger: Oregon signed the ninth best class in the country, and Arizona wasn’t even ranked in the top 50.

We opponents only have to look at Stoops ugly face once a season. You AZ fans have to see it year round. You have to ask yourselves if you want to continue looking at it along with the mediocrity and embarrassment it produces. And if the answer is 'No'. Make your opinion known by keeping your wallet closed and your seats at Arizona Stadium empty.

That's the best advice I can give you, other than becoming Duck fans.

OK, I threw this one in because that's just funny right there.
I don't care who you are.

Next game: October 6th, Thursday against Cal.

--KB

Oregon to Wear Opponents Colors

2011-09-22T23:51:00.000-07:00

If it's red and blue, it must be Arizona week.

In their endless pursuit of outdoing themselves, Nike announced their next outrageous step in the evolution of Oregon's football uniforms. The two time Pac-10 champions will seek the first Pac-12 title while wearing the colors of each of their league opponents.
This Saturday, look for the blue and red Arizona Wildcats to take on the red and blue Oregon Ducks. Against Cal, blue and yellow. WSU will see their own crimson and silver reflected back at them, and so on.

For all the logic and reasoning behind a chosen uniform color scheme, this approach was not borne out of sportsmanship.

"Ya, it's a statement thing," said Nike founder and president of Oregon Athletics, Phil Knight. "It's designed to say to the opponents, 'Not only will we beat you, we'll look better in your own colors while doing it.' It just takes 'Just Do It' to a whole new level."

Purple and gold will never have
looked so good in Seattle.

Asked if this is a good time to create this controversy in the face of pending punishments coming from the NCAA, Knight said, "This couldn't be a BETTER time. If someone wants to hit you in the chin, you stick it out and let'em swing away. Then it's your turn. Oregon's message to their opponents is, 'Hey, don't like us wearing your colors? Do something about it.'"

"Let the other teams try to beat my Ducks," Knight added. "And let the NCAA take away a couple of stupid scholarships, limit some phone calls, and put us on double secret probation. Big deal!
Oh by the way, in the time it took me to answer your question, Oregon ran three plays and scored on your ass."

Asked if he was drunk, Knight replied, "NO. I'm just old and tired of this sh*t. Furthermore, I'm mad at the other Pac-10 teams."

You mean Pac-12?

"WHATEVER. After that loss to LSU, Oregon will need to beat all the quality opponents they can to climb back into the race. Amongst the other 11 teams in the league, whatta ya got? You got exactly 1-1/2 teams who are able to put their shoes on the correct feet, wipe the snot off their noses and stand toe-to-toe with the Ducks." Stanford and a sanction-crippled USC. That's it!"

"So once again, Oregon has to take it upon themselves to make the rest of the country notice. And Oregon will have to walk on to the field wearing the other team's colors just to kick them in the butts and maybe get some decent competition out of them. Beating these teams? That's not the problem. We have to try to make these games interesting."

"Take Arizona this week. Their last two opponents, Oklahoma State and Stanford, each scored 37 points on the Wildcats. Mark my words, OREGON WILL SCORE MORE. And if the Arizona fans don't like it, they can just behave like they always have and spit and throw whiskey bottles and batteries at our team and cheerleaders -- only this time they'll be doing it to their own colors."

Instead of using Arizona's own official colors, Nike designed Oregon's uniforms
with Wildcats coach Mike Stoops' face in mind. The color names are
Lava Face Red and Popping Vein Blue.

NIke exec and vice-president of Oregon Football, Tinker Hatfield was asked if he agreed with Knight's reasoning behind the color scheme.

"To me it's not so much about the competition," Hatfield said, "It's about looking good. And the fans of each of Oregon's opponents will see a superior look over their own team in every way."

Hatfield added, "The Civil War game was easy to figure out. Against the Beavers, the Ducks will just go all black. It pisses the Beavers off whenever Oregon wears black, like they own the color or something. And thank God Oregon doesn't play UCLA this year. That's the one color combination we couldn't make work. Nobody can look good in their Leisure Suit Blue and Baby Barf Yellow."

Oregon at Arizona. Saturday evening. 7:15 Pacific on ESPN2.

After Arizona, Oregon goes head-to-head against the Cal Bears.

--KB

Putting Them Out of Their Misery

2011-09-20T00:04:00.000-07:00

KVAL

The two key questions I had in this scrimmage was
1) Could the defensive absolutely rule the line of scrimmage?
<><><>

LaMJ seemed to spend much of game with everyone behind him.
Oregonian

and 2) Could the ball be distributed to different scoring threats?

Although Missouri State scored on their first possesion, the defense held them the rest of the way. And the offense was just sick. LaMJ did his usual thing. Darron Thomas is proving to be a thrower. Receivers including Lavasier Tuinei -- The Big Tuna (Don't tell him I called him that.) are stepping up.

This game must've been a great confidence builder for Darron Thomas.
Oregonian

Can't touch DAT.
Oregon Daily Emerald

And then there's DeAnthony Thomas. DAT's Incredible! And he's worth mentioning because watching Arizona get beat down by Stanford, I can't see how the Wildcats will have an answer for DAT. Line him up in the backfield or out wide. If they focus on him, they forget about LaMJ, and vice versa.

Zona was constantly beat on the outside by Stanford's simple sweeps and end-arounds. And Stanford wasn't even fast.

I'll have more on the matchup with Arizona later, along with a major exclusive about Nike's uniform plans for the remainder of Oregon's season. --KB

State of Misery

2011-09-15T23:14:00.000-07:00

How'r YOU doin'. How's your life been? Has the economy hit you hard? Are your bills getting out of control? How's the spouse? The kids? The dog?

You got problems? I've got a fix. Not solutions, just a fix. You see, we're all looking for solutions; but until then, we could just use a quick fix.

That fix is this. You need someone to blame. And this week we have that fall guy. Your problems and all that is wrong with the world are because of the actions . . . . no, . . . make that the very existence of those evil, unconscionable bastards at

MISSOURI STATE!!!

Spawned from a long line of evildoers, the Missouri State Bears think they're going to waltz into Autzen and mess with our Ducks, our way of life, and America.

Lineage of Evil

Satan, original evildoer

Hitler

Darth Vader

That Dr. who put Michael Jackson to sleep.

And finally, the Missouri State Bears.

OK, I hear you saying "Huh?" Let me level with you. Missouri State is 0-2. They were picked to finish last in a conference that features such powerhouses as Northern Iowa, Western Illinois, and Youngstown State. They're going to stand in the same stadium as the Ducks for only as long as they have to so Oregon can hand them a check for $440,000. Then they're on the next plane back to that crown jewel of the Ozarks --Springfield, Missouri.

"Springfield, Missouri? Hell, they're a bunch of backward, mouth-breathin' rednecks!"

--Quote by backward, mouth-breathin' redneck from Springfield, Oregon.

This game will be so lopsided, Las Vegas isn't even showing a point spread. It would be like betting against Special Olympiads. Comcast Sportsnet NW is the only network televising it. If you don't have Comcast, you can find them at a bar or go to GoDucks.com and order a month of O-Zone to watch them on your computer. Or there's always the radio.

If you watch this just to watch football, you'll be bored by halftime. So my advice is make it more interesting for yourself. Lay all your burdens and cares on Misery State. Everything that's wrong in your world, blame it on Misery State. That bill collector who keeps calling you? From Misery State. The guy who flipped you off at the intersection last week? Big time Misery State fan. Your ex-wife plays for Misery State.

OK. NOW watch your Ducks pummel them. Much more satisfying, right?

Game time Saturday, 12:30 Pacific on Comcast Sportsnet or O-Zone Online.

--KB

Ducks are Back. LSU is Long Gone.

2011-09-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

How is it Oregon can look like a Natty Natural this week while getting manhandled just a week earlier? It mostly has to do with the difference between LSU and Nevada. Nevada couldn't catch Oregon's ball carriers from behind like LSU could. Their linemen were weaker and less skilled.
Let's be clear, Nevada is a good, well coached team. So it was heartening to see Oregon dispatch of them soundly.
Now we can just hope that Oregon can beat each team on the schedule one game at a time, and then be better ready for an LSU, Alabama, or Oklahoma-type team in the post season regardless of which bowl they're in.

Backup QB Bryan Bennett assures Oregon is solid at that position.

Another positive was the debuting of so many super talented freshmen and redshirt freshmen who will dazzle us in the future. No disrespect to Darron Thomas, but I think backup QB Bryan Bennett will do even greater things when his time comes to lead the team. Also, how exciting was it to see future receivers including Eric Dungy make his first catch as a Duck? And then there's #6 . . . .
(Photos from Oregonian)

Who DAT?!?!?
DeAnthony Thomas, that's who. His first carries last week made him the goat as he fumbled twice and allowed LSU to run away with the win.
This week he made another mistake. He was supposed to block. But credit the cool head of Darron Thomas and DAT's incredible speed to make it all work out.
George Shroeder of the R-G explains it below. . .

A nice win, a big answer — and in De’Anthony Thomas, what a freshman

By GeorgeSchroeder
Register-Guard columnist
Published: (Sunday, Sep 11, 2011 04:25AM) Midnight, Sept. 11

The gasp was audible, a very sharp, involuntary intake. And it came from all of us, anyone and everyone inside Autzen Stadium.

You figure that included the Nevada sideline. And the defensive back who waved helplessly as De’Anthony Thomas abruptly changed course on his way to the end zone.

Wow.

Which is only to say, super-nice rebound, kid. And the rest of you, too.

It was Oregon 69, Nevada 20 on a smoky Saturday afternoon, and the takeaway is this:

Welcome back, Ducks. Nice to see you again.

Let’s get this out of the way: No one is going to mistake Nevada for LSU. Or even, say, for last season’s Nevada.

So let’s not overvalue this rout against a hopelessly overmatched opponent. Asked afterward whether he learned more about his team in Week 1 or Week 2, here was Chip Kelly’s succinct reply: “I don’t know.”

But Saturday was never about Nevada. It was always about Oregon. After what happened last week, it was a chance to get right again.

The Ducks did.

Darron Thomas threw. LaMichael James ran. This new kid was spectacular. The Duck did a bunch of push-ups. And if that’s all it was, the familiar blur of fun, it would have been important, and cathartic for the Ducks and their fans.

I do wish Darron Thomas would run more. So does this Nevada player
as he decides to take a seat to better enjoy Thomas's beautiful jukes.

I suspect we’ll look back later and realize it was something more. An affirmation that this team, while not ready to contend for the BCS championship, remains capable of big things.

There’s stuff to quibble over, including 516 yards by Nevada. But leave that to the coaches. Here’s a pretty succinct analysis of the performance:

“We were always moving forward,” Kelly said. “We’ll build from this.”

Now kids, let's let the Heisman candidate demonstrate the proper
way to hold a football. LaMJ scoring another TD.

Mostly, what we came away with was a good, long look at the newest building block.

De’Anthony Thomas brings something, huh? He’s still getting the hang of this college football thing — but man, is he fast and fun with the football.

Against LSU, he showed a little flash but fumbled twice in consecutive touches. LSU punched in two touchdowns and pulled away for the win. And so the question for Saturday was simple:

How would the freshman respond?

Well, he fumbled once, on a kick return — but scrambled to recover. Mostly, he produced highlights:

A 62-yard run in the first quarter. A 24-yard touchdown catch. And in the third quarter, a 69-yard TD highlighted by that stupefying shimmy.

Yeah. I’d say he bounced back.

“We bounced back,” De’Anthony corrected — and he’s right.

After LSU, this was a very nice rebound, and an important statement. But let’s bounce back to the freshman, because if we learned anything, it was that De’Anthony is an emerging star.

He played so much because Kenjon Barner was out with a bad ankle. But De’Anthony is not going to spend a lot more time on the sidelines.

Though he played exclusively at running back, the plan is to use him at two other receiver positions, too. And you have to figure Kelly salivates as he dreams up ways to plug-and-play the kid, to get him on the field with James.

His future is right now. If you doubt it, remember the gasp.

They froze for an instant in the Oregon coaches’ box, too. Not because of the move; they’ve already seen enough of De’Anthony in practices to expect something special.

No, see, the freshman was not supposed to be out for the pass. His assignment was blitz protection.

Instead, he allowed the outside linebacker to come free. But uh-oh for Nevada, that also left Thomas free.

Catch. Juke. Zip. Touchdown. Wow.

[If future opponents are smart, they will look at that film and never ever blitz anyone past DAT leaving him uncovered.]

He celebrated. And when he got back to the sidelines, Kelly met him.

“You know you missed your block,” he said.

“I gotcha coach,” came the reply.

And the takeaway is there’s plenty of room for improvement, but given the dazzling results, they’ll take it and run away happy. As offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said, grinning wide, of the mistake-turned-touchdown:

“Just how you draw it up.”

That went for the entire afternoon.

Look at DAT.
His feet don't even touch the ground!

[DeAnthony Thomas had originally given a verbal commitment to USC, then he signed with the Ducks. The big joke last week was that USC didn't feel bad at all after DAT's fumbles against LSU. Who's laughing now?]

Next week: Misery State. No really, they look pretty bad.
-KB

Another HEAVY Loss

2011-09-05T21:17:00.000-07:00

[We refused to believe it when Ohio State beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl. We scoffed when Auburn slipped by Oregon in the Natty. Now the evidence is becoming just too weighty -- as in bigger, heavier, stronger but every bit as fast . . . . ]

Pics from the Oregonian

LaMichael James felt full weight of LSU defense Saturday night.

George Schroeder: The gap between college football’s good and great just got bigger

By GeorgeSchroeder
Register-Guard columnist
Published: (Sunday, Sep 4, 2011 04:25AM) Midnight, Sept. 4
ARLINGTON, Texas — The familiar chant started quietly, just a few guys wearing purple and gold in the west end zone.

It quickly spread, though, into a full-throated taunt from all over the stadium — until it dissolved into a louder roar celebrating one more touchdown.

It was LSU 40, Oregon 27. And you didn’t really need to hear it from the Tiger fans — “SEC! SEC! SEC!” — to recognize an essential truth.

They’re better.

Nah, this isn’t about conference superiority, though you won’t get much argument here. It’s about the gap between Oregon and college football’s very best programs.

Wrap your mind around what happened Saturday night on a huge stage at Cowboys Stadium. We watched a beatdown applied to an illusion.

The flashy uniforms. The fantastic plays. The fast. It all combines to create an aura for Oregon football that feels formidable — and is absolutely fun.

But once again, the hype got stuffed by a superior opponent.

LSU was better. Just like Auburn. And before that, Ohio State.

And we’re left with this stark reality:

It’s not that the Ducks weren’t ready for the big stage. They’re just not good enough to own it.

[Now one may argue, "Wait, if our freshman RB doesn't fumble twice on their end, we're still in that game."
True, but once they got that lead, did you see how easily they could just hand off and run downhill? Did you see how easily their offensive line could push our defense straight back for big gains up the middle? Oregon didn't have the muscle to fight back.]

Don’t misunderstand — Oregon is good. I think the Ducks will win their third straight conference championship, which would be a huge accomplishment.

They deserve kudos for taking on the high-risk, high-reward challenge. Also, I know. They hurt themselves.

They gave away a couple of touchdowns with critical turnovers. They committed unforced errors and blew assignments and made enough bone-headed mistakes to make a coach cry. Coaches made ’em, too.

“I think everybody, myself included, is gonna be better,” Chip Kelly said.

I’ve no doubt. But we also saw Oregon’s speed negated. The Ducks were stifled by an opponent that was bigger, stronger and at least as fast.

Maybe faster.

We’ve seen that show before. And fair or not, until the Ducks win a high-profile nonconference game, their domination of the Pac-12 looks like a romp through a league weakened by the decline of USC.

When Oregon has played the best from the SEC and the Big Ten, the results haven’t been good. (Wait, what’s this we hear about inviting the Big 12’s very best into the Pac-12?)

I asked Kelly the difference between the Ducks and those big-boy programs they can’t seem to beat.

“They’ve got a little bit different athlete running around out there right now,” he said.

Specifically, the coach pointed to the Tigers’ defensive line, which dominated the line of scrimmage.

LaMichael James averaged 3 very tough yards on 18 carries, and we can put away the Heisman thoughts. Darron Thomas didn’t pass well, but he didn’t have much time, either.

Yeah, Oregon’s offensive line is a new group. But the “common trait,” Kelly said, about the defensive lines of LSU, Auburn and Ohio State is this:

“Standing next to them on the field, they don’t look like a lot of the guys we see.”

Or a lot of the guys the Ducks have.

We talked about this after Ohio State and the Rose Bowl. And also, last January after the loss to Auburn.

Nothing has changed in eight months.

I’m not sure whether LSU can overcome mediocrity at quarterback (even if Jordan Jefferson returns) or Les Miles’ quirks. But the Tigers are better than Auburn was, more than talented enough to win it all.

No one should be surprised if Miles lifts the crystal football in January in New Orleans and screams “Wa-HOOO!” again. If not the Tigers, then Alabama. Or maybe Oklahoma finally breaks the SEC’s death grip on the BCS championship.

Sorry, the Ducks haven’t quite reached that level.

Where they are isn’t such a bad place to be. It’s just not where we thought they were — where you wanted them to be.

Also, it’s not the end. The season is not over just as it’s getting started.

“It’s one game,” Kelly said. “It’s a long, long, long, long season.” And also: “We’ve been knocked down, not knocked out.”

He’s right. The Ducks could conceivably climb the rankings, and with a lot of help they could get back into the BCS title race. Just don’t count on it.

The voters aren’t going to forget Saturday’s beatdown. And although the Ducks will certainly get better, there wasn’t much to inspire confidence that the Ducks could run the table.

Well, other than this: They’re done with the SEC.

Another good argument is that Ohio State, Auburn and LSU all had at least a month to prepare for the Ducks. Michigan and Tennesse only had a week. Look what happened to them.
That's true. But the reality is those are likely going to be the only way Oregon will meet these teams. They're not exactly beating down the door to play home-and-home series that will put them in Autzen.

The Ducks need to have the same focus they had through last year. Concentrate on winning the Pac 10/12, and leave the BCS to the voters and computers. Oregon was the last champion of the Pac-10. They could become the first champion of the Pac-12, or even it's only champion as rumors of a Pac-16 are flying faster than you can say "Aggies are looking for a new home.".

Cliff Harris turning things around.
Is now paying speeding tickets
faster than he's getting them.

Other News:

LB Kiko Alonso: DUI and burglary,
but not on the same day.

Text message to Chip Kelly: "Coach, forcing Cliff Harris and Kiko Alonso to sit down and watch that game was great punishment. I'm sure they learned their lesson. How 'bout letting them play now?"

Stay classy, Louisiana!

I've come across more than one comment on LSU fans' sportsmanship and behavior. Below are two tweets:

supwitchugirl Brian Michael Jamie

Honestly, 95% of #LSU fans were homophobic, sexist, rascist..I could keep going. Rudest people I've ever met. Glad to be a Duck. #GoDucks

And LSU themselves show no shame in this tweet . . .

LSUfball LSU Football

Old videoboard trick, showing #LSU fans followed by #Oregon fans. Oregon is being booed quite extensively. #LSUUO

I think we should cut LSU fans some slack. They were probably just grumpy knowing that once they left this victory, they would have to go back to storm drenched homes and shovel mud out of their living rooms.
"Good luck with that, Tiger fans. Love to help ya out, but, . . . you're kinda like . . .you know . . . . . . A-holes, so . . ."

Finally, Oregon played a lot of freshmen and first time starters on Saturday. And the seasoned veterans admit they didn't have their best game. Now it's time for them to come home and face the only team to have beaten Boise State in the past two years.

Darron Thomas approached the LSU game like it was the most important game of the season; that the season was lost if Oregon lost.
The Oregonians article, "Oregon's Season Far from Done", starts out,

EUGENE – Curiously, the Oregon football team returned to practice Monday.

Curiously because last week quarterback Darron Thomas said a loss to LSU would mean a "done season."

Thomas on Monday after practice stood by his statement and then applied it to this week's home opener against Nevada at Autzen Stadium, as well as every other game on the schedule.

"Same thing, every game," he said. "This game, this next game, we lose this game, it will ruin our whole season. Each game. Game by game."

The most important game of the season is now definitely Nevada. Move on. Win the day.

--KB

Crouching Tiger, Mad Duck!

2011-09-01T23:56:00.000-07:00

I discovered something interesting as I've been checking around the net for predictions to the game. The farther away you get from the Bayou, the more predictions you get for Oregon.

In fact if you conducted a nationwide phone poll and asked three questions before you asked "Who do you think will win, Oregon or LSU?", you probably won't even need to ask that final question. Just ask them,

1) Have you eaten a crawdad in the past 30 days?
2) Do you dislike the French but speak French?
3) Is your pat answer for every problem in America, "Drill for more oil."?

If you answered 'yes' to all three, you think LSU will win and ain't nobody gonna talk you out of it. If you answered 'No' to the first two but 'Yes' to the third, you live in Alaska. But that's beside the point.

Here is a collection of five bloggers across the country all arriving at the same conclusion as most other non-cajuns.

The thing I see over and over again is that LSU is faced with some real and present problems. Ten days before the game, they suddenly found themselves without their starting wide receiver, their starting QB, and their second unit linebacker because of suspensions; plus they lost a starting all-SEC offensive guard to injury. Add to that they're working with a new offensive coordinator this season.

These are the kind of snafus you want to work out in a season opener against #300 Eastern Oregon, not #3 University of --. The folks in Louisiana just don't want to believe that they're facing the wrong team at the wrong time.

The Tigers say they have worn out the tape of the National Championship Game between Oregon and Auburn. They liked how Auburn's front seven controlled Oregon's offensive line and feel that they can do the same if not better.

What they don't realize is that Darron Thomas, along with the Oregon coaches, wore out that tape as well. This season, Thomas is coming back a little bigger, more athletic, more confident, and a lot more determined. I'm looking for him to throw more than what we saw in the Natty.

This Statesman Journal article: Oregon's Thomas ready for his Texas Homecoming, tells of the importance Thomas lays on this game. When I compare his words and focus to all the chaos coming out of Baton Rouge, I just get the same feeling that most of the rest of America gets.

ESPN's College Gameday will be at the game. 7am Pacific Time.

Kickoff at 5pm Pacific on ABC.

I leave you with the following video from theSeanGshow to put steam in your stride.

You think you're shaking now?

2011-08-30T00:18:00.000-07:00

I just got off LSU's SB Nation site, "And The Valley Shook". It's nice. Clever name. And I salute their writer, Billy Gomilla for writing an intelligent and indepth X and O breakdown of the Ducks vs. Tigers.

He's got play diagrams, graphics and Duck game videos up the Wazoo like the Wazoo was a favorite Cajun watering hole. I like game analysis as much as the next beer drinking, porta-pottying, stadium screaming, wife embarrassing, football fool. But this is on steroids.

In his latest post, Previewing LSU - Oregon Part 4: What the Tiger Defensive Backs are Looking At (<-- That's the link. Help yourself.), he goes into great detail spelling out what key LSU defenders will have to do against Oregon. Below is an excerpt for a taste . . . .

"As seen in the above diagram, strong safety Brandon Taylor will primarily be reading Oregon's "trips" or three-receiver formations, for one of the Ducks' primary pass concepts, the bubble screen. I shouldn't have to rehash it for any LSU fan reading this, but Taylor will be the alley defender on most of those screen plays as the outside receivers block down on the nickel and cornerbacks. He'll also have some force responsibilities on some of Oregon's inside screens -- taking on blockers to give a better flow path to the ball for the linebackers and other defensive backs."

OK everybody. BREATHE!  In. . . out. . . in.   I know, it reads like getting directions from a gas station to a vacation rental in Sunriver. I wanted to give the guy some Duck fan insight, so I left him with this comment:

I can make this easier for you.
Very good X’s and O’s analysis. LSU fans know their football. I don’t care what Alabamans say. :)

   But if I may simplify it for you: You said, “. . .but as soon as the defense cheats one way a little too much, Chip Kelly will add that little twist and suddenly there’s a wide-open receiver”
   You’re partly right. As soon as the defense cheats, Oregon will take advantage of it. But it’s not even as complicated as a “twist” coming from Kelly and the bench. It’s already built into the play.
   Here’s the thing. Your entire post is basically, “If the offense does this, our guys must do that. And if the offense does that . . .”, and so on.

Here’s part of the secret behind Oregon’s offense. Neither Kelly nor Thomas the QB know exactly what the play is going to be until after the ball is snapped. Handoff, keeper, throw bubble, throw long. Thomas is waiting for the defense to TELL HIM what the play should be.
   Any cheat anywhere, anytime in the game . . . . that’s what Kelly trains his QB to look for. And that is part of the wear down factor.
   When Duck fans say good luck, we’re saying good luck that none of your defensive players make a mistake for four whole quarters.
   Good luck, LSU. If you win this game, you will have definitely earned the win.

--Killer Bee.

Am I right? I'll tell you, I did not feel like trying to wrap my brain around his micro-analysis in this Part 4 -- let alone parts 1, 2, or 3 -- because I think it's irrelevant. He could be exactly right. But if any of his players fail to follow his diagrams to the letter, or if one cheats his intentions to Thomas, it doesn't matter.

Eleven players remaining disciplined for four quarters, especially toward the end of the game as fatigue wears in because the no-huddle is taking it's toll -- that is what Oregon demands of it's opponent. Doesn't matter what was drawn on the chalkboard.

Chip Kelly says it all the time. It's about execution. Who is executing better play after play after play? The answer to that question is your winner.

And Another One Down
LSU lost another starter, this time to injury last week in practice. Senior Offensive Guard Josh Dworaczyk re-aggravated a knee injury from last season's Cotton Bowl and will require surgery. He's considered one of the best guards in the SEC.

"Go T-Bob...Go T-Bob...Go T-Bob..."

Coach Les Miles says he will be replaced by . . . (wait for it.) . . T-Bob Hebert. Yes that's his name, instantly making him my favorite player on LSU's or any SEC team. You can't be a bonafide southern university without a guy on your roster named T-Bob Hebert.

Oregon Ducks: The only team with a fashion section in it's media guide.
In case you were wondering -- and if you're a Duck fan, you were -- Oregon will be wearing custom designed uni's just for this game! To the video . . .

If you're like me, you NEED those gloves. Available at the Duck Shop.

--KB

An SEC Army couldn't . . . . .

2011-08-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

[Following is from the Statesman Journal.
Lyrics added by me from The White Stripes' Seven Nation Army]

Oregon closes in on perennial power status
Written by Gary Horowitz, Statesman Journal

"I'm gonna fight 'em off
A seven nation army couldn't hold me back"

EUGENE — Trivia question: Name the only college football team in the past two years to play in the Rose Bowl and Bowl Championship Series national title game?

The answer is Oregon, which has put plenty of substance behind its glitzy image.

Yes, Oregon is on the rise. What the Ducks have been unable to do is finish the job, with losses to Ohio State and Auburn to end their past two seasons.

With a No. 3 preseason ranking in the Associated Press and USA Today/coaches' poll, and the return of Heisman finalist LaMichael James and dual-threat quarterback Darron Thomas, Oregon is poised to make another run at the ultimate prize in college football.

"We can get better," said James, who led the nation in rushing and scoring last season. "The sky's the limit for us."

Oregon is on the verge of perennial power status, but to join the pantheon of the chosen few where schools such as Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, USC and Ohio State reside, the Ducks need to win on the grand stage.

They were oh so close last season.

"They're gonna rip it off
Taking their time right behind my back"

After Oregon tied Auburn late in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard pass to James and a two-point PAT, the Tigers drove the length of the field and made an 18-yard game-winning field goal on the final snap.

"It still lingers," Oregon rover Eddie Pleasant said. "For us to get there and come so close to winning it, it hurts."

"And I'm talking to myself all night
Because I can't forget
Back and forth through my mind
Behind the cigarette"

Oregon opens Saturday against SEC power and No. 4 LSU in a neutral field matchup with national championship implications.

SEC teams have won the past five BCS national titles.

"And the message coming from my eyes
Says "Leave it alone" "

"You can never predict making a (national championship) run," free safety John Boyett said. "What's important is getting a win in week one. Like coach (Chip) Kelly says, one game will not make or break us. We've just gotta go out there and try to win every game."

Beginning his third season as head coach, Kelly's players have embraced his "win the day" mantra. The bar has been raised.

Oregon's no-huddle, warp-speed offense led the nation in scoring last season.

"Everybody knows what we're about," Thomas said. "We're gonna come out fast, work hard. A lot of people think our plays are disguises and stuff like that, all these wrinkles … but they're just regular plays. They're just run to perfection."

Oregon enters the 2011 season facing an ongoing NCAA investigation for its ties to a Houston-based recruiting service run by Willie Lyles, and Cliff Harris' offseason speeding incident has left the all-America candidate suspended for at least the opener.
Midway through fall camp, redshirt freshman tailback Lache Seastrunk - the most highly touted prospect in the Ducks' 2010 recruiting class — was granted his release from the program and has transferred to Baylor.

"Don't wanna hear about it
Every single one's got a story to tell
Every one knows about it
From the Queen of England
To the hounds of hell"

But Oregon is so deep at running back with James, Kenjon Barner and emerging freshman De'Anthony Thomas, that Seastrunk's departure hardly registered.

Besides, LSU has its own issues.

Starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson was arrested Friday and suspended indefinitely after his alleged role last weekend in a fight outside a bar in Baton Rouge, La.

Two other Tigers also are suspended, backup linebacker Joshua Johns (the bar fight) and starting wide receiver Russell Shepard (NCAA code violation).

Despite distractions, the Ducks are 22-4 under Kelly with a 17-1 conference mark.

So how much does last season's national championship run benefit Oregon moving forward?

"We hope a lot," Kelly said. "We're all byproducts of our experience."

Many players on the roster, including James, Barner, tight end David Paulson, offensive tackle Mark Asper, guard Carson York, Pleasant, Harris and Boyett, played key roles on the Rose Bowl and national championship game teams.

Darron Thomas in the Natty.

Thomas is 12-1 as a starter. He said losing the national championship game is "the biggest motivation I've had in my life."

"And if I catch it coming back my way
I'm gonna serve it to you
And that ain't what you want to hear
But that's what I'll do"

But there's no guarantee that Oregon will return to the Rose Bowl or national title game. In the cyclical world of college football — Notre Dame and Michigan have fallen recently — anything can happen.

The Ducks are not without questions. They will be breaking in a new center, likely Hroniss Grasu. There are three new starters on the defensive line, three-year starting linebackers Casey Matthews and Spencer Paysinger must be replaced, and Lavasier Tuinei is the only starting wide receiver back.

But all the uncertainly has not created restless nights for Kelly.

"I don't really look at it as a worry," Kelly said. "Just staying up nights isn't gonna make it different for you, so we'll find out when we get out there on Saturday."

Spoken like a coach who knows what he has.

Oregon has its highest preseason ranking in school history and is the media's choice to win the North Division and inaugural Pac-12 title.

The Ducks never have won three conference championships in a row. That could change this season.

"And the feeling coming from my bones
Says "Find a home" "

[The following from Lisbon, Portugal may be one of the White Stripes wilder performances, but the audience in this vid reminded me of something I saw of Oregon fans at Matt Arena last winter. Oregon's band played Seven Nation Army, and all the fans threw up their hands and flashed the 'O' while singing with the song their own lyrics:
"Ohhhhhh, O, O, O, Ohhh, Ohhhh."
Then I saw this. I had no idea there were so many Duck fans in Portugal. . . . . ]

[Bonus track. If you hated that one, you might actually like this one. Seven Nation Army is probably the most covered song over the past seven years. But no one could do it much better than a German (but English speaking) punk country western band, The BossHoss]

--KB

Time for Kelly to get his Eastwood On

2011-08-22T22:01:00.000-07:00

Chip Kelly has been holding his tongue, keeping the peace all summer long now. I think, in the style of a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western, it's high time for him to set his drink down with the force of a gavel and slowly stand up -- the "ching ching" of his spurs echoing in the otherwise silent saloon. Push the card table a few inches away from him to give him some space. Then look the bastards in the eyes, and tell them how it's going to be.

Starting with . . . .

"Hey Willie, you can pay back that 25 grand you owe us, or I can just nail your big flappy lips to the floor.

Come to think of it, somebody get me a hammer and some nails."

Lache Seastrunk has left Oregon. That's all folks. Hope you enjoyed the show. Good night and drive safely.

The Seastrunk era ended before it started, and yet packed enough drama and events for a 5th year senior. What did Oregon get for him? A giant FUBAR (Fuskied Up Beyond All Recognition). That check for $25,000 to Slick Willie Lyles raised the eyebrows of NCAA investigators . . . . . No wait, let's back up.

Oregon's successful recruitment of Seastrunk raised the ire of SEC and other Texas schools -- "Not in OUR backyard," they said. So using the ol' handkerchief over the the phone trick, they called the NCAA and slipped them the juicy "Deep Throat" tip that Oregon was paying way too much for mere films and stats.

Here's the real truth. Those giant Southern football factories of LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Auburn and at least five others in the great state of Texas . . . They're not mad that Oregon allegedly paid 25 grand to leverage a Texas boy to Eugene. They're FURIOUS that had they thought they could've gotten away with it, they would've gladly paid 50-, 75-, or even 100,000 dollars to get him!

Oregon apparently beat them at their own "greased palm" game for a bargain! So the NCAA makes like "Smokey and the Bandit", and their flashing lights appear in Oregon's rear view mirror. And now they're all, "You in a heap-a-trouble, boy." More about them later.

But is that what Oregon really did? How much trouble is Oregon really in? I'm sure you've read all you can stomach about the whole Willie Lyles, Lache Seastrunk, $25,000 payment "scandal". If you haven't, Google those two names and have a ball. We'll wait right here til you're all caught up . . . . . . . . .

What some of you may not be aware of is that one blogger, Scott Reed of "The Other Side of Duck" had better success at contacting the people close to Seastrunk. He was able to piece together the story of Seastrunk's journey to Oregon that was far less influenced by Willie Lyles than what Lyles wants the world to believe.

Reed is a little long-winded, but he's a thoughtful writer, and he appears to have done his homework. He mainly lays it out in three posts: "Who was Lache's Mentor?" "Who was Lache's Mentor, Part II", and "Seastrunk Family Clears the Air."

After reading those stories, I came away with the conclusion that any time and resources the NCAA puts into investigating this "scandal" will be time and resources wasted.

Willie Lyles likes to hear himself talk. A lot. He's so smooth, sharing his sad story to Yahoo, the NCAA, and anyone else about how he's the victim. Oh ya, Lyles, you're just trying to make a living and help the kids, and the world hates you for it. Is he noticing yet that it's harder to get anyone to return his calls?

And after setting themselves up as Lyles personal megaphone, are the folks at Yahoo so busy patting themselves on the back for suddenly getting thrust in the spotlight as big time sports investigators that they're too stupid to see the big "SUCKER" signs on their foreheads?

As for Lache Seastrunk, he's not the bad guy here. He's done nothing wrong. Scratch that. He let himself down in one area. He failed to stay 1, 2, or 3 on Oregon's depth chart. Slipping to as low as #5 of late, he apparently became discouraged. No one should say a single bad thing about this young kid. I wish him nothing but the best.

Now, back to the NCAA. . . . .

"HEY NCAA, GO DUCK YOURSELVES!"

It bothers me to see Oregon mentioned in the same paragraph or breath with the other "problem schools" like Ohio State, USC, Connecticut, South Carolina, Tennessee, and last but not least, Miami. The violations of all of these other schools involve extreme cases of giving players extra benefits -- money, cars, apartments, academic cheating.

Lache Seastrunk didn't receive a cent. LaMichael James hasn't received a cent. Furthermore, before those two, there were Terrell Pryor and Reggie Bush.

Bush was heavily recruited by Oregon. His final choices came between the Ducks and USC. For Pryor, it came down to Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon. Looking back, it is clear that the schools they chose, USC and Ohio State respectively, were able to offer them things that Oregon couldn't or wouldn't.

Meanwhile as these scandals grow more numerous, the NCAA is shown to be run by a short-sighted, knee jerk reactionary in President Mark Emmert.

"More sanctions," "Harsher penalties," "The DEATH Penalty," is all Emmert screams. He can't see the forest for the trees. He can't see the difference between an Oregon and an Ohio State. And worst of all, he can't see that the college sports world is laughing at the pitiful NCAA.

The NCAA system is broken, and all Emmert knows to do is come down with harsh program killing penalties without fixing the fundamental flaws of the system.

How ridiculous is it when the NCAA takes months and years to complete an investigation and hand down severe punishments to schools long after the guilty players and coaches are long gone?

How stupid is it when NCAA investigators waste time and resources on ticky-tac stuff like a coach buying a player a Coke while Miami and Ohio State flaunt the system in full view?

Should the NCAA choose to come down hard on Oregon for this silly Willie Lyles FUBAR after a snail's paced investigation, it'll say more about the NCAA than Oregon. In fact I hope it exposes them as the bunch of buffoons they are.

It is ironic that a similar episode occurred when, over 30 years ago, an undergraduate stood up for his rights and shook his fist at the system. On the University of Oregon campus, a pre-law student ("I thought you were pre-med." "What's the difference?") spoke eloquently of how the indictment of his organization was an indictment of the whole system and even the country.
Stick this in your double-secret probation, NCAA!!!

In case you miss the connections: Dean Wormer is NCAA President Mark Emmert. Otter is Oregon. Greg represents the "Good Ol' Boy" Football Schools of the South. And the Sorority sister in the pink cashmere sweater struggling to get down every word? That's Ken Goe.

One more thing. Recently, the media got ahold of police video that suggested Darron Thomas and marijuana were in the same car with speed racer Cliff Harris. The next morning, BREAKING NEWS:

COLLEGE STUDENT SMOKES POT * *Allegedly

Really, sports writers?

Really?

Oh what kind of world do we live in where priviledged collegians show no regard for organized society, openly smoking the brain numbing weed in front of responsible elders who work for an honest living. Elders like you journalists who stand for ethics and morality (See Canzano's sermon on Leadership). But what does that get you? Nothing. For these disrespectful young degenerates have already burned the bud that you dutifully stand in line to buy with your lawful medical marijuana cards.

Thomas denies smoking pot in Cliffy's car. But even if he had, would you rather have him doing that, or getting caught up in a bar fight?

--KB