[With apologies to Washington State fans (Only the Cougars can 'Coug it'!), I predict the wheels will fall off Arizona's wagon.
The Wildcats are hoping to have history on their side -- the history of Oregon losing their starting quarterback to injury. But the real history is that Arizona typically wilts under the heat of the Pac-10 race.
Sure they've pounced on ranked teams. They've scored upsets. But when the team they face has something to play for and is staring right back at them, we always see Stoopid's Wildcats do their historic faceplant.
Last week against Cal was a perfect example. In case you missed it, late in the game trying to regain the lead, their QB Nick Foles (or if you prefer his rapper name:
"2 Forward Foles") attempted a second forward pass on the same play.
The following video features a clip of the play. A defected pass comes back into his hands and he's running around looking downfield for a bonus throw. Look for the ref. I swear, he's already got his hand on his hankie thinking, "Don't do it, kid. Don't DO IT . . ."
After the game, Stoops is asked if they ever go over the two throw rule in practice (like maybe he writes it on a board, draws a circle around it, then a line through it). His answer is basically 'no'. Can you blame him? How much can you get accomplished if you're teaching things your players should have learned in POP WARNER?
But this is kind of typical of Stoops' teams year after year. They're tough. Disciplined. Prolific scorers. Brick-walled defense. . . . . right up until the time of the season when the games become critical. And no matter how much he yells at them, the mistakes start happening. The stupid penalties (By the way, these guys know they've taken out Oregon's QB's. And they say they want to "hit" Masoli. Watch for 'late hit' and 'roughing the passer' flags.).
Here's the video on ESPN's College Football Live. They talk to Foles. Then the analyst diagrams and praises Arizona's offense. But notice what -- and how quick -- his answer is when he's asked if AZ will get past Oregon:
Below is an excerpt from a good Sports Illustrated article (I recommend reading it.) by Cory McCartney, who calls this matchup the game of the week:
Can the Wildcats handle the pressure? The Stoops era has been a slow revival, tempting fans with upsets before confounding them with yearly collapses. But now, Stoops has Arizona three wins from its first Rose Bowl berth.
Still, concerns remain. Last weekend's 24-16 loss to Cal trimmed the margin for error and raised doubts over Arizona's legitimacy as a Top 25 team. Back in the rankings for the first time since the end of 2000, the Wildcats posted their lowest points and rushing totals of the season and budding star quarterback Nick Foles delivered his third straight sub-250 yard performance. And, reverting to their error-prone ways of old, they allowed three sacks after giving up just four through their first eight games. Things weren't much better on defense, as the conference's No. 2 unit wilted, yielding eight points in the final 4:46.
The loss cast doubts as to whether a group of players unaccustomed to being in the hunt this late can handle the pressure -- which increases tenfold with the Pac-10's top-ranked scoring offense and defense on deck. [That would be the Ducks.
Don't forget, ESPN College Gameday will be on site again at 7 a.m. (Check your local listing to be sure.) And the game will be televised on ABC. Will this help or hurt Arizona? That's a lot of eyes staring at them and hoping they don't choke.
I hope Oregon goes in with the attitude that THEY brought the national spotlight with them. And good luck to Arizona if they think they're going to shine under the lights too.
Finally, here is one more video of the 'Cats when they are faced with unfamiliar adverstity in uncharted lands. Consider this my prediction:
[Oh poor kitty.] --kb
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Arizona can only watch on film what they can't recreate on field.
[This article from the Arizona Republic finds the Wildcats with a particular preparation problem . . .]
UA looks to slow No. 11 Oregon
by Andrew Bagnato - Nov. 18, 2009 05:20 PM
Associated Press
TUCSON - After Arizona conceded 55 points to Oregon last year, the Wildcats' coaches might be tempted to destroy the game film.
Instead, they're studying it with their players, hoping to find clues to stopping the 11th-ranked Ducks when they visit Arizona Stadium on Saturday night.
"There's a lot we can learn off of last year's game," Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. "We're going to need to."
It's a painful lesson.
Oregon's 55 points is the most allowed by Arizona in Mike Stoops' six seasons in the desert. But Arizona's coaches are breaking the game into two halves, if only to maintain their sanity as they brace for the Ducks' invasion.
In the first half last year, the Ducks scored 45 points. Only three teams - No. 1 USC in 2004, No. 8 LSU in 2006 and No. 8 California in 2007 - have scored that many points in an entire game against Arizona during Stoops' tenure.
In the second half, Arizona limited Oregon to a touchdown and a field goal. Down 48-17, Arizona rallied to within 48-45 before the Ducks salted the game away on a 40-yard touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount, who had yet to become a national household name.
"When you look at the first half of last year's game, they got us moving all over the place and really (we) got a little discombobulated in that first half," Stoops said this week. "And then we finally settled down. We didn't make any major adjustments at halftime. We just started to play with a little more focus and discipline."
Oregon's coaches are picking apart the film to try to figure out what Arizona might throw at them in the rematch.
"Are we going to see what we saw in the first half or what we saw in the second half?" Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. "That's the chess match that goes on with the game - what do they keep from last year's game and what do they add new?"
Arizona's coaches aren't tipping their hand. [Allow me to peek behind their curtain. They have a new quarterback, a stable full of hurt running backs. Their All-American tight end is out. They're coming off a disappointing loss to Cal that exposed all kinds of mistakes and weaknesses . . . ]
"I think we have to change some things up and not show them the exact same looks in how we defend them," said Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, Mike's younger brother. [He's the one who stands behind Mike and yells, "YA!" whenever the head coach yells at someone.]
The Wildcats will try to learn as much as they can from film because few teams can simulate Oregon's offense in practice. It's difficult for the scout team to run the scheme as efficiently as the Ducks do, or at the same speed. [Can't simulate the efficiency and speed, huh? I guess that makes this Saturday night a teachable moment.]
Arizona State discovered that last weekend, when its usually stout defense gave up 31 points in the first half at Autzen Stadium. The Sun Devils gave up only a touchdown and two field goals in the second half of a 44-21 Oregon victory. [You mean while Oregon's starters were standing on the sidelines, laughin' and high-fivin'?]
"Until you get used to it for a quarter or two, it's really hard," ASU coach Dennis Erickson said. "First of all, you have to gauge the speed of what's going on early in the game, because the speed of the game is different than in practice. And if you're out on the field very long, you get tired at the end." [Butt kickin's are always hard to get used to at first. Erickson learned that in the pros. Actually, I feel for him. He's a good coach going through some tough times right now. I can just picture him at his practices muttering to himself, "Damn. 'Picked a bad time to stop drinkin'."]
This much is obvious: the Wildcats have to do a better job of tackling quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, whose deft play fakes are the heart of the Oregon attack.
"Just hit him," Wildcats cornerback Trevin Wade said. "Let him know we're going to be there." [Good luck with that. You better hope he still has the ball when you hit him. Masoli has been looking really comfortable the last three games, even at Stanford. He floats in the pocket, keeps his eyes downfield. His decisions to throw, keep or give the ball have been solid.]
Masoli set the tone a year ago by breaking a 66-yard touchdown run on the third play of the game.
The Ducks tacked on another quick TD on Patrick Chung's 31-yard interception return less than a minute later, but Arizona answered quickly, and late in the first quarter Oregon led only 14-10.
That's when it all fell apart for the Wildcats.
Starting with Masoli's 44-yard touchdown pass to Terence Scott, the Ducks put up 34 points in a span of 17:39.
By the time that run ended, Oregon led 48-17 with 12:46 to go in the third quarter.
The game appeared over to everyone but the Wildcats. They reeled off four straight touchdowns - three by running back Keola Antolin - and whittled the deficit to 48-45 with 6:38 to play.
The Wildcats could come no closer. Blount romped for a score with 3:38 to go, and Arizona was finished. It was Oregon's fourth TD of 40 or more yards that day.
The Wildcats looked at the stat sheet and wondered what happened.
The Ducks had the ball for only 18:14. Arizona ran more plays (98 to 57), gained more yards (527 to 504) and had more first downs (30 to 18).
The game film provides plenty of clues to the meltdown. Mark Stoops said he saw many plays where the Wildcats had men in the right position only to miss tackles.
"What frustrated me last year in the first half of that game was plays we should have defended and didn't," Mark Stoops said. "That's what's so hard." [If only they had Beared Down some more.]
[Below are highlights of last year's game in Eugene posted on YouTube by madmike1951 of http://www.winesfamily.blogspot.com/
And looking at it, I have to say Stupes is right. It must have been frustrating. Zona's players were there to make the tackles. But fakes, jukes, and pure speed of the Ducks was frustrating the heck out of their 'D'. And that was without 'Little Train' James.
I was scared of this next game going into this week. But the more I look at it, the more I like Oregon's chances.
By the way, so do the odds makers. Yesterday, Oregon was favored by 5. Today it's 6.] --kb
UA looks to slow No. 11 Oregon
by Andrew Bagnato - Nov. 18, 2009 05:20 PM
Associated Press
TUCSON - After Arizona conceded 55 points to Oregon last year, the Wildcats' coaches might be tempted to destroy the game film.
Instead, they're studying it with their players, hoping to find clues to stopping the 11th-ranked Ducks when they visit Arizona Stadium on Saturday night.
"There's a lot we can learn off of last year's game," Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. "We're going to need to."
It's a painful lesson.
Oregon's 55 points is the most allowed by Arizona in Mike Stoops' six seasons in the desert. But Arizona's coaches are breaking the game into two halves, if only to maintain their sanity as they brace for the Ducks' invasion.
In the first half last year, the Ducks scored 45 points. Only three teams - No. 1 USC in 2004, No. 8 LSU in 2006 and No. 8 California in 2007 - have scored that many points in an entire game against Arizona during Stoops' tenure.
In the second half, Arizona limited Oregon to a touchdown and a field goal. Down 48-17, Arizona rallied to within 48-45 before the Ducks salted the game away on a 40-yard touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount, who had yet to become a national household name.
"When you look at the first half of last year's game, they got us moving all over the place and really (we) got a little discombobulated in that first half," Stoops said this week. "And then we finally settled down. We didn't make any major adjustments at halftime. We just started to play with a little more focus and discipline."
Oregon's coaches are picking apart the film to try to figure out what Arizona might throw at them in the rematch.
"Are we going to see what we saw in the first half or what we saw in the second half?" Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. "That's the chess match that goes on with the game - what do they keep from last year's game and what do they add new?"
Arizona's coaches aren't tipping their hand. [Allow me to peek behind their curtain. They have a new quarterback, a stable full of hurt running backs. Their All-American tight end is out. They're coming off a disappointing loss to Cal that exposed all kinds of mistakes and weaknesses . . . ]
"I think we have to change some things up and not show them the exact same looks in how we defend them," said Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, Mike's younger brother. [He's the one who stands behind Mike and yells, "YA!" whenever the head coach yells at someone.]
The Wildcats will try to learn as much as they can from film because few teams can simulate Oregon's offense in practice. It's difficult for the scout team to run the scheme as efficiently as the Ducks do, or at the same speed. [Can't simulate the efficiency and speed, huh? I guess that makes this Saturday night a teachable moment.]
Arizona State discovered that last weekend, when its usually stout defense gave up 31 points in the first half at Autzen Stadium. The Sun Devils gave up only a touchdown and two field goals in the second half of a 44-21 Oregon victory. [You mean while Oregon's starters were standing on the sidelines, laughin' and high-fivin'?]
"Until you get used to it for a quarter or two, it's really hard," ASU coach Dennis Erickson said. "First of all, you have to gauge the speed of what's going on early in the game, because the speed of the game is different than in practice. And if you're out on the field very long, you get tired at the end." [Butt kickin's are always hard to get used to at first. Erickson learned that in the pros. Actually, I feel for him. He's a good coach going through some tough times right now. I can just picture him at his practices muttering to himself, "Damn. 'Picked a bad time to stop drinkin'."]
This much is obvious: the Wildcats have to do a better job of tackling quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, whose deft play fakes are the heart of the Oregon attack.
"Just hit him," Wildcats cornerback Trevin Wade said. "Let him know we're going to be there." [Good luck with that. You better hope he still has the ball when you hit him. Masoli has been looking really comfortable the last three games, even at Stanford. He floats in the pocket, keeps his eyes downfield. His decisions to throw, keep or give the ball have been solid.]
Masoli set the tone a year ago by breaking a 66-yard touchdown run on the third play of the game.
The Ducks tacked on another quick TD on Patrick Chung's 31-yard interception return less than a minute later, but Arizona answered quickly, and late in the first quarter Oregon led only 14-10.
That's when it all fell apart for the Wildcats.
Starting with Masoli's 44-yard touchdown pass to Terence Scott, the Ducks put up 34 points in a span of 17:39.
By the time that run ended, Oregon led 48-17 with 12:46 to go in the third quarter.
The game appeared over to everyone but the Wildcats. They reeled off four straight touchdowns - three by running back Keola Antolin - and whittled the deficit to 48-45 with 6:38 to play.
The Wildcats could come no closer. Blount romped for a score with 3:38 to go, and Arizona was finished. It was Oregon's fourth TD of 40 or more yards that day.
The Wildcats looked at the stat sheet and wondered what happened.
The Ducks had the ball for only 18:14. Arizona ran more plays (98 to 57), gained more yards (527 to 504) and had more first downs (30 to 18).
The game film provides plenty of clues to the meltdown. Mark Stoops said he saw many plays where the Wildcats had men in the right position only to miss tackles.
"What frustrated me last year in the first half of that game was plays we should have defended and didn't," Mark Stoops said. "That's what's so hard." [If only they had Beared Down some more.]
[Below are highlights of last year's game in Eugene posted on YouTube by madmike1951 of http://www.winesfamily.blogspot.com/
And looking at it, I have to say Stupes is right. It must have been frustrating. Zona's players were there to make the tackles. But fakes, jukes, and pure speed of the Ducks was frustrating the heck out of their 'D'. And that was without 'Little Train' James.
I was scared of this next game going into this week. But the more I look at it, the more I like Oregon's chances.
By the way, so do the odds makers. Yesterday, Oregon was favored by 5. Today it's 6.] --kb
Monday, November 16, 2009
Can't stop to smell the roses yet. But Ducks can start reaching for them.
[OK Here's where I give you articles, pics and comments about the previous game.
Here's the article (R-G): http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/sports/23092355-41/story.csp
And here's the commentary: The Ducks played much better than the week before.
Here's the article (R-G): http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/sports/23092355-41/story.csp
Here are the photos (Oregonian):
And here's the commentary: The Ducks played much better than the week before. OK that's it. We don't have any more time to dwell on ASU. We've got to move on. If you don't believe me, just check with Coach Chip Kelly. . . . .
We've started becoming accustomed to Coach Chip Kelly's strict disciplined regimen. So it raises an eyebrow when he deviates from it.
He doesn't want to talk about Rose Bowls or championships. He only wants to talk about the team his Ducks are playing that week. On Saturday night he lets his team reflect on that game, then they focus on the next team starting Monday.
So his reply was a surprise when during the press conference after the 44-21 win over ASU, he was asked about Arizona -- next weeks opponent:
“Our guys, I’m sure they’re already getting ready for it and geared up,” Kelly said. “We’re in the stretch run, and you’ve got to be a good football team in November if you’re going to be a champion.”
Whoa, Kelly! "Already getting ready for it"? "Be a champion"? What are you trying to do, jinx the season?
Or is he in fact seeing the task ahead? Beating ASU was a necessary step. It was expected. It was accomplished. Oregon needs to be satisfied with that win for about five minutes then move on.
Next? Two huge games for all the marbles -- taken one at a time of course. Win these two games, and the Ducks are Rose Bowl bound Pac-10 Champions. It's close enough now, he can bring that talk into the conversation. The players can see it. They can play for it.
But preparing for one team at a time is still the mantra, as Kelly reminds us in an excerpt in this article from the R-G]
A successful trip to Arizona tops the Civil War on the Duck head coach’s to-do list
By Rob Moseley
The Register-Guard
Appeared in print: Monday, Nov 16, 2009 The rest of the state of Oregon may already be peeking ahead a week to a Civil War for the Rose Bowl, but UO football coach Chip Kelly wasn’t having any of that Sunday. [I'd love to talk about the Rose Bowl right now, but Coach says 'No'.]
“Our thoughts are on Arizona,” Kelly said, looking ahead six days and only six days. “We’re not talking about that, have never talked about it all season long.”
While something of a buzzkill, there’s obvious merit to that attitude. The Ducks (8-2, 6-1 Pac-10) and Beavers will play for a trip to Pasadena on Dec. 3 assuming both win this week, which requires a UO victory Saturday in Arizona at 5 p.m. PST. [Lots of irony appearing for this Civil War. I'd go into more detail but Coach says 'No'. ]
The game will be televised by ABC, and ESPN’s College GameDay crew will broadcast from Tucson, despite a Wildcats loss to Cal on Saturday that prevented this from being a matchup of one-loss Pac-10 teams.
“They’ve got a great homefield advantage with their crowd, and obviously with GameDay being there and it being a national game, it’s going to be a great environment down there,” Kelly said.
While the Wildcats (6-3, 4-2) are coming off a loss that dropped them from the national polls, Oregon took care of business this past weekend, beating Arizona State 44-21 on Saturday. The Ducks moved up to No. 11 in all three major human polls Sunday, as well as the updated BCS standings.
Oregon’s only real hope for a BCS bid remains the Rose Bowl, which would mean a matchup with Big Ten champion Ohio State. The next hurdle in that path is the Wildcats, whose losses have come at nationally ranked Iowa, on a fluke interception at Washington and Saturday’s 24-16 loss at California. [I've got something to say about Ohio State but . . . . you know. . . .]
Arizona has an athletic defense that ranks 18th in the country in yardage allowed, and quarterback Nick Foles leads an offense that combines passing out of the spread with the kind of power rushing sets that have given the Ducks fits in November.
“Their diversity on offense is the first thing that jumps out at you,” Kelly said.
[More on Arizona, only Arizona, and nothing but Arizona later . . . . . . . . . . . OK, maybe one more comment about ASU. I was looking at this one pic . . . .]
The last time ASU RB Jamal Miles saw that many yellow 'O's around his head
was when a wicked hangover had his face plopped into a bowl of Cheerios.
Felt about the same, too.
[kb]
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Let's hope Masoli, receivers worked to eliminate those dropsies.
[LeGarrette Blount's return to the team may be a moot point. ASU leads the league in rushing defense, but according to this report from the AZ Republic they've suddenly become thin in the secondary.
ASU thin at CB after suspension
by Doug Haller - Nov. 10, 2009 08:30 PM
The Arizona Republic
Arizona State's defense suddenly has become dangerously thin at the cornerback position.
Coach Dennis Erickson announced Tuesday that senior Terell Carr has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. Carr, a starter for seven games, had 28 tackles through nine games and had broken up a team-high six passes.
Erickson also said Omar Bolden's knee injury will sideline the junior cornerback for the rest of the season. Bolden hasn't played since Oct. 3.
"He just hasn't come back from that thing," Erickson said. "It's just not healing well."
Redshirt freshman Deveron Carr (no relation) and senior Pierre Singfield likely will start at cornerback Saturday at Oregon. Deveron Carr has just one start on his resume, but it came last week against Southern California.
Sophomore Josh Jordan and junior LeQuan Lewis will serve as backups, although Jordan was slowed Tuesday by a sore ankle.
"Hopefully, he can play," Erickson said. "If not, we're down to three corners."
Asked if he's concerned about starting younger players at such a late date in the season, Erickson said sometimes a coach doesn't have a choice.
"You just got to do it," he said. "They're all on scholarship. They got to step up and do what they're supposed to do. This happens all over the country, so I don't think we're unusual."
[Despite scoring 42 points, Masoli's receivers dropped a ton of passes at Stanford. If they are to capitalise, they'll have to knock off that silliness. ]
Sullivan on ice
Senior quarterback Danny Sullivan had an ice pack on his right biceps, which was sore from a recent hit. He took part in running plays but didn't do much throwing.
Freshman Brock Osweiler, who played the second half of Saturday's loss to Southern California, filled in. Erickson said he will announce Saturday's starter after Wednesday's practice or Thursday.
That place is LOUD
Senior linebacker Mike Nixon said he delivered this advice to those who have not played in Oregon's Autzen Stadium: [Curl into a fetal position and cry?]
"Just be ready to play without being able to hear." "Our offense obviously has to go silent count," he said. "Two years ago, our punt team had to go silent count, and that's really adjustments we've never had to make.
"Even when they're on offense, the place can get a little bit loud, especially after big plays. On defense, we've got to be able to use hand signals to make sure we're on the same page."
[And to add to the ambience, it's going to be cold and rainy.
What's the hand signal for "I want a warm blanky on my lap and a Norah Jones lullaby on my ipod for the plane ride home."?] --kb
ASU thin at CB after suspension
by Doug Haller - Nov. 10, 2009 08:30 PM
The Arizona Republic
Arizona State's defense suddenly has become dangerously thin at the cornerback position.
Coach Dennis Erickson announced Tuesday that senior Terell Carr has been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. Carr, a starter for seven games, had 28 tackles through nine games and had broken up a team-high six passes.
Erickson also said Omar Bolden's knee injury will sideline the junior cornerback for the rest of the season. Bolden hasn't played since Oct. 3.
"He just hasn't come back from that thing," Erickson said. "It's just not healing well."
Redshirt freshman Deveron Carr (no relation) and senior Pierre Singfield likely will start at cornerback Saturday at Oregon. Deveron Carr has just one start on his resume, but it came last week against Southern California.
Sophomore Josh Jordan and junior LeQuan Lewis will serve as backups, although Jordan was slowed Tuesday by a sore ankle.
"Hopefully, he can play," Erickson said. "If not, we're down to three corners."
Asked if he's concerned about starting younger players at such a late date in the season, Erickson said sometimes a coach doesn't have a choice.
"You just got to do it," he said. "They're all on scholarship. They got to step up and do what they're supposed to do. This happens all over the country, so I don't think we're unusual."
[Despite scoring 42 points, Masoli's receivers dropped a ton of passes at Stanford. If they are to capitalise, they'll have to knock off that silliness. ]
Sullivan on ice
Senior quarterback Danny Sullivan had an ice pack on his right biceps, which was sore from a recent hit. He took part in running plays but didn't do much throwing.
Freshman Brock Osweiler, who played the second half of Saturday's loss to Southern California, filled in. Erickson said he will announce Saturday's starter after Wednesday's practice or Thursday.
That place is LOUD
Senior linebacker Mike Nixon said he delivered this advice to those who have not played in Oregon's Autzen Stadium: [Curl into a fetal position and cry?]
"Just be ready to play without being able to hear." "Our offense obviously has to go silent count," he said. "Two years ago, our punt team had to go silent count, and that's really adjustments we've never had to make.
"Even when they're on offense, the place can get a little bit loud, especially after big plays. On defense, we've got to be able to use hand signals to make sure we're on the same page."
[And to add to the ambience, it's going to be cold and rainy.
What's the hand signal for "I want a warm blanky on my lap and a Norah Jones lullaby on my ipod for the plane ride home."?] --kb
Monday, November 9, 2009
BLOUNT REINSTATED
Blount reinstated to UO football team
Nov. 9th, 2009
The Register-Guard
LeGarrette Blount has been reinstated to the Oregon football team and will be available to play Saturday when the Ducks host Arizona State at Autzen Stadium, coach Chip Kelly announced Monday morning.
Blount was suspended by Kelly after the senior running back punched a Boise State player in the moments after the Ducks’ season-opening loss in Boise.
On Oct. 2, Kelly announced a plan that would allow Blount to return to the team, provided he meet the conditions laid out by Kelly.
Blount has missed the last eight games but has remained with the Ducks as a member of the scout team.
“I’m grateful to coach Kelly that he cares enough to offer me this second chance,” Blount said in a statement. “Now it is up to me to prove to people that their lasting impressions of me are not what they saw in Boise.
“When I am ready to address this further with the public and the media, I will do so,” Blount added. “Until that time, I feel my actions can speak louder than anything I could say. I just want to help my teammates who have been supportive of me.”
In a press release, Kelly emphasized that Blount would continue to be held accountable to those conditions for the remainder of the year.
Kelly said he forwarded his recommendation for Blount’s reinstatement to Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti Sunday night, who in turn passed it along to University President Richard Lariviere and Pacific-10 Conference Commissioner Larry Scott.
“After a thorough review of the situation, I am convinced LeGarrette Blount paid a significant and appropriate price for the mistakes he made on the field, and that he has learned important life-long lessons,” Scott said in a statement.
Bellotti said he learned, approximately the time the UO men’s basketball game ended Sunday night, that the Pac-10 had approved reinstating Blount. He said he’d been optimistic about obtaining that approval.
“We all feel very comfortable,” Bellotti said Monday. “This was a well-orchestrated, supervised situation. LeGarrette’s done everything that’s been asked of him, and we’ll continue to do that the remainder of his time.”
Bellotti said Blount “had some grades come due and papers last week, and I think there’s a comfort zone that he’s not only doing all the steps, but doing it in a proper manner.”
Bellotti said he’s reviewed the reporters by two athletic department officials charged with overseeing Blount’s progress, football academics coordinator Tim Bruegman and assistant athletic director James Harris.
“There were real markers or steps that LeGarrette had had to do or had to perform,” Bellotti said.
Overall, Bellotti said, “I’m pleased. I think it was handled in a manner that makes a very serious statement about Oregon athletics and what we expect of our athletes. At the same time, there was a human element to giving him a second chance and giving him the opportunity. But he earned that opportunity to get back on the field.”
Bellotti emphasized that Oregon’s decision was not influenced in any way by boosters, donors or lawyers.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A small bump in the road.
Oregon still controls it's destiny
[Oregon had a loss to give. Thanks to their win over USC, and with Arizona still on the schedule, Oregon can still win the championship if they win out. The only thing that's changed is that Oregon now probably HAS to win all of it's remaining games.
Both Arizona and Stanford still have the toughest parts of their schedules ahead of them. Arizona still needs to beat Oregon and not lose at Cal, at ASU, and at USC.
Stanford -- with two losses but now with the tiebreaker over Oregon -- also needs to play at USC and at home against Cal.
Oregon is home against ASU, at Arizona, and home for the Civil War. Arizona is the must worrisome. Ya I know, don't discount OSU. But at Arizona, it's going to be tough. Their running back Nic Grigsby is hurt. But their QB Nick Foles is proving to be (say it with me now) "the toughest quarterback the Ducks will face".
What happened today?
Oregon scored 42 points and lost. No other team has dropped that many on Stanford and lost this season. But honestly, it wouldn't be fair to hang this on the defense and suggest that they're suddenly bad.
Stanford had two weeks to prepare for this game. And they didn't spend that time working on beating Oregon. They focused on being a better Stanford. Running, blocking, throwing, catching. The Cardinal did it all superbly today, just like Oregon did last week. The Cardinal could've beaten anybody today.
The good things to take from this game is that 1) the Rose Bowl is still there for Oregon. 2) The offense still works, although they sure could've done without all those dropped passes today. 3) Toby Gerhart is behind them. 4) They can regroup at Autzen next week.
More later, ] --kb
[Oregon had a loss to give. Thanks to their win over USC, and with Arizona still on the schedule, Oregon can still win the championship if they win out. The only thing that's changed is that Oregon now probably HAS to win all of it's remaining games.
Both Arizona and Stanford still have the toughest parts of their schedules ahead of them. Arizona still needs to beat Oregon and not lose at Cal, at ASU, and at USC.
Stanford -- with two losses but now with the tiebreaker over Oregon -- also needs to play at USC and at home against Cal.
Oregon is home against ASU, at Arizona, and home for the Civil War. Arizona is the must worrisome. Ya I know, don't discount OSU. But at Arizona, it's going to be tough. Their running back Nic Grigsby is hurt. But their QB Nick Foles is proving to be (say it with me now) "the toughest quarterback the Ducks will face".
What happened today?
Oregon scored 42 points and lost. No other team has dropped that many on Stanford and lost this season. But honestly, it wouldn't be fair to hang this on the defense and suggest that they're suddenly bad.
Stanford had two weeks to prepare for this game. And they didn't spend that time working on beating Oregon. They focused on being a better Stanford. Running, blocking, throwing, catching. The Cardinal did it all superbly today, just like Oregon did last week. The Cardinal could've beaten anybody today.
The good things to take from this game is that 1) the Rose Bowl is still there for Oregon. 2) The offense still works, although they sure could've done without all those dropped passes today. 3) Toby Gerhart is behind them. 4) They can regroup at Autzen next week.
More later, ] --kb
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Best of Luck to you, Stanford.
Ducks call Kellen Moore, Joey Elliott, Terrance Cain, Kevin Riley, Kevin Prince, Jake Locker, Matt Barkley, Andrew Luck the best quarterback they'll face
[They've been saying it every week. And I understand Oregon's coaches have to approach each QB as if. But they're serious. Here's a piece of John Hunt's story from the Oregonian quoting defensive secondary coach John Neal.]
Andrew Luck
"He's [Stanford QB Andrew Luck] unbelievable,'' Neal said. "I think he's the best quarterback since, I don't know, Brett Favre.'' [Brett Favre? (scoff) He's Tom Brady, inside a John Elway, wrapped in a Troy Aikman!]
It isn't just coaching hyperbole. As the Cardinal (5-3, 4-2) try to prepare for the Ducks' speed and tempo on offense, the Oregon coaching staff are dissecting film of what could be the most talented passer this team - coming off meetings with Washington's Jake Locker and USC's Matt Barkley - has faced this season.
Luck will put his league-leading passing efficiency (16th in the nation) against an Oregon pass defense that not only leads the league but is also giving up a paltry 5.1 yards per pass.
Luck can run, too. His 215 rushing yards are the most by a Stanford quarterback since Don Bunce's 248 in 1971. [Wow. Masoli has more than twice that. He's the only QB amongst the top 10 league rushers. But if you say 215 like were supposed to say wow, then OK. Wow. That's over 26 yards per game. Wow.]
[The numbers don't lie. But they don't tell the whole story either. Glance at the pass efficiency ranking of Pac-10 quarterbacks below. . . . .
PASS EFFICIENCY Team Cl G Att Cmp Int Pct. Yds TD Eff.
------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Luck, Andrew........ STAN FR 8 196 114 3 58.2 1825 9 148.5
2. Foles, Nick......... ARIZ SO 6 191 138 5 72.3 1399 11 147.5
3. Canfield, Sean...... OSU SR 8 273 188 4 68.9 2039 11 142.0
4. Barkley, Matt....... USC FR 7 199 118 6 59.3 1727 9 141.1
5. Riley, Kevin........ CAL JR 8 227 126 2 55.5 1805 13 139.4
6. Masoli, Jeremia..... ORE JR 7 160 97 2 60.6 1127 6 129.7
7. Locker, Jake........ WASH JR 8 280 158 8 56.4 1968 12 123.9
8. Sullivan, Danny..... ASU SR 8 262 142 7 54.2 1658 8 112.1
9. Prince, Kevin....... UCLA FR 6 167 92 4 55.1 1052 4 111.1
[Sure 'nuff. There's Luck at the top. But what do the top three quarterbacks have in common? They haven't played the Ducks yet. Who was at the top last week? Matt Barkley. After Oregon, he's fourth.
Same goes for their running back. Toby Gerhart leads the league in rushing ahead of Quiz Rogers and LaMichael James. Again, the top two rushers in week nine have yet to play Oregon. I don't think that's a coincidence.
Let's get the headline straight:
Ducks are the best defense Luck will face.
Don't get me wrong. Stanford's a good team. They are better than the Ducks in some stat categories, and only a little worse in others -- except for one area, the most important: Scoring.
Oregon leads the league in both scoring offense and defense. Stanford: third and fifth respectively. Not bad.
But the real difference is inside the 20's. Oregon ranks first in both Red Zone offense and defense. Stanford? Ninth and tenth. And remember, they haven't played Oregon yet.
Here's where I'm getting my stats: http://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-footbl/stats/2009-2010/confldrs.html
The popular feeling is that Stanford, with their week off, will be ready for Oregon. They'll bedazzle the Ducks with a sound offense and tight defense. . .
. . . for a half.
Then Oregon will make halftime adjustments, pick up the pace of the no-huddle against Stanford's big ol' Hos linemen, and start scoring like they're running down a ski slope.
How are the players preparing for Stanford? Are they worried about a let down, a slip-up, a November surprise? Here's Ed Dickson from that same article:
Oregon tight end Ed Dickson got an early start on his Stanford preparation this week. He stopped over at the Casanova Center, got some lunch and watched film of the Cardinal on the team's normal off-day. He came away impressed with Stanford's work ethic but still confident.
"I just wanted to see the character of the team, see how we can break their will, so to speak,'' Dickson said. "They play very hard, but if we match their toughness, they'll fall.''
Wow. ] --kb
[They've been saying it every week. And I understand Oregon's coaches have to approach each QB as if. But they're serious. Here's a piece of John Hunt's story from the Oregonian quoting defensive secondary coach John Neal.]
"He's [Stanford QB Andrew Luck] unbelievable,'' Neal said. "I think he's the best quarterback since, I don't know, Brett Favre.'' [Brett Favre? (scoff) He's Tom Brady, inside a John Elway, wrapped in a Troy Aikman!]
It isn't just coaching hyperbole. As the Cardinal (5-3, 4-2) try to prepare for the Ducks' speed and tempo on offense, the Oregon coaching staff are dissecting film of what could be the most talented passer this team - coming off meetings with Washington's Jake Locker and USC's Matt Barkley - has faced this season.
Luck will put his league-leading passing efficiency (16th in the nation) against an Oregon pass defense that not only leads the league but is also giving up a paltry 5.1 yards per pass.
Luck can run, too. His 215 rushing yards are the most by a Stanford quarterback since Don Bunce's 248 in 1971. [Wow. Masoli has more than twice that. He's the only QB amongst the top 10 league rushers. But if you say 215 like were supposed to say wow, then OK. Wow. That's over 26 yards per game. Wow.]
[The numbers don't lie. But they don't tell the whole story either. Glance at the pass efficiency ranking of Pac-10 quarterbacks below. . . . .
PASS EFFICIENCY Team Cl G Att Cmp Int Pct. Yds TD Eff.
------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Luck, Andrew........ STAN FR 8 196 114 3 58.2 1825 9 148.5
2. Foles, Nick......... ARIZ SO 6 191 138 5 72.3 1399 11 147.5
3. Canfield, Sean...... OSU SR 8 273 188 4 68.9 2039 11 142.0
4. Barkley, Matt....... USC FR 7 199 118 6 59.3 1727 9 141.1
5. Riley, Kevin........ CAL JR 8 227 126 2 55.5 1805 13 139.4
6. Masoli, Jeremia..... ORE JR 7 160 97 2 60.6 1127 6 129.7
7. Locker, Jake........ WASH JR 8 280 158 8 56.4 1968 12 123.9
8. Sullivan, Danny..... ASU SR 8 262 142 7 54.2 1658 8 112.1
9. Prince, Kevin....... UCLA FR 6 167 92 4 55.1 1052 4 111.1
[Sure 'nuff. There's Luck at the top. But what do the top three quarterbacks have in common? They haven't played the Ducks yet. Who was at the top last week? Matt Barkley. After Oregon, he's fourth.
Same goes for their running back. Toby Gerhart leads the league in rushing ahead of Quiz Rogers and LaMichael James. Again, the top two rushers in week nine have yet to play Oregon. I don't think that's a coincidence.
Let's get the headline straight:
Ducks are the best defense Luck will face.
Don't get me wrong. Stanford's a good team. They are better than the Ducks in some stat categories, and only a little worse in others -- except for one area, the most important: Scoring.
Oregon leads the league in both scoring offense and defense. Stanford: third and fifth respectively. Not bad.
But the real difference is inside the 20's. Oregon ranks first in both Red Zone offense and defense. Stanford? Ninth and tenth. And remember, they haven't played Oregon yet.
Here's where I'm getting my stats: http://www.pac-10.org/sports/m-footbl/stats/2009-2010/confldrs.html
The popular feeling is that Stanford, with their week off, will be ready for Oregon. They'll bedazzle the Ducks with a sound offense and tight defense. . .
. . . for a half.
Then Oregon will make halftime adjustments, pick up the pace of the no-huddle against Stanford's big ol' Hos linemen, and start scoring like they're running down a ski slope.
How are the players preparing for Stanford? Are they worried about a let down, a slip-up, a November surprise? Here's Ed Dickson from that same article:
Oregon tight end Ed Dickson got an early start on his Stanford preparation this week. He stopped over at the Casanova Center, got some lunch and watched film of the Cardinal on the team's normal off-day. He came away impressed with Stanford's work ethic but still confident.
"I just wanted to see the character of the team, see how we can break their will, so to speak,'' Dickson said. "They play very hard, but if we match their toughness, they'll fall.''
Wow. ] --kb
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