DUCK SEASONOregon’s Magical Flight to the National Title Game

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Copyright © 2011 by The Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved • ISBN: 978-1-59725-300-6No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright owner or the publisher.

Published by Pediment Publishing, a division of The Pediment Group, Inc. www.pediment.com Printed in Canada.

Contributors

OregOn Daily emeralD newsrOOm — eugene, Ore.

BelOw: Left to right: Alex McDougall (photographer), Kaitlin Kenny (managing editor), Kenny Ocker (copy chief), Nora Simon (editor in chief), Aaron Marineau (photographer). IvAr vONg/OregON DAILy eMerALD

OregOn Daily emeralD at the natiOnal ChampiOnship — glenDale, ariz.

aBOve: Left to right: Lucas Clark (sports editor), Patrick Malee (sports reporter), robert Husseman (sports reporter), Ivar vong (photo editor),Jack Hunter (photographer). erIC evANS

The Oregon Daily Emerald has been the University of Oregon student newspaper since 1900 and independent since 1971. The Emerald publishes a print edition five days a week during the school year and an online edition at dailyemerald.com.

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Foreword“Duck Season: Oregon’s Magical Flight to the National Title Game”

Foreword by richard w. lariviere

I punched my ticket to a life in higher education by studying Sanskrit, and there is a quote from the ancient language that I enjoy for its playfulness: “One should break a pot, tear a cloth, ride a donkey. By whatever means possible, a man should become famous.”

It’s an amusing comment on fame and that particu-lar expression of the idea conjures some interesting mental images. I am grateful that our achievements at the University of Oregon have nothing to do with donkey rides.

But fame can obscure the determination and achievements that produce it. It is the determination and the achievement that produce value. These explain the pride and excitement that has been generated by the UO’s ride to the BCS National Championship Game. It is a feat without precedent at our university, attained due to the invested effort of past and present UO athletes, coaches, athletic directors, administra-tors, donors and program supporters. All will share in the proceeds of that single-minded resolve.

Make no mistake, this is sheer fun. But stop for a second to appraise what this race to fame has been worth to the university.

Obviously, it has anchored the position our athletics program now occupies in the upper strata of universi-ty-level sports. Success breeds success (just look at our track and field program), through reputation, recruit-ing and outright buzz.

This wonderful and unprecedented football season has also raised the overall perception of our university among prospective students and their families around the world, and will open doors to new opportuni-ties throughout the UO. It provides a window to the spectacular faculty at UO and their achievements in

teaching and research.Enrollment is at a record level this year, and new

inquiries have soared wing-to-wing with the Ducks’ football fortunes. An increase in student interest benefits our already outstanding academic programs, through expanded offerings and an even greater ex-change of ideas.

Our alumni, donors and other supporters are not immune to the powerful sway of success and national renown. The increased enthusiasm and energy is palpable.

Then there are the unexpected advantages of our football team’s heyday. Call them the pennies from heaven.

The Duck – our beloved and push-up happy mascot – showed off his buff form in a recent appearance on NBC’s Today Show. And of course, that meant still more exposure for the university.

And when was the last time our student newspa-per produced a book? “Never” would be the correct answer. But this book – “Duck Season: Oregon’s Magical Flight to the National Title Game” – has given the entire staff of student journalists at the Oregon Daily Emerald a chance to experience publication on a whole new level.

Support for college athletics is not universal, and there are those who doubt a connection between suc-cessful sports teams and the overall advancement of their universities.

I have heard the assertions that a college’s athletic achievements actually detract from its academic pro-grams. I have seen studies that suggest a university’s athletic success may generate unrealistic expectations for positive carryover at a broader level.

I can’t put much stock in critics or studies claiming no correlation between a thriving college athletics program, increased prestige for the overall institution and growth in the university’s academic offerings — especially when the program shows the kind of character that Chip Kelly and his team have shown

this year.I have a one-word rebuttal for those kinds of argu-

ments: intangibles. Just like a quarterback who has an undefined characteristic that enables him to carry his team to new heights, a run of good fortune and distinction can and often does lift a university to still greater successes.

There is a reason the phrase “bask in the glory” is used so often. The spotlight is warm; it feels good.

So if you come across a donkey headed toward fame, climb aboard. Enjoy the ride.

Richard LariviereUniversity of Oregon president

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Table of Contents

New Mexico vs. 11Oregon ..................... 7

7Oregon at Tennessee ..........................13

Portland State vs. 5Oregon ................ 19

5Oregon at Arizona State ................... 25

9Stanford vs. 4Oregon .........................31

3Oregon at Washington State ............ 43

UCLA vs. 1Oregon ..............................49

1Oregon at 24USC ............................... 57

Washington vs. 1Oregon .................... 63

1Oregon at Cal .................................... 73

20Arizona vs. 1Oregon ......................... 79

1Oregon at Oregon State .....................91

Awards .............................................. 109

Fan Shots ........................................... 114

BCS Championship ..........................123

 redshirt sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas emerges onto the field at reser Stadium before the Civil War game that decided Oregon’s BCS fate. IvAr vONg/OregON DAILy eMerALD

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New Mexico vs. 11OregonSeptember 4, 2010 • Eugene, Oregon • W 72-0

Ducks tie, break records during home openerOregon puts up 72 points and 720 total yards, shuts out New Mexico Lobos

lucas Clark | sports editor

Saturday afternoon’s home opener was a record-setting day for the Oregon Ducks.

The Oregon squad set a handful of modern-era records en route to a 72-0 blowout over the visiting New Mexico Lobos. From the first possession, it was clear New Mexico would be no match for the speedy Oregon ground game.

Redshirt sophomore running back Kenjon Barner paced the Ducks with five first-half touchdowns. The Riverside, Calif., native carried the ball 17 times for 147 yards and four scores, while also catching one pass for another 60 yards and his final touchdown of day.

“The depth we have on both sides of the ball, especially offensively right now, we got a lot of guys contributing,” second-year head coach Chip Kelly said.

Recording his first career start at running back, Barner shattered his previous single-game career high of 64 rushing yards well before the end of the first quarter. He concluded the day with 225 all-purpose yards, in what was one of the finer offensive perfor-mances in program history.

The Ducks set the single-game record for total yards with 720, pounding out 369 rushing yards with an-other 351 through the air. Oregon’s mark of 72 points also tied the program’s single-game record in the mod-ern era, having reached the same feat against Nevada during the 1999 season.

New Mexico had very little to show on either side of

the ball throughout the day, particularly after the first-quarter departure of junior linebacker Carmen Messi-na. Messina, the heart of the Lobo defense, injured his left ankle with five minutes left in the quarter, leaving room for an offensive juggernaut to impose its will.

Sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas marched the Ducks down the field on the opening possession before a missed block on a first down screen pass resulted in a Joe Stoner interception. From there, Thomas eventually settled in and found a rhythm, completing 13 of 23 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns.

“I think it was a miscue on the play,” Thomas said of the interception. “But like I said, it calmed me down, got me ready to go out there and make some plays.”

After a muffed snap that squirted through the legs of New Mexico punter Ben Skaer, Oregon took over at the Lobo 20-yard line, and Barner found the end zone five plays later on a one-yard scamper. Barner finished the half with scoring runs of one, 25, 10 and 41 yards, in addition to the 60-yard scoring reception.

“They were all fun,” Barner said. “I can’t pick and choose between them. They were all pretty fun.”

Oregon sophomore Cliff Harris made a spectacu-lar debut returning punts for the Ducks. The speedy cornerback returned two punts for touchdowns during the Ducks’ 31-point second quarter, the first a 61-yard dash and the second a 64-yard return with 15 seconds remaining in the first half.

The two punt return touchdowns tie a single-year school record for punt return touchdowns.

“I can’t take all the credit,” a giddy Harris said after the game. “You know, I’ve got to give it to the blockers up front that opened the hole for me to run through.”

Junior tight end David Paulson also recorded his first collegiate touchdown in the opening quarter on a 30-yard strike over the middle from Thomas.

Redshirt freshman Daryle Hawkins capped the

Oregon scoring with a seven-yard touchdown run with more than six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

As a team, New Mexico finished with 25 yards rush-ing and 82 more through the air. Wide receiver Ty Kirk pulled in eight receptions for 48 yards to lead the Lobos.

OppOsite: Sophomore running back Kenjon Barner sprints down the field with the ball. Barner was dominant in his first career start, finishing the game with 225 total yards and five total touchdowns. AArON MArINeAu/OregON DAILy eMerALD

BelOw: Sophomore cornerback Cliff Harris attempts to shake a tackler on a punt return. Harris tied the Oregon single-season record for punt return touchdowns with two by the second quarter of the first game of the season. AArON MArINeAu/OregON DAILy eMerALD

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aBOve: Fans bask in the sun in the student section at Autzen Stadium. AArON MArINeAu/OregON DAILy eMerALD

tOp right: Senior running back remene Alston gets taken down by an ankle tackle. Alston had a career-high 110 yards on 21 carries against New Mexico. IvAr vONg/OregON DAILy eMerALD

right: Sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas rolls out of the pocket. In his first career start, Thomas had 220 yards and two touchdowns through the air. IvAr vONg/OregON DAILy eMerALD

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aBOve: Head coach Chip Kelly argues with referee Jack Folliard during the Ducks’ game against New Mexico. Kelly’s squad had an Autzen Stadium-record 72-point margin of victory against the Lobos. IvAr vONg/OregON DAILy eMerALD

tOp: Oregon fans get rowdy during a New Mexico possession. Spectators did not have to be rowdy for long, as the Ducks led 28-0 after the first quarter and 59-0 at halftime. AArON MArINeAu/OregON DAILy eMerALD

tOp leFt: Kenjon Barner runs into the end zone for one of his five touchdowns. Four of his touchdowns were at least 10 yards, and three were at least 25 yards. IvAr vONg/OregON DAILy eMerALD

leFt: Walk-on true freshman kicker eric Solis kicks an extra point. The left-footed kicker scored 18 points in his debut as a Duck. IvAr vONg/OregON DAILy eMerALD

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leFt: remene Alston plants a stiffarm on New Mexico defensive back Jamarr Lyles. IvAr vONg/OregON DAILy eMerALD

BelOw: Senior running back Andres reed bursts through a break in the New Mexico de-fensive line. reed had 30 yards on six carries in his first time playing for the Ducks. IvAr vONg/OregON DAILy eMerALD

Box ScoreOREGON 72, NEW MEXICO 0First QuarterUO: Barner, Kenjon 1-yd run (Solis, Eric kick) UO: Paulson, David 30-yd pass from Thomas, Darron (Solis kick) UO: Barner 25-yd run (Solis kick) UO: Barner 10-yd run (Solis kick)

Second QuarterUO: Barner 41-yd run (Solis kick) UO: Barner 60-yd pass from Thomas (Solis kick) UO: Harris, Cliff 61-yd punt return (Solis kick) UO: Solis 24-yd field goal UO: Harris 64-yd punt return (Solis kick)

Third QuarterUO: Solis 29-yd field goalUO: Solis 30-yd field goal

Fourth QuarterUO: Hawkins, Daryle 7-yd run (Solis kick)

UO UNMFirst downs 35 8

Rushes-yards 58-369 32-25

Passing yards 351 82

Comp-att-int 23-37-1 13-29-2

Punts-avg 0-0 6-41.0

Fumbles-lost 0-0 4-3

Penalties-yards 7-70 3-25

Time of possession 32:40 27:20

Individual StatisticsRushing: UNM, Austin 5-26, Dennis 11-10, Wright 11-9. UO, Barner 17-147, Alston 21-110, Hawkins 10-68.Passing: UNM, Holbrook 11-24-2-70. UO, Thomas 13-23-1-220.Receiving: UNM, Kirk 8-48, Hernandez 2-14, Daughtry 2-13, Wright 1-7. UO, Maehl 5-91, Huff 3-45, Paulson 2-42, Murphy 2-22, Tuinei 2-11.

Duck pushups at New Mexico game: 506

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7Oregon at TennesseeSeptember 11, 2010 • Knoxville, Tennessee • W 48-13

A defensive confidence-builder for the DucksAfter being gouged by strong early power runs from Tennessee, Oregon defenders clamp down

robert husseman | sports reporter

The Oregon defense had a first quarter to forget against Tennessee last week.

Sure, the 70-minute lightning storm delay made for some unusual circumstances.

But Volunteers running back Tauren Poole was the

man behind the mayhem.Poole’s first carry of the game was for 31 yards, and

Tennessee rushed for 132 yards to take a 6-3 lead after 15 minutes of play.

“I think we got caught up a little bit in the atmo-sphere,” senior defensive tackle Brandon Bair said. “It was just pre-game jitters.”

The Volunteers clearly read the book on the Oregon defense, lining up six offensive linemen and multiple tight ends to establish a powerful running game.

The Ducks, however, fell victim to numerous unbal-anced runs, in which Poole would head away from the side of the line with the most blockers.

“They were just exploiting little miscues by us. They were playing very hard,” senior defensive tackle Zac Clark said. “They just came out in formations that we

didn’t expect.”“It was all mental stuff. We were playing our tails off.

They had numbers to their advantage, and we got that fixed after the thunderstorm,” he said.

And fix it they did.Tennessee rushed for just 50 yards after the opening

quarter in the Ducks’ 48-13 win.Conditioning played a major role.The Oregon defense rotated bodies frequently, while

the Volunteers began wearing down physically and mentally.

A healthy attitude toward run defense also helped the Ducks stop Tennessee.

The Ducks are smaller and faster than most de-fenses, and teams such as Stanford and Ohio State last season exploited size advantages in running the football.

“They were smart about it. They tried to fire the ball at us, but they also used mental games to get numbers to their advantage,” Clark said of the Volunteers. “It’s really just a mentality. We’ve got to go out there and beat our man individually.”

Tennessee had physically talented players who lacked experience on offense, and Oregon was able to bust open the power running game.

Down the road, the Ducks will face tougher tests from power running teams.

The Tennessee game was, nevertheless, an impor-

leFt: Senior linebacker Spencer Paysinger drives Tennessee tight end Luke Stocker into the turf after a two-yard reception. The Ducks limited the volunteers to 151 passing yards in the game. geOrge rICHArDSON/uT DAILy BeACON

OppOsite: Oregon players mingle with Duck fans who traveled to Knoxville, Tenn., to witness the team’s 48-13 victory in person. TIA PATrON/uT DAILy BeACON

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tant first test to pass, as well as a confidence builder.“I love it when they come out and do that,” Bair said.

“Everyone says that to beat Oregon, you have to run it right at ‘em. The only team that has been successful at that is Stanford, and they had seven offensive linemen on the ball.”

Oregon was able to try different looks on defense to counter the various running plays Tennessee at-tempted.

“Sometimes we’re adding one person to the box,” linebacker Spencer Paysinger said. “Sometimes we’re doing D-line stunts or the linebackers are doing some-

aBOve: Senior center Jordan Holmes holds the ball in anticipation of sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas’ signal to snap the football. TIA PATrON/uT DAILy BeACON

thing. We’re not just doing one solid thing. We’re doing multiple things.”

The level of competition has been less than ideal and the sample size is small, but the Ducks have shown up well in national statistics.

Oregon is 11th in the nation in total defense (220.0 yards per game) and tied for sixth in scoring defense (6.5 points per game). Perhaps most impressively, the Ducks are tied for fourth in the nation in third-down conversion defense (17.86 percent, 5 for 28).

“That’s pretty nice,” middle linebacker Casey Mat-thews said when informed of that statistic. “Third

down is definitely the down you want to win. But if you win first and second down, that makes third down more difficult.”

All this was made possible by a run defense that has continued to learn and grow.

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aBOve: Darron Thomas carries the ball on a quarterback keeper play. Thomas went 17 for 32 passing, gaining 202 yards and throwing for two touchdowns. TIA PATrON/uT DAILy BeACON

leFt: Spencer Paysinger dives to tackle the Tennessee ball carrier. Paysinger had one solo and assisted with two crucial tackles when Tennessee moved the ball into Oregon territory. TIA PATrON/uT DAILy BeACON