October 11, 2007
Autzen, say hello to the Cougars
Washington State visits Eugne for the first time since 2003
GARY HOROWITZ
Statesman Journal
EUGENE -- Oregon is playing at home Saturday against Washington State. Could that be accurate?
The Ducks always play the Cougars in the Palouse, or so it seems. The past three Oregon-WSU games have been contested in Pullman.
It will be a coming home of sorts for Cougars senior quarterback Alex Brink, a graduate of Sheldon High School in Eugene.
"I just read where this is Alex Brink's first opportunity to come back (and play) in Eugene, which just shows how many times we've been to Pullman," coach Mike Bellotti said.
The last time WSU played at Autzen Stadium was 2003. The Ducks were coming off a 31-27 upset of then-No. 5 Michigan and riding high with a 4-0 record and No. 10 ranking. The Cougars won in a rout, 55-16.
But no one on either team played in that game, which is now ancient history.
"We've been there the whole time I've been here," junior rover Patrick Chung said. "They finally get to see what Autzen's like. Hopefully, they can handle it."
Brink, who leads the Pac-10 in in total offense (316.2 yards per game), passing yards (304.7 ypg), and touchdown passes (17), was not recruited by the Ducks. Oregon already had offered scholarships to quarterbacks Dennis Dixon, Brady Leaf, and Johnny DuRocher.
"I thought he was of the caliber (that) he would develop," Bellotti said. "He was physically not where those guys were at the time."
In last week's 23-20 loss to then-No. 18 Arizona State, Brink passed Jason Gesser to become the school's career passing leader with 8,923 yards.
Oregon figures to be fresh coming off a bye week. Kwame Agyeman will start at weakside linebacker in place of A.J. Tuitele, who will be out six to eight weeks with a broken foot.
Other than Tuitele and wide receiver Brian Paysinger, who is out for the season with a knee injury, the Ducks are relatively healthy.
Duck Club to meet: The Oregon Club/Willamette Valley will meet at noon Friday at Creekside Golf Course. Oregon assistant coach Tom Osborne is the scheduled guest speaker. The public is welcome.
Baseball
The Ducks have reportedly received a verbal commitment from Thurston High School senior pitcher/shortstop Darrell Hunter, who would be the first player to commit to the reinstated baseball program.
Oregon cannot comment on potential recruits until they have signed national letters of intent. The early signing period for baseball begins Nov. 17.
The Ducks will begin playing in the 2009 season under coach George Horton, who spent the past 11 seasons at Cal State Fullerton.
Wrestling
Tickets are on sale for the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at McArthur Court. The top college wrestlers in the nation are expected to compete.
Tickets are $15 (reserved), $10 (adult general admission), and $5 (children general admission) and are available by calling (800) WEB-FOOT or online at www.GoDucks.com.
Cross country
The men's team remained ranked No. 1 nationally for the second straight week, and the women held on to their No. 3 spot. Both teams will be compete Saturday in the Hodges Invitational, hosted by Clackamas Community College.
Volleyball
No. 19 Oregon (14-4, 3-3 Pac-10) will be at No. 4 UCLA tonight and No. 6 USC on Friday. Junior outside hitter Gorana Maricic leads in kills per game (5.17) and points per game (5.72). Her 38 points and 33 kills against then-No. 8 Washington on Sept. 21 are single-match highs in the conference this season.