The most talked about football recruit in the nation, Terrelle Pryor, held a press conference today, which is national signing day, saying he will wait to decide what school he will attend. His top four schools are Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Oregon. Pryor said he will visit Eugene.

The Duck’s offense seems to be the best fit for Pryor, a 6’6″ 227-pound QB from Jeannette, PA, but the long distance from Oregon to his home has been reported as a major factor.

The list of commits thus far includes six 4-star recruits and one 5-star.

It was a big Saturday for me. After I dropt three straight games of chess on Friday, the home teams came through with a 3-0 record.

The day started with an 84-74 win by the Ducks basketball team over the No. 21 Arizona Wildcats at the McKale Center in Tuscon. The Ducks now have a 2-game winning streak at the McKale Center for the first time ever. Coach Ernie Kent said it looked like “Oregon of Old,” and the team overcame losing three of its last four games to mediocre opponents. Malik Hairston led the way with 29 points and Maarty Leunen had his eighth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The women’s team also beat the Wildcats, 59-53 at the Pit. Anyone have an update on when Stingray Schafer will be able to play? (more…)

UCLA has decided to hire Rick Neuheisel to coach their football team:

Neuheisel, a quarterback who was the MVP in UCLA’s 1984 Rose Bowl victory and later served as a Bruins assistant under Terry Donahue, was hired Saturday as his alma mater’s 16th coach.

His five-year contract is for $1.25 million annually, plus incentives.

[…]

Colorado was placed on two years’ probation by the NCAA for infractions committed while he was the Buffaloes’ coach. All were deemed secondary violations and most involved improper contact with recruits.

The AP story glosses over Neuheisel’s infractions while at the (first) college football program he destroyed. Here’s what the Gazette of Colorado Springs had to say back in 2002:

The NCAA announced Tuesday it has reduced the number of Colorado football scholarships, restricted coaching visits and placed the school on two years probation after a three-year investigation found more than 50 violations.

[…]

Most of the violations involved improper contact with recruits from 1995 to 1998 under coach Rick Neuheisel, now at Washington.

“In many instances these violations would not be considered very serious, but in the recruiting process, any recruiting violation could impact the decision of a prospective student-athlete,” said Tom Yeager, commissioner of the Colonial Athletic Association and chairman of the Committee on Infractions. “What made this case ‘major’ were not only the calculated attempts to gain a recruiting advantage, but also the number and pattern of the violations.”

So he commits “more than 50 violations” at one school, places bets on college athletics at another school, and is gleefully welcomed (and given $1.25M+/year) by the Bruins.

To put this hire into perspective, Rick Neuheisel was replaced by Gary Barnett because of his ethical lapses. Yes, Gary Barnett.

Congrats, UCLA!

Football Head Coach Mike Bellotti released a statement today saying he is “100 percent committed to the University of Oregon.” Bellotti allowed UCLA officials to meet with him in Eugene and discuss the Bruin’s vacant coaching position.

“I have a great job at the University of Oregon and believe we have built a special football program here…I never considered it an interview, merely an opportunity for them to provide me with some information and insights into their program.”

I can’t really see Bellotti going to another Pac 10 school any time soon, especially since the Ducks still seem to be in a building phase, with some top recruits signing and lending an ear to Belotti and University of Oregon.

Baseball released the Mitchell Report yesterday.  The investigation led by former U.S. senator George Mitchell linked 85 former and current players to steroid use in the last 10 years.  The list also included the names of 31 all-stars and seven MVPs. (more…)

There’s nothing like a new logo to really jumpstart an organization. The Oregon Track Club revealed this snazzy new look, created by Nike designer and former UO pole vaulter Tinker Hatfield, at the beginning of the year. 

The prominence of the club, “along with its partners the University of Oregon, local and state government, corporate sponsors and the local community,” reached a high with today’s announcement that along with the 2008 Olympic Team Trials, the 2012 Olympic Trials, and the 2009 and 2011 U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be hosted in Eugene and at Hayward Field.  

“We like to think that Eugene is the spiritual home for track and field in the United States, and we wanted to make it the physical home, as well,” said Vin Lananna, associate athletic director at the University of Oregon.

The “associate” part probably wont be there for long. In case any student groups want to get a piece of the pie, OTC business memberships are $100. I’d love to see the Chess Club in the Prefontaine Classic Program.  

The Ducks will face the No. 21 South Florida Bulls in the Brut Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve.  The Bulls have wins over Auburn and West Virginia and were No. 2 in the nation mid-season before dropping three straight, just like the Ducks.

“We could not be more pleased for the opportunity to return to El Paso and welcome the chance to face an outstanding opponent in the University of South Florida,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti. “Those of us who have been fortunate enough to play in the Sun Bowl before recognize what a great job they do to make both teams feel welcome and I can attest to the fact that the city of El Paso hosts a great event. (more…)

Very few football teams ever have to resort to relying on its forth and fifth string quarterbacks, and third runningback, to take snaps in an important game. In times like those, it is up to other leaders to make big plays and up the team morale. The defense gave a triumphant performance in the team’s loss to the UCLA Bruins, reminiscent of the Gang Green, but to no avail. The loss turns a once-Cinderella Story, BCS National Title season, into another slightly above average Ducks football season.

It was one of the poorest offensive performances in Duck football history. While I hate to lay blame on any individual in such tough circumstances, I have to say that wide receiver Jaison Williams gave one of the most uninspiring performances I have ever seen, especially for someone who came into the season as a supposed team leader.

“We lost Dixon, and a lot of guys got down and we never really got back up,” receiver Jaison Williams said. “We miss him a lot. In a big game like this, it’s too bad we couldn’t get up for it.”

Williams has dropped the ball many times this season, but nothing before like he did today. Williams made one good catch early from Brady Leaf, but later, with freshman quarterbacks looking for help to jump-start the struggling offense, Williams appeared to have his head elsewhere. Hopefully Williams can make the adjustment in mental toughness, something he showed absolutely no sign of today against the Bruins, for next week and the upcoming bowl game. 

Wow:

Dennis Dixon completely tore the ACL in his left knee in Oregon’s win over Arizona State on Nov. 3, and convinced Oregon’s coaches and doctors to let him try and play in the Arizona game last night. After leaving last night’s loss in the first quarter when the knee faltered again, Dixon will now have season-ending surgery, bringing his UO career to a close. That was the word on a conference call featuring UO coach Mike Bellotti and team physician Dr. Bob Crist this evening.

Dixon convinced the staff to keep the severity of his injury from the public and even his teammates. Doctors were encouraged by the lack of swelling in the knee after discovering the torn ACL in an MRI on Nov. 4, and Dixon was able to practice despite the injury. He was allowed to play last night with the understanding that he would be pulled from the game if he experienced further instability.

It takes a tremendous competitor to have the guts to even try and play through an injury like that. But to play so damn well? He had a 39 yard touchdown run on a torn ACL. My God.

I don’t really know what else to say… I just hope a man of his heart and ability can fully recover and find success at the next level (or, more likely, in baseball).

Yell “O!” Drink. Fornicate.

Our football team deserves our diehard and relentless support, but we need to do it in a way that is merciless and makes for an intrepid reflection for the University of Oregon.

– Bring your Duck ID card and ticket to get into the game, unless you want to be harrased by slump-busters of Crowd Management. Remember, when stubbing friends in, immediately walk out the gate once you have a stamp, lick the entire thing, and press firm and swiftly to the inside of your friends’ wrist.

– Respect all attendees, unless they are wearing enemy colors, in which case barking, insults about their mother and tasteful gestures representing what the Ducks will do to the Trojans on Rich Brooks Field are a few of many ways to show your appreciation for their presence. Families with children attend these games too, so set a good example by cursing loudly and drinking heavily.

– Enjoy the game without alcohol or other drugs, but have one hell of a grand time with them. If you see a disrespectful Trojan fan, please use a near by object to knock him upside the head. Fans behaving inappropriately may be removed from the stadium, lose future ticket privileges, be given a municipal citation, and/or face student conduct charges. But, if throwing a full Dr. Peppers into the visitors section helps the Ducks, go for it and you will be commended for taking one for the team and properly given due justice in the eyes of Puddles.

A message from the OC Editor In Chief.

Go Ducks.

The Oregon Athletic Department has thrown a curveball to the slowly-revealed plans of the new Basketball arena. The administration and AD are seeking to pay the arena by taking out $200 million in 30- or 40-year bonds, according to an article in today’s Oregonian. If this is the case, tax payers would not pay for any of the arena. They would, however, bear the loss if the department is unable to pay off the bonds.

Oregon’s current load of XI-F(1) bonds is $178 million, with 3.3 percent of the university’s total annual operating budget being used to pay back those bonds. State guidelines recommend a cap of 7 percent, which Oregon would nearly reach if the current arena financing plan went forward.

That’s before the university launches a planned overhaul of its dormitories, which could require as much as $450 million in debt,” UO senate president Gordon Sayre said.

Kilkenny said the bonds would be paid by arena revenues, and any shortfall would be paid with money from the Duck Athletic Fund. The Legacy Fund, which was just kicked off by Phil and Penny Knight’s $100 million donation, then, would cover the department’s annual operating costs.

Kilkenny estimates the department would need $11.2 million a year to cover 40-year bonds. A 2003 report estimated a new arena would generate revenues of $6 to $8.6 million, but Kilkenny said those numbers are conservative and thinks the new arena could bring in up to $16 million annually.

President Frohnmayer sent out this mass email earlier this evening, informing the University community on the progress of the new arena:

(more…)

I know, I know. You’ve probably heard it said already. I mean, wasn’t it too good to be true? The Blazers, blessed with the number one pick in the NBA draft, did not want to repeat their infamous 1984 mistake of passing over basketball legend/god Michael Jordan for one of the biggest disappointments in NBA history, Sam Bowie. And seemingly, they did everything right this time. They took their time and held workouts with Greg Oden and Kevin Durant, but eventually picked Oden, who even seemed genuinely excited to start his career in Portland. Seeing that most Blazers don’t even live in Portland during the off season since Rasheed left town, it seemed as if the Blazers were turning a new leaf, leaving the old Jail Blazers moniker behind them.

But don’t go running to the nearest Dairy Queen just yet for your free Rip City cups; Oden, the wonder kid and personal savior of the Blazer Nation is out for the season. After dealing with mysterious pain and swelling in his right knee, doctors performed exploratory then microfracture surgery to repair cartilage, which will take Oden out for the entire 07-08 season as his knee heals.

While other notable NBA players have had this same surgery and gone on to have succesful careers, such as Amare Stoudemire and Jason Kidd, other injury-plagued NBA stars such as Chris Webber and Penny Hardaway have struggled to gain traction in the league after going under the knife.

A New York Times article about the situation quotes Oden as saying “I’m sorry” multiple times immediately after the surgery was completed. Are the Blazers going to be as sad this year?

As if the UO Athletic Department wasn’t already having PR issues, now their public face has been suspended for next weeks home game against Fresno State for delivering this brutal smackdown to the Houston Cougar. No word yet on why the Duck decided to run wild on the Cougar, nor why he felt compelled to savagely teabag his hapless victim as he lay quivering on the turf of Autzen Stadium. Needless to say, this comes as a blow to the ASUO’s much-vaunted (by them) “Classy Fan Initiative.”

Watch the Ducks teabag the Michigan Wolverines today at 12:30 on ABC.

Edit: If you missed this, it was quite the teabagging. Go Ducks!

The Board of Higher Education “approved adoption of the resolution of necessity” today so that the University is guaranteed to acquire the remaining land needed to build the new basketball arena. The resolution passed 7-2, with two nay votes from the student representatives, Hannah Fisher and Adriana Mendoza, and one abstention. Vice President of Nike, Inc. Donald Blair did not take part in the vote.

Di Saunders, spokeswomen for the board, said that of the three remaining properties, the dentist office of Karl Wagenknecht is the only one that does not wish to sell. Phil Weiler, Senior Director of Public & Media Relations at the UO, however, said the University is confident it will come to an agreement with all three parties.

“(Today’s resolution) does give us the power of eminent domain, but it is not a power we expect to have to exercise at any time,” Weiler told the Commentator. “People are overplaying this step.”