The picture above shows us that Oregon is in “11″ personnel, which means that we have 1 running back and 1 tight end.  (We will cover personnel in more detail at a later time).  I have diagrammed the play so you could see what the play is supposed to look like after the snap.  We basically have a flood pass right, with the tight end (upper green line) running a dig route on the backside (or the old down-and-in).

At the snap (above), Mariota gives a simple mesh fake to the running back to slow up some of the defenders.  As I mentioned, we have some gifted running backs so teams must respect our run game, while the offensive line also does a great job of not giving away the upcoming pass play.  The offensive line takes flat zone steps to the left to make sure they do not come up-field, thus helping to sell the run play.  The offensive line play with the mesh/run fake does enough to hold up defenders for a precious moment.  From the time the ball is snapped, to the mesh/run fake, two seconds has passed.  In this short amount of time, “paralysis by analysis” comes into play.  As defenders, you have specific reads, keys, and assignments on every play and offensive coaches are always looking for ways to get the defense to do what the defenders are not coached to do.  In this picture you can see six players, circled in red, peeking into the backfield.  Typically, defensive backs will take three “read” steps backwards to analyze the play.  In the picture (above), the strong safety sees the mesh/run fake and begins to take steps forward instead of backwards to defend the run.  This is the strong safety’s first mistake of the play.

In the next frame, we see Mariota sitting back with plenty of time in the pocket.  You can see Mariota look to his right, going through his progressions before giving a hard pump fake, and this is where mistake number two takes place for the strong safety.  As Mariota pump fakes to the right, both the strong safety and the play-side linebacker take the bait and bite, thinking the ball is coming that direction.  This mistake by the defense just creates more grass for Mariota’s targets to work with.

Now we see how the play fake to the running back and the pump fake to the three receiver side created grass for the backside tight end to get wide open.  We have all heard that football is a game of inches, and in this scenario you are able to see how small mistakes on the defensive side of the ball can create big plays for the offense.  For a freshman quarterback to have this much time to throw and have throwing lanes this wide — well, it makes throwing your first pass of the game that much easier.
 

The final picture above shows the first play of a series being a completion for a first down, to a wide-open tight end.  This was the first play of the first series in which the Ducks used multiple play action passes to move the ball steadily up the field against Tennessee Tech.

After looking at how Oregon used the play action passes in this game so effortlessly, it made me wonder —  is it the Duck or the Egg that came first?  Or in this case, the running game or passing game?  I do not know the answer to that question, but I do know you can’t have one without the other!

I may be in Texas, but like you…”Oh how we love to learn about our Beloved Ducks!”

Todd Moore

It’s an interesting question, if you know that back story:  How does a Corvallis resident – one who was a high school teammate of current Oregon State coach Mike Riley, son of then-Oregon State assistant Bud Riley, and talented enough to play for the Beavers – end up as an Oregon Duck?  [See footnote 1, below].

In part two of this profile on former star Don Reynolds, we find out about that and where he went after his days in Eugene.

Don Reynolds was recruited by Oregon State solely to play football.  At the same time he was recruited by the Ducks only to play baseball.  Reynolds says he would have likely stayed in Corvallis if he was also allowed to play baseball, but that was never offered as an option.  Other more pernicious reasons eventually swayed him toward Eugene.

By the end of the 1960’s, the Civil Rights Era and John Carlos’ and Tommie Smith’s “black power” salute at the Mexico City Olympics were prominent in the minds of black university athletes.  Due to mounting racial unease at Oregon State, Reynolds believes Beavers head coach Dee Andros wanted to limit the amount of black athletes at the school, and subsequently the football team.

During the 1969 season things took a turn for the worst, when linebacker Fred Milton, in violation of team rules, refused to shave his beard.  Andros subsequently kicked him off the team, and many suspected racial animus in the act.  (Keep in mind; this discipline occurred in December, after the season).

As a result of this uncomfortable campus environment, black students started to leave the OSU program en masse and recruiting black athletes to Corvallis became increasingly difficult, leading the Oregon State teams of the 1970s to have a hard time competing as a direct result of this perception [see footnote 2, below].  In retrospect, Oregon State’s fall in the early ’70s was foreseeable and tied to a much larger sociological current – to be fair, bigots are obviously not confined solely to Corvallis.

Defensive coach Bud Riley admitted that these issues had a detrimental effect to the team, saying “it slowed the program down.”  In the end, it made the social situation and the community of Corvallis much more divisive than it needed to be.  Reynolds said, “One of the hardest things I ever had to do was tell Bud Riley that I was not coming to Oregon State, but instead I was going to Eugene to be a Duck.”  To Reynolds, there were no such overt racial barriers on the Oregon campus and he made his way south to Eugene. 

Reynolds indicated, on a less serious note, that the Full House T-Formation offense that Oregon State ran at the time was not suited to his open and free-wheeling style.

In part one, we covered his successful Duck football career.  Reynolds was just as dynamic a baseball player as well.  He was a three-year starter, and all-conference performer, while patrolling centerfield for Oregon.  He finished with seven career baseball records with the program, including hits, RBI’s and stolen bases.

Although Reynolds’ two-sport status hurt him in finding work in football, he found no such obstacles in baseball.  Drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1975, Reynolds moved fast through the system, tearing up single-A ball at Walla Walla, WA, with 15 home runs, 61 RBI’s, and a batting average, on base percentage and slugging percentage line of .319, .452, and .563 that summer.

He continued his torrid hitting in 1976 at Amarillo in the Texas League, hitting 19 home runs with 85 RBI’s a .436 OBP and a .532 slugging percentage.  The next year, Reynolds hit .368 at triple-A Hawaii and subsequently made the Padres out of spring training in 1978 with a roster that included future Hall of Famer Dave Winfield sharing the outfield with him.

Reynolds’ first major league base hit was in Atlanta against the Braves on April 11^th, 1978 off of Phil Niekro in the top of the 8^th inning.  Of course, it was a knuckleball from Niekro, as Reynolds confirmed in our interview.  It was a solid single scoring Jerry Turner and Gene Richards with the go-ahead runs leading to a 3-2 Padres win.

He finished 1978 and continued through 1979 as a role player for the Padres; picking up spot starts here and there, and shuttling between San Diego and Hawaii.  As with any young player, he may have been better served with either another year in the minors, or with a full time role at the major leagues.  Sitting on the bench does not serve the young player well, and in Reynolds’ case it affected his long-term prospects.

Reduced to playing in B games during spring training in 1980, he could see the writing on the wall.  It seems that, according to Reynolds, Padres management wanted his “performance to prove them right.”  He was sent back down to triple-A Hawaii by the Padres in 1980 before his release, where he was later picked up by the Seattle Mariners.

He played at triple-A Spokane in 1981, but by 1982, after a short stint in spring training in the Mariners camp, Reynolds was out of professional baseball.  Reynolds is still a little bitter regarding the end of his professional baseball career; in stark contrast to his warm feelings at the end of his collegiate career.  He felt he could still play but eventually, as it is in many walks of life, someone in a position of authority thinks otherwise.

That same year, Reynolds experienced another disappointment, when he watched the University of Oregon reduce baseball from varsity status to merely a club sport.  Reynolds says “having a baseball program has a residual effect on all of the Oregon athletic programs,” adding, “if Oregon did not have a baseball program, I would never have considered enrolling.”  According to him, other two-sport athletes at Oregon felt the same way; that a viable athletic department with a full complement of programs draws outstanding student athletes to the university [see footnote 3, below].

How does Don Reynolds feel he’s remembered?  He acknowledges that he is largely unknown, except to avid long time University of Oregon sports aficionados, and understands that “fans can be fickle” and not always in tune to the context of the times and the elements out of an athlete’s control.  He willingly acknowledges that what he did at Oregon is rare:

“Not many people could have done what I did.  I maybe could have done more but I am proud of what I did.”  His resume is impressive:  He played baseball and football at a very high level, graduated from Oregon with a degree in Psychology and was part of the second class inducted into the University of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.

In the end, he did what he came to Eugene to do; not just play, but dominate.

Now that the Spring game is in the rear-view mirror, what’s the outlook for fall 2013?  Even with a strong group of seniors departing, and several moving on to the NFL, Oregon is re-loading.  I want to show you what’s in store for the coming season.  In this two part article, I will be listing my top 10 players for the 2013 football season.  In this segment I will be listing players 6-10.  If these players step up to the challenge, Oregon’s goal of a national championship is within reach.  There will be some players left off of this list that some may be mad about, keep in mind this is my opinion, and it is based on what Oregon needs not previous player stats.

10. Taylor Hart

Taylor Hart gets ready for battle.

Starting out my list in the No. 10 spot is 6″6′ 289 pound Taylor Hart.  Hart is the cement that holds the D-line together.  A true veteran and a true beast, Hart was a menace to offensive lines last year.  Posting 36 tackles and 8 sacks on the season he is paramount to Oregon’s success.  He also has great aggression that some of the younger players should try to emulate.  If Hart’s production falls, or for some reason he gets hurt, that would be a huge blow to the team.  There are some players that could step in, but none with the size, knowledge, and passion that Hart has for the game.

9. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu

Ekpre-Olomu returns and interception for a touchdown.

Ekpre-Olomu is a pivotal part of Oregon’s secondary, and arguably the best.  Many draft boards already have him going in the first round if he opts out of his senior season.  Ifo was a big contributor during his freshman year, but really had a break out season last year as teams tried to pick on his perceived lack of experience.  He finished the season with 63 total tackles, 16 passes broken up, 4 interceptions, and a whopping 6 forced fumbles.  His defensive output was one of the best on the team last season and Oregon will need the same out of him this year.  Much like Taylor Hart, there are some competent players that could step up if something happens, but Ekpre-Olomu is a one of a kind player that Oregon needs.

8. Hroniss Grasu

Being at the center of an offensive line for a team that loves to run, Grasu is a huge anchor for Oregon.  After losing Kenjon Barner, the Ducks will need the experience and power of Grasu more than ever if they hope to keep the running game successful and open up the air attack.  The O-line is always more susceptible to injury than any other position group.  The Ducks can’t afford to lose someone with as much talent and experience as Grasu.  That’s what makes him is number 8 on my list of most important players.

7. Avery Patterson

Avery Patterson

Patterson is crucial to the depth of Oregon’s secondary.  After Jon Boyett opted to forego his senior season for knee surgery, Patterson got the chance to show what he can do, and didn’t disappoint.  Some of the great things Patterson did for the team went largely unnoticed by fans.  For example, it’s was Patterson’s key block against Colorado that sprung De’Anthony Thomas for a punt return as he flat backed the kicker near the sideline.  Patterson finished last season with 44 total tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 passes broken up.  His season was unfortunately cut short as he tore his ACL against Cal.  Oregon desperately needs Patterson to continue to heal from his injury and stay healthy this season.

6. Jake Fisher

Jake Fisher

Jake Fisher is the main component for Oregon’s O-line.  Fisher has been getting better and better every snap since he started playing for the Ducks.  He is a player that, barring injury, is guaranteed to make it into the NFL.  As with Hroniss Grasu, Oregon MUST have great play out of Fisher if they want to keep their run game up to par.  You can’t plug just anybody in at the spots around Grasu and Fisher on the line, but having these two makes it much easier to have inexperienced players step up and learn the game.

That wraps up the first 5 of my top 10 most important players for the Ducks this season.  What do you think so far – any guesses on who might be in the top 5?  I can guarantee that I have left one player off the list that will likely make some people angry.  Check in on my next segment to find out who made the top five, because there will be some surprises!

This is a two-part series by John Schroeder based on stories from his interviews with the great Don Reynolds, two-sport star in football and baseball, who played for the Ducks from 1971-1975.

Don Reynolds came to Eugene in the fall of 1971 intent on solely playing baseball.   Football was initially an afterthought to the 5’8”, 178-lb Reynolds, with many coaches believing that he was not big enough to play major college football.  Duck coach Jerry Frei realized he was fortunate enough to have a player of Reynolds’ talent, and persuaded him to reconsider his single sport pursuit and join the freshman football team.  (The NCAA would not allow freshmen to play on varsity teams until the following fall).  Reynolds showed up for freshman football and dominated on both sides of the ball.

However, to Reynolds’ disappointment, the next fall he found himself second on the running back depth chart.  Frustrated, he intended to finish the 1972 season before concentrating solely on baseball.  Instead, his collegiate football career was guaranteed to last following his 1972 season, when Reynolds averaged 8.1 yards per carry, including a dazzling 85-yard run vs. Stanford; a run that was the second longest in school history (and still ranks fifth all-time).

Before the season, new coach Dick Enright made the proclamation that “this team was special” and many of those players would live up to that praise.  Much has been made of new coach Dick Enright installing the option offense with the heavy-footed Fouts at quarterback [see footnote 1].  But contrary to popular opinion, and according to Reynolds, “Fouts ran the option pretty well and the Ducks used it often during that 1972 season”.  In fact, as Reynolds says his 85 yard run against Stanford came on a deft option pitch from Fouts!

One of the only highlights of the ’72 football season came on November 18^th, during that year’s Civil War in Corvallis.  In Fouts’ last game at Oregon, the 4-7 Ducks walloped the Beavers 30-3.  Reynolds ensured that the contest was over from the beginning, scampering for a 60-yard touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage. In the waning moments the insouciant Fouts fired up a celebratory cigar on the sideline while Norval Turner completed the game.  Finally witnessing an Oregon Civil War victory after eight straight defeats, the ebullient Duck fans rushed the field and tore down the south goalposts as the players were leaving the field.  The apoplectic Beaver fans tried to defend the north goalposts from a similar fate, thereby guaranteeing the ensuing melee.

Despite the individual player successes, the early 1970’s were difficult times for the football program. Oregon admirably did not dodge the tough opponents, as they flew east and played the powerhouses of the era including at Oklahoma in ’72 and at Nebraska in ’74.  Reynolds remembers well the game at Nebraska. During pre-game introductions, “they (the Nebraska players) ran out of the locker room for what seemed like five minutes.  They were four deep at every position and their sideline was a sea of red.”  Oregon had no business being on the same field with teams like Oklahoma and Nebraska, with a big paycheck for the Oregon athletic department largely being the motivation.  Nevertheless, armed with what he termed the “athlete’s mindset” and a fierce competitiveness leaving Reynolds feeling, “I’m as good as them; you always think that you have an opportunity.”  “But by the third quarter”, he laughs while recalling, “you are thinking, they’re pretty good and we are done!”

Photo courtesy of “100 Years of Glory: The History of Oregon” by Dr. Michael McCann

In 1973, Reynolds became the second Duck to surpass 1,000 yards in a season capped by his 290 all-purpose yards against Utah.  In early November, Reynolds hurt his ankle vs. Washington State. Unfortunately, the nature of his injury made the press, and it was well known by the time the Ducks met the hated Beavers at Autzen Stadium.  Shortly after reaching 1,000 yards for the season, Reynolds was tackled and the ankle purposely targeted and twisted with malicious intent by Beaver tackler Jim Mott.  Reynolds tried to roll with the torque being applied to his ankle but to no avail.  Compounding this dirty play, Reynolds heard the Oregon State player saying “I got him”, referring to the attempted inflicting of further injury.  Reynolds calls this apparent bounty placed on him the most “chickens***” thing a player can do to another player.  This incident had its roots partially in Reynolds choosing the Ducks over the Beavers and proved that there was and is no love lost between Oregon and Oregon State.  Reynolds emphasizes that “competition should be pure” and about, “who is the better man.  It is a game, after all.”

The 1974 season was his swan song, with Reynolds saving his best statistical game for his senior season against Northwestern.  He ran all day on the Wildcats, finishing with a career high of 196 rushing yards on 23 carries, good for 8.5 yards per carry.  He finished the 1974 season with 784 yards, on 4.8 yards per carry.  He led the Ducks in rushing in all three of his seasons.

The 1975 NFL Draft came and went for Reynolds, who was not selected but says his phone started ringing with NFL general managers ten minutes after the draft ended [see footnote 2, below].  NFL teams were scared off by his dual sport status and unsure if he would commit to playing football instead of baseball.  This was also the era of the fledgling World Football League and the Southern California Sun came calling along trying to persuade Reynolds to play with in the upstart league.  The WFL already had USC running back and fellow two-sport star Anthony Davis in the fold with the Sun.  Reynolds remembers Davis recruiting him hard and playfully taunting him by flashing his Trojan National Championship rings. Reynolds does not doubt that he could have played professional football and in the NFL but he made a strategic and a health decision to concentrate fully on baseball.

Coming Tuesday: How Reynolds arrived in Eugene, and how his other sport lengthened his career.

Eugene, OR – The 4^th ranked Beavers took an early lead with a combination of great pitching and an explosive offense and never looked back Sunday afternoon against the Oregon Ducks, taking game three and the series by a score of 12-2.

Jake Reed (6-4) took the loss with 2.2 innings of work allowing 8 hits and 7 runs, only two being earned. The Beaver’s offense jumped all over Reed early. With a combination of hits and a few bad plays on defense, Oregon State pushed to a comfortable lead and it was ultimately enough to push them to victory.

Shaun Chase comes around to score the second run for the Ducks.

Oregon State (43-9, 22-5 Pac-12) took the lead scoring 7 runs in the first three innings that included a huge 5-run 2^nd inning. Beaver’s slugger Michael Conforto capped the five-run inning off with a grand slam off of Duck’s starter Jake Reed to put Oregon State up 6-0.

Beaver’s starter Ben Wetzler (7-1) put together an efficient 6.1 innings against the Oregon offense to pick up the win, allowing just one earned run on 6 hits and 1 walk. Oregon State’s pitching has propelled the Beavers to victories many times this season and their dominance continued this weekend, keeping Oregon hitters guessing at the plate.

Oregon (43-13, 20-7 Pac-12) threatened to score in the bottom of the 2^nd but Max Gordon made yet another outstanding diving catch in right center field to rob J.J Altobelli of an extra base hit. This is the second time the Beaver’s center fielder has robbed Oregon of a chance to score, this time with the bases loaded and in a crucial situation.

The Ducks were able to get some production in the middle innings. Mitchell Tolman came around to score on Scott Heineman’s single up the middle for his 35^th RBI on the season. Heineman was the only Duck with two hits on the day; four others added one each: Shaun Chase, Tyler Baumgartner, Aaron Payne and Ryan Hambright.

Darrell Hunter added 2.1 innings of scoreless work on the mound.

The bullpen for Oregon also struggled; Jimmy Sherfy and Garret Cleavinger came in to get some work but in the process allowed 4 runs on 6 hits – a very unusual scene for the consistently dependable relievers.

Oregon is now two games behind the Oregon State Beavers in the Pac-12 standings with just three games left to play. If both teams win their final match ups of the season then they should each obtain a top-8 seed to host regional play for the NCAA baseball postseason.

The Ducks travel to Corvallis, Oregon, on Tuesday to face the Beavers in a non-conference game that won’t count towards the Pac-12 standings, but winning the game will help in getting a better regional seed and propel the Ducks into the playoffs with victory momentum.

How a college football fan views a map

It’s still summer; still no actual college football games.  This is probably the most boring moments of any college football fan’s life.  Now it’s time to pay attention to all the “phantom” news and rumors about your favorite teams and players from around the country.  Let’s get into some of those rumors and thoughts:

1.  The war of words continues and it still involves Nick Saban.  Another SEC coach has called Saban the Devil.  First it was Vandy’s coach (Franklin), and now its a Florida assistant coach making pokes at Saban being the devil.  It maes me wonder – what the heck is Nick Saban doing to gain this reputation?  With all this trash talk in the SEC, it seems like Lane Kiffin is back in the SEC.  We know Les Miles does Voo-Doo magic down in Baton Rouge, but Saban has to have taken it to another level.  Or maybe most coaches know they will not beat him on the field and all they can do is just poke fun at him.  Whatever they do, just know he will not forget it next time him and his team is standing across the football field vs. that coach and his team.

Probably how most coaches view him

2.  Florida is set to play Miami this year and then who knows the next time these teams will meet.  Classic rivalries still need to find there way onto the schedule despite conference expansion and other factors that come into play.  Heck, that rivlary does not even compare to the Michigan vs. Notre Dame rivalry, and that is set to expire since the Irish are “chicken” – at least thats what Brady Hoke of Michigan is saying.  Those are two great games that need to continue for the good of college football.  Athletic directors should be doing a better job of scheduling games like this, and not “insert your team” vs. Cupcake university.  Times are a-changing but lets make sure big time rivalry games continue.

This game will soon be no more with out the help of the athletic directors

3.  SO DUMB!  The Big-10 got it right by switching their divisions around to make more geographic sense.  The ACC announced it will not switch up the conference divisions.  It makes PERFECT SENSE for Florida State to be in the same division as Boston College but Miami (which is right down the road compared to BC) is in the other division?  I know the conference is more stable now, but…seriously?  Let’s get this fixed.  Make it go something like this:

NORTH: Boston College, Syracuse, Pitt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Wake Forest (Wake can be switched out with any North Carolina school)

SOUTH: FSU, Miami, Clemson, Duke, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, N.C. State

These are conference divisions that makes sense, unless FSU fans are currently happy traveling up to Boston College for games (and soon to be Syracuse).  The ACC commish needs to think about the fans and the geography of his conference.  I bet he would change it all up if Notre Dame joined and asked.  Everyone seems to make an exception for Notre Dame.  Maybe he will change his mind later this summer or next season.

proposed ACC divisions

Now with that rant done we will have to sit back another week and see what unravels.  Maybe Notre Dame will come out and say they will keep playing Michigan.  Nick Saban could possibly grow horns in a just a moment’s notice if you ask another SEC coach.  If you’re really bored, you can follow the recruiting news of your favorite school.  I would not really get to serious about any prospect since there is still almost a year for coaches to change that kid’s mind.  You heard about the Michigan State recruit giving up a scholarship to rap instead of playing football?  Good luck with that.  Now I will leave you with some highlights from some of the top games from last season (sorry about the low video quality)… a little something to hold us over until kick-off:

NATIONAL NEWS:

1. ACC ready for big time

2. College football mailbag

3. Power Struggle at PSU

4. BIG-10 in the money

5. Stopping the QB’s options

Offensively, the Ducks made the most of their three hits – two being homers – while its All-Pac-12 pitching duo raised their scoreless streak to 19 straight innings.

“It was great to win a Regional at home against some very good teams,” Oregon head coach Mike White said. “We got better each game. Our pitching did their part, and I was even more pleased with our defense. Their pitcher was great, and even though we only had a couple hits, we had a lot of others that were hit hard, but right at them.”

In the second inning, senior center fielder Samantha Pappas claimed her sixth game-winning RBI of the season in dramatic fashion with a solo homer into the left field bleachers.

The All-American from Mission Viejo, Calif., also moved into a tie for the Duck career homer record (37) shared by senior second baseman Kaylan Howard and Andrea Vidlund.

“I had an idea what to look for and did my best to hit it hard,” Pappas said. “Getting to play in the postseason is such an honor, and especially at home in front of our friends and family. That will be a special memory for me for years to come.”

After a seventh-inning walk to junior first baseman Kailee Cuico, freshman catcher Janelle Lindvall provided a pair of insurance runs with a two-out homer. That drive over the right center field wall stood as her 12th round-tripper of 2013 and moved her into a tie for eighth all-time in a season for UO.

In the circle, the Ducks staked their second straight shutout and 16th of the season after limiting the Badgers to four singles and no walks.

Freshman Cheridan Hawkins

Cheridan Hawkins

(18-5) won her first postseason start, struck out three, gave up two hits, and hit two batters in her four innings.
White inserted senior Jessica Moore into the game in the fifth inning, and the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year finished her 16th contest of the campaign. En route to her second save of the season, the All-American from Sutter, Calif., struck out four, walked none and allowed two hits in the final three innings.

“Cheridan mixed up her speeds well,” White said. “She did exactly what we wanted and then Jess came in and switched it up on them. The luxury of having Jess coming off the bench is very nice. These players have worked hard for everything they get.”

Hawkins’ 18th win moved her to 12th on the Duck season all-time list, and Ceo moved to ninth in sacrifice hits (12).

Raising its record in NCAA Regional play to 12-0 under White, the Ducks opened the tourney the previous two days with Moore’s complete games over BYU (3-0) and North Carolina (5-2).

Looking ahead to Sunday evening, the Ducks will find out the dates and times of next weekend’s Super Regional dates vs. the Lincoln, Neb., Regional winner.

All 16 Super Regional sites will feature two teams in two-day, best-of-three game format, with every tilt televised by various ESPN channels.

Those winners will advance to the eight-team, double-elimination Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, May 30-June 5.

Jessica Moore

The Ducks claimed their second-ever WCWS bid last year after it took the Austin, Texas Super Regional by a 2-1 count.

Counting Oregon’s second straight regional title at home Saturday, the program is is now 15-6 overall in the postseason under White in his four years at the helm (with 13 of those wins staked by Moore).

“It will be really nice to stay at home next week,” Moore said, “especially with us still having class. We can sleep in our own beds while someone else has to travel. The crowds keep getting bigger and bigger, and we have had great fan support which makes a huge difference.”

Some got away from us

EUGENE, Ore. – No. 4 Oregon State broke open a tight game late scoring nine runs in the final four innings to hand No. 6 Oregon a 9-0 loss and even their Pac-12 series at one game apiece.

The Beavers (42-9, 21-5 Pac-12) scored five runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth to turn a 2-0 game into a blowout. The Ducks (43-12, 20-6 Pac-12) fell one game behind OSU for the conference lead with the two teams playing a series deciding game Sunday at 12 p.m.

Freshman Cole Irvin (10-3) took the loss despite holding the Beavers to just two runs on six hits over seven innings. He gave up solo home runs to Michael Conforto in the sixth and Ryan Barnes in the seventh before leaving the game. Oregon’s bullpen struggled with three relievers giving up seven runs in the final two innings.

Oregon State freshman Andrew Moore (11-1) pitched a complete game shutout allowing just two Oregon hits. Ryon Healy doubled off the right field fence in the fourth and J.J. Altobelli singled to lead off the sixth. Moore struck out just two, while walking only one.

The Oregon Ducks scrambled their way to three runs to take battle number one of the Civil War series on Friday night against the Oregon State Beavers.  The victory came behind a brilliant pitching performance from starter Tommy Thorpe, who dominated the Beaver’s offense all night long.

Thorpe throws to Healy for the out.

Both starters dueled well on the hill; but sadly, one has to win and one has to lose.

Duck’s starter Tommy Thorpe was immaculate in his outing on the mound Friday night.  The sophomore from Vancouver, Washington, set into a groove and was almost untouchable as he picked up win number 6 on the season in 8 innings allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks and adding 7 strikeouts.

Thorpe did an excellent job getting ahead in the count against the Beaver hitters.  His execution of first pitch strikes allowed him to work around the plate and keep hitters off-balanced and it resulted in Thorpe taking complete control of the game.

Beavers’ starter Matt Boyd went the distance, allowing 3 runs on 7 scattered hits.  Boyd limited the opportunities to score for the Ducks, but when the opportunities were there they took advantage.

Brett Thomas scores!

The Ducks jumped on the board first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the 1^st inning.  Brett Thomas came around to score on Ryon Healy’s 48^th RBI of the season with a single to left field.  The Ducks then put small ball into action; after a Mitchell Tolman sacrifice bunt, Scott Heineman hit cue ball off the end of the bat down the first base line to score Aaron Payne and put the Ducks up 2-0.

Freshman Nick Catalano was given the start in center field.  He made an immediate impact with a leadoff double in the second, and later scored on a single by senior shortstop J.J Altobelli to give the Ducks a 3-0 lead.

Oregon was robbed of another scoring opportunity when Oregon State center fielder Max Gordon made a miraculous leaping catch, that should definitely be on ESPN’s Top Plays, to rob Ryon Healy of extra-bases and end the threat.

Tommy did have to pitch out of trouble in the 3^rd inning after the Beavers got runners on second and third with the tying run in Michael Conforto at the plate, but Thorpe came from behind an 2-0 count to strike out Conforto looking on a absolute filthy curveball to get out of the inning.

Jimmie Sherfy closes it out.

The bullpen continued its dominance as well.  All-American closer Jimmy Sherfy set a new school record in saves, picking up his 20^th save of the season.  The national leader in saves came in to relieve Thorpe in the 9^th inning and got himself into some trouble by loading the bases before getting Danny Hayes to fly out to center to end the game.  Sherfy’s remarkable numbers has honored him as a semi-finalst for The Dick Howser Trophy, which is awarded to the best collegiate baseball player of that season.

The war continues Saturday at 2 p.m. at PK Park, as the crucial series heats up in Eugene.  The standings for the Pac-12 title are now tied, as Oregon and Oregon State have identical records of 20-5-0.  The state’s freshman superstar hurlers, Cole Irvin (10-2) and Andrew Moore (10-1), will take the hill on Saturday.

Our sense of style:  It rains quite a lot in Oregon, or at least it does on the west side where most of us live.  The rain keeps the state green and beautiful.  After all Eugene without rain is Bakersfield and who wants that?

Bakersfield Swimming and Aquatics Park

That said, the rain can get a little tiresome.  That’s why some Oregonians choose to pretend that they live in Hawaii.

“Navigators”-Eugene Airport

Eugene itself is well known for its festivals and celebrations.  As a vibrant and young thinking small city, the home of the Ducks is a great place to live, work, and play.  A little known gathering happens in the forests of Hendricks Park where participants take part in the annual “Gumbyfest.”

2012 Gumbyfest Champion!

While it may be true that Oregon doesn’t have the sun that bathes Arizona, the towering Rocky Mountains that shadow Utah and Colorado, or the crushing mediocrity that dogs the Dawgs, Oregon has

Touchdown Oregon!

and,

Miss Oregon, Anna Prosser

and they don’t.

Quick personal note before I go.  I always appreciate the emails and such that I receive as a result of what I write.  In response to “Dawgfan91:”

Here is a picture of the horse I rode in on.  Good luck.

Come and get me Dawgfan91— Love, Whinny