Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• The team is on a three day break starting today but that slow things down at practice yesterday according to Rob Moseley.

Tyrece Gaines and Jeff Maehl had nice plays on offense, but an interception by Eddie Pleasant on a sideline route by Maehl helped the defense to the win.

• Andy Mac has a nice story on Jeremiah Masoli, "Miah on Fire."

Masoli has now played seven games after Nov. 1 during his UO career. Oregon's record in those games is 6-1 (the lone setback coming at Stanford this season). His statistical totals down the stretch are staggering. The junior has completed 118 of 200 passes (59 percent) for 1,712 yards (244.6 per game), 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. He has carried the ball 83 times for 477 yards (5.7 ypc, 68.1 ypg) and 11 scores. All told, that's 2,189 yards of total offense, or 312.7 per contest, and 26 touchdowns. In seven games.

• Andy also has a "Duck Feed" piece where you can learn who the ESPN crew will be for the Civil War, Oregon senior Katelynn Johnson is SI.com’s cheerleader of the week and find out how to vote for Jeremiah Masoli as the AT&T All-America Player of the Week.

• Worried about parking or getting to Autzen for the Civil War? eDuck lays out the transportation plans surrounding the Thursday night game.

• Chip Kelly has been nominated by S.I. writer, Ian Thomsen, as Sportsman of the Year. Sports Illustrated will announce its choice for Sportsman of the Year on Nov. 30. This is a really good story so give it a read if you have a minute or two. In my book, Kelly is a lock.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• The Ducks returned to the Mo Center and practiced in helmets yesterday according to Rob Moseley. He noticed several players nursing minor bangs and bruises. Moseley also reported that Jeremiah Masoli (offense) and Nate Costa (special teams) earned Pac-10 player of the weeks honors for their performance against Arizona.

Masoli accounted for six touchdowns in the win at Arizona, and Costa handled a bad snap on the extra point that forced overtime.

• Ted Miller has Oregon at number one again in his weekly Pac-10 power rankings.

The Ducks have won with flash. And they've won with grit. They'll need both to beat Oregon State on Dec. 3 and earn the program's first trip to the Rose Bowl since the 1994 season.

• Moseley also has three feature stories you should check it out. In the first, "A civil war like no other", he looks at the come behind victory ofver 'Zona and then looks ahead to the Beavs.

“They (Oregon State) want to put us out like we did to them last year,” UO safety T.J. Ward said.

“We can’t let that happen.”

In the second, "Costa’s off-handed hold extra special", he reports just how clutch Costa's play was that forced overtime.

The Sporting News picked Costa’s hold as the national “play of the week” in college football.

In the last article, "Drive to glory", Moseley relives, play by play, that last game-tying drive.

Ultimately, the magnitude of Oregon’s 15-play, 80-yard drive to the touchdown that forced overtime Saturday at Arizona won’t be fully understood for at least two weeks, and perhaps longer.

• Bob Rickert calls Masoli, calm, cool and unflappable.

Leadership. Masoli has it, showed it, and Oregon got the win.

• DuckSportsNew.com reports that a new line of (grim) Reaper t-shirts is available at Oregon Sports at the Gateway Mall designed just for the Civil War. Check out some pictures here.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• Ted Miller gives Pac-10 helmet stickers to Jeremiah Masoli and Jeff Maehl for their performance against Arizona.

Masoli accounted for all six of Oregon's touchdowns in the Ducks' thrilling, 44-41 double-overtime win at Arizona. He ran for 61 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner. And he passed for 284 yards and three touchdowns, including the one that tied the game with 6 seconds left in regulation.

Maehl caught a career-high 12 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the Ducks' victory -- and many of the catches were spectacular.

• Miller also has his "what we learned in the Pac-10" weekly feature. Here is number one.

It all comes down to the Civil War: After a frenzy of a race, the smoke has cleared and two teams are still standing: The Ducks and Beavers, who will do battle on Dec. 3 in the biggest Civil War in state of Oregon history. The winner in Autzen Stadium goes to the Rose Bowl. The loser must watch its rival celebrate with a rose between its teeth. Both teams are off this weekend, so there will be plenty of time to get healthy and prepare. And think.

• John Hunt posted a story that caught my eye, "Going from 'Instant Classic' to Civil War for the ages." It is a good read so be sure to catch the complete article. Here is a sample:

Oregon and Oregon State in the 113th Civil War. Winner goes to the Rose Bowl.

"That's awesome," Oregon secondary coach John Neal said. "I think everyone in Oregon should be really proud. I would rather play them for the Rose Bowl than anybody. Why not? What a great thing for the state, what a great thing for Oregon football.

• Steve Summers participated in Chip Kelly's weekly media conference conference yesterday and reports on it here. Most quotable line from Kelly in my opinion?

When asked what grade he gave his team on its performance in Arizona, Kelly simply replied, "a W."

Classic Kelly.

• George Schroeder reports that Supwitchugirl are still loving their Ducks. Be sure to watch the Facebook video (2nd link) 'cause it's too much fun.

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New BCS Poll Has Oregon #8

The new BCS poll has Oregon at #8, Oregon St. at #16, USC #20 and Cal #22.

• Rob Moseley reports that ESPN has deemed yesterday's game an “Instant Classic” and it will re-air on ESPN Classic tonight at 6 p.m. PST, according to UO officials.

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Oregon vs Arizona Highlights 2009 - Video

Here you go Duck fans. All of the Oregon scores and best defensive plays from the game at Tuscon yesterday. The HD version should be ready in about an hour as YouTube is still processing the video.

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Players talk about the wild finish - Video

Oregon 44, Arizona 41: A wild finish

Jeremiah Masoli, LaMichael James and Jeff Maehl talk to reporters after the game. Video courtesy of Molly Blue and the Oregonian.

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ESPNU Road Trip to 'Zona - Video

Drubner takes in the sights and sound of Tuscon. The animals in the "Zoo" were caged because they were "Masolied."

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

Jeremiah Masoli scores game winning TD. Photo courtesy of ESPN and Wily Low.

• How amazing was last night? Throw out every cliche in the books for this one. Epic sums it up for me.

• Just going to do a list of all the stories about last nights game.

• Rob Moseley's, "War for the Roses."

“This is incredible,” UO running back LaMichael James said. “I have no words for that right now. Just incredible. We fell behind, but we really just fought. We never quit.”

• Ken Goe's, "Oregon's comeback offers all the drama a true fan could want."

The game was just as unpredictable and off-the-charts crazy, with the Ducks pulling it out when quarterback Jeremiah Masoli crashed over from the 1-yard line for his third rushing touchdown of the game.

• Steve Summers', "Ducks Comeback for 44-41 Double Overtime Win."

“It was a whole team effort that we put together,” observed Jeff Maehl. “Being down 10 points in the fourth quarter and coming back and them scoring so quick like that, and for us to put a drive together at the end, it just shows the true character of our team."

• Ted Miller's, "Masoli has Ducks smelling roses."

"I have no words for it," said jubilant Oregon running back LaMichael James, who rushed for 117 yards and set a new Pac-10 freshman rushing record with 1,310 yards.

James, by the way, broke the record Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers set last year.

• John Hunt's, "'Crazy' win sets up winner-take-all Civil War."

The Ducks beat Arizona 44-41 in double overtime Saturday night to set up the biggest Civil War in history. The winner of the Dec. 3 game between Oregon and Oregon State goes to the Rose Bowl, and if that game has as much drama as this one did, it will be talked about for years.

• Here is a feature story by George Schroeder that deserves some mention. "With Masoli at the wheel, Ducks are on a thrill ride." Here is how the story ends.

As the Ducks worked their way downfield in the last minutes of regulation, trailing by a touchdown, Arizona fans surged from the stands to the edge of the playing field.

You couldn’t blame them; they sensed a huge victory.

But they didn’t account for Masoli.

When he connected with Ed Dickson in the back of the end zone with six seconds left, the place went quiet.

Which is why I could hear when the redheaded kid standing next to me at the 5-yard line turned to his buddy and said:

“Hey! It’s not over!”

Heck no. With Masoli, we’ve learned it never is.

Just win the day.

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Oregon 44 - 'Zona 41 2OT - Video

This highlight video was done by NWSports200. I will have my HD highlight reel posted later today. Enjoy the ride.

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Ken Goe after the game - Video

Oregon-Arizona postgame: Ken Goe

Ken Goe and his reaction to the Ducks amazing win in double overtime 44-41. Video courtesy of Molly Blue and the Oregonian.

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John Hunt - Talking Ducks from Tuscon - Video

Oregon at Arizona: Hunt before kickoff

Video courtesy of Molly Blue and the Oregonian.

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College GameDay Highlights

A few of the choice clips from ESPN College GameDay this morning.

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Oregon V Arizona

Courtesy of "As Seen by Dave"

The layers to this week’s matchup against Arizona have made my stomach turn. Arizona beat us in 2007, ending Dennis Dixon’s career at Oregon, and came back from a nasty halftime deficit last year to make the game close. And Dixon’s injury wasn’t the only one that mattered...let us not forget Kellen Clemens. Although we won that game, the Clemens injury certainly had a negative impact on our season. Next you have a layer about Oregon’s away games not being so great, and Arizona coming off a loss. Which team will be affected more...Oregon on the road...or Arizona with a dent in its confidence? Oh, and let’s not forget that Gameday is in Arizona this week. Of course we have another layer involving the return of a certain player...is Blount going to get a carry so we can move on? And did somebody mention that Rose Bowl dreams are riding on this game? Like I said...the layers make my stomach turn.

What I haven’t been reading about is Oregon versus Arizona. It seems that the multiple layers to this game have distracted the attention away from what is going to happen on the field tonight. Not what has happened in the past with very different teams. Not what happened in 2005. Not what happened in 2007. Not what happened last week. Not what happened at Gameday this morning. Not what’s going to happen on January 1. And there lies the layer that matters most.

All season Chip Kelly has prided himself, and his team on the idea that we play one game per week...no more...no less. The distractions only serve those hungry to be distracted. However, Kelly has shown through his leadership, that the only thing that matters happens on the field. He wasn’t distracted after Boise. He wasn’t distracted on Halloween. Everything has been methodical.

When you look at this game as a matchup, you may notice similarities. Arizona likes to run, spread the field, and pass. So does Oregon. Arizona fields a fast defense, ready to stop a spread offense. So does Oregon. Arizona likes to surprise their opponents with plays that are unexpected—misdirections, pass when they think run, run when they think pass. Sound like another team you may know of?

So where does the advantage lie? Damn. Here comes those layers! The crowd is going to be pumped up after having Gameday there this morning, and a full ESPN entourage there for the game. They want to avenge that loss last week; prove they deserve national recognition. Arizona will come at us like a team focused on a Rose Bowl. They will try to punch us in the mouth. They will attempt to intimidate Masoli...intimidate Blount, forcing them to remember Clemens, Dixon, and Boise. They will come at us from all angles, with fire in their eyes. But it won’t matter, because they will be distracted.

Full circle. Layers don’t matter. Oregon won’t be distracted. We have better athletes on the field. We have more weapons. We have faster weapons. We have a more diverse offense, and a battle-tested defense. Arizona has yet to face their toughest opponents...Oregon has. We will win the day, because that is what we do. I don’t think it will be easy. I do think the crowd plays a factor. I do think thoughts of Roses will sneak in. But not enough. Not enough for us to let an overmatched Arizona team derail us from our goal...a goal that starts at 5 o’clock, and ends a few hours later. Win the day. Beat Zona.

Oregon 38
Arizona 27

If you liked Dave's story be sure leave a comment at his blog, "As Seen by Dave"

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Casey Matthews Highlights - Video

A little gameday fever never hurt anyone. Well, maybe a Dawg, Sun Devil, Trojan or Wildcat, might feel it a little. Casey's brother put this together for your enjoyment.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• Gameday folks, and ESPN will be broadcasting in Tuscon about 1.5 hours from now. Yeah, I'm getting pumped up.

• Wade Evanson at eDuck has a great piece called, "Game Day: Enough Already!" Here are a few of my favorite lines.

When did Tucson, Arizona become anything other than a retirement destination disguised as a second-rate college town?

I’ve been listening to media rhetoric for weeks discussing Oregon’s inability to win at Arizona.

Oregon has beaten Arizona in 12 of their last 16 meetings, including 6 of the last 9 meetings in Arizona Stadium.

But who’s been whose female canine over the last 10 years?

In the last 10 meetings between these conference foes, Oregon has won 8.

So who owns whom?

I’m not saying Arizona is unworthy of respect…because they obviously are.

But what I am saying is that if they do [win], it will be because they outplayed them on the field, not because they “own” them.

Where did this notion come from anyway?

Is it because of Dennis Dixon’s knee injury of 2007? Is it because Oregon’s Kellen Clemens’ ankle was broken during a late season game with Arizona in 2005?

Or is it because people whose agenda is dependent upon sensationalistic bunk, have lazily corralled the elephant in the room, dressed him in his “Sunday Best” and garnished him with a bow in an effort to create artificial buzz around a game which doesn’t need it?

Bingo.

Note to one’s self; this is a big game regardless of hyperbole. A Pac-10 title.

Tucson, Arizona is not Area 51, the Bermuda Triangle or Stonehenge.

Anything else is just hype, negativity and inspiration for people grasping at straws.

But just in case; cross your fingers.

Be sure to check out Wade's complete story, it's a good read.

• Keith Becker, aka, UOSportsDude.com, compares Nick Foles to "Sunshine" from the movie "Remember the Titans" and says the resemblance is uncanny. He has photographic evidence to backup his claim. Bottom line, an Oregon victory.

• Speaking of predictions, here is how the blogoshpere is picking the game.

John Hunt: Oregon 37, Arizona 30.
Bob Rickert: Oregon: 45, 'Cats: 37
Rob Moseley: Arizona 31, Oregon 29 (traitor)
Ted Miller: ESPN, Oregon, 35-28
Jason Vondersmith, Portland Tribune: Oregon, 38-34
Bob Condotta, Seattle Times: Oregon, 37-30
Stewart Mandel, Sports Illustrated: Oregon, 35-24
CollegeFootballNews.com: Oregon, 37-27
Matt Hayes, The Sporting News: Oregon, 38-35
Dave Curtis, The Sporting News: Arizona, 30-27
Phil Steele: Arizona, 34-30

• Finally today, I'll put in my two cents. I think this team has what it takes to win on the road, dominate on both sides of the ball and walk away with a big win. Everyone else has it being pretty close. I say we kick some ass in the desert.

Oregon 45 - Arizona 17

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Oregon vs Arizona Highlights 2008 - Video

Looked like a run away in the first half but Arizona made a game of it in the second half. Oregon held on for a 55-45 win. I don't expect it will be that close tomorrow.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• Rob Moseley manned his usual position at practice inside Autzen yesterday as the defense shined against the scout team offense.

The defense forced a bunch of turnovers, probably the most I’ve seen in one day since Walter Thurmond III was injured. Eddie Pleasant, Cliff Harris and T.J. Ward all had interceptions that I saw.

• Greg Hansen at the Arizona Daily Star calls Jeremiah Masoli a "magic man."

A good guess is that Stoops & Stoops will study the Boise State film all week, try to slow the game down and instruct the Wildcats to watch Masoli's hands as much as his feet. A year ago their best view of Masoli was from the rear, while in pursuit.

It has become the most common snapshot of Oregon football.

• Ted Miller continues his series, what to watch in the Pac-10, and wonders which Arizona defense will show up this weekend?

Will the Wildcats defense approximate the first half or the second half of 2008 vs. the Ducks? Oregon scored 45 points in the first half of last year's game with Arizona. And the Ducks scored only 10 points in the second half as the Wildcats came roaring back. The word in Tucson was the Wildcats came out unfocused and didn't do their assignments in the first half, but that changed for the better in the second half. The Arizona defense probably won't start slowly playing at home. Or will it?

• Miller also has his "who's going to win?" series posted.

Oregon 35, Arizona 28: Arizona is tough at home -- it's won 12 of 14 in Arizona Stadium, including all five this season -- and the crowd will be energized. But Oregon has been the Pac-10's best all-around team throughout the season and this is the type of game a conference's best team wins.

• Ken Goe warns that the Ducks need to be prepared for an ambush.

I'm not predicting an Arizona win. But I don't think it's out of the question. I think it's going to be a very close, very well-played game. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

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College Footbal Insiders - Talking Duck Football - Video

College Football Insiders, Week 12

Mike Tokito and Ken Goe talk about the Ducks and what they face in the next two weeks. If you don't want to hear about the Beav vs Wazoo game (?) skip to the 2 minute mark. Video courtesy of the Oregonian.

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Duck Stuff: Morning Mud

• Rob Moseley and the Ducks were in the Moshofsky Center for practice yesterday and the team welcomed LaMichael James and Ed Dickson back from an illness earlier in the week.

“We’ve been outstanding,” Chip Kelly said of the week so far. “Guys have really been focused. They understand how important a game Saturday’s is.”

• Ted Miller has a fun piece, "Masoli's transformations deserve their own descriptive term."

There are lots of clichés to describe an athlete transforming from bad to good in a sudden and dramatic way. But today we introduce a term that takes care of it all.

Masoli.

Such as: "Boy, A-Rod really masolied in the playoffs!" Or, "Golly, who thought the Saints would masoli this season?"

Be sure to give it a read.

• Miller also states his case for Chip Kelly being named Pac-10 coach of the year.

The opener at Boise State was a disaster on and off the field, but Kelly kept his players together, repaired the damage and constructed a team that is clearly well-coached in all three phases. A Rose Bowl berth for a first-year head coach would merit recognition.

• Steve Summers reports on the Ducks latest commitment.

Dontae Williams, is a 4-star running back rated 22nd nationally. The 5-11, 207-pound star for Adline HS of Houston, Texas is preparing for second round action in Texas 5A competition. Williams ended lots of speculation by calling the Oregon coaches and letting them know of his decision.

Williams is from the same high school as Oregon QB Darron Thomas and probably had something to do with his decision.

• Andy Mac has put together a map of the television coverage for Saturday's game on ABC. Nearly 65% of the country will be able to catch the action.

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I Smell Roses - Video

I Smell Roses @ Yahoo!7 Video

It was only a matter of time until this video popped up all over the web. Read Ken's story about three Oregon seniors just having fun. Link courtesy of Ken Goe and the Oregonian.

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