jdsooner
9/18/2006, 12:52 PM
From the Oregonian
UO has a week off to catch its breath
Saturday's win -- regardless of how it came about -- helps the Ducks move up five spots in poll
Monday, September 18, 2006
AARON FENTRESS
EUGENE -- Oregon's 34-33 win over Oklahoma on Saturday was filled with controversy, dramatics and uncommon emotion.
After the game, the Ducks (3-0) expressed hope it also would earn a measure of respect from college football observers across the nation.
"We're playing for the love and respect of all the country," receiver Jaison Williams said. "It's hard being on the West Coast because, you know, it seems like an East Coast-bias sort of system. Hopefully, this puts a steppingstone and some ground underneath our feet, and, hopefully, we can get some votes that get us into the top 10 pretty soon."
Oregon made a big leap toward the top 10, vaulting from No. 18 to No. 13 in The Associated Press poll.
Getting back into position for a Bowl Championship Series bid is this team's goal after it was somewhat snubbed last season despite a 10-1 regular season record. Defeating the Sooners (2-1) could help the Ducks' cause down the road.
"I think we just want to end up in a BCS game, especially after last year and how we got treated," Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart said.
Oregon's win, however, probably wouldn't have been possible without the benefit of questionable calls by officials late in the game. One came on an onside kick by Oregon, which trailed 33-27 with 1:06 left. Officials awarded the ball to Oregon, but replays showed that a Ducks player touched the ball before it traveled 10 yards and before a Sooners player touched it. Plus, some angles showed that Oklahoma recovered the ball. The play was reviewed on video replay, and still the ball went to the Ducks, who went on to score the winning touchdown.
Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said that from the angles he viewed, it was tough to tell which player touched the ball first. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, however, has made no qualms about saying his team came out on the short end of that call.
"I see my guy stepping up inside of 10 yards to go up and gain reception, gain possession of the football," Stoops told the AP. "I see their guy go in front of him and hit the football before my guy is allowed to at 10 yards, and I see him collide with my guy inside of 10 yards as well,"
"That's illegal touching and interfering with the reception. And then I see my guy get up with the football that's laying on the ground."
Verle Sorgen, the Pacific-10 Conference's coordinator of football officiating, planned to review tape of the game Sunday night and make a statement today, associate commissioner Jim Muldoon said.
Whether the officials missed the call won't change the outcome, and Oregon will move on with the big win under its belt.
"Anytime you beat a top 20, undefeated team, it's great for your program," Bellotti said.
UO has a week off to catch its breath
Saturday's win -- regardless of how it came about -- helps the Ducks move up five spots in poll
Monday, September 18, 2006
AARON FENTRESS
EUGENE -- Oregon's 34-33 win over Oklahoma on Saturday was filled with controversy, dramatics and uncommon emotion.
After the game, the Ducks (3-0) expressed hope it also would earn a measure of respect from college football observers across the nation.
"We're playing for the love and respect of all the country," receiver Jaison Williams said. "It's hard being on the West Coast because, you know, it seems like an East Coast-bias sort of system. Hopefully, this puts a steppingstone and some ground underneath our feet, and, hopefully, we can get some votes that get us into the top 10 pretty soon."
Oregon made a big leap toward the top 10, vaulting from No. 18 to No. 13 in The Associated Press poll.
Getting back into position for a Bowl Championship Series bid is this team's goal after it was somewhat snubbed last season despite a 10-1 regular season record. Defeating the Sooners (2-1) could help the Ducks' cause down the road.
"I think we just want to end up in a BCS game, especially after last year and how we got treated," Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart said.
Oregon's win, however, probably wouldn't have been possible without the benefit of questionable calls by officials late in the game. One came on an onside kick by Oregon, which trailed 33-27 with 1:06 left. Officials awarded the ball to Oregon, but replays showed that a Ducks player touched the ball before it traveled 10 yards and before a Sooners player touched it. Plus, some angles showed that Oklahoma recovered the ball. The play was reviewed on video replay, and still the ball went to the Ducks, who went on to score the winning touchdown.
Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said that from the angles he viewed, it was tough to tell which player touched the ball first. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, however, has made no qualms about saying his team came out on the short end of that call.
"I see my guy stepping up inside of 10 yards to go up and gain reception, gain possession of the football," Stoops told the AP. "I see their guy go in front of him and hit the football before my guy is allowed to at 10 yards, and I see him collide with my guy inside of 10 yards as well,"
"That's illegal touching and interfering with the reception. And then I see my guy get up with the football that's laying on the ground."
Verle Sorgen, the Pacific-10 Conference's coordinator of football officiating, planned to review tape of the game Sunday night and make a statement today, associate commissioner Jim Muldoon said.
Whether the officials missed the call won't change the outcome, and Oregon will move on with the big win under its belt.
"Anytime you beat a top 20, undefeated team, it's great for your program," Bellotti said.