Oregon Journey - BCS t-1

by Andy McNamara, Assistant Director Media Services, Football

Sunday marked the final non game day of the season for the Oregon Ducks, with the team going through its normal day-before-the-game routine, including a run-through (other teams have walkthroughs, but most don't play at the same tempo of Oregon).

After their final preparations at Pinnacle High School, which served as the team's practice site for the past week, the Ducks got their first look at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale and had a chance to walk around on the beautiful natural grass surface, which the Ducks can almost claim as their own. The grass seed used for overseeding the field was grown at Golden Valley Farms in Silverton.


For Oregon and Auburn, this is a field of dreams.

The squad didn't linger long, but did put on their new uniforms and took a team photo inside the facility before heading back to Scottsdale for their final night of rest before the BCS Championship Game.

A pep rally in downtown Scottsdale capped the day, with performances by Sebastian Bach, On the Rocks and Otis Day and the Knights, to name a few. Coach Kelly received the largest applause and got off a few zingers that only he could deliver. The location of the event clearly wasn't selected with Duck fans in mind as it wasn't large enough to handle the turnout.

SMOOTHIE OPERATORS
Even though the location was different for the first time this season, it probably seemed like a typical walkthrough in Eugene for the Ducks here in the desert, thanks to the efforts of Gary Bertelsen, who along with his wife Megan, delivered and distributed Ben & Jerry's smoothies like he always does after walkthroughs at Autzen Stadium.

The Bertelsens, who own and operate Ben & Jerry's stores in Eugene, spent the morning at an Arizona location blending up the traditional post practice drinks. The players were clearly surprised and impressed by their efforts and made sure to grab their same flavors they always do. Not one to brag, but the triple berry with a green straw has been a very successful choice for yours truly this fall/winter.

MONDAY'S DUCK CAST
The team hasn't broken from tradition, so Duck Feed won't either. Here is the official Duck Cast from Oregon AMS chapter president Bobby Corser:

"The Oregon Ducks have had an amazing season, but it isn't over just yet. The Ducks touched down in the desert and got right to work. The BCS National Championship is being played at University of Phoenix Stadium, which has a retractable roof, however it will be closed for the game. The temperature inside should be a comfortable 71 degrees. While the DuckCast is used to looking at weather maps and models, this forecast is somewhat simple. No rain, no wind, no any type of weather! The game will be decided by the athletes and coaches and no outside forces!

"If you're in the desert and enjoying the sunshine, the forecast for the tailgating festivities will be of interest. Temperatures will be in the lower 60s, but will be cooling off into the 50's as the evening progresses. Take a light jacket and come enjoy all the fun on Monday leading up to the game.

"Let's cheer on the Ducks and bring home one last victory!".

Go Ducks!

Work, study, play

work hard,
study hard,
play hard,

Alright! That's my motto or resolution or dream, whatever you want to call it, for this year.

Work hard - it's given, nothing less than that if you want to survive or excel in Emerald.

Study hard - I hope I could maintain a CGPA of at least 3.30 for two semesters this year. Sounds scary but I will do my best to achieve this.

and Play hard - I've planned to run my first Full Marathon (26.2 miles) in Sepang this April. From there onwards, I've planned to run 4 more FMs, in K.Kinabalu, Singapore (2 times) and Penang. I will also continue doing my Half Marathon (13.1 miles) races, maybe 5 times this year, in Bukit Jalil, Bidor, Seremban, Ipoh and Taiping and handful of other short races. That means hardwork hardwork and hardwork... and injury free.

and another one, if I'm fortunate enough to date someone this year, I will date hard, as well. Errr... let's change that to 'date efficiently'. Hahahah

Ok, all the best to me!

Oregon Journey - BCS t-2

by Andy McNamara, Assistant Director Media Services, Football

It's almost here.

One week in Arizona is in the books and in less than 48 hours the Ducks and Auburn Tigers will play for the BCS National Championship.

Under bright sunny skies, Oregon went through what is a typical "Thursday" practice on Saturday and have just a run-through remaining on Sunday ahead of the biggest game in program history. A throng of media took in the first 20 minutes of the workout and saw a team that appeared to be genuinely having fun going through warmups.

With music blaring, several defensive backs showed off their dancing skills led by Marvin Johnson, who could give Michael Flatley a run for his money. Javes Lewis also did a little river dancing to "I'm Shipping up to Boston" by Dropkick Murphys, and the group, which included Avery Patterson and Scott Grady, made a seamless transition to Salsa dancing when a Latin track came across the P.A.

For Johnson and several other seniors, this was the final full football practice of their college careers, and for some, their lives. It was great to see them enjoying the moment.

Other attendees that enjoyed their time at practice were kids from the Make A Wish Foundation, who got to meet their idols Darron Thomas and LaMichael James.

Tomorrow the team gets its first look at University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale, which will host Monday's title game.

Go Ducks!

Oregon Journey - BCS t-3

by Andy McNamara, Assistant Director Media Services, Football

It was another sun-drenched day here in the desert, but the early portion of it was spent inside the swanky media hotel with the entire squad participating in Media Day.

You'd be hard pressed to find any member of the 100-plus Oregon roster who didn't get interviewed by somebody as every story angle that could possibly be explored appeared to be by the print, radio, television and internet folks on hand.

The Ducks were clearly the main celebrities of the hourlong session, but it was also a who's who of sports journalists, spanning from ESPN personalities to former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, who currently works as a radio host for Sirus/XM. UO players weren't the only people of interest as some smaller media types used the opportunity to interview the bigger media types.

D.J. Davis was plenty busy, fielding questions from several Oregon based and national outlets, and showed off his own interview skills by interviewing defensive end Terrell Turner for a Portland television station. Davis was rewarded for his efforts with a visit from Pardon the Interruption's Michael Wilbon, who spent a good 10 minutes just chatting with the receiver after learning of his desire to meet him.

Freshman safety Brian Jackson, who plays primarily on special teams, was one of the more sought after sound bites as UO's lone player from the State of Alabama. And speaking of sound bites, Cliff Harris lifted his self-imposed interview embargo, delivering this gem to SI.com's Stewart Mandel about the Oregon defense: "Our defense is a great white shark swimming along the ocean. Everything in front of us, we eat it up."

Following Friday's practice, several Ducks paid a visit to a local children's hospital. Look for a Walker's Pace blog about the visit shortly if it's not up already on GoDucks.com.

Until tomorrow, Go Ducks. And in the meantime, check out some of today's action from the lens of Geoff Thurner.

LaMichael James talks to ESPN's Wendi Nix during Friday's Media Day.

The most coveted crystal football there is.

DT and EA discuss the lack of originality surrounding their nicknames.

AD Rob Mullens speaks with Boston-based Pete Thamel of the New York Times.

Don't I know you? Casey Matthews talks with fledgling television reporter and former Oregon cheerleader Amanda Pflugrad.

Here's a look at the four different game program covers that will be available at the BCS Championship Game.

Duck Josh Kaddu and Pirate Mike Leach.

Nate Costa on the FOX set.

Go Ducks!

Oregon Journey - BCS t-4

by Andy McNamara, Assistant Director Media Services, Football
We've reached the midpoint of our stay in Arizona ahead of Monday's BCS Championship Game, and with the weekend approaching, both schools will likely notice a steady stream of fans hitting town from this point forward.

Today was the nicest day yet from a weather standpoint, with temperatures finally nearing the mid 60s. Since Monday's hail and rain, there hasn't been a drop of precipitation here in the desert.

More Oregon support staff and families arrived today, and yet another plane with staff and band members is due in on Saturday, signaling the title game's imminence.

Players and coaches continue to go about their daily work, both on the field and in the classroom, maintaining the same approach they've taken all season in terms of preparation.


LaMichael James is staying in school but has become a pro at interviewing over the past month.

Today's press conference consisted of representatives from Oregon's offense, with coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mark Helfrich in the interview room along with D.J. Davis, Jordan Holmes, LaMichael James, Jeff Maehl and Darron Thomas.

Video from the session can be viewed at GoDucks.TV along with footage from yesterday's defensive presser.

Outside of that, all was relatively quiet here in the Valley of the Sun on Thursday.

CAPTAIN RASHAD
Former Oregon great Ahmad Rashad has been named an honorary captain for the BCS Championship Game by The National Football Foundation in partnership with the Fiesta Bowl.


Rashad, who played for the Ducks from 1969 to '71 when he was known as Bobby Moore, will share the honor with fellow College Football Hall of Famer and Auburn alum Bo Jackson. Both men will participate in the coin toss, representing their respective schools.

Primarily a running back for Oregon, Rashad set the single-game mark for all-purpose yards with 338 (249 rushing, 89 receiving) vs. Utah in 1971 - a record that stood for more than 30 years. He still ranks eighth in UO history with 2,306 career rushing yards and is tied for second with LaMichael James in career touchdowns with 36.

Go Ducks!