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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 1979)
Four closing on a record Oregon's foursome of talented tailbacks have run wild this season and the Ducks are nearing a school record For the first time since the days of Bobby Moore and Don Reynolds, it is the year of the tailback at Oregon As the Ducks near the school rushing record of 2.527 yards for one season (they presently have 2,168 yards with one game left), a lot of the credit goes to the tailbacks, who have ac counted for nearly half of the yardage "Yeah. I've noticed the tail back has been emphasized more this year says so phomore Dwight Robertson, who has gained 453 yards at the position this season “And peo ple are seeing that we have a pretty wide open offense Last year, it was kind of dull " Robertson says Oregon uses the tailback "sort of like Southern California “ However, the Ducks haven't become to tally dependent on it like the Trojans have Knowing coach (Rich) Brooks, he doesn't want a tail back-oriented offense, he wants a balance " says Robertson Right now, we have a pretty balanced offense " We like to make the quarter back, tailback and fullback equal running threats,” says Duck offensive coordinator John Becker “If you look at it statistically. I bet you'll find it is pretty equal But at Southern California, everyone in the park knows their (tailback) is going to get the ball " And Becker doesn't want the Duck tailback becoming the workhorse of the offense “For one thing, I don't have a back who can carry the ball 44 times a game like Charles White at USC,” says Becker "I l t ■ v- M wouldn't do that to a guy I just don't believe in it Robertson, fellow sophomore Reggie Young, and freshmen Harry Billups and Charles Bi sharat have done most of the work at the tailback spot this season with Robertson getting the bulk of the yardage "He doesn't have the best speed but he has the most ex perience." says Becker of Robertson He has a better grasp of things and that comes from playing " ** German AUTO SERVICE VW’S MERCEDES BMW’S DATSUN TOYOTA reliable service for your foreign car 2025 Franklin Blvd Eugene. Ore 97403 Bus Ph 342-2912 °°£OOP ODE OD®' While Robertson has already bettered his freshman total of 300 yards, he isn't quite satis fied "I'd like to at least end up with 900 yards and I'd like to carry the ball more,” he says Robertson has been helped considerably by the Oregon weight program "I lift mostly to prevent injuries,'' he says "I came out of high school bench ing about 160 (pounds) and now I do about 225 or 230 However, while Robertson may be in the forefront, the others certainly have assisted in Oregon's success at tailback Becker describes Billups as "a tremendous player He's a real intense kid and smart and he has a lot of things going for him," Biilups ts a freshman from Ir vine, Calif., where he averaged over five yards a carry last year at University High School, pick ing up 595 yards on 115 carries Speed may be his greatest asset — he's been clocked at 9 5 for the 100-yard dash and 21 6 for the 220 Even though he has only car ried the ball 15 times this sea son, Billups is averaging almost six yards a carry He is also learning what playing tailback is like at the college level "Let me put is like this," Bil lups says "I never would have been run down by a linebacker in high school. It’s more of a punishing thing here That’s why I plan to workout in the offseason.” —3 been hampered by injuries but has still managed 263 yards He Slashing through opponent's defenses this season have been Reggie Young (21), Charles Bi sharat(32). Harry Billups (5) and Dwight Robertson (2). Billups (above) is averaging six yards per carry while Robertson (lower left) has rolled up 453 yards for the second highest total on the Oregon team had 75 yards on seven carries against UCLA, including a 47-yard romp Freshman Ren strom has a 5 7 average on 19 carries Another freshman, Charlie Bisharat, has seen limit ed action with just six carries Much of the tailback success comes from the option installed by head coach Rich Brooks and directed by quarterback Reggie Ogburn "Last year and the year before, we had a straight drop back quarterback and didn't run the option," says Robertson "But he (Ogburn) adds a new dimension to the offense The tailbacks are also pleased by the tutoring they have received from Becker "He wants you going up the field and not across," says Bil lups "That is one thing he stresses But he lets you use your own style because you can't change a natural style He pretty much lets you do your own thing.” Story by Steve Jett Photo by Bob Baker and Steve Dykes DOWNSTAIRS The STEVE KAISER BAND Each FRI-SAT 9:30-1:30 P M DJ BAR Tues. thru Sat. ★ LADIES NITE THURS.^ec Well Hiballs I 3V to ladies only 959 Pearl St. ★ ECSTASY HOURS 9 to 10 p.m. WELL ap » a HIBALLS i DV 683-2360
