Oldham runs The Return,
prepares for Huskies' pass
By Kurt Zimmer
Emerald Contributor
Homecoming was shaping up
as a very happy one at the Uni
versity of Southern California
two weeks ago. Everything was
going just as plan
ned for the 63,452 fans at the
1,08 Angeles Coliseum — the
powerful Trojans, ranked third
in the nation, were pounding
the upstart 17th-rankod Oregon
Ducks 30-0 in the third quarter
after Quin Rodriguez kicked a
32-yard field goal.
The resulting kickoff by the
Trojans became The Return for
Oregon's Chris Oldham.
"My wedge (of blockers) was
perfect." the junior defensive
back said "We emphasize stay
ing together. I cut left and
found a big hole."
Oldham found nothing but
Coliseum real estate ahead of
him and sprinted 99 yards for
the first touchdown kickoff re
turn by a Duck since Steve
Brown's 93-yarder at Washing
ton State in 1981.
"I never thought 1 would
ever do that in my whole life,"
Oldham said. USC went on to
win the game 42-14, but Old
ham was named Pacific-10
Conference player of the week
for special teams. He averages
30.2 yards per return, second
best in the nation.
In his second year of colle
giate eligibility. Oldham has
become a fixture at left corner
back in a defensive baekfield
marked by its consistency. The
Photo by Mark Ylen g
Playing intense and consistent football, Chris Oldham, second f
in the nation in average yards per return, is a dangerous |
threat to opposing players. I
four Ducks to log the most total
defensive plays so far this sea
son are free safety Thorn
Kaumeyer. right corner Brett
Young, Oldham and strong
safety Derek Horton.
Oldham has picked off three
passes, placing him in a tie for
18th in the nation in intercep
tions per game, returning them
for an average of 23.3 yards, his
longest being 53 yards at Wash
ington State.
Oldham’s achievements seem
even more impressive in light
of the fact that he didn't play
football until his senior year at
Highlands High School in Sac
ramento, Calif. Although he
played basketball and baseball
Turn to Oldham, page 11
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