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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 13, 1994)
Oregon Doily Emerald S[ /u Molden looks to prove that he’s finally back By Steve Mims Oregon 0*<y frv&atei Alex Molden says he has something to prove next year, and he's spent the off-season putting himself in a position to do it It's been almost lfi months since Molden suffered a major knee injury during the Ducks' Independence Bowl defeat at the end of the 1992 season Since that game, there have Ixmmi times when Molden thought ho was back m the shape that made him an impact newcomer for the Ducks during his freshman year, but it never happened Now he says it has. "I'm feeling real good, the strength is back 100 percent, " Molden said. “After working out over winter term, my speed kept picking up and I started gaining more confidence I realized that I was faster than I was during the season I feel like I'm better than 1 was when I was healthy Molden has already run the gamut of emotions in only two years of playing cornerbat k for Oregon The 5-foot-10 junior from Colorado Springs, Colo burst onto the scene for the Ducks two years ago as a red shirt freshman, intercepting four passes before suffering the knee injury in the Independence Bowl By his own admission, Mold en wasn't lot) percent healthy when he elected to come back at the start of lust season, and his performance showed it. lust one year after being a fan favorite, Molden w as taking the brunt of the criticism leveled at the defense. "I personally feel I have some thing to prove because 1 took a lot of criticism.’’ Molden said. “I thought I was healthy but I wasn't. I tried to say (the injury) didn’t bother me. but it did I finally mentioned that ufter the season. I didn't have the speed to make up for some mistakes I made." Thu Oregon defense wus given mast of the blame for the Dunks' 30 point-collapse and subse quent 42 41 loss at C alifornia, a loss that started 1993s downfall The defense also took shots for the Ducks three-game losing streak at the end of the season, including losses to Arizona and Stanford in which they gave up 31 and 38 points, respectively The Ducks' defense endured a serii*s of injuries, one of the rea sons the unit gave up more than 4.000 points and 250 points for the first time since 1986, and fonawl only turnovers, the low est total in head coach Rich Brooks’ tenure. "One thing I was always pret ty proud of about our team and in particular the defense is that we played hard and played with great effort arid emotion, " Brooks said last week ! thought we lost some of that last year We re going to make a big push to get that har k to where it needs to be " Now that Molden has the phys ii .il part Ivu k to full strength, he says he w ill tn>gin working on the mental side "I've let! by actions not words," Molden said "Now it's time to step it up and lie more vocal This is a good time to do it. during spring " Molden is now preparing for a 1004 season in which he will he one of the veterans of a young secondarv. particularly at cor nerback A major factor that i ould determine the Dm ks' sue ( ess next year is the health of Molden's partner on the comer, senior Hennan O'BeiTy. who was injured in the Ducks' season opening win at Colorado State last year O'Berrv and Molden were expected to be one of the top cor nu rha< k duos in the conferem e last year, but obviouslv injuries ended tiiat possibility O'Berry will be limited during spring, although Brooks holds out hope that lie < nn participate in some contact drills near the end of workouts "Herman will not be 100 per cent this spring, but we do believe he’ll he 100 percent by fall," Brooks said. "Alex is 100 percent We saw them out there for 1 1 games two years ago, and they were pretty spectacular " Molden is also ex< ited about the possible return of his soi - ondarv mate. "I'm pumped up about it " Molden said "(Herman) won't In out there right away, but having him on the other side will help me out I can t wait until we re both lined up. It s going to be excellent." II anything positive can !>e tak on from the Ducks' Vf> season of a year ago. it’s that all the injuries gave some of the younger players in tfie secondary to gain valuable experience. The Ducks enter spring with 11 lettermen in the secondary, including four cor nerbai ks who have started at least two games "Now whatever happens, I'm going to feel confident." Moldon said Whether it s Isaac (Walk er). I.amont (Woods). Korinie (Gipson), everyone, a lot of play ers got time on the comers. That's going to make us lietter ” Molden hopes the return of talent alongside him as well as the speed that left him. will mean the return of the player ho knows he can be "Now I have the speed back, and I really have something to prove." Molden said "1 want to get bock out there ami play lie! ter than I ever played before." on. (please) Help our successful recycling program on campus by putting the Oregon Dally Emerald back in its original rack when you’ve finished reading It. This will allow another person to read it and/or be easily picked up for recycling. _ Alex Mo I den Is now preparing tor a 1994 season In which he will be one of the vet erans of a young sec ondary, particularly at *<u quarterback 1 A Year With VISTA You ic |um finishing i ollegc. and are about to get started on your career path tides a chainc to get started on the ri^;ht loot Vis IA i Volunteers in Service to \mcrua> needs recent college graduates in serve lull tune for imc sear iluough out th< 1 ruled State s You II help fight poverty in low income neighborhoods, organize economic development projects Pays Off In More Ways Than VISTA VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE: ■ a modest living allowance • training before and after service • experience and work related skills for future career goals ■ possible S4.725 education benefit • easier access to federal employ merit after service .mu mm n more \isi\ is just one part of the Presidents national set v n «■ program and a i hance to gi t imoheil \\ liats more v on may he eligible lot a Sf 72 > edmational benefit VIS IA lias a 2l> \ ear trai k tecord of helping people overcome poverty throughout the liltv states Puerto Rico, the Virgin islands anil the Pistrn t of i olumbia So. if thi- idea of service to One. your country sounds exciting, meet with one of our recruiters on your campus ViSTA VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE TO AMERICA Talk "To AVISTA Recruiter In the Erb Memorial Union April 13, 1994 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. If you can't meet with us now, call 1-800 424-8867 or 11)1) 202-606-5256 for information about VISTA
