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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 1994)
■ SPORTS EXTRA FOOTBALL Kris Henry Qmgan Omty trmtata Same men .in* txim to battle in the tranche* of the foot ball field These unknown warriors pave the way for others to shine and pro vide the foundation for offensive productivity. These rugg»*d men come to be known as offensive lineman Omm has rat y< fed and restrui tuned the roles of these individuals more than any other f’ai ifit ■ 10 team this season. The Oregon Ducks’ offensive line began the year much-maligned bm a use of inexperience and ques tions about their overall ability I hem were concerns on whether the offensive line < ould step up and prove itself against some of the nation's roughest defenses that reside in the I’.u If) III tfl games this m .isoiI, the thicks have started 10 different plovers in schemes and get physically pre [wmd to ward off defenders. " nn*rt! ao* no superstars in this group." said Hardin. the Ducks senior right tn< kle who started the first five games before succumbing to an ankle injury “(The offensive line) is just a hard-working group " Getting exposure for Oregon's young offensive line is something that will pay big dividends for the Ducks in the future. The group has already paid off for Oregon this \e,ir in terms of supplying a fairly deep crop of lineman that can answer the t all to duty. “We're still not playing to where we need to all the time," Great wood said, “but overall I've been pleased with the development of a lot of young players I fool very comfortable putting any number of combinations in there " However, play from the offen sive line this season has iieen incon sistent because of the recycling of Mnmii swparato coinnination* I jvo of the linemen have started at two positions tins season — Willv Rife, Krit Kmd. Paul VVi^ms, l a-o Mali* ' . I 1'*. ’ Willy Rile has been one of the keys on the offensive line, starting in alMO games flit PHOTO The offensive line has held its own this season and has been a driving force behind the team's success. M*vt*ri)i players lino til memos ‘Wove had Kami's where wo just knocked people off the ball and we've had games where things just pent and nob Baldwin Injuries have forced tins rvstnu luring of responsibilities and kept those I li.irt 1 Iiv;-*)i«> On-gun olten .iw luu-depth , b .rts loro Other litinman to see at lion this vear havn boon Stove Hardin Mark Gregg. Have ('.unroll. Kilo Strait. David WeU>r and Mu h.iol Klows VVe started with four guys who just didn't have much i ollege playing exponent o." said Baldwin, a sophomore who has seen tune at itulh guard positions "It took a while (or us to got things going and work well as a group ” Ail llu* lino up shifts and now fat os stem to have paid off ns the Oregon offensive line has begun putting togeth er punishing attat is on recent opponents “I knew lha! tl was going to take some time for the line to gel," offensive line coach Sieve Great wood said, "but 1 was confident that this was a fairly athletic, competitive anti hard working group." The Oregon offensive line has barely begun to cut its teeth on football at the college level with contributions coming from five sophomores, two mdshirt freshmen, one junior, one true freshman and only two seniors. Typically, a starting college offensive lineman is a junior or senior since it takes a while to learn the blocking didn't go the way we wanted." Bald win said. "But 1 would say that Oregon's offensive line is going to be a force for years to cotne because we're so young and getting a lot of exposure." The chemistry of the offensive line has come from the togetherness and appret iation of each team member. 1 his is the closest I've ever fmeii to my teammates in all the seasons that I've been (at Oregon).'' said Malepeai. a sophomore who has seen playing time at right guard and right tai kle "My freshman year, I was never really close to anybody other than my brothers and my fresh Turn to OFFENSE. Page /B The Cult Of Personality Chris Metz <>«0un IWy immata At f>-foot*2. 236 pounds, light end josh Wilcox isn't the biggest front-line member of the ()regon offense But if you were to mea sure lus heart and determina tion, |>ound-for-pound he might he the strongest guv on any body's playing field, literally leaving a trail of blood, sweat and tears a mile long on the field Of battle. In his sophomore year. Wilcox has emerged as a quali ty tight end that not only fills the pass tati hmg void left by the desertion of former tight end Willy Tate, but he also brings added blocking skills that complement an already solid offensive line has great game* when he doesn't even catch a pass." Dragon head coach Rich Brooks said. "He's doing a ter rific joh of bloi king this year. That's a real different»• tor us at the tight end position " Wilcox has t aught 18 passes this season and leads the team in yards per catch (15.3). Hr has also grabbed five touch down passes Despite his sut t.ess this season. the never satisfied Wilcox strives to keep improving his game and eliminating any mistakes, no matter how big or small, constantly putting pressure on himself to perform. "I'm my own worst critic.” I don’t want to be just an average Joe Blow' guy I want to be Josh Wilcox. — Josh Wilcox (t^hi mi Wilcox said "After a game. I'll remember everything I did bail I'm never satisfied with my performance." The intensity that Wilcox brings to the football field is simply a physical manifesta tion of his off-the-field person ality, Wilcox describes himself •is a bit "off the wall" and believes that football is a log: ial outlet for his unique way of thinking “It's a two-wav street,'' Wilcox said "You either really know me or you think 'This guy's a Hm ko ' And the people that do know me -.till know I'm a wacko, “1 don't want to he just an average *|oe Blow' guy " Wilcox said I want to make a name for myself I think mak ing a name for y ourself conies from your play, and personali ty comes afterward." Making a name for himself hasn't been easy for Wilcox Coming from a family rich in football tradition, Wilcox has always full he's had something to prove, especially in high school. Dave Wilcox, josh's father, played in the NFL for a det-ade with the San Francisco 4'tors, and hi* brother Justin is a standout high school athlete, following in Josh's footsteps at Junction City High S< bool While in high school. Josh scored tl touchdowns offen sively and added three more off interceptions as a two-way standout his senior season Hut since his arrival at Ore gon, Wilcox has been able to showcase not only his football talents, but his individuality as well. "I'm just not your average small town boy, Wilcox Mid “I just like to go out and screw around and Ik* myself, I used to get tense and wound up l just need to relax, and I think part of relaxing is letting n.v per sonality just flow " "In high school, I a!wavs had a reputation to live up to 1 want to be Josh Wih ox. I don't want to bii Dave's son or j Justin's brother ” Being Josh WiU ox is a veri table wonderland of interesting and sometimes odd idiosyn crasies. Tattoos, he.iv .ftal and aspirations of one day taking the ring in a professional wrestling Turn to WILCOX. Page 6B H ;• ►"HOTO light end Josh Wilcox has not only showcased his f* : talents at Oregon, but also his unique personality.
