Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 1999)
Oregon destined to break bowl skid After eight straight games against Pacific-10 Con ference opponents, the Ducks now waddle into the great unknown. In actuality, Oregon (8-3 over all, 6-2 Pac-10) does know its des tination — the Dec. 31 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas — and its oppo nent— No. 13 Minnesota (8-3,5 3 Big Ten Conference). What it doesn’t know is any experience playing the Golden Gophers since 1975, when the Ducks lost 10- 7 at Minnesota. The only other meet ing between the two schools was in 1961, when Oregon also lost in Minnesota. And so the challenge for head coach Mike Bellotti and his staff is to get a hot Duck team that has won five straight prepared for the surprising Gophers, who are mak ing their first bowl appearance since 1986. Typically, the first move would be to look at how Minnesota fared against a team that Oregon also played. But in this case, the Go phers this season happened to not play Big Ten rival Michigan State, which beat the Ducks back on Sept. 4 in the season-opener. Regardless, by the time Dec. 31 rolls around, the Oregon players will no doubt be well-versed on everything about the Gophers. The Ducks will know all about Gopher stalwarts such as safety/return man Tyrone Carter, tailback Thomas Hamner and quarterback Billy Cockerham. But despite all the preparation time available for bowl games, Oregon has struggled mightily in its recent postseason history. Dat ing back to the Ducks’ 1989 ap pearance in the Independence Bowl, Oregon has won just two of its last seven bowl games. What gives? Well, in the 1995 Rose Bowl and 1996 Cotton Bowl, the Ducks were simply outmatched against more talented Penn State and Col orado teams, respectively. But in games such as last sea son’s 51-43 loss to the Buffaloes, Oregon simply did not play up to its own capabilities. In that Christmas Day loss at the Aloha Bowl, the Ducks committed a sea son-high six turnovers, allowed a game-opening 93-yard kickoff re turn for a touchdown and built themselves a 27-7 hole. To reverse its losing bowl-game trend, Oregon must play with the passion it has shown during its five-game winning streak. The defense must continue to play in spired and stingily, and tailback Reuben Droughns must keep run ning over would-be tacklers. Last ly, the special teams and whoev er’s playing quarterback need to come up with some big plays. I have a feeling that with this Ducks team, those things will hap pen. Make it Oregon 27, Minneso ta 21, and a very happy New Year in Eugene. Pac-10 Picks 31*25-31 CD 3 = m 35-21 11 31-25 15 27-29 j»5 23-33 1128-28 n w o M O =5 < If) CU 3*T CD CD CO El Paso's home for legendary, award-winning BBQ! Big meaty ribs, extra lean brisket & a full line of sizzlin' grilled specialties. But that's just the half of it. Our friendly service & fun, roadhouse atmosphere have made the State Line . one of El Paso's favorite places for locals 6? visitors alike for over Si f 20 years! GET IT ALL OVER YA'L_ 581-3371 * 1222 SuxilandL Park Drive
