Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 10, 2004)
Erik R. Bishoff | Online & Photo Edtor Oregon running back Terrence Whitehead (center) was one of the few Ducks who had the chance to meet Terrance Kelly during summer workouts in Eugene. Kelly, 18, was shot and killed two days before he planned to come to Oregon for fall camp. SORROW The Ducks look to bounce back after losing several family members over the past 18 months ALEX TAM SPORTS EDITOR he past year has been as tough and tumultuous as any -L other off the field for the Ore gon football family. Marked by bad fortunes, tragedies and deaths starting at the beginning of last season, qliayefs*. abid feMi i ployees of the foqth$j: Tamil# are hop ing that this upcoming season shines a new light on the program. ; The most recent and shocking turn of events occurred when heralded line backer Terrance Kelly was shot and killed outside the home of his brother’s friend just one month ago. On Aug. 12, 18-year-old Kelly was pronounced dead at the scene. He had planned to come to Eugene and report to fall camp two days later. When he visited Eugene for two weeks this past summer, Kelly had the chance to bond with several of the Ducks. He worked out with many current Oregon athletes and everyone seemed to take a liking to his quiet but funny personality. “I talked to him frequently. He was an awesome kid and kind of quiet,” quarterback Kellen Clemens said. “We’re going to really miss him. It’s unfortunate.” Clemens added that the loss of Kel ly will not only be felt on the field, but off the field as well. Kelly went to fabled De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., which also saw his teammates, wide receiver Cameron Colvin and cornerback Jackie Bates, bring their talents to Oregon. Cdrrent Ducks' wide receiver Demetrius Williams and defensive back Charles Favroth also attended De La Salle. “It impacted the team, because we lost not only a teammate but a family member,” Clemens said. “But I’m sure it affects some guys more than others. I can’t comprehend how much it affects some of the guys. ” Clemens was asked if what oc curred could be used as a positive and motivate the team for the rest of the season. “Death is more like a wake-up call that there’s more to life than football," Clemens said. “But it also told me per sonally and a lot of my teammates to make the most out of the day because tomorrow is not a guarantee.” The team held a memorial service five days after Kelly was killed, and they talked about valuing life and not taking anything for granted. hits home Kick returner Kenny Washington, who met Kelly once during one of the workouts, said that head coach Mike Bellotti addressed the team at the memorial service. “He said everybody’s got to keep their head up, and we talked about how nothing is guaranteed in life, so don’t take what you have for grant ed,” Washington said. “You can’t look to tomorrow because today is all you might have. ” Some of the players admit that Kel ly’s death was a difficult thing to face with entering fall camp. “It is tough dealing with that right into the season and getting ready to go at it for the year because he was going to be a contributor right away,” running back Terrence Whitehead said. “I think he really bonded with some dudes up here when he was working out.” “Me and him hooked up and that hurt me to hear that he died. I think that we just got to move forward and just rally around that and try to turn this into a good situation.” Moving forward is now what the Ducks need to do after suffering through a rough last 18 months. This past June, the older brother of defensive back Rodney Woods died in an automobile accident. The inci dent was blamed on the other driver, KELLY, page 7 Preview: Injuries slow Ducks recieving core Continued from page 2 played, then you have not shown anything new on tape. ” Oregon defensive end Devan Long said his team is ready to go out and compete. “I’m really excited to see some new faces to go against and be out their in front of all the fans on Satur day,” Long said. “I’m looking for ward to this whole season.” The Ducks are now ready to get off the practice field and show what they have, quarterback Kellen Clemens said. “We have been out here for two weeks now, and we’re ready to play,” the Oregon junior said. “It’s been frustrating for us not to be out there, but those are the cards we were dealt and we have to play them with the best of our ability.” The Ducks will face a Hoosier of fense led by Notre Dame transfer Matt LoVecchio and sophomore run ning back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. LoVecchio was efficient against Cen tral Michigan, throwing for 121 yards and a touchdown. Green-Ellis rushed the ball 28 times for 99 yards last week and will be the featured run ning back for the Hoosiers. The Oregon defense looks prime to stop the Indiana attack with seniors Robby Valenzuela and Chris Solomona, Long and returning 2002 freshman All-American Haloti Ngata. “Our defensive line is one of the strengths of our team when healthy,” Bellotti said. “Our depth at the position is unproven, so that concerns me.” Offensively for the Ducks, Clemens said his focus will be moving the team down the field consistently to put them into position to score. “They have really good athletes and their defensive schemes are dif ferent then we are used to,” Clemens said. “We just want to go out there and play our game and get the win.” The receiver core, a strength going to camp, has suffered with a lack of practice time for wide receiver Demetrius Williams and tight end Tim Day, but both will be ready to play against Indiana. Senior Marcus Maxwell has im pressed Bellotti in camp and will start alongside fellow senior Keith Allen. “Marcus Maxwell and Keith Allen are going are going to be key to a lot of our depth, because they provide experience as well as athleticism,” Bellotti said. Even though injuries have slowed some of Oregon’s progress, the team is finally ready to get on the field and see where they stand. “We need to find out what kind of team we are, and it’s a great opportu nity to do that against Indiana be cause they are an improved football program,” Bellotti said. “We need to play against somebody else, because 1 think a lot of our questions will be answered after this game. ” claytonjones@ daily emerald, com UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER Keeping ducks healthy in body and mind Services Include: S Onsite physicians & nurse practitioners S Free FPEP women/men’s health care S Low cost Pharmacy S Dental Clinic S Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine S Allergy & Asthma Clinics S Free Cholesterol Screens S Counseling S Travel Clinic S Health Education Programs S Massage Therapy S CPR S Energetic Healing S Relax and Renew Course S Tobacco Cessation Support S Blood Pressure Reduction Program And much more. o Open Daily & Weekends SWThFB A,M. to 6 m.< Tuesdays 9 A.M. to 6 KM., Saturdays and Sundays ISAM, to 2 f»4*» Appointments and after hours: 346*2770 —■— ——L-----—_ __ uKiy**snrr of orkgqn Health Center healthcenter.uoregon.edu 388$ 10 2165 W. 11TH AVENUE ^ EUGENE ^ 683-6021 MONDAY-FRIDAY 12-2 SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2-2 www.hofbody.com Wear your duck colors or bring your football ticket stub and get in FREE. Both Styles with • Removable, cushioned insoles • Flexible, shock-absorbing insoles • Cushioned tongues & toplines “Reno” Slip-on black or brown leather Men’s Sizes M W 8-12,13,14,15 8^11,12 568610 $79^reg $100°° ■ “ price good though 9/20/04 “Portland” Black or brown leather Men’s Sizes N 10-12,13,14 7-12,13,14,15 7-12,13 "fturcftt Where your feet will look good and feel great Oakway Center 683-4115 • Toll Free 877-683-41 15 Mon-Fri 10-8,,Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5
