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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 2005)
■ Oregon notes Ducks make nearly annual sojourn to Martin Stadium Kicker Paul Martinez has made 17 field goals in only six games this season BY JEFFREY DRANSFELDT SPORTS REPORTER Oregon visits Pullman, Wash., fac ing a Washington State program that knows it has nothing to lose. Arizona State confirmed that with a 27-24 win that eliminated Washington State’s bowl chances with its sixth consecutive loss. “They were not real happy,” Wash ington State head coach Bill Doba said afterward. “I imagine it set in, I think they realize that.” Oregon has played four of its last five games against Washington State in Pullman, Wash. They have won three of those five games, including a 41-38 win in Oregon’s down season last year when they finished 5-6. Washington State quarterback Alex Brink may not have gone to Ore gon, but he is a local as a graduate of Sheldon High in Eugene. “We have to go and work hard and battle,” Brink said. “We have some thing to play for and we need to get a Pac-10 win.” Return to action Oregon placekicker Paul Martinez returned last week against California after missing three games against Ari zona State, Washington and Arizona due to a thigh injury. Martinez kicked two field goals, in cluding a 49-yarder, but missed on a 37-yard kick when he misjudged the wind. Each field goal gave Oregon the lead; 10-7 in the second quarter and 13-10 in the third. For the season, Martinez has con nected on 17 of 22 field-goal attempts. His fill-in during his injury, Matt Evensen, made four of nine field goals and had his best game against Arizona State when he made three including a 51-yarder. Punting away For the first time in Pac-10 play, Matt Dragich punted for Oregon. He averaged 32.6 yards on seven punts. The last time Dragich punted was against Fresno State on Sept. 17. His most noticeable play might have been the most game-changing when a punt was blocked on the one-yard line Tim Bobosky | Photo editor Oregon placekicker Paul Martinez kicks one of his two field goals in last week’s 27-20 win over Cal after missing three games because of an injury. in the first quarter. Cal running back Marshawn Lynch ran in a one-yard touchdown on the next play. Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti at tributed it to a blown assignment that allowed the defender to get through. A major reason behind Cal quarter back Joe Ayoob’s 10 for 26 came from pressure by Devan Long, who had four tackles, one for a 2-yard loss. Games in November Oregon has normally done well in the month of November under head coach Mike Bellotti. In 11 seasons, Oregon is 22-10 in the final month of the season. Last season was an anomaly with no November victo ries when Oregon finished 5-6. Oregon has had spotless Novem ber records in 1995, 1996, 1999 and 2001. The Ducks have had winning records in all Novembers under Bellotti, except 2002 and 2004. The Cougar connection This year’s contest may hold more value to quarterback Brady Leaf now that he’s playing and knowing his brother used to don a Cougar jersey. Ryan Leaf led Washington State to the 1998 Rose Bowl. Brady Leaf also had a cousin, Matt Kegal, who was quarter back for the Cougars from 2000-02 and sits ninth all-time on Washington State’s career passing list with 3,982 yards. Saturday also marks the last time Devan Long returns to face his brother Rien Long’s former team. Rien Long won the Outland Trophy and played at Washington State from 2000 02. He was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. jdrans feldt @ dailyemerald. com ■ Pac-10 game of the week Trojans are not overlooking their trip to Berkeley this time Since losing to California in Berkeley in 2003, USC has compiled a Pac-10 record 31 -game winning streak With its 27-20 overtime loss to Oregon, Cal enters as a distinct un derdog. Three of its last four losses came by a combined 17 points. In each game, Cal either had a fourth quarter lead or were tied at the end of regulation. The running back tandem of Mar shawn Lynch and Justin Forsett is averaging more than 200 yards com bined per game — it’s Cal’s passing offense run by quartefback Joe Ay oob that is struggling. Ayoob completed only 10 of 26 passes for 88 yards against Oregon with just four completions to wide receivers. He also had three inter ceptions and a fumble. Ayoob had an opportunity for a GOTW, page 9B BY JEFFREY DRANSFELDT SPORTS REPORTER The California football team may not intimidate USC with its recent play — losing three of its last four games — but returning to Memorial Stadium might. It is where Cal (6-3 overall, 3-3 Pacific-10 Conference) unceremoni ously ruined USC’s hopes of a per fect season in 2003. The difference this time is USC (9-0, 6-0) brings a more experienced Matt Leinart and running backs Reggie Bush and LenDale White. USC since then has compiled a 31 game winning streak, 29 straight weeks as the Associated Press poll’s top team and 21 straight Pac-10 Con ference wins. ABC is televising the game at 12:30 p.m. “We know our next three games aren’t easy by any means. 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