Photo by: Walt Grondona of Walt’s Photography
Mitchell was an integral part of the Moretti & Mallard Fiesta Bowl champion linebacking corps.
KM: Our blitzes were not getting through,
the intensity just wasn't there at all, and
we didn’t come ready to play.
DI: Why has the team been having such
a hard time in the second half?
KM: I don’t know, for me it’s really easy
to come out after halftime, I feel as an
athlete it’s your obligation, how can you
not want to play.
DI: Do you think that the coaches
are responsible for how the team’s
performing?
KM: I don’t think it’s the coaches fault
because they’re not the one’s who are out
there playing. They are here all hours
of the night and day putting together
a scheme; it’s just a matter of us executing
it. You can’t question the scheme because
we've done the same scheme and beat
Michigan so we know it works.
DI: Isn’t it hard for corners to play in
Oregon’s scheme?
KM: It’s really tough for corners; everyone
wants to blame the secondary which
I think is completely stupid. That’s just
what they see because the corners are
visible. You don’t see the backers blitzing
and getting stopped in the hole and the
lineman not getting any pressure on
the quarterback. If you just blame the
secondary you are completely wrong.
DI: Do you think the coaching staff
should tailor the scheme to the players
that they have each year or the players
to their scheme?
KM: That’s a good question; some players
might not be able to pick up certain stuff
which is understandable. I think it’s just
a matter of focusing and executing the
scheme that they give us.
DI: If you were the defensive coordinator
what would you do differently?
KM: I don’t know, but I think I would
keep doing what we’re doing. It’s proven
to work in the past. We beat Texas,
Colorado and Michigan who are all
top- ranked teams so we know that the
scheme does work. It’s just a matter of us
players performing it. I feel that anything
Brian Schapper, BODOGSPORTS.COM
a dive to the fullback and I tackled him for
no gain.
DI: What’s been your secret to being so
consistent and injury free over the last
four years?
KM: Oh I am injured, I’ve had 2 surgeries,
I had my knee and my shoulder done.
I have just played through the injuries
because I love the game.
DI: You recently got married, is it hard
to be a football player and be married?
KM: We meant in high school so she
pretty much knows what I go through
and understands. She actually makes it
really easy for me. When I come home
everything is taken care of. I get in about
7:45-8 and that’s the time that we get to
spend together.
DI: What’s the hardest part about being
a student athlete for you?
KM: Time management, people don’t
understand, you have to go to class,
then go to football and then you gotta
go study.
DI: Did the defense do anything
differently against Stanford?
KM: I think a lot of guys really brought
up their intensity level. We came out
ready to play both halves. We were really
focused and the shutout was a really big
deal for us. We just played harder. The
games that we’ve won compared to the
games that we have lost have been the
same scheme with little extra’s here
and there. The only difference was the
intensity level that we had.
DI: Describe the goal line stance from
the Stanford game?
KM: The first 3 plays it was like this is
cool we stopped them from getting in.
Then we give the ball back to them for
another go and they run the just keep
running the same play. The last play we
all knew a pass was coming and we
stopped it.
DI: Why were you guys not successful
defensively against Washington?
our coaches call should work.
DI: What does the team have to do
differently to turn this season around?
KM: The coaches are doing everything
they can do. For us to be successful
the players got to take it upon
themselves. If they can look themselves
in the mirror the day after the game
and be O.K. with themselves than we
will be successful.
DI: Can this team still have a successful
season?
KM: I think we can. I am looking at
it that way. We could go 8-4 and we
could go to a good bowl game and
finish our season on a good note and
not let everything fall apart like last
year. Everyone just needs to take it upon
themselves for us to win.
DI: You’re heading back home this
weekend to play against UCLA. Does
playing in L.A. give you have any extra
motivation or added excitement?
KM: No, I have a lot of family and
friends coming to the game. It’s not
any pressure for me, I actually enjoy it.
Hopefully we can get a win again this
year. I will get to see my family and
stay at home that weekend. I also get
to see my little brother play on Saturday
night after our game.
DI: You’ve had a very successful career at
Oregon; do you think you’ll get a chance
to play in the NFL next year?
KM: I really don’t know. A lot of people
say that my chances are great, but in
reality I don’t have any idea. The only
thing that I know is that I would like to.
I am going to workout as much as I can
and try my best for the scouts. If it works
out great. I would love to play and
whatever happens, happens. It’s out of
my control.
Coach Pellum says Kevin is the most “instinctive” (nose for the ball) player he’s ever had.
DucksIllustrated
NOVEMBER 13, 2003 7