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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 12, 2011)
January 12. 2011 kb 2011 L M a r t in L u t h e r K in g J r . Page 45 special edition & (ftllJ J L 4234 N Interstate Àve, Portland, Oregon 97217 (503) 281-6388 Oregon's Kenjon Barner (left) and LaMichael James celebrate a two-point coversion during the first half of the BCS National Championship NCAA college football game against Auburn, Monday, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP photo) Kelly’s 'Win the Day' Focus Took Oregon Far Mantra drove team to the end (AP) Coach Chip Kelly kept Or egon focused this season with a deceptively simple philosophy: Win the Day. While it sounds like a modern twist on A1 Davis' "Just Win, Baby" catch phrase, the Ducks totally bought into Kelly's day-at-a-time mantra, and it took them all the way to the BCS championship game. The Ducks finished 12-1 and ranked No. 3 after losing to top- ranked Auburn 22-19. TCU went 13- 0 to earn the No. 2 spot. The Ducks started the season ranked No. 11 with uncertainty about their quarterback situation after Jeremiah Masoli was dismissed from the team in the offseason. But a sophomore duo, quarter back Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James, would be come the stars of a spread-option offense known for its speed. Oregon would outscore its op ponents 592-221 in the regular sea son, scoring an average of 49.3 points and winning by an average margin of 30.9 points to repeat as Pac-10 champions. The Ducks' clos est game was a 15-13 victory over California. James, a Heisman Trophy finalist who moonlights on Oregon's track team, was ranked atop the nation with 153 yards rushing per game until Auburn held him to 49 yards in the title game. He set a new single season record for the Ducks with 1,731 yards. Thomas performed admirably as a first-year starter, throwing for 2,881 yards and 30 touchdowns. He ran for five more scores. They were the faces of Oregon's so-called "blur offense," which former Stanford coach J im Harbaugh described simply as "fast-fast." Oregon would basically outrun opposing defenses, wearing them out. They outscored foes 115-24 in the fourth quarter before the cham pionship game. At the end of the championshop, as Auburn celebrated its title, Kelly waited for each of his players to leave the field at University of Phoe nix Stadium before he left himself. "It has been an unbelievable jour ney," he said. James was already looking ahead. "We have next year. We are go ing to play plenty more football games. We are going to win plenty more," James said. "I think this is a lesson for us." Auburn Wins BCS Title took the handoff from Newton and ran off right tackle for what looked pass to LaMichael James foratouch- like a 6- or 7-yard gain. Nothing down. Thomas hit Jeff Maehl for the routine about this one, though. He tying 2-point conversion with 2:33 wasn't sure his knee hit the ground, left. so, urged by his coaches and team And one last possession that will mates on the sideline, he popped up be remembered for one incredible and kept going. play. Tide fans, of course, will remind Dyer, who chose jersey No. 5 you that it still has five more AP because that’s how old his brother titles than the Tigers. was when their father died in a car At Auburn, the words "War accident nearly two decades ago. Eagle" would almost surely suffice. c o n t i n u e d f r o m page 44 Advertise with diversity in n K Portland Observer Call 503-288-0033 ads@portlandob servcr.com peace \ unity BlACKUNITED •/ o i l ' , o N Slice «¿forgiveness |-N K A -B f> la r m o n y fr e e d o m fa ir p la y . Black United Fund of Oregon’s a n n u a l coniinuniU f b a m p ie t ^-e b tu a tif 2.4, - 2 0 / / P roceeds go to w a rd s scho la rship s fo r A fric a n -A m e ric a n H igh S chool S e n io rs and n o n -p ro fit o rg a n iz a tio n s se rvin g O regon's lo w -in c o m e c o m m u n itie s . Thursday, February 24,2011 6:00pm Reception & Silent Auction - 7:00pm Dinner * . The Governor Hotel, Heritage Ballroom 614 SW 11th and Alder, Portland, OR 97205 $85.00 per person / $850.00 per table of ten Attire - Semi-Formal or Professional For more info., to purchase tickets or to sponsor the banquet, please visit our website at w w w .b u fo r.o rg or contact Maria Ramirez at mramirez@bufor.org, or (503) 282-7973. RSVP by Thursday, February 17,2011.
