January 12. 2011
kb 2011
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M a r t in L u t h e r K in g J r .
Page 45
special edition
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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
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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.