The BulleTin • Wednesday, april 28, 2021 A7
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
DEAR ABBY
Write to Dear Abby online at dearabby.com
or by mail at P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069
Dear Abby: I’ve been dat-
ing a married man for the last
three years, and everything
was great. We were attached
at the hip and inseparable. I
thought we had something
special going.
His wife abandoned him
and their two children for
more than a year, and he
didn’t know anything about
raising kids, so I stepped in to
help. It was great. They were
just like my own. I was finally
happy. I had the life I wanted.
He even met with a lawyer to
get a divorce.
Suddenly he announced
he’s letting her come back be-
cause she has nowhere to go.
I am devastated.
Ever since her return, she
has made his life a living hell.
He tells everyone — includ-
ing her — how miserable
he is, and she does the same
thing.
Why won’t he get a
divorce? Should I wait for
him? Did he ever really love
me?
— Loving Lady in Texas
Dear Loving Lady: There
could be any number of rea-
sons why he won’t divorce
his wife.
He may feel that, misera-
ble as he is, a divorce would
be too expensive. Or he may
be trying to keep the family
together “for the sake of the
kids.” Or he may even love
her.
That she is making his life
a “living hell” is a problem of
his own making. Please, for
the sake of your own mental
health, quit making it yours.
Did he ever really love
you? I can’t answer that and
neither can you. He certainly
isn’t acting like someone who
loves you.
Gather your strength and
jump off the treadmill. It’s
time to go on with your life.
Dear Abby: My husband
and I are going to be first-
time parents in a few months,
and this will be the first
grandchild on both sides of
the family (and the first baby
in almost 18 years).
We are excited to share this
experience with them.
However, I have some con-
cerns about after the baby is
born.
I already deal with anxiety,
and I have strict “rules” that
I would like to be followed.
For example, no kissing my
baby’s face, no posting photos
on social media, etc.
How can I get my wishes
across to my family without
sounding like a control freak?
I worry that they will not
respect them and say I am
overthinking everything. Any
advice is appreciated.
— First-Time Parent in New York
Dear First-Time Parent:
Your life is in transition, and
your concerns are under-
standable. Remember, YOU
are the parent. If you prefer
your baby not be smothered
with kisses, you are within
your rights to say so.
However, as long as your
relatives are not sick and
wash their hands well be-
fore touching your newborn,
there shouldn’t be a problem.
After three months, your ba-
by’s underdeveloped immune
system should be stronger.
If you haven’t already dis-
cussed this with your pedia-
trician, schedule an appoint-
ment. Not only will you find
it educational, it may put
some of your fears to rest.
As to your little one’s image
being posted online, every
family has their own comfort
level. Explain your concerns,
and if the grands don’t coop-
erate, make them surrender
their cellphones when they
visit.
Baton passed from NFL prospects to
young talent in UO’s restocked secondary
BY RYAN THORBURN
The (Eugene) Register-Guard
The five defensive backs the
Ducks started in the Rose Bowl
victory over Wisconsin on Jan.
1, 2020, have all left the nest.
Cornerbacks Deommodore
Lenoir and Thomas Graham,
nickel back Jevon Holland and
safeties Brady Breeze and Nick
Pickett are all hoping to hear
their names called during the
NFL draft this week.
Oregon coaches are com-
fortable with the restocked
secondary after several players
gained experience during the
truncated 2020 season with
other young talents making
strides during spring practice.
After Graham, Holland and
Breeze opted out last season,
Mykael Wright became an
all-Pac-12 cornerback, Jamal
Hill made a name for himself
at nickel with two intercep-
tions in the Pac-12 champion-
ship game and safety Verone
McKinley became “the gen-
eral” of the unit.
The list of safeties compet-
ing for more playing time with
Pickett moving on includes
Steve Stephens, Bennett Wil-
liams and Jordan Happle.
D.J. James is the early front-
runner to replace Lenoir, but
Trikweze Bridges, Dontae
Manning and Jaylin Davies
have also impressed the staff.
“I’m very pleased with where
we are as a unit right now,” cor-
nerbacks coach Rod Chance
said. “We’ve got a lot of guys
that are going to step onto the
field for the first time in their
Oregon careers.
“Obviously we’ve been
blessed to have had some of
Eric Evans via UO Athletics, file
Oregon safety Steve Stephens IV (7) picks off a pass intended for tight
end Moliki Matavao (8) during practice at Autzen Stadium in Eugene
on April 17. Stephens is among the young Oregon players competing
for added playing time this fall with much of the Ducks’ secondary de-
parting for the NFL.
the defensive backs we’ve had
here for the past three our four
years, but at the same time
we’re very excited to see these
young men put themselves in
position to make plays.”
While opposing quarter-
backs mostly avoided throwing
in Lenoir’s direction after the
senior cornerback opted back
in for the 2020 season, Wright
took advantage of all of the ac-
tion by leading the Pac-12 with
nine passes defended.
Chance acknowledge that
the cornerback starting oppo-
site Wright against Fresno State
on Sept. 4 at Autzen Stadium
should be ready to get tested
early and often.
“I’m excited for the oppor-
tunity,” James said of possibly
replacing Lenoir full-time after
getting limited snaps subbing
in last season. “I feel I’ve been
taught and coached into this
position I’m about to acquire.
I feel that I’m ready for it. My
coaches will have me ready for
it. I’m just going to take over
the opportunity and enjoy it.”
Hill had 20 tackles, four
passes defended and the two
interceptions in six games
played last season.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound
sophomore is also expected to
play an important role in first-
year defensive coordinator Tim
DeRuyter’s scheme.
“My football knowledge is
growing every day,” Hill said
of the transition to playing for
DeRuyter and new safeties/
nickel coach Marcel Yates. “I’m
starting to see the concepts
easier. I feel like it’s been pretty
easy, to be honest.”
McKinley was third on the
team with 41 tackles. The
savvy sophomore also had an
interception, a forced fumble,
a fumble recovery and two
passes defended.
Happle turned the UCLA
game around by returning an
interception for a touchdown
on the final play of the first
half. Bennett had two tackles
for loss and a sack last season.
Stephens has been making
plays consistently this spring.
“On the back end, I think
our guys did a nice job devel-
oping,” DeRuyter said. “We’ve
got speed, we’ve recruited a
bunch of length and some of
the new guys coming in have
been impressive so far.”
Manning was a five-star re-
cruit in the 2020 class who
was limited to one game due
to injury as a true freshman.
Bridges started out at safety but
is now turning heads at corner-
back entering his third year in
the program.
“Trikweze is probably one
of my surprises of the spring.
I think he has done a really
good job in terms of making
his presence felt,” Chance said.
“I think what Dontae realized
(last season) is college football
moves very fast, and some-
times what you see in those
situations is confirming what
your own personal ability is. I
think he saw, ‘Hey, I belong.’”
Davies and safeties Jeffrey
Bassa and Daymon David are
among the early enrollees deter-
mined to make an immediate
impact. Other members of the
2021 recruiting class expected
to join the secondary this sum-
mer are cornerbacks Avante
Dickerson and Darren Barkins.
Oregon has practices on
Thursday and Friday before
the spring game on Saturday at
Autzen Stadium (2 p.m., Pac-
12 Networks).
Youth sports
Continued from A5
YOUR HOROSCOPE
By Madalyn Aslan
Stars show the kind of day you’ll have
DYNAMIC | POSITIVE | AVERAGE | SO-SO | DIFFICULT
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021: Kind,
soft-spoken and hardheaded, challenging situations never rattle you. This
year, you get ahead in your professional endeavors by sheer force of will.
Careful planning for the future sets you on a solid financial path that extends
to retirement and beyond. Think about changing your residential situation,
whether moving or refurnishing. If single, love is within earshot. If attached,
compromise on key issues. CAPRICORN is ethical in work and play.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Get closure on unfinished business lingering from a past relation-
ship. An interest in subjects that exercise your intuition and psychic abilities
will excite you. Order books, research documentaries and browse websites.
Find people from whom you can learn. Tonight: Romantic evening.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Breathe new life into a connection that has become routine. Every-
thing can become run of the mill. Create new scenarios and adventures that
you have never experienced before, either by yourself or with someone else.
Tonight: Accept a spontaneous invitation.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
Put on your best face, even if you have doubts about a team project.
If you must, fill in the gaps that someone else may have left out. Be discreet
about transferring to another department or assignment. Tonight: Attend a
webinar.
CANCER (June 21-July 22)
Sign up for a competitive sporting event that suits your fitness
level. Get a friend or romantic interest to join you. Ask someone younger for
recommendations for a new device. Promise a gift in return for their help.
Tonight: Detective series.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
Add networking events to your schedule, but consult those at home
so there are no conflicts. Continue your search for relatives who moved away.
Going through old photos brings faded memories alive and a smile to your
face. Tonight: Lift weights.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Trust your ability to bring ideas off the beaten track down to earth.
If you make a presentation, all the right words will come through. Timing
is everything. Know when to pause and listen. Tonight: Catch up with your
BFF.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
The push and pull of watching your cash flow and the temptation to
spend on unnecessary accessories can frazzle you. Give yourself a distraction
that satisfies your love of quality but costs next to nothing. Tonight: Laugh
out loud.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Take credit for an important achievement. Others may not realize how
vital you were to the project. Get noticed rather than always taking the back
seat. Take a raincheck on a social invitation. Immediate family needs atten-
tion. Tonight: Video games.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Pull someone aside to discuss a personal matter. Take the high
road. Call on your ability to forgive and move on. Make an extensive journal
entry. Some things are best left unsaid but need to be recorded. Tonight: Out
with friends.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Make a list of goals that are within your reach. Devise a plan of action
you can follow to make it happen. Get a close friend to be a sounding board.
Be prepared for honest feedback. Tonight: A new exercise routine.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Patience and persistence get you through a long day. A sticking point
in negotiating a work agreement could cause a temporary impasse. Keep
talking, and your efforts to achieve consensus will prove successful. Tonight.
Whip up a rich dessert.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Proofread a blog post or important email you need to send. Take
your time. You could overlook an important fact. Slow down and study all the
details. Being methodical and organized will pay off. Tonight: Take out your
warm-weather clothing.
Maggie Williams of Sum-
mit High ran 800 meters with a
mask on last week. Rather, she
ran exactly 797 meters and then
fell on her face. Williams was
so deprived of oxygen by the
finish that her arms dropped to
her sides. She couldn’t hear. She
couldn’t see. Her coach, Dave
Turnbull, had seen runners
push their limits before. But
this was different.
“I’ve been doing this for 31
years,” he told me, “and I’ve
never seen anybody right be-
low the finish line basically lose
consciousness.”
She collapsed and tumbled
across the finish line. Spectators
feared she’d died. That’s what it
took to get our state officials to
change a mandate that never
should have been on the books
to begin with. The science just
doesn’t support kids masking
up while running a race out-
doors. It’s not complicated.
Wear a mask to the start line,
then remove it, then put it back
on after competition — just like
other states.
It’s what should be done
from the start in all non-con-
tact sports. (And by the way,
do they know what a contact
sport is?)
Parents remain frustrated.
Athletes feel helpless and voice-
less. Coaches and the OSAA
have struggled in the last year
to get sound answers to ques-
tions that would rectify basic
flaws in logic. This sports col-
umnist occasionally gets a re-
ply from a spokesperson in the
Governor’s office. But I was
made aware of where sports
stands on last Friday. In the
wake of that collapse on the
track, I attended the Governor’s
virtual news conference to ask
one question — can we get this
rule changed before some kid
in our state dies?
I raised my hand and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Nobody ever called on me.
The news conference ended.
I went to the weekend won-
dering why this youth sports
stuff that affects so many Ore-
gonians is unimportant to the
Oregon Health Authority and
Gov. Brown.
I know how parents, athletes
and coaches in our state feel.
They’ve been ignored and dis-
missed too long. They’ve been
marginalized by leadership that
hasn’t taken the time to think
Say
Courtesy Jon Tapper, file
Summit’s Maggie Williams runs
in the 800 meters on her way to
breaking the school record on
April 21 before collapsing at the
finish line.
much about them or consider
the logistics of the youth sports
being played. They simply don’t
understand you and haven’t
taken the time to invite anyone
in the room that really does.
The Governor and OHA
have made a habit of walk-
ing back bad policy when it
comes to sports in the last year.
They’ve re-evaluated, again
and again. Great. But what they
really have is a blind spot for
sports. We can all see it.
in The Bulletin
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