Oregon Ducks football 

Autzen Stadium and the Moshofsky Center

Autzen Stadium, the home of Oregon's football team, is named for Thomas J. Autzen of Portland. His foundation, the Autzen Foundation, gave the university $250,000 for construction of the facility, which was completed in 1967. The 54,000 seat stadium is known nationally as a very intimidating and loud place to play. Standing room around the rim of the stadium allows the actual capacity to swell to almost 60,000. On October 27, 2007 in a game against USC, the standing-room only crowd of 59,277 was able to reach a noise level of 127.2 decibels, the loudest ever recorded at a college football game.^[1]

Ed Moshofsky Sports Center, named in honor of the former University of Oregon football letterman (1940-42) and long-time university supporter, was dedicated in August, 1998, as the first indoor practice and training facility in the Pacific-10 Conference. Located south of the Casanova Athletic Center, the Moshofsky Center accommodates the majority of the University’s intercollegiate athletic programs. The $14.6 million facility not only includes an enclosed full-length artificial surface football field and 120-meter four-lane synthetic surface running track, but also an automated system in place to lower a batting cage for use by the softball team, as well as protective netting that transforms the facility for use by the men’s and women’s golf teams. The facility also acts as a large tailgate party during Duck home games. A combination of indirect lighting and two parallel skylight panels contribute to an energy efficient system which allows the flexibility to alter lighting conditions. Platforms on the east and west ends of the structure, as well as a catwalk are ideal locations to set up film and video accessories to evaluate workouts and training sessions. Also incorporated is the surrounding Wildish Plaza, which encircles the north and west boundaries of the building, the Duck Shop retail souvenir outlet, and the eternal flame on the northwest corner of Wildish Plaza.

Notable players

• Bob Berry (1964), Former NFL quarterback
• J. J. Birden (1989), Former NFL wide receiver
• Chad Cota (1995), Former NFL strong safety
• Gunther Cunningham (1969), Former head coach and current defensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs
• Dan Fouts (1977), Former NFL quarterback, Pro Football Hall of Fame member and ABC television sports announcer
• Russ Francis (1975), Former NFL tight end
• Tony Graziani (1996) current AFL star QB with the Philadelphia Soul
• Shy Huntington (1924), Football, basketball, and baseball head coach for the University of Oregon
• Dick James (1956), Former NFL running back
• John McKay (1950), Former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the USC Trojans
• Chris Miller (1987), Former NFL quarterback
• Bill Musgrave (1990), Quarterback with several teams & currently a coach with the Atlanta Falcons
• Mike Nolan (1981), Head coach of the San Francisco 49ers
• Jack Patera (1955), Former head coach of the Seattle Seahawks
• Ahmad Rashad (1972) (a.k.a. Bobby Moore), Former NFL wide receiver, Emmy award winning sportscaster
• Mel Renfro (1964), Former NFL cornerback, Pro Football Hall of Fame member
• John Robinson (1960), Former head coach of the Los Angeles Rams and USC Trojans
• Akili Smith (1999), Former NFL quarterback
• Onterrio Smith (attended), Former NFL running back, released by the Minnesota Vikings for repeated failed drug tests
• Anthony Trucks (2006), NFL linebacker for the Washington Redskins
• Norv Turner (1976), Head Coach of the San Diego Chargers. Former head coach of the Washington Redskins and the Oakland Raiders.
• Norm Van Brocklin (B.S. 1949, M.S. 1951), Former NFL quarterback, Pro Football Hall of Fame member
• Dave Wilcox (1965), Former NFL linebacker, Pro Football Hall of Fame member
• Gary Zimmerman (1986), Former NFL offensive lineman, member of NFL 1990s All-Decade Team and NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
• Kenny Wheaton (1995), CFL star with the Toronto Argonauts, played on the 1994-1995 Rose Bowl team, an eminent figure at Oregon for "The Pick" against Washington in 1994.

Bowl game appearances and results

Rivalry with the University of Washington

Any person who witnesses a game between Oregon and Washington will instantly recognize one of the most heated rivalries in the country. Similar to other "border wars" like Missouri-Kansas or Texas-Oklahoma, the Oregon-Washington rivalry produces some of the most passionate fans for either school. The rivalry began in 1948, although the schools began playing each other in 1900, when Oregon and the Universiy of California tied for the best record in the Pacific Coast Conference. The winner of the PCC, as is today with the Pac-10, would go on to play in the Rose Bowl. The tiebreaker format the PCC elected to use was that the championship team be elected by the schools. In the PCC there were 10 teams, 6 of them were in the northwest and the other 4 in California, so it was assumed that Oregon would be the team playing in the Rose Bowl. Instead California was voted champion of the PCC because the University of Washington had talked the University of Montana, then a member of the PCC, into voting for California. Something that has not been forgotten by Oregon fans.

Within the last 60 years the rivalry has grown exponentially between the two fanbases. In 1962 Larry Hill, of Oregon, was tackled by Washington fans who had rushed onto the field while he was trying to catch the game winning touchdown. In 1995 Washington head coach, Jim Lambright, lobbied for the Huskies to be selected to play in the Cotton Bowl instead of the Ducks. He was unsuccessful however Seattle Post Intelligencer columnist Bud Withers wrote that Lambright's actions "invited a least another half-century worth of bile from Oregon fans."

The rivalry was given a boost, at least in Oregon eyes, when former Colorado Buffaloes head coach Rick Neuheisel was named head coach of Washington 1999. It was Neuheisel who called for a fake punt during the 1996 Cotton Bowl between Oregon and Colorado while the Buffaloes lead 38-6. Oregon fans were also accused of turning Neuheisel in for recruting during the dead period as he arrived at Washington by Husky fans. The Ducks went 1-2 against Neuheisel-coached Washington teams, and 37-58-5 all-time versus the Huskies. The rivalry grew even more when Coach Neuheisal celebrated by taking photos and jumping up and down on the "O" in the middle of the field after a win against Oregon at Autzen Stadium. Oregon fans saw it as classless and unbecoming of a Div I football coach.

_{Home team not known between 1900 and 1924}

Notable games

Comeback

In the 1970 edition of the UCLA-Oregon football game, UCLA was leading 40-21 with under 5 minutes remaining. Writers even left the press box, for the post-game interviews. Oregon had completed two touchdown passes from Tom Blanchard to Bobby Moore. Oregon recovered an Onside kick, and Dan Fouts hit wide-receiver Greg Specht for a 15-yard touchdown with 21 seconds remaining. The Ducks won the game 41-40.

The Pick

In the 1994 edition of the heated rivalry with the University of Washington, the #9-ranked Huskies came into Autzen Stadium with a 5-1 record, including a victory over the University of Miami, snapping a 58 game home winning streak. The game was a tough and close contest, with the Ducks clinging to a 24-20 lead late in the game. UW quarterback Damon Huard guided the Huskies to a first down on the 9 yard line with plenty of time remaining. Dark moments from past Husky games populated the minds of the Duck faithful. Mark Lee returned a punt 59 yards for touchdown to win the game in 1979. The defense held the #1-ranked Huskies to 109 yards and 3 first downs in 1984, but still fell 17-10. Combined with various lopsided losses through the years, plus the fact that Washington had won five in a row, and 17 of the last 21 against the Ducks, many Oregon fans feared the worst. That October afternoon would be different. Huard dropped back and whipped the ball to wide receiver Dave Janoski. U of O freshman cornerback Kenny Wheaton stepped in front of the pass, intercepted it and headed up the sideline for a clinching touchdown, putting Oregon ahead for good 31-20. It was at this moment that things changed forever in the minds, hearts and psyches of everyone associated with Oregon Duck football. Ultimately, Oregon would win its final six games to carry them to the Rose Bowl, and emerge as one of the most dominant programs in the Pac-10 since 1994. It's now tradition at all of the Oregon Ducks football games to play "The Pick" on the DuckVision right before the Ducks run onto the field.

Wildest finish

Oregon played at Arizona State in the 2000 college football season. Oregon trailed 49-35 in the final four minutes. The Ducks scored a touchdown to make it a one possession game, but then were unable to score after getting the ball back late in the game. With possession and time on its side, Arizona State needed just a single first down to run out the clock and win the game. But as Arizona State freshman running back Mike Williams was crossing the first down marker, he fumbled the ball and Oregon was able to recover it at the 17 yard line, giving the Ducks one last chance. Joey Harrington then hit Justin Peelle with a touchdown pass to tie the game with 27 seconds left. After neither team was able to score in the first overtime period, Oregon scored on a one yard run by Allan Amundson and the extra point by Josh Frankel put them up by seven points in the second overtime. Freshman Jeff Krohn then threw his fifth touchdown pass on Arizona State's next possession, finding Richard Williams from 21 yards out and bringing the Sun Devils within a PAT of forcing a 3rd overtime. Instead of kicking the extra point, Arizona State faked the kick and had quarterback Jeff Krohn roll out to his right, throwing a pass toward tight end Todd Heap in the back of the end zone. The pass tipped off Heap's extended hand and fell incomplete, giving Oregon a 56-55 double overtime victory.^[2]

Replay Controversy

Oregon played Oklahoma in the 2006 college football season. After a 16-yard TD by Dennis Dixon, Oregon trailed the Sooners 33-27 with 1:12 left in the game. The Sooners had recovered the onside attempt, coming from under the pile with the ball, but the ruling on the field was to give Oregon the ball. Oklahoma argued that the ball had made contact with an Oregon player before it went the required 10 yards anyway, so the ball should still be theirs. The play was reviewed by the Pac-10 replay officials. In the angle which the play was shown to viewers, the accused contact appeared to have been made but the call was not reversed. Replay official Gordon Riese claimed that his only angle visible was from the end zone, making him unable to see the play clearly, and ruling in favor of the call on the field which gave the ball to Oregon. Dixon threw a 23-yard TD pass to Brian Paysinger with 46 seconds left in the game to give Oregon a 34-33 lead. A squib kick was recovered by Reggie Smith and returned 55 yards up the sideline. Oklahoma ran Adrian Peterson one final time to get the ball on the right hash for the 44-yard, potential game winning attempt by Garret Hartley. The kick was blocked by linebacker Blair Phillips and the fans stormed the field in the victory over Oklahoma. After the game, the PAC-10 suspended the officiating crew one game for their failure to make the correct call.

Dennis Dixon Injury

Oregon played Arizona on November 15, 2007. The Ducks entered the game ranked #2 in both the AP poll and the BCS standings. A win in this game, followed by wins against UCLA and Oregon State, would result in a birth in the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans. The Ducks started the game hot, with a 39 yard touchdown run by Dennis Dixon and a successful two point conversion. Following an Arizona interception, the Ducks had the ball back on the Arizona 4 yard line threatening to score again. However, Dixon threw an interception that was returned 45 yards and eventually capitalized by the Wildcats as a touchdown, cutting the score to 8-7. The Ducks responded with another solid drive getting the ball to the Arizona 15 and looked set to score again. On 2nd and 7, Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon (the leading Heisman candidate at this point of the season) fell to the ground without being touched. Upon review it was clear that Dixon twisted his already-injured knee and tore his ACL. It would later be revealed that Dixon had actually torn the ligament in the previous week's game against Arizona State.

Following the injury, Dixon--having amassed 183 yards on 19 plays--was replaced by Brady Leaf. Oregon's misfortunes mounted: Arizona scored a touchdown on an interception return, another on a punt return, and Leaf suffered an ankle injury, all before halftime. Oregon tried to rally from the 14-31 halftime deficit, but lost 24-34, ending their National Championship hopes. The following day it was announced that Dixon's injury would end his season, and any hopes of a Heisman Trophy. With the Rose and Fiesta Bowls still to play for, Oregon's freefall continued over the next two weeks: Oregon suffered a shutout loss to UCLA behind fourth-string quarterback Cody Kempt (Leaf was lost for the season in the first quarter, third-string Nate Costa had been injured in practice three weeks earlier), and a 31-38 double overtime loss to rival Oregon State in the Civil War behind fifth-string quarterback Justin Roper (Kempt was knocked out of the game with a concussion). Oregon also lost numerous other position players throughout the season and easily had the most man games lost to injury in the entire NCAA FBS. The Ducks ended the regular season unranked, and were invited to play in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas. The Ducks rebounded nicely in this game. Despite coming in as a 7-point underdog and starting freshman at quarterback in Justin Roper, the Ducks routed the Bulls of South Florida 56-21. Running back Jonathan Stewart was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Afterwards, the last AP poll of the season was published, with Oregon reranked, as No. 23.

School records

Team records

Game

• Most Net Yards Rushing: 465 vs. Washington, 2007
• Most Net Yards Passing: 489 vs. Brigham Young, 1989
• Most Offensive Plays: 102 vs. Washington State, 2004
• Most Yards Total Offense: 667 vs. Brigham Young, 1989
• Most Passes Attempted: 63 vs. Washington State, 1996
• Most Passes Completed: 41 vs. Penn State, 1995 Rose Bowl
• Most Touchdown Passes: 7 vs. Stanford, 1994
• Most Pass Interceptions Thrown: 9 vs. Washington, 1952
• Most First Downs Rushing: 23 vs. Utah, 1971
• Most First Downs Passing: 24 vs. Arizona State, 1996
• Most First Downs: 33 vs. Utah, 1971; vs. Utah State, 1990; vs. Colorado State, 1996
• Most Points: 115 vs. Puget Sound, 1910
• Most Points(Modern Record): 72 vs. Nevada, 1999
• Most Conference Points Scored: 63 vs. Stanford, 1998; vs. Arizona, 2001
• Most Points Allowed: 71 vs. Texas, 1941
• Most Conference Points Allowed: 66 vs. Washington, 1974
• Fewest Yards Rushing Allowed: (-47) vs. Brigham Young, 1990
• Fewest Passing Yards Allowed: (-1) vs. Air Force, 1979
• Most Pass Interceptions: 7 vs. Idaho, 1949

Season

• Most Yards Rushing: 2,527, 1955
• Most Yards Passing: 3,856, 1998
• Most Yards Total Offense: 5,795 (1,939 rush, 3,856 pass), 1998
• Most Passes Attempted: 487, 1995
• Most Passes Completed: 303, 2005
• Most Touchdown Passes: 32, 1997 and 1998
• Most Pass Interceptions Thrown: 32, 1952
• Most First Downs Rushing: 159, 2007
• Most First Downs Passing: 164, 2005
• Most First Downs: 296, 2007
• Most Points: 473, 1998
• Fewest Points Allowed (since 1916): 34, 1936 (9 games); 50, 1958 (10 games); 97, 1957 (11 games); 203, 2006 (12 games); 221, 1990 (12 games); 250, 1994 (13 games)
• Most Touchdowns: 59, 1998
• Most 1-Points PATs: 57, 1998
• Most 2-Points PATs: 6, 1970
• Most PATs Total: 58, 1998
• Most Consecutive PATs: 45, 2003
• Most Field Goals: 24, 1989 and 1999
• Most Field Goals Attempted: 34, 1992
• Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed: 834, 1938
• Fewest Passes Attempted: 97, 1936
• Fewest Passes Completed: 36, 1936
• Fewest Passing Yards Allowed: 458, 1936
• Most Pass Interceptions: 25, 1947, 1949 and 1968
• Undefeated Season: 1895 (4-0-0); 1906 (5-0-1); 1916 (7-0-1)
• Most Victories: 11, 2001 (11-1)
• Longest Winning Streak: 11 (last 5 games, 2001, and first 6 games, 2002)
• Longest Unbeaten Streak: 16 (15 wins, one tie; last 7 games, 1915, all 8 games, 1916, and first game, 1917)

Individual records

Scoring

• Most Points Scored
  • Game: 56, Charles Taylor vs. Puget Sound, 10-22-1910
  • Modern: 30, Saladin McCullough vs. Arizona, 11-9-1996
  • Season: 117, Nathan Villegas, 1998
  • Career: 323, Jared Siegel, 2001-2004

• Most Touchdowns:
  • Game: 10, Charles Taylor vs. Puget Sound, 10-22-1910
  • Season: 15, Saladin McCullough, 1996; Bobby Moore, 1969
  • Career: 45, Derek Loville, 1986-1989

• Most Total Points Accounted For:
  • Game: 56, Charles Taylor vs. Puget Sound, 10-22-1910
  • Modern: 36, Kellen Clemens at Washington State, 10-9-2004; Joey Harrington vs. Arizona State, 11-3-2001; Joey Harrington at Arizona State, 10-28-2000; Danny O'Neil at Stanford, 11-12-1994
  • Season: 216, Akili Smith, 1998 (192 pass, 24 rush)
  • Career: 472, Joey Harrington, 1998-2001 (354 pass, 108 rush, 6 receiving, 4 PAT)

Rushing

• Attempts:
  • Game: 45, Reuben Droughns vs. Arizona, 10-23-1999
  • Season: 286, Maurice Morris, 2000
  • Career: 811, Derek Loville, 1986-1989

• Net Yards:
  • Game: 285, Onterrio Smith at Washington State, 10-27-2001
  • Season: 1722, Jonathan Stewart, 2007
  • Career: 3296, Derek Loville, 1986-1989

• Average Per Carry:
  • Game: 30.5, Mel Renfro vs. Idaho, 9-23-1961
  • Season: 8.1, Don Reynolds, 1972
  • Career: 6.1, John McKay, 1948-1949

• Most Touchdowns:
  • Game: 10, Charles Taylor vs. Puget Sound, 10-22-1910
  • Modern: 5, Saladin McCullough vs. Arizona, 11-9-1996
  • Season: 15, Saladin McCullough, 1996
  • Career: 41, Derek Loville, 1986-1989

• Most 100-Yard Games:
  • Season: 9, Jonathan Stewart, 2007
  • Career: 14, Jonathan Stewart, 2007

• Most Consecutive 100-Yard Games:
  • Season 7, Onterrio Smith, 2002

Receiving

• Receptions:
  • Game: 16, Samie Parker vs. Minnesota, 12-31-2003
  • Season: 77, Samie Parker, 2003
  • Career: 178, Samie Parker, 2000-2003

• Receiving Yards:
  • Game: 242, Tony Hartley vs. Washington, 11-7-1998
  • Season: 1123, Bob Newland, 1970
  • Career: 2761, Samie Parker, 2000-2003

• Touchdown Receptions:
  • Game: 4, Keenan Howry vs. Arizona State, 11-3-2001
  • Season: 10, Demetrius Williams, 2005; Tony Hartley, 1998; Cristin McLemore, 1993; Bobby Moore, 1969
  • Career: 24, Keenan Howry, 1999-2002; Cristin McLemore, 1992-1995

• Most 100-Yards Games:
  • Season: 5, Jaison Williams, 2006; Damon Griffin, 1998; Pat Johnson, 1997
  • Career: 11, Demetrius Williams, 2002-2005

See also

• University of Oregon
• University of Oregon football bowl game history
• 2007 Oregon Ducks football team

References