Zack Freiter doesn’t buy into all of the hype.
“There’s no difference (this week),” the senior defensive tackle said of the Civil War. “It’s another game, and we have to prepare like any other week to get a win if we can.”
But it’s Civil War week. Feed the insanity. Say you hate the Beavers, Zack. You know you want to. Teammate Steve Smith is over there telling reporters that there’s no way Ken Simonton will get his 113 yards Saturday. He’s mashing on the Beavs.
Zack, you’re too nice. Are you really a football player?
“You just want to go out and play your best, that’s all that really matters,” said the 6-foot-3, 280 pound Freiter.
Freiter said he didn’t have any allegiances with the Ducks or Beavers growing up.
“I wasn’t a big fan of football when I was young. I liked baseball,” he said. “I never really followed it until I got here. But it’s a lot of fun. The game’s always sold out.”
Fun? That’s not what the fans want to hear.
Freiter is simply a soft-spoken and humble giant away from the field. But on the field, Freiter should almost be outlawed.
“In my opinion, he’s the best defensive player on the line,” freshman defensive end Igor Olshansky said. “If you know what you’re talking about in football, and about the lines and about a D-lineman getting cut off or double teamed and staying in his gaps, Zack’s one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
He’s the strongest, too.
In the weight room, Freiter, the lone senior on the defensive line, can squat 631 pounds, the most of any defensive lineman in program history.
“He’s a great player,” junior defensive end Seth McEwen said. “Just his work ethic and how hard he’s worked over the offseason to get ready, and how he works to get better every game is what has led to his success.”
Freiter has recorded 21 tackles, including three for a loss, this season for the No. 4 Ducks. More than statistics, though, Freiter’s leadership on the field has been key to Oregon’s effective run defense, ranked third in the Pacific-10 Conference.
After suffering numerous injuries throughout his career, the main obstacle this season was to stay healthy, Freiter said. And he has done that.
“It’s a lot of work in the offseason,” Freiter said. “Having the trainers work with me and keeping me healthy, you know, they’re the ones who keep me healthy. And a little bit of luck. Things can go wrong sometimes, but fortunately, it’s been a good year. I’ve had a lot of fun.”
Staying injury free has enabled Freiter to show “everybody how good of a player he is,” McEwen said.
Playing in his last game at Autzen Stadium on Saturday, Freiter admitted that he’ll be “a little sad after the game. I still remember the first time I walked out of the tunnel, and I’ll probably always remember my last game, too.”
Just don’t expect him to talk trash about it.