After blowing out Michigan 39-7 last Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich. Oregon players have reason to carry some swagger into this Saturday’s game.
The Ducks (2-0 overall), ranked No. 19 in the nation, rolled up more than 600 yards of offense, were all over ESPN after the game, and quarterback Dennis Dixon was named the USA Today and AT&T All-America Player of the Week awards. What’s not to like about their chances this week?
Well, the fact that they’re playing Fresno State for starters. Every matchup against the Bulldogs (1-1) turns out to be a knock-down, drag-out type of game. Last year’s contest was the widest margin of victory for Oregon in five games against the Bulldogs when the Ducks won 31-24 thanks to a fake field goal that kicker Paul Martinez ran into the end zone with 4:55 left in the game. Also, no more than four points have decided each of the last three games played at Autzen Stadium.
“They are going to come out fighting – no joke,” center Max Unger said. “I’ve seen Fresno put up fights every time on film.
“It’s going to be tough”
Fresno State coach Pat Hill’s mantra has always been “Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere,” and he takes pride in beating schools from the BCS conferences. While Oregon hasn’t shied away from playing Fresno State, coach Mike Bellotti said the Bulldogs are always looking for a chance to further their reputation as the team that can upset anybody it plays against.
It almost happened last week. The Bulldogs put a scare into then-No. 23 Texas A&M, taking the team into triple overtime before losing 47-45. Fresno State nearly had its upset-special last week. Now, Bellotti believes they’ll try at it again Saturday in Autzen Stadium, likening it to Oregon’s momentum last week heading into Ann Arbor.
“Going to Michigan was an opportunity for us to make a statement,” Bellotti said. “I’m sure Coach Hill is telling Fresno State going to Oregon is a chance to make a national statement.”
However, the Bulldogs’ chances seemed to dampen after a triple-overtime loss, followed by a 1,700-mile trip back home from Texas before they head to one of the most hostile environment in the country at Autzen Stadium. That, combined with the way the Ducks played against Michigan, seems to tip the odds in Oregon’s favor.
While Bellotti said playing a triple-overtime will affect Fresno State’s players, it won’t determine the outcome of the game.
“I don’t think it really changes anything,” Bellotti said. “They get four more hours rest. Instead of a 12:30 p.m. kick(off) it’s a 4:00 p.m. kick. They will probably take less practice time because playing a triple-overtime is like playing another quarter. It does have its wear and tear on a team.”
And despite the success Oregon’s had this past week, Bellotti doesn’t want to see a repeat with the Ducks losing all of their momentum the way they did last season, starting 4-0 and finishing 7-6. He wants to them to keep their focus and take things one step at a time.
“We have taken a very positive step but unless you continue to take those positive steps, you run the risk of losing everything you have,” Bellotti said.
The players, though, may have taken his advice almost too close to heart. When asked about the team’s new ranking in the polls (No. 19 in the AP, No. 21 in the coaches poll) it was news for each of the Ducks questioned.
“I didn’t know we were ranked,” defensive end Nick Reed said. “We’re 19th? That’s great.”
And before he headed off to practice Monday, Bellotti shook his head when asked if the ranking had any meaning for him.
Instead, he and the Ducks will focus on the upcoming games and disregard anything that has to do with how good people may perceive the team to be. That ranking may serve as more of a target on the Ducks’ backs. Teams like Fresno State will see that ranking and only want to beat Oregon that much more.
The veteran Oregon players know that. They were the ones who experienced last year after being ranked as high as No. 11 before falling out of the polls by season’s end.
“From here on out, it’s going to be a dog fight with any team we play,” linebacker A.J. Tuitele said.