The last time Oregon made it to the Rose Bowl was 1995. The Ducks — much like this year’s version — came back from early season travails to win the conference with just one loss. That year’s team lost to Penn State 38-20, but it held its own, led by quarterback Danny O’Neil and 456 yards passing.
Now, Oregon has returned to the site of that game in hopes of winning the “Granddaddy of Them All” for the first time since 1917.
“It’s going to be a heckuva game,” head coach Chip Kelly said.
In the 96th Rose Bowl game, Oregon (10-2) will take on the Big-10 champion Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2), a team that has won five in a row.
The Buckeyes and Ducks have a lot more in common besides their records. Ohio State has played two opponents that Oregon has beaten this year: USC and Purdue. The Trojans beat OSU 18-15 on Sept. 12, the same day, ironically, that the Ducks beat Purdue 38-36. The Boilermakers then handed the Buckeyes their only loss in conference on Oct. 17.
But the thing Oregon coach Chip Kelly is most concerned with about the Buckeyes is the defense. The defense of the team is No. 5 in the nation. On his Friday phone conference with the media, Kelly raved about the Buckeye defense, saying they were fast and athletic.
“Their speed at linebacker really jumps out at you,” Kelly said.
Kelly spent most of the time talking about the defense, but he also touched on quarterback Terrelle Pryor — who the Ducks recruited coming out of high school as the No. 1 prep recruit in the nation. Pryor chose the Buckeyes over the Ducks in a very public decision and now the sophomore will get to see which team is better.
“He’s developed a lot,” Kelly said. “He’s gotten faster … he was a man against boys in high school. He’s a tremendous athlete.”
The Ducks also have a good quarterback who will showcase his own skills in the BCS bowl. Junior Jeremiah Masoli, who threw for 201 yards and a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers in the Civil War, brings a gritty leadership that isn’t afraid to run you over. Just ask Lance Mitchell of the Beavers, who Masoli trucked to gain a key first down on fourth and short to extend Oregon’s last drive.
A media member remarked how the fourth down call was similar to the fourth down call that Bill Belichick made in the Colts-Patriots game a few weeks ago. But instead of quarterback Tom Brady running for the first, he threw and the Patriots didn’t convert.
“Jeremiah and Brady are a little bit different,” Kelly said. “Brady won’t truck a safety.”
Masoli is also amazed that he’s in the position to start in the Rose Bowl. Growing up in California, the game is what kids watch and aspire to play in. Now he’s less than a month away from playing in the biggest game of his life.
“Not really, I couldn’t have told you that (I would be playing in the game),” Masoli said. “This is really amazing right now.”
Oregon is 0-7 all-time against the Buckeyes and for game No. 8 to go differently, the Ducks will have to continue to play the same inspired football they’ve played all year. This team won’t be done until their quest to reshape Oregon football once again is complete with a Rose Bowl win.
It may not be 1994 anymore, but the likes of O’Neil, Cristin McLemore, Josh Wilcox and the other members of that team are surely watching.
“This football team is in no way done,” Kelly said. “We want to finish this right. We’re not happy to be in a bowl game. We want to win it.”
[email protected]