If it weren’t for that ugly, left-footed punt, Joey Harrington could say it ended perfectly. But he’ll just have to settle for a win and the team’s best-ever ranking — No. 2.
In the biggest game of his career — under the spotlight of NFL scouts and a national audience — the senior quarterback had arguably the best game of his career in Oregon’s 38-16 win over Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl Jan. 1.
“We made a statement today — 38 unanswered points — and shot down the hottest team in the country,” Harrington said after the game. “We showed that we deserve to be playing for a share of the national championship.”
The Ducks, of course, didn’t get a share of the national championship, as Miami defeated Nebraska in the Rose Bowl to finish the season 12-0. But Harrington and the other 12 members of the senior class have been the most successful group in program’s history, recording 38 wins in the last four years (21 in the last two).
“That’s something we set out to do — to raise the expectations,” said Harrington, who is 25-4 as a starter. “I do believe we’ve raised the expectations for Ducks football.”
With his performance against Colorado, Harrington may have also raised eyebrows in the NFL.
Trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, Harrington found a wide-open Keenan Howry for a 28-yard score to tie the game. From there, Harrington could seemingly do no wrong.
Like a perfect melody, Harrington, a jazz pianist, hit Samie Parker down the middle of the field early in the second quarter for a 79-yard touchdown, the longest passing play of Harrington’s career.
“It was very important for him. He had an incredible game,” senior offensive guard Ryan Schmid said. “We’re all proud of him. I think he made a statement.”
Harrington also hit tailback Onterrio Smith for a six-yard score and tight end Justin Peelle for a four-yard touchdown. Besides an interception late in the first half — for which he redeemed himself with a solid tackle — Harrington’s only blemish was a shanked punt that went out of bounds at the Colorado 18-yard line.
For the season, the Heisman Trophy finalist threw for 2,764 yards and 28 touchdown (to six interceptions), while rushing for seven more scores.
The emotions of playing his final game in an Oregon uniform sunk in for Harrington prior to the Fiesta Bowl.
“It hit me last night,” Harrington said after the game. “We were having our pregame meeting. Everybody was in there. We watched the highlight film and it kind of dawned on me and some of the seniors that this is the last time we are going to be spending the night together. … It was really a special thing.”
As was Harrington’s performance on New Year’s Day.
“Joey was Joey,” linebacker Kevin Mitchell said. “He’s our general.”
He’s also headed to the next level.