Mitchell named top player
Linebacker Kevin Mitchell was named the Ducks’ Most Outstanding Player at Oregon’s annual football awards banquet on Sunday.
Mitchell gathered 103 tackles this season — his senior year — becoming the first Oregon player since Joe Farwell to gather 100 or more tackles in three straight seasons. Farwell did it from 1990-92.
He is the first defensive player to be named team MVP since Matt Smith shared it with Joey Harrington in 2000.
Mitchell was also awarded the Bob Officer Award, which is given to the player that provided significant contributions despite physical adversity or injuries.
Senior quarterback Jason Fife was named the most inspirational player. Other awards handed out at the banquet include: Junior Siavii (most improved player), Dante Rosario (top newcomer), Keith Lewis (Ironman Award — most playing time throughout the season — and top special teams player), Igor Olshansky (top defensive lineman), Dan Weaver (top offensive lineman), Samie Parker (player with most significant impact) and Matt Floberg, who received the senior academic/attitude award.

Five wrestlers take top spots
Five Oregon wrestlers took top three finishes at the SOU Best of the West Open in Medford on Saturday.
Luke Larwin took second in the 165-pound weight class, while Joey Bracamonte finished third in the same weight class.
Shane Webster, who competed unattached, finished second in the 174-pound weight class.
Ending the day, Joey Lucas ended his turn in the tournament third in the 125-pound weight class and Elias Soto finished third in his class.
“We are a young team and we are making some of the mistakes you make when you are young,” Oregon head coach Chuck Kearney said. “Our objective and goal is to improve and not make those mistakes.”
Oregon will practice the next two weeks before hosting rival Oregon State on Dec. 13 at McArthur Court. A night later, top-ranked Oklahoma State comes to Eugene. Both meets begin at 7 p.m.

— Hank Hager