It won’t show up on the schedule or in the box score.
It won’t be visible on gambling Web sites and won’t be apparent to fans arriving at Autzen Stadium this weekend.
While Oregon’s itinerary calls for a home game against UCLA Saturday, the Ducks, in actuality, will be battling two opponents.
California faces Washington in body this weekend, but the Golden Bears’ mystique will hang over Oregon like an ominous storm cloud.
After all, it wasn’t like Oregon was dominated by a superior team in Berkeley, Calif. Rather, the Ducks beat themselves with mistakes and not capitalizing on opportunities, falling to Cal 28-27.
“Losing a game like that, where we were confident in winning is a battle,” fullback Dante Rosario said. “To lose a game like that takes a lot out of you. We know what it takes to come back and win. A lot of people think we are just going to hang our heads now and not really try to end the season the way we should. We are going to fight and end the season right”
Besides acknowledging the tough defeat, the Ducks say they’ve moved past last week’s heartbreaking loss to the Golden Bears.
I don’t believe it.
While the loss may not be a focal point this week for Oregon, it will linger in the back of every player’s mind when it comes time for him to make a play.
Can I make this block?
Can I make this tackle?
Can I catch this pass?
With Oregon needing a win during its final two games to secure a bowl bid and its 11th consecutive winning season, it will be evident which Ducks are capable of handling adversity. Saturday’s matchup with a much improved Bruin team will likely be a close one. When it comes down to crunch time, athletes who are mentally tough rise above their past mistakes to make the play at hand. Those who can’t handle the heat whither and choke under pressure.
If Saturday’s outcome depends on a drive in the final two minutes, will Oregon come through?
If UCLA quarterback Drew Olson lobs a pass down the middle of the field to tight end Marcedes Lewis, will Oregon safety Justin Phinisee knock the ball away, or will visions of the touchdown he allowed to Cal’s Craig Stevens last week hinder his reaction?
If Jared Siegel is called upon to nail an important field goal, will the senior be focused enough to drill the ball through the uprights, or will thoughts of his missed extra point last week jog through his mind?
If Kellen Clemens sees a receiver open downfield, will he have the confidence to throw him the ball, or will last week’s abundance of Oregon drops make him think twice before pulling the trigger?
And if Clemens drills Keith Allen in the numbers with a pass late in the game, will the senior play the role of hero and make the catch, or will he remember last week’s well publicized drop and let the ball slip harmlessly through his fingers?
The Ducks seem confident of total focus and a victory on Saturday.
“We’re fine,” defensive end Devan Long said. “It was a tough break, but you can’t let the same team beat you two weeks in a row. We need to get back out there this week, get a win and erase the memory.”
Oregon fans better hope so, or the Ducks may be facing three opponents the following Saturday in Corvallis.
Dealing with the Cal defeat along with another dissapointing loss to the Bruins would all but bury the Ducks against the Beavers.
Needing a win during a Civil War game at Oregon State in order to become bowl eligible? If the Ducks are focused, it shouldn’t come to that.

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