Roommates at home, teammates on the field and motivators everywhere in-between.
Sophomore tight end George Wrighster and redshirt freshman receiver Samie Parker pushed each other all summer in preparation for this season. Whether it was lifting that extra weight, running that extra lap or catching that extra pass, the two California natives benefited from each other’s motivation.
While both have had their moments in the past, Parker catching three passes for 72 yards against Oregon State and Wrighster displaying his sharp blocking skills in every game last season, it wasn’t until Saturday night that they both reached the paydirt.
Wrighster and Parker each hauled in their first career touchdown pass in fifth-ranked Oregon’s message-sending 63-28 victory at Arizona.
In the first quarter, it was Wrighster who got the Oregon offensive attack rolling when he gave his team the early 7-0 lead with a two-yard scoring reception.
And in the second quarter, it was Parker who helped Oregon break away when he broke loose in the open field and caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Joey Harrington to extend the Ducks’ lead to 28-14.
Wrighster ended up with three catches for 18 yards while Parker started in place of Keenan Howry and led all Oregon receivers with five catches for 160 yards.
“We talked about this all summer, about getting out there and trying to make an impact in a big game,” Parker said. “It’s fun to be able to go home and be able to talk about how the game went and how we contributed to the win.”
Also living with the two is fellow teammate Onterrio Smith, who also played a key part in the win by rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Wrighster said that it wasn’t until a late night conversation with his roomies that he realized that he had scored the first points of the game.
“We were talking about the game and someone said, ‘Man, you scored the first TD,’ and I was like, ‘I did, huh?’” Wrighster said. “So yeah, it was kind of cool. Everybody wants to be a part of the scoring offense. When you catch balls and get into the end zone, it makes you feel even more a part of the offense.”
Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti has long liked Wrighster’s blocking abilities but is practically drooling at the thought of having two proven receivers at the tight end position. With opposing defenses having to honor Wrighster’s catching abilities, it would potentially free up starting tight end Justin Peelle, who is on every defensive coordinator’s game plan.
“George is one of the best line of scrimmage blockers, and that is good, but if we can release him and take him down the field, it certainly would add to our offense,” Bellotti said.
As for Parker, Bellotti is more than comfortable having Harrington use him as an important part of the offense. Parker’s burst of acceleration is what separates him from the pack, Bellotti said.
“Samie brings a speed factor to the team, and on the fly, he’s probably the fastest player on the team other than
Allan Amundson,” Bellotti said. “At the
receiver position, he can definitely stretch the defense.”
Fans from last season may remember that Parker sported the No. 4 on his jersey as opposed to his current No. 1.
“I had this number in high school and I like how I look with it, and I think I play better with it,” Parker said.
And clearly, both Parker and Wrighster play better thanks to the encouragement they give one another every step of the way.
“We get on each other and try to make each other the best that we can be,” Parker said. “Hopefully we can contribute like that in all games, including this weekend against Cal.”
Notes: Bellotti said that Amundson, a tailback who didn’t play against the Wildcats because of an ankle sprain suffered against Utah State, is “doubtful” to play this Saturday at California … All members on the travel roster received playing time at Arizona, except tailback Ryan Shaw, who was activated from redshirt status in case of emergency while Amundson recovers … The 12:30 p.m. game between the Ducks and Golden Bears is not scheduled to be televised.