Kellen Clemens, seen here against Indiana, threw for 437 yards and had a hand in all six of Oregon’s touchdowns. Despite his career performance, California’s Aaron Rodgers became the Pac-10 Player of the Week.
After Oregon’s dramatic come-from-behind victory against Washington State on Saturday, the Ducks greeted their Martin Stadium cheering section with the exuberance of a team that had just won the Rose Bowl.
Athletes swapped high-fives with ecstatic fans and released thunderous roars of pleasure. But it was the actions of two Oregon coaches at the opposite end of the field that truly epitomized the emotional 41-38 win.
As head coach Mike Bellotti prepared for television interviews, receivers coach Dan Ferrigno rushed the dean of Pacific-10 Conference coaches and delivered a hug with more force than most linebackers use on a given tackle. Bellotti’s ensuing smile lit up the darkening Palouse sky and showed signs of a feeling the Ducks hadn’t experienced for quite some time: relief.
Oregon’s win against Washington State was more than just a barn-burning display of offensive authority. It was a victory that put the Ducks back into the hunt for the Pac-10 title and helped them avoid their first 1-4 start since 1982, when Oregon lost eight of its first nine games and finished 2-8-1.
“Those guys did not give up,” Bellotti said of his players after the game. “They never lost faith despite some unbelievable (Cougar) plays and some unbelievable (officiating) calls.
“These kids … I love ’em.”
Offensive tackle Adam Snyder said Saturday’s win lifted a lot of pressure off the team’s shoulders and should act as motivation for the rest of the season.
“It’s something we needed to do,” Snyder said. “When you see that reward I think it’s a big, positive influence.”
Clemens hosed
Oregon quarterback Kellen Clemens’ career performance on Saturday was strong enough to warrant nomination for the Cingular/ABC Sports All-America Player of the Week award, but wasn’t good enough for Pac-10 Player of the Week honors. The Burns native completed 36 of 55 passes for 437 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 36 yards and three more scores, but lost out to California quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The junior completed 29 of 34 passes — including tying an NCAA record 23 in a row — for 267 yards and a touchdown during a 23-17 loss to top-ranked Southern California.
Clemens’ passing yardage total was the seventh-highest in Oregon history, five yards shy of Akili Smith’s 442-yard performance against Washington in 1998. Bill Musgrave’s 489-yard effort against BYU in 1989 tops the list.
Clemens’ 473 yards of total offense ranks second all-time behind Musgrave, who amassed 498 yards during his 1989 performance.
Bellotti said Clemens deserved conference honors.
“Yeah, I’m a little surprised,” Bellotti said of Rodgers winning the award. “Kellen put up record numbers in a winning effort against the No. 2 defense in the conference and had a hand in six touchdowns.
“I know those statistics are unmatched in our conference this past week. I know Aaron is a good quarterback and tied a record for efficiency, which is important, but I do think winning and the overall aspect of the game is important.”
Oregon teammates said Clemens’ play down the stretch of Saturday’s win was inspirational.
“The way he composed himself was unbelievable,” Snyder said. “Looking at him helped us on the offensive line to bring us down for a second and do what we needed to do to win.”
Playmakers
The Oregon offense had four players each account for more than 100 yards of offense on Saturday, with two surpassing the 200-yard mark.
Wide receiver Demetrius Williams busted out of his season-long slump by catching 12 passes for 126 yards. While the junior failed to reach the end zone, his ability to get open created opportunities for his teammates.
Tight end Tim Day had the best game of his career, catching eight balls for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Bellotti said the Ducks forced the ball into the 268-pounder across the middle of the field.
Lost amid Oregon’s impressive aerial display was the performance of running back Terrence Whitehead. The junior totaled 237 yards, with 166 coming on the ground. The Los Angeles native is now eight yards short of the 500-yard mark for the season.
In all, the Ducks gained 646 yards of total offense against the Cougars, including 393 in the second half.
