Robert Woods was killing the Ducks.
The 6-foot-1 Trojan wideout had just caught his second touchdown of the day as USC took a 21-7 lead during last November’s showdown at Autzen. With LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and other NBA stars on hand, Oregon was wilting under the spotlight.
It didn’t sit well with then-redshirt freshman Terrance Mitchell. At halftime, the bold cornerback plead his case to his coaches.
Let me take him.
With Mitchell man-to-man on him the majority of the second half, Woods managed just 15 yards on two catches. Of course, USC quarterback Matt Barkley eventually turned to his other weapon at wide receiver, Marquis Lee, who torched the Ducks with 187 receiving yards. But Mitchell is hardly to blame. He rose to meet the occasion.
“All my life with sports, you always find a challenge,”  Mitchell says after practice Wednesday. “I’m from Sacramento, man. We always wanted to play against the best person.” Mitchell tugs at his jersey unselfconsciously and lowers his eyes. “That’s what it’s all about.”
His confidence is infectious, and it explains the short road Mitchell took to the starting lineup.
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A stud at Luther Burbank High School in South Sacramento@@please double check@@, Mitchell initially had trouble picking a sport.
“Basketball was my first love, and I played a little baseball,” Mitchell said. “I was a point guard, and I had a jumper, man. I was wet.” Football opened more doors, and Burbank fans were glad it did.
Mitchell did a little bit of everything his senior year: 2,630 all-purpose yards on 106 rushes and 48 receptions, 24 touchdowns — plus six picks, a forced fumble and a blocked field goal as a first-team, all-league corner. Colleges across the country made pitches to the three-star recruit before Mitchell narrowed the choices down to USC, UCLA and Oregon.
“I knew a couple people up here, and it was a nice atmosphere when I came here for my visit (for the 2009 Civil War),” Mitchell said. “Of course, that Nike stuff …” Mitchell trails off before an easy laugh. Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti characteristically also played a heavy role in his recruiting.
“Coach Al came to the house. He’s from Northern California too, so that was a good little vibe right there,” Mitchell said. The biggest thing that stuck out to me is he was just real. He didn’t promise me anything, just told it like it was.”
In the 2010 Spring Game, Mitchell made his presence felt immediately. After picking off Darron Thomas, Mitchell weaved 46 yards for a touchdown. Aliotti was excited at the potential but didn’t reach for the anointing oil.
“I like his speed. I like his quickness. He’s picking things up fast,” Aliotti said. “There’s a lot I like about him, but he hasn’t played in a real game yet, so we’re not going to give him too many kudos.”
Mitchell ended up redshirting the 2010 season but suddenly found himself at the top of the depth chart when head coach Chip Kelly suspended talented, troubled starter Cliff Harris for the 2011 season opener against SEC powerhouse LSU. Mitchell struggled against LSU’s physical receivers and found himself beat by Rueben Randle for a 10-yard touchdown. Facing the media after the game, Mitchell promised to get better and acknowledged the learning curve.
“It was just, ‘Welcome to NCAA football,” Mitchell said. He started eleven more games and led the team in pass break-ups, fighting off Cliff Harris to maintain the starting role until Harris was dismissed from the team in December. After last year, Mitchell can justifiably be called a veteran as a redshirt sophomore. He’ll be called on to lead now more than ever, especially with free safety John Boyett out for the year with knee injuries. Defensive backs coach John Neal broke the news to Mitchell and the rest of the secondary.
“When I heard (about Boyett), I was like, ‘Aw, man.’ But also, it’s an opportunity for me to step up and be a leader in the secondary. … John brings a lot of leadership, a lot of knowledge and experience, effort, talent. All of that. But he’ll be vocal on the sidelines.”
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The man who calls Autzen his home on Twitter is more excited for this year than anything else. His desire to be on the field is visibly intense. He’s looking forward to Pac-12 play only because the teams are better. Riding the bench with the rest of the starters during nonconference blowouts “can get boring.” And Tennessee Tech’s “Fastest 60 Minutes In Football” draws a laugh from Mitchell.
“Nothing really can compare to us,” he said. “But they spread it out, force us to make questions during the perimeter. … They might be fast, we’ll see Saturday. Hopefully they are fast, it will make the game go fast too.”
And the Woods/Lee combination? Mitchell says they don’t even rank up there with the best he’s played.
“I mean, they’re good, but …” Another easy laugh. “The best receiver (I’ve faced)? I’d probably say a buddy from back home. He was older than me. He just used to work me and work me, and it got me better.”
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How good he can be this year could set the pace for Oregon’s defense. The Ducks allowed a 100-yard receiver nine times last year, and part of the problem is on the other side of the ball. When the Ducks’ offense scores fast and often, the secondary is attacked by teams chipping at a deficit. But like every other challenge he’s faced since traveling north to Eugene, Mitchell is unfazed.
“I’m almost there. I just gotta continue taking small steps and getting smarter mentally, just remembering schemes and things.” He says it nonchalantly as he adjusts the chin strap on the helmet in his hands. But when he’s asked about his personal goals, the passion and confidence flares again. His eyes level, and his voice is almost a whisper.
“All-American.”
Think he can do it? Ask Robert Woods.