The Oregon football team returned to practice Monday morning at the Moshofsky Center in preparation for Saturday’s Civil War showdown in Corvallis.
Oregon’s tradition of keeping Civil War practice week closed to the public, including media, holds true again the season. The No. 2 Ducks wore shells for Monday’s workout — shoulder pads and helmets — and practiced with good focus and concentration, Oregon coach Chip Kelly said.
“This game is big ‘cause it’s the game we’re playing this week,” Kelly said. “But it’s no bigger than any of the other games we’ve played. Every game’s been our Super Bowl.”
The biggest news of the morning went to sophomore running back LaMichael James, who was tabbed to the 2010 American Football Coaches Association All-American Team. James still leads the nation in rushing with 154.8 yards per game, with 1,548 yards on the ground through 10 games this season, while averaging two touchdowns per outing.
James is already a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back. With Monday’s announcement, James became the first Oregon player since former defensive end Nick Reed was named an All-American in 2008.
“Anytime we get a running back (selected) obviously he doesn’t do it by himself,” Kelly said. “Well deserved on his part, but I think it says a lot about the offensive line, our receivers, quarterback, the whole group. So they’ll take some pride in that.”
James became the youngest Oregon player to be named an All-American since Mel Renfro took home his first award as a sophomore in 1962.
Following the physical Arizona game on Saturday, James said he was having some difficulty seeing and many thought the Heisman hopeful could have suffered a concussion. Kelly did not say much about the possible injury, as James was back in action preparing for Oregon State.
There were still a few Ducks banged up following Saturday’s game though.
Junior wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei remained on the injury report with his shoulder issues, and senior defensive tackle Zac Clark and sophomore punter Jackson Rice joined him on that list due to illness. Oregon’s offensive line did get Darrion Weems back after missing the Arizona game with a leg injury.
Oregon State has dealt with its fair share of injury problems this season, most notably wide receiver James Rodgers, who suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier in the year.
Rodgers accounted for 303 all-purpose yards and one touchdown in last year’s Civil War matchup at Autzen Stadium. In his place, Markus Wheaton has developed into a consistent threat in the Beavers’ fly-sweep offense.
Oregon, of course, will have its hands full with Jacquizz Rodgers in the running game as well. The junior was held to 64 yards and one score on the ground a year ago, but with the home crowd behind him, Jacquizz Rodgers has always been a force.
Senior defensive lineman Brandon Bair spent some time with the speedy running back down in Los Angeles for the Pacific-10 Conference Media Day earlier in the year.
“Just the little time I was able to spend with him, you know, he’s just a really good guy,” Bair said. “Really competitive, he’s going to come out and he’s going to have fun and he’s going to give you his best game.”
The absence of his older brother, however, has become a recent trend in Civil War matchups. In three of the last four seasons at least one elite player has missed the game due to injury. Oregon’s Dennis Dixon sat out in 2007, and then Jacquizz Rodgers missed it in 2008; now James Rodgers will be sidelined for the 2010 contest.
Notable Award Finalists
Oregon sophomore Darron Thomas was announced as one of the 10 finalists for the Manning Award, which was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college careers of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. This is the only quarterback award that takes the candidates’ bowl performances into consideration. Last year, the Manning Award was given to former Texas signal caller Colt McCoy. Joining Thomas on that list: Andy Dalton, TCU; Colin Kaepernick, Nevada; Andrew Luck, Stanford; Ryan Mallett, Arkansas; Kellen Moore, Boise State; Cameron Newton, Auburn; Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State; Denard Robinson, Michigan; Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State.
FootballScoop.com named second-year offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich one of four finalists for the 2010 Offensive Coordinator of the Year award. Paul Chryst of Wisconsin, Dana Holgorsen of Oklahoma State and Gus Malzahn of Auburn joined Helfrich.
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