It’s the end of the academic year, and a full season of Oregon athletics is in the books. Much like ESPN’s SportsCenter, I compiled the top ten Oregon sports moments of the year; although, it has been whittled to a top eight due to budget cuts, aka word count. Times are tough here, people. We all have to tighten our belts. This list takes into account the amount of media exposure each sport receives, which means the higher the national visibility, the higher on the list the moment will climb. Let’s get to it.
8. Oregon men take second in cross country

When the men finished second after winning the whole thing the last two years, it might have been seen as a failure. But it really wasn’t. The men lost legendary Galen Rupp to graduation and didn’t automatically qualify at the West Regional, receiving an at-large bid. The bounce back to finish second was actually quite remarkable.
7. Mike Bellotti fiasco

When Mike Bellotti stepped down from his post as athletic director to become a college football analyst for ESPN, it came with curious timing. He resigned almost immediately after firing basketball coach Ernie Kent. Suspicions were aroused. It later came to light that Bellotti was owed $2.5 million, but no official contract had actually been signed. The public was outraged. President Richard Lariviere promised a sweeping cleanup and a change in the business of the athletic department. The University still has not hired a permanent athletic director, but the interim AD did create a finance position to monitor business concerns. All in all, despite Oregon’s athletic success, it has been a rough year for the department.
6. Men finish second, women third in NCAAs

In Track Town USA, you can’t tell me that’s not a big deal.
5. Bad boys bad boys, whatcha gonna do?

Jamere Holland, Kiko Alonso, Rob Beard, Garrett Embry, Jeremiah Masoli, Matt Simms and LaMichael James made various bone-headed choices to bring shame to the University. But the bottom line is this: Holland, Simms and Embry were kicked off the team. Alonso was suspended for the year. James and Beard were given a modest one-game suspension. Masoli was initially suspended for the year, until …
4. Masoli booted from team

Many were touting Masoli as a dark-horse Heisman candidate, and he was a crucial cog in what Oregon fans hoped could be a national championship team. That all came crashing down when Masoli stole a laptop from Sigma Alpha Epsilon and pled guilty to second degree burglary. He was suspended for the year because he reportedly lied to head coach Chip Kelly. It was a mere footnote when Masoli was officially kicked off the team for failing to stop at a driveway, driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana. I just wish Masoli would have asked me for a laptop.
3. Ernie Kent fired

Though you could argue against Ernie Kent’s coaching ability, you can’t argue this: He was a Duck through and through. His biggest flaw, it seemed, was his inability to balance the roster. In the last several years, Kent had one large class he rode to either success or failure. When the class was young, he struggled. When it was more experienced, he thrived, leading the Ducks to two Elite Eight appearances in eight years. Kent exited with class.
2. “The Punch Heard ‘Round the World”

This was the meltdown of all meltdowns. After Oregon’s (once) aforementioned loss to Boise State, LeGarrette Blount snapped. He was taunted by Boise State defensive end Byron Hout and clocked him with a quick right to jaw, dropping Hout to the ground. Blount then went into a frenzy, rushing the Boise State crowd while being restrained by Oregon players and coaches. It was a sad sight to see. Kelly acted quickly, suspending Blount for the season. Tapes later revealed Blount was hit by a fan, and he took more blame than he probably should have. Still, things looked very bleak for Blount and Oregon football.
1. Oregon’s run to the Rose Bowl
When Oregon lost its first game against Boise State in frustrating fashion and ended with Blount punching Hout, some wondered if the Ducks could even make it to a bowl game. Little did they know Oregon wouldn’t lose another game until Nov. 7. Oregon used a devastating rushing attack led by LaMichael James and directed by Masoli, the perfect fit for Kelly’s offense. It all led to a Civil War for the ages, in which the winner would be smelling Roses. Oregon came out on top in a thrilling 37-33 victory, with a reinstated Blount scoring a very redemptive touchdown. Although the Ducks lost 26-17 to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl, it was still a magical season for Oregon.
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