Electrifying, a warrior, cocky – these are all adjectives used to describe Oregon senior defensive end Devan Long.
And after he became Oregon’s all-time leader in career tackles for lost yardage last Saturday at Washington State, ferocious and unrelenting may be other applicable descriptions to go along with his storybook career.
“He’s playing great,” defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti said. “He’s a warrior. He does a great job for us, and he’s a good leader.”
The list of accolades begins with his most recent record of 44.5 tackles for losses, which breaks the previous high of 44 held by Saul Patu (1997-00) and Kevin Mitchell (2000-03).
Long picked a fitting game – against Washington State – to break into Oregon’s record books. Long grew up just north of Seattle in Anacortes, Wash., and his older brother, Rien, spent three years in Pullman with the Cougars.
“It was pretty cool, I didn’t really know it until after the game,” Devan Long said of his record. “It was nice getting the record over there in my home state.”
Rien Long was drafted by the Tennessee Titans after declaring himself eligible for the NFL Draft following an impressive junior season in 2002, the year he won the Outland Trophy for the nation’s top interior lineman.
Judging by the numbers the “little” brother has amassed in his collegiate career, Devan Long may well be on his way to joining his older brother on Sundays.
“He’s got the kind of drive and athleticism to make it (to the NFL),” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said.
Out of Anacortes High School, Devan had the chance to join Rien at Washington State, but opted instead for the chance to play in Eugene and the opportunity to create his own identity at Oregon.
It’s safe to say has accomplished that task.
Devan Long will take the field at Autzen Stadium for the final time on Saturday against rival Oregon State to conclude one of the most successful careers in Oregon history.
Long ranks third on Oregon’s single-season sack list after he brought down the quarterback 11.5 times in 2003.
Long’s five sacks this season have bolstered his career sack total to 24.5 – good for third on the Ducks’ all-time chart, two behind Patu for second place.
“Electrifying. He’s an exciting guy,” junior tackle Haloti Ngata said of Long. “He gets hyped up so he’s a fun guy to play with.”
Though defensive coordinators and offensive lineman attempt to, injuries have been about the only thing close to stopping Long, the recipient of the team’s top defensive lineman award in 2004.
He was hampered with a reoccurring hamstring injury following this season’s opening victory at Houston and did not play against Montana or Fresno State. Oregon’s lack of pressure on the quarterback was evident in his absence.
The Ducks sacked Fresno State quarterback Paul Pinegar only twice, and the Bulldogs rolled up 530 yards of total offense.
Long’s full return came two weeks later at Stanford, a game that he wreaked havoc, recording two and a half sacks and four total tackles in a 44-20 win over the Cardinal.
His ability to stay healthy has certainly spurred a stingy defense that ranks fourth in the Pacific-10 Conference against the pass (227.8 yards per game) and fifth against the run (135.6 yards per game).
“Devan Long makes us whole on the defensive line,” Bellotti said. “He’s an effort guy and the best pass rusher that we have.”
With one final game remaining and the Ducks sitting pretty at 9-1, Long has a chance to leave Oregon as he came in just a few short years ago as a freshman – with a trip to the Fiesta Bowl and an 11-1 record.
And after last season’s 50-21 shellacking at the hands of the Beavers, hungry may be another on the lengthy list of descriptions for Devan Long.
“It’s just pride for living in this state. Nobody wants to live here for a year after a loss in the Civil War,” Long said. “It was kind of sour last year being here, having those guys beat us the way they did. We just can’t let that happen again.”

[email protected]