They’ve said a lot by saying very little.
Careful not to provide the other with bulletin board material, the Ducks and Huskies have steered clear of trash talk this week.
But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any yapping Saturday.
It’s been more than two years since the teams have met on the field — Oregon won the last meeting in 2000, a 23-16 win at Autzen Stadium — but the tension between the hated rivals has been present, even from afar.
In February, Washington head coach Rick Neuheisel accused Oregon coach Mike Bellotti of dirty recruiting practices. Ironically, Neuheisel was recently slapped on the wrist by the NCAA for his recruiting methods while at Colorado.
Then, on Monday, Neuheisel called Oregon “a propaganda machine” with its national billboard campaign, which he later said he meant as a compliment.
On the other side of the coin, Oregon Athletic Director Bill Moos apologized for a video that was shown during a game at Autzen last season, which juxtaposed an image of Neuheisel with an image of people vomiting.
Oregon safety Keith Lewis called Washington’s Cody Pickett “overrated” last week, but was banned from interviews this week.
And last week, Oregon safety Keith Lewis called UW quarterback Cody Pickett “overrated” during an interview with a Seattle radio station. Subsequently, Lewis became the first player Bellotti banned from media interviews.
Since then, both sides have kept a low profile.
“I think Keith said enough,” Oregon linebacker Kevin Mitchell said. “We just want to play ball.”
“Let’s just say we have a unique relationship. It’s a healthy hate,” Washington receiver Paul Arnold told reporters earlier this week.
Bellotti said that after a break from playing the Huskies last year, the rivalry’s intensity may have simmered. But he doesn’t want his team to worry about any of the off-field antics.
“I like to have my players focus on playing up to their potential, and not succumbing to emotionalism,” he said. “The depth of emotion is felt more by the fans and boosters who want to get on the Internet and compare notes. The players play the game because they want to play and win.”
Oregon linebacker Kevin Mitchell said the Ducks “just want to play ball” this week when Washington visits Autzen Stadium.
And both teams are desperately searching for a win after a rough stretch in the Pacific-10 Conference.
While there’s no Rose Bowl bid at stake, No. 23 Oregon (7-3 overall, 3-3 Pac-10) and Washington (5-5, 2-4) have plenty to play for.
The Ducks will look to get back on track after losing three of their last four. Oregon, playing its last game of the season at Autzen, has not lost a home finale since 1993.
“We just need to win. We need to beat the Dawgs,” senior safety Rasuli Webster said. “I think we’re up to the challenge. I think we’re just ready to go out there and play.”
The third quarter has been a sore spot for the Ducks this season. In a 32-21 loss at Washington State last week, the Oregon offense netted just two yards, although the Ducks outscored the Cougars 7-3 thanks to Mitchell’s 20-yard interception return.
“We won the third quarter, and that was our goal,” Mitchell said. “But there’s still something missing. We need to find that niche. We need to find that (winning) attitude again.”
Nursing a sprained big toe on his right foot, Oregon tailback Onterrio Smith did not practice earlier this week, and is questionable for the game.
The Huskies, meanwhile, have not had a losing season since 1976 and have not missed a bowl game since 1994, when they were on NCAA probation.
After losing three straight to USC, Arizona State and UCLA, the Dawgs took out their aggression on Oregon State last week in Seattle, winning 41-29.
During an indoor practice session on Tuesday, the Huskies’ speakers blew out while trying to prepare for the noise at Autzen.
“I know there’s going to be a lot said about the game, the rivalry and the feelings that exist between the two programs,” Neuheisel said. “Ultimately, it gets down to two football teams who are going to fight in an honorable way.”
Pickett, who needs just 136 yards to break the Pac-10’s single-season passing record, and star receiver Reggie Williams, have helped the Huskies become the fourth-best passing offense in the nation with 354.5 yards per game. Oregon’s pass defense ranks 114th (out of 117) in the NCAA.
The Huskies, however, rank 113th in rushing offense with 74.2 yards per game. Oregon ranks 13th nationally against the run, allowing 95.9 yards per game.
“We’ve gotten better (defensively) the past couple weeks,” Bellotti said. “The improvements are somewhat incremental at this point, but they are there.”
Mitchell said the Ducks will likely lighten the box against the Huskies to provide help for its young secondary.
“It just comes down to making plays,” Mitchell said.
And, apparently, not saying much — at least not until Saturday.
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