For years, cornerback Rashad Bauman held Pacific-10 Conference opponents at bay and was considered one of the conference’s best defensive players.
At the other corner spot, Steve Smith was rock solid and picked off nine passes during the 2001 season.
So when Bauman and Smith were lost to graduation after last season — with Bauman currently playing for the NFL’s Washington club — a question arose as to who would fill their shoes.
After having the two spots virtually up for grabs until the start of the season, junior Steven Moore and freshman Aaron Gipson were chosen to try to replace the former stars.
Consensus is, they’ve done a good job so far.
“They have a ways to go,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said. “But certainly right now, they’re probably making fewer mistakes than Rashad and Steve made at that point in their career.”
The comparisons between Bauman and Gipson have already been prominent, based primarily on height. Bauman was listed at 5-feet-8-inches, 175 lbs., while Gipson is the same, just 5 lbs. lighter.
“I kind of look at Rashad right now and what he’s doing because he’s my height, and people say I’m the reincarnation of Rashad Bauman,” Gipson said. “I kind of look up to him. I mean, I try to mold myself after the type of player he was because he was a pretty good player.”
Moore leads the Ducks with two interceptions while Gipson is sixth on the team with 18 tackles. The inevitable comparisons to Bauman and Smith will stay with the pair of current corners until season’s end.
“Everyone had questions about how we’d do,” Moore said. “We’re not going to be Rashad and Steve, we’re just going to be Aaron and Steven, and that’s what everyone has to realize. We just go out there and do our jobs and be us.”
After two seasons playing behind his former teammates, Moore has stepped up into the starting role. He spent the 2001 season as the team’s nickel back, recording nine tackles. He also was utilized as a backup kick returner.
In 2000, the Los Angeles native prepared for this season’s starting assignment as a scout team member.
Moore has made strides but knows he has to get better, especially with the Pac-10 season beginning against Arizona.
“I feel that I can always improve in each area, as far as assignments and reading different offensive schemes and things of that sort,” he said.
Gipson’s situation, on the other hand, is the polar opposite of Moore’s.
Also from Southern California, the Alta Loma native entered the year not knowing what to expect. He was just one player in a sea of corners and had to battle to earn his prominence.
“I wasn’t sure where my place was going to be once I got here,” he said. “Coach told me I had a chance to start. He told all of us we had a chance to start and come in and do good. I never thought I’d start right now. I know I can play in the Pac-10.”
Gipson has already earned Bellotti’s respect.
“I don’t think he knows he’s a true freshman,” Bellotti said. “I don’t think he knows he’s playing college football. I think it hasn’t quite dawned on him, and I’m not going to tell him he is. I just want him to keep on going out there and having fun.”
Duck fans should be circling on the calendar Oregon’s contest against Stanford on Nov. 2 and the next week at Washington State, if they haven’t noted those matchups already. Both schools feature strong, tall receivers that gave Bauman and Smith fits last season.
Teyo Johnson brings his 6-foot-7 frame to Autzen Stadium for
the Cardinal and the Cougars’ Mike Bush is no pushover at 6-feet-6-inches.
“The ball will come down sometime, that’s how I see it,” the 5-foot-9 Moore said. “You’ve just got to play aggressive, and everything will take care of itself.”
In the meantime, Moore and Gipson must look ahead to Arizona. The duo’s first Pac-10 match as starters will require focus and concentration. It will set a foundation, either solid or porous, for the rest of the season.
At least that’s what Bellotti thinks.
“I don’t think that we’ve been tested by a real passing team yet,” he said. “I think that’s going to happen this week. Arizona, their quarterback (Jason) Johnson, is
a very good thrower, is comfortable in the pocket, and they’re very comfortable doing four or
five wideouts.
“I expect our secondary to get a major test this week.”