BCS Championship Game: 12 Players You Should Know on the 12-0 Oregon Ducks
When the Oregon Ducks take the field on Jan. 10 to play the Auburn Tigers for the BCS Championship, they will be fielding the most complete squad in Oregon football history.
Many casual fans identify Auburn solely with Cam Newton and Oregon only with their Heisman candidate running back LaMichael James, and know little else about the first team in Pac-10 history to go undefeated in round-robin conference play.
But like the BCS No. 1 team from the SEC, Oregon is far from being a one-man show and is made up of so many important players that I found this article difficult to write when it was assigned to me today.
So difficult, that I've changed it to an article about Oregon's top 12 names you need to know instead of the assigned 10.
I hope my editor won't mind.
In an attempt to help you become a little more informed than the average fan, here are some of the prime-time players for the Oregon Ducks whose peak performance and leadership will be necessary if Oregon hopes to beat an amazing Auburn Tigers football team.
12. Back-Up Quarterback Bryan Bennett
1 of 12
This is a name that Oregon fans hope you won't need to know until late in the fourth quarter or holding for the kicker during games played next season.
While the heir apparent to Oregon's quarterback position, Bryan Bennett hasn't been in the equation for the Ducks until Nate Costa's career-ending injury during on a botched field goal attempt against the Washington Huskies.
That injury to the Costa moved true-freshman Bryan Bennett up to No. 2 on the Ducks' QB depth chart and has tremendously increased the value of starter Darron Thomas.
While Bennett was supposed to redshirt this year, Oregon head coach Chip Kelly feels Bennett gives the Ducks the best chance of winning and will burn a year of his eligibility in a second if need be.
Those wondering how important depth at the quarterback position can be in a championship game need only look as far as last year when Texas lost all momentum and eventually the game when star QB Colt McCoy was knocked out of the game.
11. Wide Receiver/ Back/ Returner Josh Huff
2 of 12
True freshman Josh Huff has been amazing in 2010 running, receiving and returning kicks for the Ducks.
Huff becomes especially valuable for Oregon's offense, since it is questionable whether receiver Lavasier Tuinei will be ready to play in the title game after being injured in last month's game at Cal.
Huff is one of the fastest Ducks, running the 40 in 4.4 seconds. A native of Houston, Josh Huff competed against Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas in high school.
Huff originally planned to attend TCU, but changed his mind and officially committed to Oregon in February prior to signing day.
"Before I leave here, this is my plan. I don't want to be known as the football player who played for the Ducks, I want to be that the nice guy everyone knows that helps you with your homework."
-Josh Huff (Courtesy of the Oregon Daily Emerald)
10. Running Back Kenjon Barner
3 of 12
With a superstar like LaMichael James in your backfield, it's important to have a two-pronged rushing attack when you know defenses are prepping to contain your stud.
The Ducks couldn't be better off than having the two-headed monster that is LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner carrying the ball.
Barner's clutch first down at in the final minutes of last year's Civil War against the Oregon State Beavers clinched Oregon the Pac-10 championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. His 193 all-purpose yards in that game were a season high for the freshman.
Barner scored 5 TDs in the Ducks' season opener against New Mexico, and his 80-yard punt return for a touchdown against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium helped propel Oregon to a road win against an SEC opponent, no easy task no matter the team or year.
That's me giving props to the SEC, Auburn readers. The SEC is no joke.
9. Free Safety John Boyett
4 of 12
John Boyett loves to hit people, simple and plain. The Ducks' free safety out of Napa, Calif., cannot wait to hit Cam Newton if he gets loose on a QB keeper.
At 5' 10" and 198 pounds, John Boyett is smaller than me (and markedly, more athletic to be sure) but backs down to no one. The only game he played against an SEC opponent resulted in 8 tackles, an Oregon team high.
2010 tackling statistics have Boyett tied for third with Talmadge Jackson with 67 total. Boyett also has five picks including one for a touchdown against Arizona State.
In high school, John Boyett played every down on all sides of the ball. Check out this piece done by the Sacramento Bee when they named him Player of the Year:
8. Brandon Bair, Defensive Tackle
5 of 12
The Ducks are going to have their hands full with the Auburn Tigers, plain and simple. The Tigers and their QB Cam Newton are No. 1 for a reason and have beaten some tough teams in close, hard-fought games.
In order to beat Newton and the Tigers, Oregon will need a huge game from their defense and especially Brandon Bair. Here's a few reasons why:
A) At 6' 7", 272 pounds, Bair is one of the few Ducks bigger than Cam Newton.
B) Newton loves to kill defenses on the draw and up the gut, Oregon needs a big Bair gut-check.
C) As the Pac-10 leader in tackles for loss, Bair has been a nightmare for opposing team's entire backfield all year long, especially in the second half. Bair has what it takes to slow down Auburn's awesome offense.
D) While the Ducks offense is incredibly young, Oregon's D is led by the senior leadership of Bair, Casey Matthews, Spencer Paysinger, Kenny Rowe and Bryson Littlejohn to name a few. When the going gets tough, the Ducks rely on the experience and battle-tested resolve of Bair and the rest of Oregon's seniors.
Oregon will have their work cut out for them against Auburn, and a guy like Bair will be crucial on setting the tone for the Ducks.
7. D.J. Davis, Wide Receiver
6 of 12
Oregon is known for running a complex spread-option offensive attack that relies heavily on All-American running back LaMichael James to break off huge yardage by making use of the space created by the spread.
QB Darron Thomas has also had success on the ground, rushing for 5 TDs and nearly 600 yards, a necessity in any effective read option scheme.
Auburn has been watching this all year long and will be prepared for it come January, making a potent air attack a crucial component for success against a Tiger defense prepared to stop the run.
D.J. Davis, the total class act Oregon wide receiver, will play a pivotal role in this approach in the title game.
This will give Darron Thomas a reliable target downfield if Auburn manages to clog up the line of scrimmage, making it difficult for rushing success.
6. Rob Beard, Place Kicker
7 of 12
In a game against a tough SEC team like Auburn, Oregon will have to fight tooth and nail for every point.
Though perfect for most of the 2010 season, Rob Beard has missed important field goals and extra points against Cal, Arizona and Oregon State.
This would is not the first bout of bad luck the kicker has seen this year. During the off season, Beard was knocked unconscious and sent to intensive care after being repeatedly kicked in the head by several people during a campus brawl.
Beard was subsequently charged with assault for his trouble, possibly based on a complaint by the assailant's feet.
A kicker getting kicked repeatedly in the head and getting in busted for it.
Here's hoping Rob's luck improves in Glendale.
5. Jeff Maehl, Wide Receiver
8 of 12
The venerable receiver from Paradise, Calif., will be starting in his second consecutive BCS bowl game on Jan. 10 and has been the Ducks leading receiver in as many years.
Jeff "Air" Maehl has been quarterback Darron Thomas' favorite target all season catching for nearly 1,000 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns, second only to LaMichael James.
Like D.J. Davis and Josh Huff, Maehl will be instrumental in Oregon's success if he can provide Thomas with downfield options if Auburn is able to effectively jam the box and with it LaMichael James.
Look for Maehl to do what he has done during his whole career at Oregon, make big plays, fight for yards after the catch and throw tough blocks on guys twice his size.
This was easily my favorite Jeff Maehl moment of the season:
4. Cliff Harris, Lights Out, Lock-Down, Cheese On Your Nachos
9 of 12
Many times in a close football game, victory can be decided by a series of intangibles, big plays and a player with a certain something, often called an "X-Factor."
Oregon cornerback and special teams returner Cliff Harris has the X-Y and Z factor locked down.
The most exciting player on the 2010 Ducks squad, Harris is a force to be reckoned with and a star in the making on college football's biggest stage.
Check it:
- One of 10 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award
- SI.com midseason All-America at cornerback (first team) and punt returner (second team)
- National leader in punt return average (22.3) and touchdowns (4)
- Three-time Pac-10 player of the week in 2010
- Three-time CFPA national punt returner of the week
When Cliff Harris touches the ball, magic happens. In a game as tight as Auburn-Oregon is expected to be, huge special teams plays and turnovers will be key in an Oregon win.
Cliff will be even more critical in the big game if Cam Newton is shut down on the ground and must take his game to the air for offensive yards.
Newton is a notoriously efficient passer and Harris is a witch of DB. This matchup should be one of the most fun to watch of the 2010 season.
3. Casey Mathews, Linebacker
10 of 12
Cam Newton loves to run it up the middle and knock down anything that gets in his way. Casey Matthews hunts quarterbacks and running backs and appreciates it when they come right to him on the inside.
Casey Matthews will hit you. Hard. He leads the Pac-10 in fumble recoveries, so if you're carrying a ball when he hits you, he's probably going to take it from you.
The matchup between these two NFL-destined standouts will be a textbook example of an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.
Casey will be the toughest, most determined linebacker Cam Newton will face this season and Cam will easily be the best back of any kind that Casey will have to try and stop.
This will be one for the ages.
Last month, Matthews was named one of eight semi-finalists for the annual Lott IMPACT Trophy (defensive IMPACT player of the year) and one of 15 semi-finalists for the Butkus Award for the nation's best linebacker.
2. Darron Thomas, Quarterback
11 of 12
If Cameron Newton is Goliath, then Darron Thomas is David. Thomas is smaller, less experienced and not a professional.
Thomas has led Oregon to it's first undefeated regular season in school history by making intelligent decisions and trusting Head Coach Chip Kelly's leadership. He is quite possibly the best spread option quarterback in the history of the scheme that is not named Cam Newton.
Thomas has thrown for 2,518 yards and 28 touchdowns with only 7 interceptions. He has rushed for nearly 600 yards and ran for 5 TDs.
Darron Thomas has proven to be a cerebral enough quarterback to thrive in Coach Kelly's complex system. His ability, however, to rise to the occasion in big games, in front of hostile crowds and in situations when Oregon was down by three scores is the kind of thing you can't coach.
Darron Thomas is an elite quarterback, a coach's dream and a big-time baller if there ever was one.
Here's an excellent expose on Thomas by ESPN that features an incredible look into Oregon's offense and insight from Coach Kelly:
On a side note, since he's come to Oregon, I've been a little obsessed with Darron's manner of speech and vocal idiosyncrasies.
I hope to God that he becomes a huge NFL celebrity because I would love to see a SNL cast member nail an impression of him. I find him fascinating to watch and listen to, on the field and off.
Peep it:
1. LaMichael James, Running Back
12 of 12
No. 1 on my list is no surprise. LaMichael James is the biggest reason Oregon is in the BCS National Championship game. He is one of four Heisman Trophy candidates and the 2010 winner of the Doak Walker Award, the trophy named after the SMU great given to the nation's best running back.
James has rushed for 1,786 yards this year, more than anyone else in the country. He has scored 22 touchdowns, a University of Oregon school record.
Like QB Darron Thomas, LaMichael James was prematurely thrust into the position of starter due to the conduct of his predecessor (Blount-James, Masoli-Thomas) and has not only risen to the occasion, but like Thomas, surpassed the player he replaced in greatness, accomplishments and leadership.
Though somewhat small in stature (5' 9", 185 pounds), James isn't afraid of defensive players three times his size, the spotlight, or the SEC.
The one thing James is afraid of? Heights.
Notable accomplishments include:
- AFCA All-America
- All-Pac-10
- Pac-10 All-Academic First Team
- One of Four Finalists for the Heisman Trophy
- One of Three Finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award
- Winner of the Doak Walker Award
- One of 16 Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award
- Midseason All-America Selection by SI.com
- 2010 Preseason All-American First Team (Yahoo! Sports)
- 2010 Preseason All-American Second Team (Rivals.com, Sporting News, NationalChamps.net)
- 2010 Preseason Honorable Mention (collegefootballnews.com)
- Pac-10 freshman record of 1,546 yards in 2009
- This article
While the accolades and awards are impressive, he really must be seen to be believed. Here's a good 4 minutes of LMJ running wild all over every team Oregon faced:
(Warning: Soundtrack contains some standard, colorful hip-hop language, if that sort of thing bothers you. And by that I mean the N-word, repeatedly.)
Here's the man being interviewed last night on ESPN:
.jpg?w=600 "Report: Lawrence Wants Out of NY")
