Oregon Ducks Football: The Importance of Nate Costa and Why He Will Be Missed

LaMichael James, Darron Thomas, Jeff Maehl, Cliff Harris and Brandon Bair. These are just a few of the names you are likely to hear if you ask which players have been the most instrumental to the top-ranked Ducks season so far. 

There is no doubt these players are important, but red-shirt senior Nate Costa may be just as pivotal.

Yes, Costa may only be the holder and backup quarterback, limiting his effect on the field, but his presence off the field and on the sidelines is irreplaceable.

In last week's game against Washington, Costa mishandled the snap on a field goal attempt and was forced to scramble in an attempt to make something out of nothing. Costa was forced out of bounds and injured his knee.

Costa did not give details as to the exact extent of the injury, but he did say how much pain he was in.

"I can't really bend my knee at this point," Costa said. "It was excruciating pain—pain I've never really felt before with my knee injuries."

Saying it is pain you have never experienced before is quite a statement from someone who has already had three career knee surgeries because of torn ACLs.

During his career at Oregon, Costa made one start but appeared in 23 games. Costa threw for 556 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for three more.

The impact of Costa's loss is sure to be felt, as he is someone that's truly looked up to by his teammates.

"It's devastating, man," receiver Jeff Maehl said. "His story and what's happened to him already here, and for as good a backup quarterback as he was for our team, it hurts our team a lot. We're definitely going to miss him."

Brandon Bair added on and said "I'd do anything" to switch places with Costa and give him a chance to play again.

"The guy's worked so hard for so long to be out on this field, and we all love him," Bair said. "It's heart-breaking to all of us. But we've got to pull together. Like he said, the good news is where we're at right now this season. We've got to keep pushing forward, and he's going to be right there like he always has been, a great leader, and keeping us going along."

Without Costa, the Ducks will now use punter Jackson Rice as the holder and will use freshman Bryan Bennett as the backup quarterback. The Ducks will prefer to redshirt Bennett, meaning he will only play if something should happen to Thomas.

Chip Kelly has said he will not alter the offense, but it would seem likely the lack of experience at the quarterback position will be in the back of the coaches' mind, meaning Thomas might be told to get out of bounds more often rather than fighting for extra yards.

Costa will continue to travel with the team and will still be as motivating as ever, which could be a good sign for this team. They do not necessarily need the emotional leader, but it is certainly comforting to have the familiar face.

When former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti asked which teammate his players would want holding the rope if they were hanging off a cliff, offensive lineman Mark Asper pictured Nate Costa.

"You know his fingers would be bleeding and broken and his shoulders would be dislocated and he'd still be holding onto the rope for you," Asper said.

It is sad to see the career of such a beloved player come to a sour end, but the Ducks can still go to the national championship game and send Costa out as a winner.