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UNIVERSITY OF OREGON VS. UNIVERSITY OF UTAH FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 OREGON DAILY EMERALD DAILYEMERALD.COM GAME DAYVOL. 111 ISSUE 11 LEAN ON ME: JAMES AND BARNER SHARE THE LOAD PAGE 5 LESLIE MONTGOMERY | PHOTO EDITOR GAME PREVIEW OREGON NOTES UTAH NOTES » CHECK OUT BLOGS. The striking similarities Although the offense and Questions about quarterback between Utah and Oregon’s defense have performed Terrance Cain have been offenses gives Oregon’s adequately so far, special answered, but those DAILYEMERALD.COM defense a clear idea of what teams, led by returner Walter regarding the kicking game to expect Saturday Thurmond III and punter and secondar y have not FOR REAL-TIME UPDATES PAGE 2 Jackson Rice, has f lourished PAGE 4 FROM THE GAME PAGE 3 2 OREGON DAILY EMERALD Friday, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 preVIEW “The Land East” Traditional Ducks look in mirror and see Utes Greek & Indian Food Similar offenses, Senior running back receivers means Matt Asiata has game will be close rushed for 250 yards through LUCAS CLARK the first two SPORTS REPORTER games this season, but After seeing an unanticipated with a shoul- dismal offensive performance der injury, he’s at Boise State and a slightly questionable better one against Purdue, Or- for Saturday’s Lunch egon players and coaches say game against Monday through Sunday it wouldn’t be a stretch of the the Ducks. imagination to expect that the Dinner offense is due for a big game this 7 Nights a Week week against No. 18 Utah. 992 Willamette Oregon scored only one of- fensive touchdown in the sea- Eugene, OR 97401 23806 son-opener and bounced back 343-9661 with three rushing scores last week against the Boilermakers, but junior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has yet to reach the end zone passing. And now that the offense has had some solid play- Bombay PalaceINDIAN RESTAURANT ing time to familiarize itself with the complex scheme that is Chip Lunch Special To-Go Box $4.95! Kelly’s zone read-option, should be able to find their way through Buy any dinner entree & beverage and get the 2nd 50% off the air against the Utes’ defense. The two offenses are similar in that they both try to spread Best lunch buffet in Eugene! the field and get the ball to sev- 541.343.1443 | 880 E. 13TH AVE. eral different players, while both Across the street from UO bookstore *To-Go Box teams also feature explosively Student Special punch cards available! does not apply 24011 mobile quarterbacks. to punch card 24393 “They have a 16-game win- ning streak coming in,” Kelly said. “They’ve got a lot of proven players back on both sides of the ball that have been a huge part of that.” Masoli has totaled 98 yards rushing and two touchdowns while going 25-for-48 for 284 yards through the air with only one interception this season. Utah quarterback Terrance Cain, on the other hand, has tallied 91 COurTESY OF TYLER COBB | DAILY utah ChronICle yards rushing while going 38-for- and John Peel have each record- secondary has shined in tack- 61 passing for 534 yards and three ed a touchdown on more than ling as well. Sophomore rover touchdowns. He too has thrown 100 yards receiving through Javes Lewis, freshman free safety GAME DAY only one interception. the first two games. Reed, who John Boyett and Thurmond III Cain, a junior college transfer, is a versatile kick returner for rank among the top-five on the FOREcasT was a First-Team All-American the Utes, has pulled down 15 team in takedowns with 15, 14 High of 71 and the NJCAA Offensive Player receptions for 234 yards and and 14, respectively. with a 40- of the Year in 2008, passing for looks to be Cain’s favorite target “We know they’re similar to percent chance more than 3,100 yards and 29 early on. our offense,” Paysinger said. “So of showers touchdowns for Blinn College in Defensively, the Ducks will it allows us to go against our of- Brenham, Texas. have their hands full with the fense in real-life situations be- “They’re kind of like our of- Ute running game and senior cause they do run the read, and AT A GlaNCE fense,” Oregon senior corner- running back Matt Asiata. Asi- they do have similar techniques Who: No. 18 Utah Utes back Walter Thurmond III said. ata has rushed the ball 56 times as ourselves.” at Oregon Ducks “They like to spread the ball for 250 yards and three touch- The Duck defense accounted around and their quarterback is downs so far this season, while Where: Autzen very mobile like Jeremiah is. We for two touchdowns last week- Stadium also reeling in five receptions for end with Thurmond III’s in- have to apply pressure on him or When: 12:30 p.m. on 47 yards. terception return and Lewis’ he’s going to run for big gains.” ESPN “They play very, very hard,” fumble recovery, and they hope Thurmond III also comment- Oregon head coach Chip Kelly to do the same against the strong No. 18 Utah will look ed on how similar the two teams’ said. “There’s really not a weak- Utah offense. to extend the nation’s receiving corps are; each feature ness on that team. The one thing “It’s who plays harder,” Kelly longest current winning a tall receiver who can outjump we’re fortunate about is that we steak to 17 games, as Or- smaller defensive backs, while have them at home. We expect said. “And when you play a similar opponent it’s going to egon still looks to find the also having smaller and much a battle.” exact right combination quicker guys who are dangerous Matching up against Utah’s come down to the kicking game and turnovers. offensively after losing on the outside. powerful offense will be junior senior running back “We get a great look in linebackers Spencer Paysinger “Utah played in the Sugar LeGarrette Blount to a practice to see how Utah’s re- and Casey Matthews. Both have Bowl,” he said. “I think they’ve season-long suspension. ceivers are (going to play),” done exceptionally well through played in some big games. I don’t said Thurmond III. the first two games, recording 32 think this is their first rodeo.” David Reed, Jereme Brooks total tackles combined, while the [email protected] FREE ADMISSION ON 2009 HOME GAME WEEKENDS! Experience Art and Culture TWO MUSEUMS. ONE STOP. Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art 1430 Johnson Lane Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. jsma.uoregon.edu (541) 346-3027 Museum of Natural and Cultural History 1680 East 15th Avenue Saturday and Sunday 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. natural-history.uoregon.edu (541) 346-3024 EO/AA/ADA institution committed to cultural diversity 24498 Friday, SEptEmbER 18, 2009 OREGON DAILY EMERALD 3 Oregon Notes NEWS CREATIVE BUSINESS ADVERTISING STAFF SERVICES (541) 346-5511 (541) 346-3712 (541) 346-5511 (541) 346-4381 KELLEE WEINHOLD TARA SLOAN ALLIE GRASGREEN MICHELE ROSS Publisher Advertising Director Editor in Chief Technology & KATHY CARBONE EVAN BAECHLER BEN SCHORZMAN Creative Services Director Business Manager ANDREW BALDWIN Sports Editor BRIANNE BEIGH MONICA CHRISTOFFELS CHAZ FAULHABER JENNY KANE LUCAS CLARK Creative Services Supervisor Administrative Assistant ALLISON KJAR BRIAN AEBI Sports Reporter KEVIN ARMSTRONG JEANNE LONG ROGER BONG EMILY PETERSON SHAWN BARNES ALEXANDRIA MICKETT KEITH CHALOUX ANDREW PHILLIPS NORA COSBEY LINDSAY NELSON KATIE MILLER JACOB PHILLIPS SPENSER HEATON ANNA OSGOODBY EMMA SILVERMAN ROBERT KIRKPATRICK Copy Editors JEFF POLLOCK Creative Services Designers Distribution CRYSTAL STANFORD ASHLEY CHASE JOSE TANCUAN Design Editor Advertising Executives LESLIE MONTGOMERY The Oregon Daily Emerald is LACEY BECKER Photo Editor published by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co., Inc. Ad Assistant IVAR VONG at the University of Oregon, Photographer Eugene, OR. The Emerald operates independently of the University with offices in Suite 300 of the Erb Memorial Union. The Emerald is private property. © 2009 WEAR YOUR SPIRIT ON YOUR SLEEVE. UODuckStore.com Serving the University of Oregon since 1920 IVAR VONG | photographer CAMPUS • AUTZEN • VALLEY RIVER CENTER Senior defensive back Walter Thurmond III has made a name for himself returning kicks and harassing opposing wide receivers. Last week against the Boilermakers, Thurmond 111 returned eight kicks for 130 yards. Thurmond III puts special in special teams with returns Stellar play from kicking teams so far, but head with a little over six minutes coach Chip Kelly wants to reduce penalties remaining in the third quarter, but Kelly is more upset over the penalties that gave Purdue LUCAS CLARK make something happen. Ev- SPORTS REPORTER extra yardage. ery time I touch the ball I try “I’m concerned about the Over the course of Oregon’s to score. That’s the mindset penalties on the special teams,” first two games of the season, even on defense when I get an Kelly said. “I think we played WELCOME, it’s been tough to tell exactly interception or a fumble.” great. We blocked an extra which unit has performed the Special teams coach Tom point and Walter had a very best: offense, defense or special Osborne has also been pleased good game on returns, but I teams. While the offense will with Thurmond’s play on STUDENTS! think we can be even better. likely catch up to the defense special teams. I think Tom Osborne is the Mac Court before long, the special teams “He’s done a great job so far. best special teams coach in the play has been the most efficient We’ve had a couple very close country and it really can be a and engaging so far.