Oregon Ducks Volkswagen Bug For Sale
Where's The Nike Swoosh
Have you ever wanted to own a helmet car? If so this is your chance thanks to the University of Oregon.You can bid on this 1973 VW Bug with the Ducks helmet attached to the top. $2500 is a steal isn’t it?
Oregon Ducks Leave Arizona State Landmark Green After Prank
OH, No They Didn't
An overnight prank on the Arizona State campus has left some Sun Devils fans green with envy. As the sun rose, the giant A on “A” Mountain near Sun Devil Stadium didn’t look quite the same. University of Oregon fans painted the campus symbol green. ASU students had painted it black for Thursday’s “blackout” game with the Ducks because the team debuted all-black uniforms, and fans at the game were asked to wear black to the game.
ASU students said the “A” was still black at about 3 a.m., but Oregon fans made their way through students guarding the mountain a couple hours before sunrise.
ASU students have guarded the mountain in the past before games with rivals. In November 2009, University of Arizona fans painted the “A” red several days before a Saturday game at Arizona State.
Oregon defeated Arizona State on Thursday night 43-21.
Oregon Turns To Groupon To Help Maintain Sellout Streak
HELP
Thousands of University of Oregon Duck football tickets remain unsold ahead of Saturday’s season opener, putting the streak of sold out games at Autzen Stadium in jeopardy.
The University of Oregon athletic department turned to online discount deal website Groupon to offer ticket packages. The deal went live Tuesday and had sold over 60 packages by early afternoon.
“We’ve got about 3,000 tickets to move before Saturday,” said Craig Pintens with UO athletics, “and we think our fans will rally and respond.”
The deal offers two tickets and two sodas for $110, a $154 value.
At stake: the football team’s streak for selling out Autzen.
“We’ve sold out 82 straight games, and we have tremendous fan support,” Pintens said. “We have one of the best home field advantages in college football, and we’re looking forward to hopefully selling out number 83.”
Former West Virginia Football Coach Bill Stewart Dies
R.I.P.
Former West Virginia football coach Bill Stewart, who was hailed as Rich Rodriguez’s successor but wound up leaving the school in a messy split, died Monday of what athletic department officials said was an apparent heart attack. He was 59.
Stewart’s family notified the university and said Stewart had been out golfing with the longtime friend who hired him as head coach, former athletic director Ed Pastilong. West Virginia spokesman Michael Fragale said he had no further details, and Pastilong couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
“Coach Stewart was a rock-solid West Virginian and a true Mountaineer,” athletic director Oliver Luck said in a statement released by the university. “His enthusiasm and passion for his state’s flagship university was infectious. We join all Mountaineers in mourning his passing.”
U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, who was governor at the time Stewart became head coach, said Stewart was a longtime friend who “leaves behind a lifetime of memories and love for our state.”
“Bill was a proud West Virginian in every sense of the word,” Manchin said, “and he was the best cheerleader this state ever had.”
The West Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association held its annual golf tournament Monday at Stonewall Jackson Resort in Roanoke.
Ryan Crook of Beckley said he was playing in the tournament behind a group that included Stewart and Pastilong. Crook said he saw Stewart collapse on the 16th hole. Members of Crook’s group drove their carts to Stewart’s side, and ambulances were called, Crook said.
Stewart went 28-12 in three seasons after taking over when Rodriguez left for Michigan after the 2007 regular season, but resigned last summer and was replaced by Dana Holgorsen the same night.
In December 2007, Mountaineer fans unleashed their fury on Rodriguez for breaking his contract early and taking the Michigan job. He left the Mountaineers not long after a painful loss to rival Pittsburgh cost them a shot at the national championship and two weeks before the Fiesta Bowl game against Oklahoma, taking recruits and assistants with him.
It was Stewart, a deeply religious family man, who stepped in and guided the team to a surprising 48-28 victory over the Sooners.
In the euphoric aftermath, he was given the job full-time – to the surprise of many – but the Mountaineers didn’t go to another BCS bowl under his leadership and Stewart couldn’t match the production of Rodriguez. In Stewart’s three seasons, West Virginia averaged at least 79 fewer yards per game than the 2007 team.
In December 2010, Luck – then just months into his tenure – decided to hire Holgorsen as offensive coordinator and coach-in-waiting for the 2011 season. Holgorsen would run West Virginia’s offense while Stewart would coach the team one final season before moving into an administrative job.
Wins and losses weren’t the only issue for the coaching change. Luck said season-ticket sales had declined in the year after Stewart became head coach.
Luck said he’d modeled the transition after those done when Bret Bielema took over at Wisconsin and Chip Kelly assumed control at Oregon. Luck said he had no doubt it would be handled professionally, noting both coaches said they supported the idea.
And Stewart was diplomatic about the hire, saying the team would let Holgorsen “implement ideas and schemes in preparation of getting the finest offensive staff we can compile.”
Six months later, the arrangement had fallen apart, and Stewart’s departure became difficult. Both he and Holgorsen made unwanted headlines in the weeks leading up to the shake-up.
An intoxicated Holgorsen was escorted out of a casino, then a former newspaper reporter said that Stewart had approached him shortly after Holgorsen’s hiring to “dig up dirt” on his eventual successor.
“At the time I thought it made a lot of sense, I thought it was good management practice,” Luck said last June. “With hindsight, folks could certainly disagree.”
In Holgorsen’s first season, the Mountaineers went 10-3, were Big East co-champions and beat Clemson 70-33 in the Orange Bowl.
“The State of West Virginia, our University and our football program has lost a true Mountaineer who gave his native state university a decade of coaching service and a lifetime of guidance and inspiration to thousands of young men over a 33-year career,” Holgorsen said Monday. “Though Coach Stewart achieved many great milestones on the field, we will most remember his kindness and compassion.”
Former West Virginia running back Steve Slaton, who entered the NFL draft after his junior season in 2007, said he was at a loss for words. “I am honored to have had him as a friend and coach,” Slaton said. “I know every player that has had the opportunity to be around him would say the same.”
Stewart, a native of New Martinsville, attended Fairmont State and earned a master’s degree in health and physical education from WVU in 1977.
He had assistant coaching stints at seven colleges before becoming head coach at VMI in 1994, going 8-25 in three seasons. After a two-year stint in the Canadian Football League, Stewart was hired by Don Nehlen as an assistant at West Virginia.
“Bill was such a great Mountaineer and a great addition to our staff,” Nehlen said. “It was a terrific hire – he did a great job not only for me, but for Rich and as a head coach. Bill was such a great husband and a great father. Bill Stewart was a great Mountaineer.”
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin got his first coaching job when Stewart hired him as an assistant at VMI, and Tomlin was elated when Stewart got the West Virginia job.
“We are saddened by the passing of Coach Stew,” Tomlin said in a statement released by the Steelers. “He was a great coach and a tremendous person. We not only lost a good football person, we lost an even better family man.”
Stewart and his wife, Karen, have one son, Blaine.
Torii Hunter Leaves Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim After Son’s Arrest
What's In The Prosper Water
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim right fielder Torii Hunter left the team and has been placed on the restricted list after his son was one of five Prosper high school students arrested on sexual assault charges.
Darius McClinton-Hunter, 17, was one of two adults charged with sexual assault on a child, which is a second-degree felony, according to the Prosper Police Department. Two juveniles were also charged and a third was charged with unlawful restraint. The police department also said more charges could be filed. The investigation into the alleged crime started about a month ago.
Hunter was at Angel Stadium earlier but flew back to the Dallas area. The Angels said they do not know when Hunter will return. There is no time restriction that a player can be on the restricted list.
“The context is Torii has a personal matter to take care of,” Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto told reporters. “We’re certainly willing and able to allow him to take all of the time he needs to do that.”
McClinton-Hunter is a talented wide receiver that has drawn heavy interest from schools such as Arkansas, LSU, Oklahoma, Oregon, SMU and Texas A&M.
This isn’t a particularly damaging loss for the Angels on the field because they have coverage in the outfield with rookie Mike Trout now manning center.
Chip Kelly Decides Against Joining Tampa Bay Buccaneers
He Is Afraid Of Willie Lyles
Oregon football coach Chip Kelly will not be jumping ship to the NFL, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
According to the report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Mark Dominik said Kelly’s heart is with college football. Kelly reportedly met with the Bucs late last week and was near a final deal on Sunday night. With the proximity to National Signing Day, the Times reports Kelly quickly ended talks once he decided to stay.
Oregon reached a BCS bowl game in each of Kelly’s three seasons. Kelly, 48, is 34-6 as the Ducks’ coach. In 2010 Oregon played for the BCS national championship but lost a thriller to Auburn. The Ducks won this year’s Rose Bowl against Wisconsin.
Oregon’s recent success has been mainly because of Kelly’s explosive no-huddle, spread attack that takes advantage of the team’s speed at the skill positions.
One of those skill players was former Ducks running back LeGarrette Blount, who now is a key part of the Bucs’ backfield.
Raheem Morris was fired earlier this month after three seasons in Tampa Bay. The Times reports at least eight known candidates have interviewed for the position. New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell could be on the team’s list in addition to that group.
Alabama-LSU Draws Lowest Ever Rating For BCS Title
Snoozer
The game had number one versus number two plus one 50-50 kicker but all that couldn’t help ESPN’s BCS title game Monday drew a 13.8 overnight rating the lowest rating in the BCS system’s 14-year history.
That 13.8 translates to 13.8% of households in the 56 urban markets measured for overnights. The previous record low was a 14.3 for Miami-Nebraska at the 2002 Rose Bowl. Last night’s game was down 14% from last year’s Auburn-Oregon title game on ESPN and down 24% from Alabama-Texas on Fox in 2010.
The new low isn’t surprising. Alabama’s 21-0 win was less-than-suspenseful, both schools are from relatively sparsely-populated states and from the same conference. The schools had already played earlier this season in an overtime game where neither team scored a touchdown. CBS coverage of that game drew an 11.9 overnight
Oregon Ducks Rose Bowl Helmets
Bling
On Tuesday we posted, Nike unveiling the University of Ducks Rose Bowl uniforms and now we have up close images of the helmets they plan in using. They are for sure going to be the talk of the airwaves between Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit that Rose Bowl evening.
Bling
Oregon Ducks Mark Asper Performs Heimlich At Rose Bowl Banquet
The Wind Beneath The Diamond's Wings
Oregon Ducks offensive guard Mark Asper performed the Heimlich maneuver on Paul Diamond as he began choking a bit while eating Wednesday at the traditional Beef Bowl, which brings the teams playing in the Rose Bowl to Lawry’s in Beverly Hills for prime rib.
One of the restaurant’s chefs initially attempted to do the Heimlich on Diamond, Hollywood screenwriter of such shows as Married With Children and father to Ducks student Tom Diamond, however the chef was not successful.
“He looked like he was struggling with it,” Asper said, “so I stood up and patted him on the back and said, ‘If you don’t know what you’re doing, I do, because I’m an Eagle Scout.
“So I ripped in there and the first heave was a test heave because the guy seemed a little old, I didn’t want to break his ribs or anything. Test heave, then he seemed like he could handle a full force heave so I popped it out. He came up to me afterward and said, ‘Hey man, thanks a lot, but you broke my sunglasses,’ Asper said. “I said, ‘I’m sorry, I’ll see if I can get you a new pair.’ ”
The Beef Bowl traditionally brings the teams to the restaurant on separate nights for a dinner before the game, Oregon’s opponent, Wisconsin, visits Lawrys Thursday.
WTF: LaMichael James
Damn You Disney
One of the baddest running backs in all of college football is scared of roller coasters. University of Oregon Ducks running backs LaMichael James wasn’t to thrilled the team decided to spend it’s off day at Space Mountain. Thanks to fellow Ducks running back Kenjon Barner, we now know James inner darkest fear who sent the photo out via Twitter.
Nike Unveils Oregon’s Rose Bowl Uniforms
Quack
Nike took today to unveil the University of Oregon Ducks newest uniforms that they will use to play in the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin. The football program synonymous with new uniforms will display them on January 2 and is dubbing them Nike is dubbing, “the most advanced football uniform system ever assembled.”
Quack
Rick Neuheisel Carried Off The Field Following Last Practice
Loser
The UCLA football players planned a tribute to recently fired head coach Rick Neuheisel following his last practice. The players carried their coach off the field while chanting the UCLA fight song which was led by Neuheisel. Neuheisel’s last game coaching the Bruins will be this Friday against Oregon in the Pac-12 championship.
LaMichael James Dislocates Elbow
Owie
One of the nations top college running back suffered a gruesome-elbow injury on Thursday night. Oregon Ducks number one back LaMichael James suffered the injured early in the fourth quarter of their 43-15 win to the California Golden Bears. He was carted from the field but not long afterwards he was seen standing at the locker room door with his arm in a sling congratulating his teammates.
“It’s not a season-ending injury and I’ll be fine,” he said. “I’m tough. I’m a warrior and I’m never going to quit on my team.”
James said that X-rays showed the arm was not broken. But he would not speculate on whether he’ll play next Saturday against No. 22 Arizona State.
“We’re gonna wait and see,” he said. “We have the best trainers in the country and I’m sure they are going to get on it ASAP and I’ll be there four times a day so I can get on that field.”
Before he went down, James ran for 239 yards and a touchdown for the Ducks, true freshman De’Anthony Thomas, who caught a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another score, will take over the bulk of the carries in James absence.
Joey Harrington Hit By Car
Bust
Former Oregon Ducks and NFL quarterback Joey Harrington was injured when he was hit by a SUV while he was riding his bike in Portland. Harrington is hospitalized with a broken collar bone, a punctured lung and a cut on his head. He is expected to remain in the hospital until today. Portland police say the 33-year-old Harrington was hit from behind by a passing SUV driven by a 26-year-old man who remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. The man was cited for following too close.
“The impact put him up on the top of the car,” John Harrington said. “Joey ended up upside down and came down on his head and shoulder and then skidded off to the side.”
Harrington led the Ducks to victory in the Fiesta Bowl his senior season and was a Heisman Trophy finalist. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and played for three other teams over eight seasons in the NFL.
Urban Meyer’s ESPN Debut Likely Be At Ohio State
Next Stop
ESPN will formally announce today that analyst Urban Meyer will call noon ET games which are expected to involve Big Ten teams. Working with play-by-play announcer Dave Pash and analyst Chris Spielman, Meyer’s on air opener will likely be Akron at Ohio State on September 3. Meyer will falso appear live on College GameDay as well as do taped features for that show.
Meyer says he “never studied” and “never thought” about TV when he watched it and never really thought about how broadcasting works. After working two ESPN spring games he says “I can speak on behalf of all coaches that we have no idea how much effort goes into broadcasts.”
Brent Musburger, who worked an Oregon spring game with Meyer, said his “initial reaction is, if he wants to do this he’d be very good.”
University Of Oregon Basketball Court Spawns Other Court Redesigns
Back on November 7 2010, we posted the picture of the University of Oregon’s new basketball court and since then it has received nothing but criticism from everything on how gaudy it looks to the glare it gives off on television. However what if there had been no criticism and everyone took to a liking of the Ducks court would that spawn other to jump on board and copy their style? Well we take a look at eight Nike schools in Division I and what their courts would possibly look like if they did.
WTF: SEC
Shake What Your Conference Gave Ya
Auburn Tigers beat the Oregon Ducks in the BCS National Championship game it gave the SEC five straight champions and seven out of the last eight, so they obviously have the trump card in their hand. However, the SEC doesn’t just want you to remember they have business on the wall, they want you to see with these new tee-shirts that mark their five straight.
WTF: Auburn University
Really?
Auburn Tigers are indeed your BCS National Champions but someone should tell the people at the Auburn Bookstore that they beat the Oregon Ducks 22-19 in the championship game not by the score of 31-28 that is displayed on tee shirts they are selling.
University Of Oregon’s Basketball Court Produces Glare To TV Viewers
Can't To Watch In 3D
Back on November 7th, we posted the early images of the new University of Oregon’s basketball court and now a day after being under the spotlights has caused even a greater up roar from some of its fans trying to watch the game on television. The court is framed on all sides by a forest of brown and tan fir trees, an homage to the school’s picturesque Pacific Northwest setting and to Oregon’s 1939 national title team nicknamed “The Tall Firs.”
Like the famed blue “Smurf Turf” at Boise State’s football stadium, Oregon’s forest floor is meant to be an iconic design that will immediately be recognizable to viewers nationwide. However, the viewers the alumni is trying to make an impression on might not even want to watch as there is such a contrast and glare that pops through televisions sets because of the court center design.
WTF: Nike
Kidding Yourself
On Monday night it wasn’t just a battle for the BCS National Championship between Oregon and Auburn but between Nike and Under Armour. After the Nike school Oregon lost, that prompted the marketing people to get into full spin mode and that’s where they came up with this phony baloney pat yourself on the back second place phrase.
All the while Auburn just points to scoreboard.
22-19
The Oregonian Comes Up The Best Tostitos BCS National Championship Game Headline
22-19
The Oregonian came up with the most clever headline for the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game as it gave a little chuckle and was nothing too cute, like Chip Kelly’s offense last night.
Best Sign At Tostitos BCS National Championship Game
Son Of A Preacher Man
By now we all know the whole story of Auburn quarterback Cam newton and his preacher father Cecil Newton but one brave Oregon Duck fan decided to show up to the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game with arguably the best sign of the night. The craziest part of the night might not be this sign but the fact there are gambling websites that immediately after Auburn won the game lines went up on actually how long they will actually be able to keep the BCS National Title.
“This Is For All The Tostitos”
Number 1 Auburn beat Number 2 Oregon 22-19 in last nights Tostitos BCS National Championship Game but it was ESPN announcer Brent Musburger who gave the game it’s signature moment when he spoke into his microphone and uttered the year to come most over used and comical phrase “This is for all the Tostitos.”
Don’t believe me just check your Facebook page or your Twitter account and I guarantee you someone is has attached Musburger’s phrase to an iconic event.
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player: Auburn University Tigers
Auburn University Tigers
Every Tuesday Sports Grind Entertainment presents you with the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player of the Week. This week the recipient of this prestigious honor goes to Auburn University Tigers football team for winning the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game 22-19 over number 2 Oregon on Monday night. The perfect season, 14-0, capped off the SEC fifth straight national championship and the first time in fifty-three years for Auburn.
On offensive it was all running back Michael Dyer who finished with 143 yards and was even chosen Offensive Player of the Game. Quarterback Cam Newton had a stellar performance on that side of the ball as he threw for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran for 64 yards.
Defensively Nick Fairley had the Ducks moving backward as he continued to be a game-changer with his 3 tackles for loss that included a sack.
Congratulations Auburn University Tigers you are this weeks Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player.
