Early Inflection Point for Oregon, Pac-12
The Oregon Ducks find themselves at an important inflection point. Sitting at 2-1, and entering conference play on the road, this very well could be a defining moment for both the season and for new Head Coach Dan Lanning. Suffice it to say, the season opener was shocking for most college football fans. Losing 49-3 on the road to the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs in what was both their season opener as well as the high profile beginning of the 2022 college football season looked bad.
To the casual fan, the Ducks were completely dominated and never capable of doing anything. To the more well-versed fan, it was clear the Ducks weren’t so much incapable of quality performance as much as they appeared physically overmatched by the talent on the Georgia roster. To the experienced analyst, the take was different.
Experienced analysts on the field said the Ducks looked as one would expect of a team that was just introduced to their new playbooks 6-8 weeks prior. Some said they needed 2-3 more weeks of practice to get their schemes down, and they pointed to the miscues and confusion both at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield.
However, there’s another take on the matter worthy of mention. An analyst on the sideline in Atlanta suggested the Oregon Athletic Director lost the game. That’s right. Call it a bold take, but let’s examine the history. The Georgia Bulldogs have been a great team for many years. Leading up to their 2015 campaign, they were under the direction of head coach Mark Richt. They were high performing, posted 10+ win seasons, and back in 2006, they had agreed to a home-and-home series with Oregon.
In 2014, the Oregon Ducks performed well, won the college football playoff semifinal, and went to the 2015 national championship game where they lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Meanwhile, the Georgia Bulldogs lost Mark Richt to the University of Miami. Georgia’s athletic director called the Oregon athletic director and cancelled the home-and-home series. While citing travel distance as a concern, Georgia knew they were going to have a new head coach, and they certainly did not want to be embarrassed on the road. In fact, Kirby Smart, who became the new head coach after being the defensive coordinator at the University of Alabama, struggled in his first year and led the Bulldogs to an underwhelming 8-5 record. Would they have lost on the road at Oregon? that is difficult to say. However, the risk was real, perhaps too real to realize.
Fast forward to Oregon in 2021. The Ducks had recruited well under then Head Coach Mario Cristobal. They understood their offensive and defensive systems, and they had At least half a decade of experience with their existing playbook. When Cristobal announced that he was leaving, Oregon’s athletic director should have called the athletic director at Georgia and canceled the game. Weather he cited travel distance, the expense, or something else, is neither here nor there. The bottom line is that it was Georgia coming off a national championship game performance, one that they were successful in, and it was the Ducks who had a new head coach and a new system to install. Ironically, Oregon lost their head coach to the University of Miami, the same place Georgia had lost its previous coach.
Thus, one can make the argument that it was not in fact the athletes on the field, nor the coaches on the sideline, who lost the game against Georgia, but that it was in fact the responsibility of the athletic director, and that he set the program up to face extremely difficult, if not insurmountable odds playing on the road in Atlanta. A fair leadership advisory would probably include a note to accept responsibility and move on.
Coming off that trip, the Ducks were 0-1. Many mocked them as the laughingstock of college football, but the truth is that this team may very well have been much more talented than the product that appeared on the field in Atlanta. In week two, Oregon faced a completely overmatched FCS opponent, Eastern Washington. The Eagles were defeated as expected, and the ducks appeared to be getting back on track. Week 3 cemented that after the ducks delivered a decisive win over a highly ranked BYU team.
Now, the ducks are headed to Pullman, Washington, to play the Washington State Cougars. Always a tricky opponent, and entering the game with a record of 3-0, that includes a significant road win at then ranked Wisconsin, and a decisive home win over Colorado State, it is clear the WSU Cougars are dangerous. A road win in the Palouse will not only further add to the story that Oregon is in fact a good team this season, but it will also help the team keep pace in a very competitive Pac-12 conference race.
That is where things get particularly interesting. USC currently sits atop the Pac-12 South standings, and while that may be consistent with popular predictions, it certainly is not consistent with the new head coach and playbook distinction asserted as an issue in Oregon’s opening loss. Then again, USC opened the season against it completely overmatched Rice, and then on the road at unranked Stanford, followed by a return home against unranked Fresno State. Nevertheless, they’re 3-0 and 1-0 in the conference. That has them at the top of the standings. UCLA sits behind USC, followed by 2-1 Arizona and 2-1 Utah, who remains highly ranked despite an opening road loss to the Florida Gators. The Pac-12 south will shake out over time as these teams play each other, of course.
The same is true for the Pac-12 north. Things will sort themselves out over time. As mentioned, Oregon begins that mission this weekend in Pullman. However, it is currently 3-0 Oregon State who sits atop the north standings, and the ranked 3-0 Washington Huskies who sit right behind them. WSU, also 3-0, sits right behind them. Call that a formality as none have played a conference opponent yet, and all are undefeated. That will change this weekend. Oregon State hosts USC, Washington hosts Stanford, and as previously mentioned, WSU hosts Oregon. In another interesting game perhaps slightly under the radar, Cal hosts Arizona, and the winner of that game will be 3-1, 1-1 Pac-12. Beware of dark horses.
Perhaps it’s too early for predictions. The transfer portal, those graduate transfer students, the pandemic and its extra year of eligibility, conference realignment – whatever the issues are, there are a few things that are true: (1) it is difficult to win in the Palouse; (2) it is difficult to win at Husky Stadium; (3) no ranked opponent has won in Corvallis in over a decade, nearly two! What is also true is that the weather is changing fast. From the high heat of summer and the fire smoke that filled the air during the segue to Fall, things have changed in a hurry. It’s getting chilly at night. There’s rain in some forecasts. It’s football season, and over the next couple of months we’ll find out how good the Ducks and the rest of the Pac-12 conference really are.
Back in Atlanta, Georgia fans had nothing bad to say about Oregon. On the contrary, several said “we’ll see you in the playoffs.” Whether that happens this year or not remains to be seen. There are a lot of moving parts this year and going forward. All a team can do is take it one week at a time.
Ahsan Awan has been covering NCAA sports for over a decade, and has been covering college football, including the Oregon Ducks and the Pacific 12 Conference, since 2008. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire. ©2022 Ahsan Awan for American Presswire, subject to unlimited use under license unless otherwise noted. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Keep calm and power on, Sacramento balances cup and league play
SACRAMENTO – Republic FC currently sits alone in fourth place in the west. They could move up to third with the combination of a win on Saturday versus Oakland Roots SC and a loss or tie by the Colorado Springs Switchbacks, whom they defeated 3-0 at home just over a week ago.
After beating MLS side Sporting KC in the semifinals of the US Open Cup, Sacramento channeled their energy forward, traveled to Charleston, SC and logged an impressive 4-2 victory on the road. Then they beat New Mexico on the road 2-1. Then they tied Rio Grande Valley 1-1 at home, and fatigue began to set in.
What happened next was a surprising 1-0 road loss to Monterey Bay. With starters resting, however, it’s difficult to point to this as being a moment of breakdown. No team wants to lose, but perhaps the boys in old glory red had one worth sacrificing to pace themselves.
Pace themselves for what, you may wonder. The obvious! Sacramento will travel to play MLS side Orlando City SC on the road, in Orlando, in the US Open Cup final scheduled for September 7, and that match is SOLD OUT. Perhaps feeling the pressure and exhibiting both respect and concern for their opponent, Orlando successfully petitioned MLS to postpone their originally scheduled match against in-state rival Inter-Miami CF just a few days before.
In contrast, Sacramento has taken a different approach. After the strong showing against Colorado Springs just over a week ago, the club fell 2-1 to Las Vegas on the road. Again, resting parts of the starter rotation likely in preparation for Orlando, but also perhaps realizing that once again, there was room to absorb a road loss without jeopardizing the USL playoffs.
So here we are, fierce rival Oakland coming to Heart Health Park on Saturday, August 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 PM Pacific. A win, coupled with a Switchbacks loss, would elevate Republic FC into third place in the west. Moving into third would be good. Getting above that may be a bit more complicated. Leave that conversation for another time. The Roots are up next, and then something interesting happens.
Before Sacramento travels to Orlando for their September 7 contest, the club faces Louisville City FC, the leader of USL’s east division, on the road. That match will take place on Saturday, September 3 at 4:30 PM Pacific. A win there would be fantastic, but its certainly not expected. What is likely is for Sacramento to field reserves and keep the starters out. Unlike Orlando, Sacramento is choosing to play on and play through. They may surprise everyone, but odds favor a road loss.
That said, a win this Saturday versus Oakland could be strategically critical to Republic FC positioning to secure home field for a first-round playoff match later this Fall. After Orlando, the club has only seven matches remaining in USL play. Five of those are at home. Two are on the road, and two are versus the clubs sitting above them, San Antonio, and San Diego. To say fans must hang on to their seats until the very end this season is an understatement.
Sacramento's next match is August 27 versus USL Championship side Oakland Roots SC. The match will be played at Sacramento’s Heart health Park at 8:00 PM PST. The club plays MLS side Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final on Wednesday, September 7 at 5:00 PM PST. Broadcast details are pending.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, and has been covering professional soccer, including USL and Sacramento Republic FC, since their debut in 2014. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire and ©2022 Ahsan Awan for American Presswire subject to unlimited use under license unless otherwise noted. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Indomitable Club
SACRAMENTO – With the California State Fair lighting up the sky in the background, neither triple digit heat, wildfire smoke in the air, nor the relentless attack of the presumably more talented roster of the MLS-side Sporting Kansas City team they hosted as their opponent, was capable of stopping the men in old glory red from achieving victory in U.S. Soccer's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal match. Through full time plus stoppage, two extra time periods and a thrilling penalty kick shootout, Republic FC fought hard and played well. Sacramento's incredible captain, Rodrigo Lopez, sealed the victory with a successful penalty kick to win the shootout 5-4 over Sporting Kansas City.
With a sell out announced last week, Republic FC stepped onto the pitch surrounded by a full house. There wasn't an empty seat in Heart Health Park. Despite multiple advances, shots on goal, and miraculous saves, the first half ended 0-0. The second half of regulation play was no different. Fans were riveted to their seats as extra time began. First, 15 minutes one way. Then, 15 minutes the other way. It was the same story. There were shots, there were saves, and the score remained tied 0-0. Then came the shootout.
throughout it all, club majority owner Kevin Nagle stood tall and watched. He never had any doubt. He never showede any concern. He was confident the team could win, and they did. The back-and-forth pentalty kicks took place right in front of him. At one point, Sacramento appaered to make a stop that would give them the lead, but it was called back. The second attempt by Sporting KC kept things even.
Then came KC's legedary Graham Zusi. He failed to convert. It all came down to Sacramento's great captain, Rodrigo Lopez. A wall of crowd noise, surrounded him as he prepared to shoot. The moment he kicked the ball, there was no doubt. It was going in. It went in. The crowd erupted in cheers. The team went wild. The players from Sporting KC looked stunned. Sacramento did it. They pulled off the unimaginable. The indomitable club won the 2022 U.S. Open Cup semifinal.
Sacramento now advances to play MLS side Orlando City SC on the road, in Orlando, in the Open Cup final scheduled for September 7. Further details about the next match will be coming soon. For now, let the celebration begin. For Sacramento, For Nagle, Lopez, all the players, staff and fans, the dream remains very much alive.
Sacramento's next match is July 30 at USL Championship side Charleston Battery. The match will be played at the Battery's Patriots Point Stadium at 4:30 PM PST. The club then plays a slate of six USL Championship league matches in August before heading Louisville for a USL side match on September 3. Then they are off to Orlando to face MLS side Orlando City in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final on Wednesday, September 7 at 5:00 PM PST. Within league play, Republic FC won't return home to host a USL opponent until Saturday, August 6, when they face Rio Grande Valley FC at Heart Health Park at 8:00 PM. Broadcast details are pending.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, and has been covering professional soccer, including USL and Sacramento Republic FC, since their debut in 2014. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire and ©2022 Ahsan Awan for American Presswire subject to unlimited use under license unless otherwise noted. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
The only way forward is to win
SACRAMENTO – At the conclusion of the USL Championship regular season on October 15, the top seven teams in the western conference will advance into the single-elimination playoffs. Sacramento Republic FC currently sits in seventh place. Only one point separates the boys in old glory red from being above the line in sixth place or below the line in either eighth or ninth place. The pressure is on.
Sacramento has lost two of its last three matches and hasn't won since June 25. The next three matches present significant challenges: a road match vs Phoenix Rising on July 23; a road match all the way east in Charleston on July 30; and then a midweek road match just a few days later on August 3 in New Mexico. The club doesn't return home to Heart Health Park until Saturday, August 6 vs. Rio Grande Valley. Odds favor going 2-2 during this stretch, and while that may seem reasonable, only one thing is true when you're riding the line: it's not enough that you win, everyone else must lose.
Meanwhile, Sacramento looks to continue its historic US Open Cup run. The club faces MLS side Sporting Kansas City in the semifinal round on July 27. That match will be played at Heart Health Park, and it's already sold out. Having defeated the MLS side San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles Galaxy already, the club should be confident in their ability to compete.
Of course, not winning in nearly one month raises questions and concerns. The short turn-around time between matches raises the likelihood of fatigue, the risk of yellow card accumulation, and the very real possibility that the club could return home having fallen below the line. Given the proven talent and many incredible results, surviving this midsummer stretch will take focus, discipline, and care. It can be done.
The rest of the month of August doesn't really get any easier. With four more matches split between home and road, the same challenges exist. The club will face Monterey on the road in what oddsmakers would say is a match they should win on August 13, but then they come home to face Colorado Springs just four days later in a match that will likely be much more difficult. They travel to Las Vegas for a match just three days after that; again, one they should win. However, they finish the month one week later at home against a dangerous rival Oakland Roots club that has presented challenges in the past.
Amid triple digit heat in a drought-plagued region where fire danger remains high, and with another COVID pandemic wave extending the health emergency now further complicated by monkeypox and avian flu, health, hydration, and rest remain critical. No one ever said the road to the playoffs was easy, let alone the road to a championship, of which Republic proudly has one star on their kits already. In order to compete for a second star is really going to take something special though, and the only way forward is to win.
Sacramento's next match is July 23 at Phoenix Rising FC. The match will be played at Phoenix Rising Stadium at Wild Horse Pass at 7:30 PM. The club returns home to host MLS side Sporting Kansas City in the semifinal round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup on Wednesday, July 27 at 7:30 PM. Within league play, Republic FC won't return to host a USL opponent until Saturday, August 6, when they host Rio Grande Valley FC at Heart Health Park at 8:00 PM. Broadcast details are pending.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, and has been covering professional soccer, including USL and Sacramento Republic FC, since their debut in 2014. All images taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire and ©2022 Ahsan Awan for American Presswire subject to unlimited use under license unless otherwise noted. He can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Bruins take care of business on the farm
PALO ALTO – The UCLA Bruins, led by future hall of fame Head Coach Chip Kelly, marched into Stanford Stadium with one mission: Win The Day. Kelly’s old motto from his time at the helm of the Oregon Ducks was on full display. This time dressed in brand Jordan apparel, swapping blue for his old green, but flanked my many familiar faces from his time in Eugene, Kelly donned his classic visor and was all business.
A narrow loss the previous week to the Fresno State Bulldogs was a thing of the past. As has always been Kelly’s style, the past is in the past and today is all there is, right now. Indeed, UCLA played like last week never happened. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson led the Bruins to two early touchdowns and a 14-0 lead. Not to be outshined, the Bruins’ defense held the Cardinal to no fewer than five three-and-outs. The game seemed to be one score away from slipping out of reach for the home team.
However, Kelly wasn’t the only future hall of famer in the house. Stanford Head Coach David Shaw is equally fantastic. His mastery of leadership led to sudden adjustments that got the Cardinal back in the game. A solid drive led to a score, and the game was within reach. However, Kelly and company would not be denied.
Before the first half ended, the Bruins would score again. At 21-7, the Cardinal marched down the field, but were held out of the endzone. A final attempt at a field goal bounced off the crossbar and seemed to sap whatever energy was left.
It wasn’t over though. By early in the fourth quarter, the game was tied at 21. The Cardinal had come back. Shaw’s adjustments were working. Kelly made his own adjustments though, and the Bruins exploded. Despite a field goal that got the Cardinal to 24, Thompson-Robinson stayed focused and delivered. First, a 75-yard bomb for a touchdown, then the defense held the Cardinal to 3. Then the Bruins engineered another drive for a score that put the game away. Kelly did indeed win the day.
Just like that, UCLA went to 3-1 and climbed ever so slightly in the rankings. UCLA dropped to 2-2 and remains a dangerous and underrated opponent.
UCLA returns home to Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California to host the Arizona State University Sun Devils on Saturday at 7:30pm. The game will be broadcast by Fox Sports 1.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including NCAA football since 2007. Image taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire. Ahsan Awan can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Cardinal impress in 24-35 loss to UCLA
PALO ALTO – The Stanford Cardinal may be the most underrated 2-2 team in college football. Saturday’s loss to UCLA was a blip on the radar for a future hall of fame coach, many legitimate future NFL prospects, and a fan base that understands that while winning is fun, football is just a game. When asked about the outcome, one fan who didn’t provide his name said it best, “it doesn’t matter who won the game, the real winners are those who go on to have a great life.”
There’s no question every Cardinal player has the opportunity to have a great life. Perhaps that’s one of the things that makes Stanford different. No matter what happens on the scoreboard, the growth and development obtained through participation, combined with the strength of the institution and the support of the community, is central to the creation of the highest percentage of successful leaders per capita in all of college football.
Stanford is special. From the professionalism of the staff to the quality of the facilities, there’s no place like it. That special feeling was in the air on Saturday when the Cardinal took to the field. Head Coach David Shaw didn’t look a day older. The man literally hasn’t aged in at least half a decade. On the other side of the field was another future hall of fame head coach, UCLA’s Chip Kelly.
Shaw is no stranger to Kelly, and vice versa. Shaw began his coaching tenure at Stanford in 2007. Kelly began his tenure at the University of Oregon at the same time. These two have met on the field many times. There are no surprises. Saturday’s meeting was just two of the greatest coaches in the game doing what they do best, causing one of the most exciting games in football. While Stanford won this meeting 35-24, students, fans and everyone in attendance were treated to the pageantry, magic and gridiron battle that makes college football so great.
The game started slowly for the Cardinal. After 5 three-and-out series, the Cardinal trailed 14-0. Being the future hall of famer that he is, Shaw made adjustments and the Cardinal responded. A solid drive ending in a touchdown many wouldn’t make on Sundays – in air, spun around, over the opponent’s shoulder pad; the perfect grab for 6! It was a thing of beauty, and it seemed like a momentum-turner.
For a moment, it seemed like Stanford found its stride and UCLA didn’t have an answer. They even tied the game at 21 heading into the fourth quarter. However, Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was not to be denied. At 18-29 for 251 yards, 2 touchdowns and zero interceptions, he looked great. The thing is, Stanford quarterback Tanner McKee was 19-32 for 293 yards, 3 touchdowns and zero interceptions, so he was right there in lock step; in fact, he was better.
The truth is these teams aren’t that far apart. As one UCLA coach explained, “Stanford Stadium is the least hostile in the Pac-12, maybe in the nation.” Don’t blame the 12th man. Stanford students showed up in force. In fact, this may have been a fan attendance record. Someone should’ve kept count.
UCLA hosts Arizona State University on Saturday. Stanford hosts #3 Oregon. The Ducks struggled through the first half against the Arizona Wildcats in Eugene. That was in front of a home crowd. Sure, Stanford Stadium may not be hostile on Saturday, but it’s different. For one thing, it’s real grass. The Ducks are used to playing on artificial turf. More importantly, however, it’s Stanford. It’s David Shaw. It’s the jumbo line and an offense capable of putting points on the board. Last but not least, it’s the pageantry, magic, and poise founded in the knowledge that football is just a game.
No pressure. The Stanford Cardinal host the #3 Oregon Ducks at 12:30pm PST. The game will be televised on ABC.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including NCAA football since 2007. Image taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire. Ahsan Awan can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Stanford, Shaw ready to host Kelly, UCLA
PALO ALTO – Life on The Farm is nothing to complain about. Along with being one of the world’s premier academic institutions and an unrivaled incubator of innovation and entrepreneurialism, Stanford University also boasts some of the finest athletic facilities in the world. Whether you’re playing water polo or football, you can’t go wrong choosing to be part of the Cardinal family.
David Shaw knows this. The former Cardinal wide receiver (1991-1994) has been a Stanford football coach since 2007. He’s been the head coach since 2011. He has a 92-37 win/loss record, three Pac-12 conference championship titles and five Pac-12 north division titles. Say what you may about the Cardinal, but there’s no question the 49-year-old Shaw remains one of the best in the business. A lot more can be said about Coach Shaw. Maybe it’ll find its way into the lead up to his Hall of Fame induction speech one day.
Most experts and pundits agreed that Stanford was entering a rebuilding year. Talent turnover and new blood at critical positions was labeled a strike against the Cardinal’s prospects. A disappointing opening loss to Kansas State seemed to prove them all right. Then came then #14 USC. Through total domination of the Trojans, Coach Shaw and his players engineered and executed one of the most compelling statements of the season: the Cardinal are a force to be reckoned with. They reiterated that the following week with an even more convincing thrashing of SEC member Vanderbilt University.
At 2-1 with a pair of convincing road wins, including one over a top-15 ranked conference opponent, Stanford should be ranked. Chip Kelly’s UCLA Bruins remain ranked after a loss to an unranked Fresno State team, and the Bruins’ two previous wins were over unranked NP5 University of Hawai’i from the Mountain West Conference, and unranked Louisiana State University from the SEC. With the Bruins heading up to Palo Alto this weekend, Coach Shaw’s Cardinal has the advantage of playing at home. Stanford Stadium can hardly be called hostile, but home is home, and that matters.
129 games into his time at the helm of the Cardinal, David Shaw has amassed 92 wins. He has won more than 71% of the time. He has gone up against Chip Kelly many times over the past decade, and throughout his time as a Stanford coach in any capacity. There should be no surprises, just two very good football coaches leading two very talented teams.
The Stanford Cardinal host the #24 UCLA Bruins on Saturday, September 25 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, CA. Kickoff is currently scheduled for 3:00pm PST, and the game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network. Following that, the Cardinal host the #3 Oregon Ducks at 12:30pm PST. That game will be televised on ABC.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including NCAA football since 2007. Image taken by Ahsan Awan for American Presswire. Ahsan Awan can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi.
Cristobal, Ducks ready for conference play
EUGENE – The Oregon Ducks are ready to begin Pac-12 conference play. After three out-of-conference games, the Ducks are 3-0 and ranked #3 in the polls. The last time this happened was 2014. Oregon went on to win the next game, their Pac-12 conference opener, and went on to finish with a #2 ranking after falling to Ohio State in the 2015 national championship game.
Seven years and a couple of head coaches later, here come the Ducks. After a somewhat nerve-racking opening game against a very dangerous and talented Fresno State team that just upset the UCLA Bruins, Oregon traveled to Columbus, Ohio to meet their old national championship foe, Ohio State. In that game, running back Ezekiel Elliott was unstoppable. This time, the tables were turned. Oregon’s CJ Verdel was the one no one could lay a hand on. Oregon won not only the game, but also the distinction of being a team that seemed to have found its heart and stride through the commitment of its players and the culture created by its staff; in particular, head coach Mario Cristobal.
A word about Coach Cristobal – there is no finer coach in college football, possibly in all of college sports. Say what you will about Alabama’s Nick Saban being the most decorated, there’s no disputing that. Coach Saban has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest of all time. Those who know him knew this was his destiny when he was at Michigan State. His time at LSU was just a segue to the place where he will surely be honored with statues and monuments in the future. Cristobal knows this, he’s been there.
Cristobal spent three years at Alabama before coming to Oregon. He spent five years as the head coach at Florida International before that. Not only does he know how to lead and what to do, but he has learned from the best, and that is evident in how his program has evolved in Eugene. In his fourth year at Oregon, Mario Cristobal has won the Pac-12 conference championship twice. He has won the Pac-12 north division title once. Let’s not forget, he won a Sun Belt conference championship over a decade ago (2010), and he – himself – is a two-time national champion and four-year letterman from the University of Miami. The point is, Mario Cristobal is a winner and a champion, he knows what it takes, and his players at the University of Oregon are on board with his way.
While injuries to some key players continues to be an issue, the Ducks appear ready for Arizona. Quarterback Anthony Brown left the game versus Stony Brook with a foot injury but appears ready to go. Ty Thompson stepped up in that contest and proved he’s more than capable of running the offense. Given his productivity, it’s hard to imagine he won’t see time under center again soon. With dynamic duos at both running back and quarterback, a strong receiving corps and an offensive line that has demonstrated the ability to hold off one of the best defenses in college football, Oregon’s prolific offense should fare well this weekend.
While missing key defensive starters like Kayvon Thibodeaux and Justin Flowe, the Ducks have shown they can play and win. Conference play is always a different challenge, but with the advantage of home field, the Ducks should continue to be effective. Add the return of students and the increased confidence in safety measures implemented due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Autzen Stadium is sure to be a difficult place for the Ducks’ opponents.
The Oregon Ducks host the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, September 25 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Kickoff is currently scheduled for 7:30pm PST, and the game will be televised on ESPN.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including NCAA football since 2007. Image taken by Craig Strobeck. ©2021 Craig Strobeck and approved for use by American Presswire. Ahsan Awan can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi. Craig Strobeck can be found on the web and on Instagram as @cstrobeck.
UCLA Football wins, Chip Kelly is back!
WESTWOOD – Chip Kelly is back! With a 12-21 record entering his fourth season as the Head Coach of the UCLA Bruins football team, the doubters have been silenced as the energy and electricity of UCLA football has returned. After dominating the University of Hawai’i 44-10 to start the season, the Bruins hosted the LSU Tigers in Rose Bowl Stadium in a game many believed would be just another win for the SEC.
Kelly went up against LSU once before. On the tenth anniversary of that unfortunate defeat when he was the Head Coach of the Oregon Ducks, he got his revenge. Having now had sufficient time to transform the talent pool at UCLA to execute his dynamic offense, Kelly led the Bruins to an incredible 38-27 victory at home in Pasadena. The Bruins shocked the nation, and soon after leveraged social media to make it clear they found their swagger.
Kelly also got his voice back. Regarding the shock and surprise after winning, he said exactly what any true fan or follower of Chip would expect, "There wasn't anybody surprised in our locker room… I don't care where you're ranked… nobody cares. So whatever. It is what it is…” Yes! That is exactly THE Chip Kelly known and loved by many probably since the day he was born.
They say leadership trickles down from the top. Focus, attitude, commitment and drive – Kelly leads how he lives, and it’s clear his Bruins get it. The Bruins play a dangerous Fresno State team tonight in Pasadena. Another convincing win will certainly cement what has quickly become the general belief among many: the Pac-12 south division is UCLA’s to lose, and the while the Pac-12 conference championship will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada in December, it is highly likely that winning will require beating UCLA.
The UCLA Bruins host the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday, September 18 at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Kickoff is currently scheduled for 7:45pm PST, and the game will be televised on the Pac-12 Network.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including NCAA football since 2007. Image taken by Shirley McCombs-Swayne. ©2021 Shirley McCombs-Swayne and approved for use by American Presswire. Ahsan Awan can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi. Shirley McCombs-Swayne can be found on Instagram as @shirleymcswayne.
Timbers, Thorns Define Portland Sports Culture
PORTLAND – Portland, Oregon – The Rose City – is home to many things. Some say it’s where you can find the best craft beer and the greatest assortment of food trucks anywhere in the world. Many are quick to identify Portland as home to some of the world’s most influential corporations such as Nike and Intel. However, anyone who knows Portland also knows it’s a passionate sports town. From the NBA’s Trailblazers to MiLB’s Hillsboro Hops, NCAA sports at the University of Portland, Portland State University, Lewis & Clark University, nearby Salem’s Willamette University, or major statewide powers The University of Oregon and Oregon State University, people of all kinds of sports allegiance live in or around Portland.
However, there’s another kind of very special and incredibly passionate fan in Oregon, and especially in Portland, and that is the professional soccer fan. MLS’s Portland Timbers FC and the NWSL’s Portland Thorns are without a doubt Portland’s most popular professional sports teams. Their shared home, Providence Park, is an amazing venue in part due to its location and structural uniqueness, but also because the legions of passionate fans who attend the matches are unwavering in their support.
Nowhere in North American professional sports of any kind will you find a more passionate fanbase. Nowhere else in North America will you find such grand displays of loyalty. From massive tifos to seemingly never-ending songs and chants, the fans in Portland, and at Providence Park in particular, never disappoint. The Timbers Army is one of the finest support groups in all of sport. The Thorns side Riveters are equally extraordinary. In fact, the Rose City Riveters are without a doubt the greatest support group in all of women’s sports, professional or otherwise.
The Portland Timbers are currently one back below the redline, in eighth place with 24 points, only 2 points behind division rival San Jose. They compete at Seattle today in a match where a win moves the club up over the line. The western conference leading Sounders will surely prove difficult to defeat in their own home. For what it’s worth, San Jose hosts the Colorado Rapids, currently in third place in the western conference, on September 4, so the fight to stay above the redline could go on for some time. Nevertheless, the Timbers must win if they want to get into the playoffs.
The Portland Thorns present a different story. They’re the league leader. They’re in first place with a 5-point margin. They also compete tomorrow. With a relatively light 3-match September, and a moderate 5-match October, it’s likely impossible to keep the Thorns out of the playoffs. Furthermore, given just how good they are, odds favor the Thorns making a strong championship run. Their 10-match streak without a loss goes back to late June.
What are the odds that Portland becomes home to both 2021 MLS and NWSL champions? At this point, that’s tough to say; however, it very well may not be worth betting against. If you ask the fans of either of these clubs, many of whom are the same, they’ll tell you – no – they’ll show you! Experience either a Timbers or Thorns match in Portland and you’ll know the answer. You’ll know the odds. No matter what they are, you’ll feel the passion, commitment and love this city and its people have for these clubs. Have a look.
The Portland Timbers host the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, September 15 at Providence Park. Kickoff is currently scheduled for 7pm PST. The Portland Thorns host the Washington Spirit on Saturday, September 4 at Providence Park. Kickoff is currently scheduled for 7:30pm PST.
Ahsan Awan has been covering sports for over a decade, including professional soccer and MLS since 2014. All images taken by Richard Kolbell for American Presswire and ©2021 Richard Kolbell for American Presswire subject to unlimited use under license unless otherwise noted. Ahsan Awan can be found on Twitter as @quackarazzi and on Instagram as @quackarazzi. Richard Kolbell can be found on Twitter as @bokoripa and on Instagram as @richardkolbell.