Oregon Helmet Stickers and Play of the Game

This will probably be the last bit I write about the Oregon game (a shame really) as we get ready for USC. No doubt, most of the talk will be about what the Bears will need to do to pull off the upset this weekend, but I still gotta give the boys their due.

Offensive Player of the Game: Nate Longshore
It didn’t look like much on the stat sheet. Longshore had a quiet 13-27 passing for 136 yards and a TD.

It also may not have appeared have to been much for a fan base who, upon seeing Longshore enter the game for an injured Kevin Riley, thought they might have flash back of Longshore’s interceptions late in the game of the also rain-heavy USC game from last year.

And it also didn’t appear to be much for Longshore who avoided speaking with the media after Saturday’s game.

But Longshore came in and “got ‘er done.” Again, while his stats may not have looked like much, he was cool and efficient on a day with the worst conditions imaginable for a QB. He stood tall in the pocket, and completed critical third and fourth downs and showed no signs of shaken confidence. He managed the game, and most importantly, avoided any turnovers.

While some think I might be too overgenerous for complimenting Longshore for not messing up too heavily, considering the game was littered with turnovers and mistakes from both teams, that in itself is an accomplishment.

Again, this doesn’t do much to establish either QB as a clear cut starter, and I still think Riley should start Saturday (if healthy), it does a lot to establish confidence in knowing Nate can be capable and filling in, should Riley flounder.

Honorable Mentions
Entire Offensive Line: 1 sack against conference’s top pass rush defense
Shane Vereen: 21 rushes for 61 yards, 1 TD, 4 catches for 25 yards
Verran Tucker: 6 catches for 83 yards
Nyan Boateng: 3 catches for 56 yards, 1 TD


Defensive Player of the Game: Zack Follett
Choosing the game’s defensive helmet sticker has easily become one of the most fun parts of my week. There are just so many to choose from. Mike Mohammed followed up his Pac-10 defensive performance of the week by earning a starting spot and leading the team in tackles. Darian Hagan more than held his own on his side of the field with 3 pass breakups, and Worrell Williams had that critical interception to set up Cal’s score. And let’s not forget the performance our D-Line had.

But you can’t NOT give it to the Pain Train. Zack Follett was all over the field on Saturday, posting 11 tackles (8 solo) on the day. 3 of those tackles went for a loss, including one sack. And he had a diving pass deflection for good measure.

Needless to say, Follett brought the business.

Honorable Mentions
Mike Mohammed: 14 tackles (10 solo)
Cameron Jordan: 10 tackles (2.5 TFL) including one sack.
Darian Hagan: 6 tackles and 3 pass breakups.
Worrell Williams: 8 tackles (4 solo) and a 50 yard interception return.

Play of the Game: Matt Russi’s Muffed Punt Recovery
While the game was mirred in turnovers, the play of the game was one that was pretty much given to us.

With the Ducks beginning to swing the momentum in their favor, Jairus Byrd muffed a punt which led to Matt Russi recovering the ball on the Oregon 6 yard line to set up Shane Vereen’s ensuing 2 yard TD run, which ultimately sealed the game for the Bears.

Ted Lee over at the Bear Insider has a great indepth article on Russi.