Sports Scramble
Today’s scramble is heavy on the fighting. I’m not a morning person, so it’s fitting.
It’s less than a week until Boise State-Oregon Part Deux, brought to you by Charlie Sheen and ESPN.
The bulk of the off-season yapping is emanating from the Casanova Center down in picturesque Eugene.
So far the “war of words” has just two participants, Jeremiah Masoli and Ed Dickson. Coincidentally those Ducks were on the end of Boise State cheap shots in last year’s emphatic BSU victory.
Anyway you cut it, this year’s game should be a doozy. To the Bullets!
- OSL’s Mike Whitman is all over UFC 102 at the Rose Garden, and looks like the Oregonian is turning its sleepy eyes that way too. The O’s reigning national Sports Columnist of the year John Canzano is prepared to give UFC another chance.
“It’s my job to cover sports, and offer commentary, and a growing number of people love mixed martial arts. We tell each other in this business that we’ll cover the stuff you care about. And so I’m going to show up at the UFC event with an open mind, and a blank notebook, and I’m going to give White the opportunity to demonstrate that he’s got something special here.”
I’m coming from the same place as Canzano. As a sports fan, I know what I love and I love what I know. But every so often something new creeps into the fold and grabs your attention. There’s a big moment that impacts you as a viewer and compels you to care. For a slew of Americans this year’s Confederations Cups in South Africa was that catalyst. UFC is entering that world for me, and it’s safe to say there are thousands of others sitting on that proverbial fence ready to make the leap into fandom.
- On the heels of OSL’s interview with Oregon Boy Evan Dunham…the Las Vegas Sun (the daily news from Dunham’s adopted training ground) caught up with the undefeated UFC fighter. Dunham told the Sun he expects to get a huge lift from the Oregon fans.
- Dunham is fighting on the under-card this weekend. The big show involves another man with Oregon ties (and a legend in wrestling and UFC circles) Randy Couture. In an interview with the Associated Press, Couture takes a stab at why mixed martial arts and the UFC are blossoming in Oregon.
“The state of Oregon is a very unique place,” Couture said. “It’s a great wrestling state, and it’s turning into a wonderful place for fighting and developing fighters. I think there’s this particular mentality there. I don’t know if it’s the rain or what, but indoor sports, and wrestling especially, have always flourished there, and I think MMA is going to flourish there as well.”
- In non UFC-related news, Oregon State football is riding on the shoulders of two diminutive Texas boys. The Rodgers brothers are dynamic, electric, shifty, etc. They accounted (this is amazing) for over half the Beavs’ yards from scrimmage last year. With a relatively easy non-conference schedule, this year is a terrific opportunity for OSU to head into conference play with confidence instead of scrambling to catch up. Ted Miller has a terrific look at the Rodgers. If they stay healthy (and that’s a big if) OSU is incredibly dangerous.
- Every Duck fan’s biggest scapegoat (*cough* Nick Aliotti *cough cough *) admits he doesn’t love criticism. The always informative Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune caught up with long-time UO Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti. Aliotti touched on what seems to be a growing theme with the Ducks – speed. He says his defensive unit has some top-secret plans.
“I don’t want to divulge too much, but … we’ve gotten to a point where, why can’t we be on the attack on defense and not always let the offense dictate to us?” Aliotti says. “Attack instead of reacting to what’s going on. We’re trying to put as many fast players on the field as we can. The pace (at which) we practice helps quite a bit.”
That’s it for today’s scramble. Stay tuned for more UFC 102 coverage from OSL in the coming days.