No Sympathy for the Dennis: Sending ASU to the Ninth Circle of the PAC-10

Dennis Erickson is the Bernie Madoff of coaches, running a football Ponzi scheme for 29 years.

He's never spent more than six years in one place. Twice he's left without notice after a single year. He won national championships in '89 and '91 at Miami, but his Miami teams were plagued by scandal, drugs and guns and booze, suffering 12 arrests in '94, rapper Luther Campbell doling out cash bonuses to players that made the best hits. Fifty players were implicated in a Pell Grant scandal, signing their name to over $170,000 in fraudulent applications. Erickson left in a cloud of suspicion for the NFL, managing barely more than .500 records in the league where everyone pays their players.

And that's just at Miami, the site of his greatest success. Erickson has brought his slash and burn style to nine different stops, including two stints in the pros and an arrest for blowing .23. He's recruited one-and-done jc transfers who never attended a class, linebackers who hit people three yards out of bounds and twist opponents' knees in the pile, players with checkered resumes and ready excuses, many of the it-wasn't-me-I-just-started-hanging-out-with-the-wrong-people-and-got-caught-up-in-a-situation variety.

Here at Oregon, we send those kinds of players to Mississippi. Erickson's legacy hasn't been pretty, and now he's nearing the end of the road, having coached Arizona State to two losing seasons in a row, the first time that's happened in 63 years of Sun Devil football. Ticket sales have dropped after an initial burst of excitement in 2007 when Rudy Carpenter led the team to a number six ranking and a 10-3 finish. Losing does that. Last season the home stands were two-thirds capacity, and this Saturday a good portion of the crowd will be in green and yellow.

Cautious optimism accompanied training camp this year. Erickson brought in a strong-armed transfer quarterback and a couple of fast jc receivers, 6-4 Mike Willie and 6-3 George Bell. After two lopsided wins against teams from the old 1-AA, and a close loss to a big time Big 10 team, whispers are that Erickson is up to his old black magic, and this year the Sun Devils could defy the critics and the experts, make a bowl and be competitive, saving his leathered skin one more time.

He's been asked about the rumored hot seat again and again. It's been written about over and over. Go 5-7 and 4-8, losing to your in-state rival twice, and the subject comes up, relentless as an infestation of bedbugs. In training camp Erickson told reporters, "I've been on the hot seat a lot. I don't pay attention to that."

The Sun Devils almost had a season-defining, identity-changing win at Wisconsin. They missed a 25-yard field goal. They dropped a sure touchdown pass in the end zone. They had a 95-yard kickoff return stopped a half-yard from the goal line just before the half ran out. A punt return for touchdown was called back by a penalty. The officials missed a critical pass interfence call. Then in the fourth quarter, after all that adversity, Wisconsin blocked an extra point that would have tied the game. ASU, building on the confidence of two opening wins over lowly opponents, came within one decent break of upsetting the number eleven team in the country, falling 20-19 on the road.

Now their season could go either way. A one-sided dominated loss to Oregon could convince them they're still the losers they've been for the last two years, and an upset win could send the cautious and undecided Sun Devil rooters into the stratosphere. Erickson and crew would be all the way back, contenders again, headed for a bowl and a winning season. A win would convince even Erickson doubters that this old ball coach still has it, and the stands would fill up for the rest of the year. A loss would send them back to their enclosed patios in despair.

Here's a vote for despair. Football coaches tend to be like Johnny Unitas, Willie Mays, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Brett Favre. They hang on too long, embarrass themselves by falling down in the outfield or wearing an unfamiliar jersey, mailing it in on some obscure team in a nowhere place, a shadow of their former selves. They have to be forced out. Woody Hayes had to be fired. Bo Schemblecher's heart gave out. Bobby Bowden was pushed out in favor of Jimbo Fisher. Joe Paterno's still going stubbornly on at Penn State, even though he's had to change his pants at halftime.

Dennis Erickson has had a long and inglorious career. He's left programs in flames and packed his bags in search of the bigger, better deal. He's taken numerous shortcuts and looked the other way. He's driven drunk and recruited thugs and made promises he never intended to keep. Losing the Arizona State job would be his just reward for a career of skirting responsibility and desperately seeking the quick fix.

I don't root against many people. But Dennis Erickson is one of them.

What I Found While Sneaking On to the Internet at Work

Kidding! Totally kidding, just like I was when I said people's brains would explode if they try to out think Chip Kelly, or an anvil might drop on Dennis Erickson's wily coyote head.

My work has an Internet station in the break room, and I composed this post on my lunch half hour, working 24/7 to find quality Duck news for insatiable Oregon fans. Here are some web gems for webfoots:

Ted Miller's moments of lucidity:

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac10

Vontaze Burfict looked like the best defensive player on the field at Wisconsin, rolling up 10 tackles, two for a loss, with two pass breakups.

Andrew Luck, the nation's third-rated quarterback, has 10 TD passes vs. zero interceptions.

For Nick Foles, Saturday was the third time in his 13-game career as a starter that he's led a game-winning drive when tied or trailing in the fourth quarter of a game.

Andy McNamara's steadfast informational consistency:

(he's the Brandon Bair of athletic department media flacks)

http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=3383&SPID=233&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=204997520

Working hard, standing out: Dior Mathis has won a scout team player of the week honor three times in three weeks, twice for defense and once for special teams.

Rob Moseley's stuff nobody else gets:

http://www2.registerguard.com/cms/index.php/duck-football/comments/monday2/

John Boyett’s sit down on Saturday was a game-time decision by Coach Neal. Boyett practiced with the first team on Monday.

Beat Back the Devil--Matching Wits with Dennis Erickson and Arizona State

Arizona State is better than any team Oregon has faced so far, but not as good as the Ducks.

The Vegas wise guys , who strive to make the public lean the wrong way half the time, have Oregon as a 10.5 favorite on the road. By contrast the Beavers are 16-point dogs at Boise State. Rodents don't usually like to climb that far uphill, but that is a tempting number to offer on a team with a ground-hugging, ground-hogging running back. A double dose of Rodgers might buck the Broncos, or come close.

The Ducks won't take their eyes off the Sun Devils, but I can't help it. A BSU stumble would bring UO one notch closer to Glendale, and further ramp up interest in next week's head-on battle with 4-0 Stanford, assuming this mental three-team parlay goes according to form.

Back to Tempe. Dennis Erickson has dished out a cup or two of misery to Oregon fans over the years, five-pick beatdowns and denied trips to the Rose Bowl, a disastrous late-game twist of the knee, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat more than once. We've had the better of him in his three years at ASU, 44-21 last season at Autzen, 54-20 two years ago in the desert, 35-23 in 2007 to knock them out of a share of first place. But he's a crafty, bitter old man, untrustworthy and full of empty flattery. He'll pour it on this week, honeyed accolades to Oregon's speed and talent, all the time concocting schemes to ruin a season of dreams. Don't be taken in. He's as wily as a coyote, eager to snare roadrunner LaMichael James, and far less likely to be flattened by an Acme anvil dropped from the canyon ledge.

Don't swallow the coach-speak: his Sun Devils beat Portland State 54-9; they lost by just a missed extra point to #11 Wisconsin on the road. They're not that far off Oregon's pace, and have plenty of weapons of their own. This is the PAC-10 opener. It's a crucial, losable game. The Ducks have to prepare themselves for the desert heat and the devil speed, and ignore the distractions and national praise. 3-0 doesn't mean anything, except you're still alive in the BCS survivor series. Stanford is 3-0 too, and they've beaten much better teams.

On the field, Erickson has switched to a fancy-pants spread offense, installing Michigan transfer Steven Threet in the shotgun almost exclusively, seven yards behind center with the tailback off to one side, most of the time with four wides. Threet is tall, 6-5 240, and so far he's completed 66% of his passes for 841 yards, 5 tds and 3 interceptions. Thus far he hasn't shown himself to be much of a threat to run, just 10 official attempts for 17 net yards. He was a part-time starter at Michigan in 2008, throwing for more than 1100 yards, but left when Rich Rodriguez was hired, wanting to ply his trade in a pro-style passing attack. Erickson lured him to Tempe, then a season later, switched to the spread himself. Threet has adapted, eager to be taking live snaps again, glad to be throwing 23 times a game.

He has weapons around him. The tailback tandem of Cameron Marshall and Deantre Lewis has rushed for a combined 44 carries for 318 yards, a 7.2 yard average, including freshman Lewis's 9 carries for 122 yards against Big 10 run smashers Wisconsin. They are fast and elusive, and the Arizona State staff will surely take note of the success Tauren Poole had for Tennessee two weeks ago. Look for ASU to try to spring these guys early with some combination blocking inside, spreading out the defense with four wide receivers and double-teaming Brandon Bair. The task is a little more challenging for Erickson however, as he's lost two offensive linemen for the season to injury already, Zach Schlink and John Hargis.

Out wide, Threet and the Sun Devils have spread the ball to 13 different wide receivers, a benefit of blowout wins over FCS opponents in the first two games. Kerry Taylor, a 6-0 senior from Chandler Arizona, leads the team with 13 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown. He caught 22 balls last year and 27 as a sophomore. Former Duck Aaron Pflugrad is second on the team with 15 grabs for 165 yards, including a long of 45. The Ducks must also be looking out for #1 Mike Willie, a 6-4 220 junior who snared 8 balls for 114 yards in the Northern Arizona game two weeks ago. Tall receivers are a particular challenge for Anthony Gildon and Talmadge Jackson III matched up one-on-one outside. The tailback Lewis has four receptions, including two for touchdowns against Portland State, one a 62-yarder.

Threet zips the ball and looks comfortable in the pocket. Against Wisconsin ASU missed a chip shot field goal and had an extra point blocked and lost by a single point. Threet led four long drives and mixed up the run and pass very well. The first two drives took nearly 12 minutes off the clock in the first half and kept the Wisconsin offense in check for much of the early going.

At home this week, expect the Sun Devils to use the same formula to try and frustrate Oregon's offense. They'll bring pressure and stunts to try to get Darron Thomas to repeat the mistakes he made in the Portland State game, and try to bend and then break Oregon's defense with a mix of tailback bursts and passes underneath. Threet has the arm to challenge the Oregon secondary, and at least one of his receivers is burning and itching to get deep on the Ducks.

He's got a fever, and the only cure is more pitchfork. Hopefully the Ducks have a number one hit of their own they're working on in the studio.

Tales from the Stat Sheet--Tenacious D

A look at Oregon's stat sheet gives Duck fans a look inside Oregon's early season dominance, and a glimpse into their championship future.

The first thing that jumps out at you, much like he does on the field, is Brandon "the Beast" Bair, the one-man ladder match in the center of the Duck defense. Bair has 12 tackles in three games, trailing only John Boyette and Eddie Pleasant (14) and reserve linebacker Michael Clay (13) on Oregon's Tenacious D. Bair leads the team with 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and five pass break-ups. Consider that again: a defensive tackle leads the team with five passes defended, all passes batted down at the line. In fact, Bair is tied for seventh in the entire nation in this category, and he is the only defensive lineman in the top 100. Cliff Harris is next on the team with four.

Five different members of Tenacious D have interceptions, Brian Jackson, Casey Matthews, Avery Patterson, Harris, and Javes Lewis. Oregon has recovered six fumbles, including two each by Matthews and Boseko Lokombo. For the season the team has created 11 turnovers while committing just five, and the plus six turnover margin leaves the team third in the country behind Ohio State and Florida.

One of the preseason concerns for the Ducks was the development and depth on the defensive line, and that has been answered emphatically. In addition to Bair's emergence as a force of destruction, d-line coach Jerry Azzinaro has gotten stellar play from Zac Clark, who's recorded nine tackles, two sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries. Clark's tough play inside will discourage offenses from double teaming Bair or exploit them when they choose to do so. At 6-2 270 he is strong, agile and athletic inside, very quick laterally for his size. In all the Ducks have accumulated 22 tackles for loss, and the disruption and penetration created by Bair and Clark inside has been a key factor in their success.

The early lopsided games have allowed the Oregon staff the luxury of going deep into the bench, and this has several benefits. First, it keeps starters fresh and healthy. Second, it develops depth and provides coaches with opportunities to teach and evaluate younger players. Third, it provides invaluable extra motivation at practice. Reserves getting playing time increases their interest and energy. They're naturally more involved and more committed.

Several players stand out as making the most of their extended playing time in reserve roles. The Spiderman Dion Jordan has quietly amassed ten tackles coming off the bench, and Michael Clay has 13, second on the team. Brian Jackson also has ten. The linebacking platoon of Bryson Littlejohn and Josh Kaddu have nine apiece. Special teams standouts Marvin Johnson and Lokombo have seven tackles each in their various roles. In all 26 players have four or more tackles, including walk-on linebacker Keloni Kamalani with five. Reserve DT Wade Keliipiki also has five. In all 36 Ducks have recorded a tackle, including qb Darron Thomas, on an interception, and Jeff Maehl, on punt coverage.

After three games Oregon ranks first in the country in scoring defense, 26th in rushing yards allowed, third in passing yards per game, and first in the country in both total offense and defense. In all the Ducks outscored their first three opponents 189-13, and outgained them 1835 yards to 580.

But none of those numbers will be worth a single point, yard or tackle on Saturday in Tempe.

Funny How Things Turn Out

When Duck fans looked at the schedule preseason, it looked imposing with road games versus USC, Cal and Oregon State late in the season.

It will still be a challenge, but after further review, getting Stanford and Arizona at home looks like the best possible schedule in the conference. Those are the two toughest challengers in the league, it looks like.

And getting Stanford early may prove to be another blessing. That team will get even tougher as the season goes on.

Not that I’m looking past Arizona State, not for a second. I’m looking for the defense to make a statement in Tempe, play a step faster and be as relentless against decent competition as they have been in the first three weeks against poor competition.

Special teams will have to be disciplined and be very sure in their tackling. The Sun Devils return men have already broken several big ones this year. They’re fast. Jackson Rice didn’t have a good day against PSU, including his first shank. Rob Beard has been flawless, and they may need him to connect on a couple of kicks for breathing room in a conference road game.

Bair, Clark and Rowe have to get in Threet’s face, as the secondary faces its first true PAC-10 caliber passing attack.

The offensive line has to protect their quarterback, particularly from Vontaze Burfict and his cheap-shotting ways.

The PAC-10 is a nine-round heavyweight fight, and you have to keep your gloves up. The Sun Devils showed some fight and fire at Camp Randall, and they’ll give the Ducks a contender’s effort. The Ducks have to train like champions and put them away like they are supposed to.

Around the PAC-10

8-2 on picks this week, running the season record to 26-2. I gave Jake Locker too much credit, and I never saw a strong performance by UCLA coming.

UCLA 31, #23 Houston 13

This one shocked me. After looking utterly anemic on offense and defenseless on defense against Stanford, the Bruins erupt for 31 points in the Rose Bowl. Sophomore tailback Johnathan Franklin broke out with 26-158 and three touchdowns despite operating behind a rebuilt and patched-up offensive line. Qb Kevin Prince still hasn’t found himself, managing just 9-17 for 99 yards and 1 int triggering the UCLA pistol.

Nevada 52, Cal 31

In the Friday night special the Wolfpack, behind Colin Kaepernick’s 5 tds passing, shows how the Pistol is supposed to work, dismantling the Cal Bears in a shocker.

Nebraska 56, Washington 21

Jake Locker demonstrates how to shoot yourself in the foot, 4-20 passing for 71 yards and 2 picks. Ugly. Not even his mother will kiss him after that game.

USC 32, Minnesota 21

USC shows neither life, nor spark, nor desire, but they are big and fast and in many cases, bound for the next level. Saturday they face Washington State in Pullman, affording them another opportunity to coast by on sheer talent before facing losable games in October versus Washington, Stanford, Cal, and Oregon. Unless the Trojans get a heart transplant between now and then, they will be no better than 3-2 after the first full month of conference play.

Stanford 68, Wake Forest 24

This score is a wake up notice for the rest of the conference, particularly the Ducks. The Cardinal have talent and attitude, an inspirational, motivational coach, and the number one draft pick next spring in Andrew Luck. Luck was 17-23 for 204 yards and 4 tds in the walkover win, and the defense held the Deacons to 283 yards. They travel to Notre Dame Saturday. Already 16th in the country, another loud win, this time in the shadow of Touchdown Jesus on national tv, will announce them to the country as 4-0 and formidable. A showdown looms in Autzen on October 2nd, a huge, turning point test for both teams if they hold serve in week four.

Oregon State 35, Louisville 28

James Dockery picks off a pass late in the fourth quarter to turn away the Cardinals, and the Bavers even their record at 1-1. Saturday night they face #3 Boise State on ABC in the blue turf special, two K-Mart teams getting their moment on the microphone. Hard for Duck fans to know who to root for in that one. I guess I'll manage a half hearted wave of the pennant: go beavs.

Arizona 34, Iowa 27

Grigsby wasn't a factor, 14 carries for 27 yards, but the Hawkeyes didn't have an answer for Nick Foles, who is quietly putting together a Tea Party Heisman campaign, 28-39 for 303 yards and 2 scores to upend #9 in the country. Arizona hosts Cal on Saturday night, a game that should tell a lot about both teams. The Wildcats have climbed to #14 just above Stanford, and suddenly the PAC-10 schedule has some teeth.

This is how far Duck football has come

Thirty years ago we were starved for any kind of win, and now we find quibbles and concerns when they win 69-0. But then again, no one ever rises to low expectations.