Oregon recruiting: Ohio tight end Pharaoh Brown is building his own success pyramid

From the Brush High Arcs of Lyndhurst, Ohio, Pharaoh Brown is rising like a wonder of the world.

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A stab at the college football awards, and Oregon players who deserve an honorable mention

Only the Army-Navy game remains in college football's regular season, so it's time for bowl predictions, season recaps and award ceremonies. Here's a look at the superlatives in a super year of college football:

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Cliff Harris smoked it all, and burned all his bridges

It's a testament to the character and resilience of the Oregon team that in each of Chip Kelly's first three years, they won a conference title with a key player suspended or dismissed for disciplinary reasons. The Ducks went 36-6 without running back LeGarrette Blount in 2009, returning starting quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in 2010, and All-American returner and cornerback Cliff Harris in 2011.
 
In a different era, with a different coach or in a different part of the country, these three players would have been coddled through. Urban Meyer's Florida teams had 31 arrests involving 25 players. Many of those players missed no more than a half against Central City Tech, and the Gators won two national championships. 

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Oregon finishes a great accomplishment; now faces a month of unfinished business

Bruce Ely photo, oregonlive.com. For a terrific photo essay on
Oregon's win in the PAC-12 Championship Game visit here

Darron Thomas has led an 11-2 team that scores 46 points and averages over 500 yards a game, but like his teammates, his resume won't be complete until he wins a BCS bowl.

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Keys to the game: UCLA at Oregon, for the Rose Bowl

Temporary banners, an unfamiliar stadium announcer, a diluted crowd, weird start time, short week, emotion-charged opponent, that's all so much fluff. This is the PAC-12 Championship. UCLA's come to town hoping to send out their embattled coach with a storybook victory and shock the world, but the Ducks have to ignore the hysteria and hype and win their 11th football game.


Oregon is 60 minutes away from an historic accomplishment. A win earns their third straight conference championship, and makes them the only team to appear in a BCS bowl for the last three years.

photo left: Everybody wears their game face, but a game head, heart and hands are what matters. The Ducks must execute to beat UCLA and finish a run to the Rose Bowl (AP, Greg Wahl-Stephens photo).

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Can the Bruins win one for the Slickster?

On Wednesday, the UCLA players carried their coach off the field at the end of practice. It was a subdued rather than a jubilant tribute, and Neuheisel, often despised by many opposing fans for his glibness, was visibly moved and humbled by their show of affection and support.

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Marvin Johnson, master of the hustle and flow

Remember Marvin Johnson? A hard-hitting special teams player and nickleback, Johnson played for the Ducks from 2007-2010. He made a big interception in the win over Arizona that clinched the Rose Bowl in 2009. He had 26 tackles and a fumble recovery as a senior, including two tackles in the National Championship Game against Auburn.

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