JJ, here.
Yes, I watch “American Idol”. This year, however, I’m only doing it because its of interest to me as a Duck fan.
Right.
OK. So, how is “American Idol” connected to Oregon football?
Here it goes.
Up until this past season, there was only one occasion I could think of where one, single play changed the course of an entire season and cost the Ducks a Rose Bowl.
I’ll give you some hints.
1999.
At Washington.
Figured it out, yet?
Punt return.
An unsportsman-like conduct penalty.
Does this name sound familiar?
Sonny Cook.
Now, I want you to know that I’ve met Sonny (1999-2000) on several occasions. And he is a really nice guy. But Sonny’s penalty on a punt return single-handedly cost Oregon that game, the Pac-10 Conference Championship, and the Rose Bowl (For clarification, Sonny absolutely blew up the kick returner.). Stanford, with a 7-1 conference record, ended up winning the conference and going to the Rose Bowl. Oregon, with a 6-2 conference record, headed to El Paso. If Oregon and Stanford had had the same record, Oregon would have gone to the Rose Bowl based on the tie-breakers.
Sonny, if you’re reading this, sorry about this. But it’s true.
So, what’s the “American Idol” connection?
Sonny’s sister, Kristy Lee Cook, was on “American Idol” last night and made it Hollywood.
Now, I’m a bit conflicted. Kristy Lee clearly has the look, the talent, and the catchy name to go far in “American Idol”.
But should I hold what her brother did against her? Is that an even exchange? Oregon in the Rose Bowl for a chance to be the “American Idol”?
If I did, that would probably be an unsportsman-like penalty on me.
Jones, out.
Tags: American Idol, Ducks, Football, Kristy Lee Cook, oregon
Dan Says:
January 16th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Howard Stern talked about her this morning and said she was the favorite.
Jay Says:
January 16th, 2008 at 11:39 am
At this point, I would have to agree with Howard. But it’s only one city.
Baba Booey! Baba Booey! Baba Booey! Baba Booey! Baba Booey! Baba Booey! Baba Booey! Baba Booey! Baba Booey! Baba Booey! Baba Booey!
joe Says:
January 16th, 2008 at 11:44 am
B.S.
“But should I hold what her brother did against her?”
hold “what” against Sonny? That’s crap. What about Joey’s 5 picks the following season at OSU that knocked us out of that Rose Bowl?
I’ll applaud anyone who lays out a Husky punter ;)
Jay Says:
January 16th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Joe -
Rose Bowl vs. hitting a Husky? That’s not a tough call in mind. I’ll take the Rose Bowl.
Yes, Joey did not have a good game. But there wasn’t a defining moment in that game like Sonny’s hit in the Washington game.
JJ
Joe Says:
January 16th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I remember that hit Sonny made. it was on the punter, not the returner. Costing us the rose bowl in a 14 point loss? That’s a stretch.
the following week’s loss by 5 to UCLA with a poorly managed drive coming up short to end the game cost us too. I have no bad feelings towards AJ Feely, who lost his job the following week to JH.
Jay Says:
January 17th, 2008 at 12:09 am
Joe -
Sonny is a really nice guy. I’m not trying to make him out to be Bill Buckner. It’s just one of those moments that you remember (and I believe you’re right about it being the punter, not the returner).
Is it a stretch? Maybe. All I remember was my reaction. And for someone reason that has stuck with me since that game.
Again. Sonny, good guy. Hit, bad memory.
JJ
Daniel Says:
September 29th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
I was at the game. Both a duck and husky fan. The hit was not really a blatant one. His job was to keep the punter out of the play. Many plays are designed to keep players from making a play on the returner. Sonny’s hit, (I watched it a few times in replay) was close but actually the kicker had taken two steps before he got his clock cleaned. My opinion, Great hit. Maybe give one more step.