By David Melo
Contributor, Duck Sports News
FIFTEEN fast flying years ago today, Kenny Wheaton made the score! It was Saturday, October 22, 1994. A beautiful fall day in Eugene was warm and sunny, and 44,000 fans – Autzen Stadium’s then-capacity to watch one of the greatest games in Oregon history. The mighty and powerful Washington Huskies came to town ranked ninth in the nation. Strongly contending for the Pac-10 (and even national) title, they had the powerful Napoleon Kauffman, Eric Bjornson, Damon Huard, etc. Washington entered the game a strong favorite, having been an Oregon nemesis in years prior. Washington held a five game winning streak over Oregon, and had won 12 of 13 match-ups - many last minute heart breakers.
Both teams struggled at first to find a spark. Two second quarter touchdowns (by Ricky Whittle and Dino Philyaw) and a Matt Belden field goal enabled Oregon to lead Washington 17-13 in the third. Three quarters had passed, and figured to be an average game. Little did anyone know all the drama about to unfold in the fourth! Oregon led 17-13 when Oregon quarterback Danny O’neil was driving down-field. All of a sudden, O’Neil threw an interception to give Washington good field position. Washington took advantage immediately. From fifteen yards out, Washington fullback Richard Thomas unexpectedly got the ball and broke loose into the secondary. Before anyone could get him, it was too late. 20-17 Washington, and a personal foul on Oregon during the extra point. An Oregon defender was ejected for throwing a punch after being taunted by US kicker John Wales. (Quite familiar and unnecessary… but luckily, the media did not blow that out of proportion unlike a more recent incident!)
As if things weren’t bad enough, a perfect kick at midfield pinned Oregon at their own 2 yard-line when Pat Johnson slipped on the sandy old Omni-Turf. 98 yards away from taking the lead, a tying field goal did no good, as there was no overtime back then!
Sadly overshadowed by the most famous play in history, the drive that eventually led to “the pick” was about to surprise everyone. Many expected Oregon to be defeated from there. Oregon had never overcome a second half deficit to win in FIVE YEARS, and QB Danny O’Neil had never led that. It was totally impossible to the naysayers, but O’Neil was a true senior leader and ready to make the most of his second chance following his injury. Oregon was so confident, then-coach Rich Brooks called for a stunner. O’Neil rolled back into the end zone and threw directly to wide open receiver Dameron Rickets for over a 30 yard gain! Two Ricky Whittle runs left Oregon with a third down. O’Neil hit Pat Johnson this time to atone for his kickoff miscue and give another first down. A few plays later, O’Neil found Ricketts again – who carried several huskies on his back for a long gain and another first down. On third and 8, Danny O’Neil made a remarkable run. He was fortunate to make contact with the Washington player, look at the marker to see that he was about a yard short as he was going down. He fought, reached out the ball, and we got the first down! A little later, it was third down and 4 from the Washington 12. Danny took the snap and surprisingly gave it off to fullback Dwayne Jones who bolted free and plunged in for the 12 yard go-ahead touchdown! A play called “Twelve-dive” capped off a miraculous 98 yard drive in only 11 plays, averaging almost 9 yards/play! Oregon 24, Washington 20.
Only 2:40 remained. BUT, as impressive and important as the drive, the game was not over. Washington’s talented offense marched them right back, even converting a fourth down. A pass sailed directly to Safety Chad Cota, but he couldn’t intercept in time. With just over a minute left, they moved the ball to the Oregon seven yard line, before Cota brought him down. With their All-Americans Napoleon Kauffman and Eric Bjornson, everyone thought Oregon would blow it and Washington would prevail as usual! UW even tried a little trickery, calling a widespread set AND calling on non-star to run the out pattern as they had converted earlier in the game. That’s how they beat Miami and UCLA that year, and they always tried that when within the ten yard line. It was first and 8, when Brooks called a timeout. While all this was happening, they called a wide-spread with four receivers and no backs, needing a nickle-back. Freshman Kenny Wheaton (who was coming of great games against Cal and USC) had done his homework. By studying film closely, he saw that every time the inside man (who he was covering) would run it out whenever they called a widespread. SO, he lated reported that before the snap he had decided he’d jump out to the corner around the sidelines by the pylon instead of defending in the end zone. If relief receiver Dave Janoski ran it in, oh well! They’d just have to hope he wouldn’t catch it.
With just under a minute to play, Washington QB Damon Huard took the snap! He rolled back to throw the ball, saw receiver Dave Janoski, and threw his direction. Any true Duck could never get tired of Jerry Allen’s most famous monologue on that play: “Huard, gonna go back to throw the ball. Sets up, looks, throws toward the corner off the end zone, it is… INTERCEPTED! INTERCEPTED THE DUCKS HAVE THE BALL! DOWN AT THE 35, THE 40…. KENNY WHEATON’S GONNA SCORE! KENNY WHEATON’S GONNA SCOOOOORE!!!!!!!!! TWENTY, THE TEN, TOUCHDOWN!! KENNY WHEATON–AN INTERCEPTION!!!! THE MOST IMPROBABLE FINISH TO A FOOTBALL GAME!!!!!”
And of course, Wheaton scored! Can’t get much better than that! That play stands as the most famous in Oregon history. Right after the play, former OSN broadcaster Todd McKim stated “there have been a lot of plays made in that stadium, but I think it’s safe to say… that one ranks darn near the top!” Quite true, and still stands at the top fifteen years later, despite much improvement to the facilities and much success in Oregon Football since. To this day, Autzen Stadium crowds are overwhelmed with joy and erupt whenever that is played on Duck-Vision prior to the start of each home game. The replay always follows with the motorcycle leading the team running out of the tunnel to take the field! Following the play, all the players came out and piled on top of Kenny, the crowd went nuts, Tasi Malepeai strutted off the field doing the proud walk, and Oregon was penalized for excessive celebration! Quite excessive alright, but no one cared! The victory belonged to the well-deserving Ducks! The crowd, players, and coaches passed in the glow of great college football game win. The fans swarmed the field and tried to tear down the goal posts, but failed.
Coincidentally enough, this weekend Oregon faces Washington. Washington is a much improved team and wanting a big win. Oregon’s solid offense should have enough weapons to put up enough points, and the defense also has the power to stop them… but should be cautious of the amazing Jake Locker. Any Oregon fan knows the true Northwest rivalry is still there, and will never forget that magical day in 1994 that turned “rosy” whispers into roars for the Rose Bowl race!
