By David Melo
Contributor, Duck Sports News
It was Saturday, October 1, 1994 (fifteen years ago, today.) The fans had watched Oregon rebound from a 1-2 start the previous week at Autzen Stadium against Iowa, a complete turnaround on defense. The few loyal fans knew it could be a special year, while the naysayers thought the previous game was a simple day of luck. Oregon, picked by many to finish as low as 10th in the Pac-10, was 2-2 overall and heading into conference play against Mighty USC–picked by most to win the conference. The Ducks were originally 19 point underdogs, but were without starting quarterback Danny O’Neil, running back Ricky Whittle, and Cornerback Herman O’Berry; so the bets were even called off because everyone thought we stood no chance. Memorial Colesium in Los Angeles had traditionally been a place for Oregon teams to be shot down, having not won there since 1971. (Note: Oregon was without starting QB Danny O’Neil, just as in the 1971 victory without starting QB Danny O’Fouts!!)
Oregon kicked off a touchback, followed by USC beginning its powerful offense in All-American TB Shawn Walters and QB Rob Johnson. Within minutes, USC broke midfield. Every USC fan thought they already had the game won, and all the biased folks had their minds made up that ‘SC didn’t even have to play. On that very first drive, Johnson found an open receiver Ken Grace and sailed it right to his hands. Afterall, All-American CB Herman O’Berry wasn’t there to cover him. Grace went about making a catch as usual, and was bobbling it in his hands, when suddenly he realized he didn’t have the ball anymore. Young Freshman Kenny Wheaton came up from behind to steal the ball from Grace, and make a great run back into USC territory before being forced out. The first of many great defensive plays by Wheaton, so began the presence of “Gang Green” on that magical day!
Sophomore Tony Graziani made his first collegian start and began to march the offense downfield beautifully. Graziani led Oregon into the red zone, but USC’s powerful defense did force a fourth down. Freshman kicker Matt Belden sailed the ball through the uprights to put Oregon onto the board. 3-0 Oregon. On ‘SC’s next possession, “Gang Green” made it’s presence felt yet again. Grace caught the ball this time, but reserve CB LaMont Woods delivered a big hit to prevent a big gain. Chad Cota then made a big hit to prevent a first down, and on third down Gang Green’s coverage was too powerful to allow an open receiver. Alex Molden came very close to blocking a punt, but somehow the ‘SC punter got the ball off and Oregon was called for roughing the kicker. It didn’t matter, as Gang Green stepped in again! First and Second down brought up third. On third down with less than five to go, Grace was thrown the ball and caught it this time. But again, Wheaton stood in the way of the powerful receiver, meeting him face to face and wrapping him up for only a yard! ‘SC was forced to punt.
On Oregon’s second offensive series, Graziani and company marched through the USC defenders like a hot knife through butter. First, Graz was faced with a third down, when he made his first of many beautiful career runs and big baseball-like slides for a first down at midfield. On the very next play, possibly the greatest run of the 1994 season took place! All those who thought Shawn Walters would outgain Oregon in rushing were quieted by the Gang Green and Oregon’s Dino Philyaw, who ran for more yards on this play than Walters had the entire game! Philyaw ran right through the line, and raced downfield, cutting off one defender after another. Right around the ‘SC ten yardline were two defenders ready to make a big play. Philyaw made a big cut, when reserve Tight End Christian Anderson threw a terrific downfield block on the ‘SC defender. Philyaw then hurdled that player on the ground, who failed to get stop him by the feet, and fell right into the endzone for the score! 10-0, Oregon!
On the next series, USC’s offense came alive (but for the only time!) They were forced to pass due to the Gang Green holding their running game in check. Johnson and company marched right downfield with great receptions and put the ball inside the red zone. Johnson then found a wide-open future NFL-star Keyshawn Johnson to pull within three. 10-7, Oregon.
From there, Oregon and USC traded possessions into the second quarter. USC tried moving the ball, but so began the sack-masters! Reggie Jordan was about to sack Johnson, but he slipped first! Then, Walters was handed the ball when he ran into Nose Tackle Bryant Jackson who pushed him back until he was ruled down. On Oregon’s next possession, Graziani marched them downfield for their second touchdown of the afternoon. Graz threw two beautiful strikes downfield to Pat Johnson, who made an acrobatic catch, and to Dameron Ricketts into the red zone. Graz then threw into the end zone to open Cristin McLemore and Dino Philyaw who were crossing paths and both could have caught, but McLemore came up with it for the score! The two almost collided, but Philyaw put the breaks on and McLemore made the catch. 16-7 Ducks, after Belden missed his only PAT of his career.
USC attempted more drives to make it a closer halftime score, but Gang Green was too tough. Troy Bailey went back to sack Johnson, but was dodged. That didn’t matter, as Reggie Jordan was right there and dropped him for a huge loss before the half. Oregon took a 16-7 lead into the half. In the second half, USC thought they had what it took, but the fun was only beginning for the Gang Green. Drive after drive, the defense kept charging and never allowed any big runs. On offense, Graziani and company did well, setting up a field goal at the end of the third to make the score 19-7 heading into the final quarter. In the fourth, many thought ‘SC could easily score two TDs to take a lead. Too many naysayers! Oregon ignored tradition, and kept playing strong and incredible defense. Belden added another field goal to outscore USC on the day himself alone, and secure a two-touchdown lead at 22-7. In ‘SC’s attempt to mount a comeback, Silila Malepeai made a terrific sack to avoid any more points! The powerful Trojan running game was slowed to a crawl by Gang Green, managing only 31 yards all day. Gang Green forced NINE QB sacks, which could have been ten on the final ‘SC play when DE Mark Schmidt came close to a sack but the ball was thrown away to give up the ball for the final time. The entire defense to earned MVP. The talented and high-scoring Trojan offense managed only one first quarter touchdown, being far outgained by Dino Philyaw who had a +100 yard game. Graziani threw for almost 300 yards to make his first collegian start very memorable. The offense ran the ball very well to milk the clock in the second half, and the defense was too strong for Mighty Troy to maintain possession. Oregon by far dominated in the time of possession category, much attributing to their victory. Oregon was now 3-2 (as opposed to 1-2 only eight days earlier) and 1-0 in conference play in a convincing conference opener. Who knew the glory was only beginning with so much still yet to come all season! Final score: Oregon 22, USC 7!
Oregon had an equally convincing conference opener last week against Cal. Let’s remember that Cinderalla team who planted the seeds for today’s successful Oregon program. Hopefully, they can continue such success throughout this season.
GO DUCKS!!!!
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This past Thursday, Sports Illustrated opened the vault on all of their content.
