‘Wheels Just Fell Off’ For Ducks
The wind ravaged the postgame-interview tent where Oregon coach Mike Bellotti briefed the media on all that went wrong for his 12th-ranked Ducks during Monday’s 60th annual Cotton Bowl.
Bellotti spoke.
The tent sagged and swayed.
“Is this thing going to hold up?” Bellotti asked finally.
Actually, the tent withstood pres sure much better than did Bellotti’s quarterback, sophomore Tony Graziani, during seventh-ranked Colorado’s 38-6 victory.
The 22-year-old left-hander from Modesto, Calif., threw two interceptions, including one that was returned 95 yards for a touchdown, lost three fumbles and averaged 3.1 yards on his 37 pass attempts.
“The wheels just fell off,” said Graziani, who completed 19 attempts for 113 yards. “It was one thing after another.”
Success was hard to find on the cold, overcast, rainy afternoon.
Even an apparent 64-yard touchdown strike from Graziani to flanker Cristin McLemore with 12:17 remaining wasn’t. Graziani stepped across the line of scrimmage before his heave, and the Ducks instead were saddled with a 5-yard penalty.
“I think Tony’s day was pretty average for him, and maybe not even average,” Bellotti said. “He’s capable of doing much better.”
Oregon trailed 7-6, but the Ducks marched from the Colorado 49 to the 9-yard line, where they faced second-and-5. Graziani rolled to his right but was pressured by linebacker Matt Russell and defensive end Greg Jones on a blitz.
“I was getting pressure and was just trying to make a play,” Graziani said. “It didn’t happen.”
Oh, it happened all right.
Free safety Marcus Washington stepped in front of the pass and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown, giving the Buffaloes a 13-6 lead with 6:31 remaining in the half.
“That second quarter was the turning point of the game right there,” Graziani said. “I think if we put up touchdowns instead of field goals, then it would have been a whole different ballgame, but you can ‘what if’ all you want.
“That was probably the most frustrated I’ve felt all season. We came away with six points, and we should have had at least 14 - maybe even 21 before that (second-quarter) interception.”
Colorado 38, Oregon 6
Oregon 6 0 0 0 - 6
Colorado 0 13 19 6 - 38
Ore-FG Smith 25
Ore-FG Smith 33
Colo-Hessler 1 run (Voskeritchian kick)
Colo-Washington 95 interception return (kick failed)
Colo-Lepsis 2 pass from Hessler (Voskeritchian kick)
Colo-Troutman 6 run (kick failed)
Colo-Savoy 12 pass from Hessler (kick failed)
Colo-Abdul-Rahmaan 5 run (kick failed)
A-58,214.
Ore Colo First downs 16 16 Rushes-yards 29-105 41-170 Passing 162 143 Return Yards 119 163 Comp-Att-Int 21-44-2 12-27-2 Punts 5-38 4-29 Fumbles-Lost 4-3 2-1 Penalties-Yards 8-67 6-41 Time of Possession 30:01 29:59
RUSHINGOregon, Whittle 12-50, Parker 3-43, Jelks 3-14, Graziani 11-(minus-2). Colorado, Troutman 13-100, Henry 7-38, Barnes 5-25, Savoy 1-13, Abdul-Rahmaan 4-3, Hessler 11-(-9).
PASSINGOregon, Graziani 19-37-2-113, Smith 2-6-0-49, Parker 0-1-0-0. Colorado, Hessler 11-26-2-115, Mitchell 1-1-0-28.
RECEIVINGOregon, Whittle 4-18, McLemore 3-26, Hodge 2-33, Jelks 2-21, Griffin 2-17, Wilcox 2-17, Spence 2-9, Parker 2-8, Anderson 1-16, Ricketts 1-(-3). Colorado, Savoy 3-29, Kidd 2-73, Henry 2-(minus-6), Black 1-28, Carruth 1-11, Troutman 1-4, Anderson 1-2, Lepsis 1-2.