Watching Oregon Now...

[Jebbull]

Watching Oregon now on ESPN Classic (2002 Fiesta Bowl) and they are blowing our Colorado 39-10 in 4th Qtr. Joey Harrington is QB; they have over 250 yards rushing and their defense is very physical. Maybe we under estimated how good Oregon plays and the where their program is relative to ours. Juist a little perspective.

[cmhatter]

they also got shut out by UCLA this season.

[Duckster]

...however, Oregon did beat Michigan and USC (with Dixon).  Lost to UCLA (and others) with Quarterbacks Now Known As Deer in the Headlights.  You got us somewhere between unreal and ungodly.

Don't despair, USF fans.  You are not that far away from your football goals.  As a long time Oregon fan, I can tell you we have come from being pre-season Nebraska OOC fodder to competing.  Here's what we did:

1.  Kept a coach that was not only enthusiastic about our university, but about building a program (Rich Brooks, now out of retirement and coaching Kentucky).  Keep your coach.

2.  Had fans that truly supported the program, and traveled well to every pukey bowl game (our first was the Poulan-Weedeater Independence Bowl, attended, I kid you not, by the then-governor of our state--that's how big a deal it was).  You did this wonderfully at the Sun Bowl.  And it wasn't nearly as pukey as going to Shreveport.

3.  Developed an athletic department that, bar none, has some of the most creative marketing minds in the country.  And is not afraid to go outside the norm.  How much publicity do you think we get every year off the fashionista uniforms?  Love 'em or hate 'em, there's no such thing as bad publicity.  Oh, and by the way, Nike let the football players help design those.  Some of us alums are still shaking our heads over the faux-diamond plating.  You have a fantastic start with the whole color scheme.  Can't dis gold and green.  Jury is still out on letting the kids do design work.

4.  Got the students at the university involved in marketing to recruits--not just using other athletes--the brainiacs in our business/marketing school.  No one knows how to reach students like other students.

5.  Raised MONEY MONEY MONEY.  If you've got it, donate it.  From the fun bowl photos I've seen, looks like some of you people have a couple more bucks to chip in. 

Our athletic department is now financially self-supporting, one of a few in the nation.  It actually gives money TO the rest of the university.  Be thrilled with how far you've come in a really short period of time.  Be part of where you can go.  Will be watching you with great interest from now on. 

Go Ducks.........and Go Bulls.

[___ Eats It]

...however, Oregon did beat Michigan and USC (with Dixon).  Lost to UCLA (and others) with Quarterbacks Now Known As Deer in the Headlights.  You got us somewhere between unreal and ungodly.

Don't despair, USF fans.  You are not that far away from your football goals.  As a long time Oregon fan, I can tell you we have come from being pre-season Nebraska OOC fodder to competing.  Here's what we did:

1.  Kept a coach that was not only enthusiastic about our university, but about building a program (Rich Brooks, now out of retirement and coaching Kentucky).  Keep your coach.

2.  Had fans that truly supported the program, and traveled well to every pukey bowl game (our first was the Poulan-Weedeater Independence Bowl, attended, I kid you not, by the then-governor of our state--that's how big a deal it was).  You did this wonderfully at the Sun Bowl.  And it wasn't nearly as pukey as going to Shreveport.

3.  Developed an athletic department that, bar none, has some of the most creative marketing minds in the country.  And is not afraid to go outside the norm.  How much publicity do you think we get every year off the fashionista uniforms?  Love 'em or hate 'em, there's no such thing as bad publicity.  Oh, and by the way, Nike let the football players help design those.  Some of us alums are still shaking our heads over the faux-diamond plating.  You have a fantastic start with the whole color scheme.  Can't dis gold and green.  Jury is still out on letting the kids do design work.

4.  Got the students at the university involved in marketing to recruits--not just using other athletes--the brainiacs in our business/marketing school.  No one knows how to reach students like other students.

5.  Raised MONEY MONEY MONEY.  If you've got it, donate it.  From the fun bowl photos I've seen, looks like some of you people have a couple more bucks to chip in. 

Our athletic department is now financially self-supporting, one of a few in the nation.  It actually gives money TO the rest of the university.  Be thrilled with how far you've come in a really short period of time.  Be part of where you can go.  Will be watching you with great interest from now on. 

Go Ducks.........and Go Bulls.

Great post, really good stuff.  Congrats on the win, you definitely earned it.  Thanks for the kind words and good luck in the future.

GO BULLS!