Could you of guessed the score last year? Most likely the emergence of new talent and overrating of old talent played a factor in the forcasting of this game. Who knew that last year's passing efficiency leader would complete about 25% of his passes and get sacked six times? Who knew ASU had a ground game??? Sometimes a person just needs a reminder on the volatility of college sports; this reminder was not a tap on the shoulder.
College: Oregon Conference: Pacific 10 Columnist: Sam Maxwell
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Dennis Dixon 10 6' 4.0" 196 0.00 QB 2008: A confident QB who has learned to put his confidence in his play and not in his mouth. Not a complete package yet and still overthrows his WRs. Still manages the complicated spread offense quite well. I'd like to see him run more. Grade: Slightly Positive.
James Finley 18 6' 2.0" 204 0.00 WR 2007: Has gotten all mixed up in the Duck's new and improved WR depth chart so I couldn't see much of play. Grade: N/A.
Enoka Lucas 55 6' 4.0" 299 0.00 C 2007: A bit overrated. Sometimes looks like he is playing tag on the field and needs to drive his feet when run blocking. Not quick off the ball often has an extra person helping him block because he is soft enough to get knocked over. Grade: Slightly Negative.
J.D. Nelson 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 S 2007: Just not much of force and quite average. Despite how many tackles he makes he never makes a big play. I never see him at or around the line-of-scrimmage and is always shy to get there. Most likely a special-teamer in the future if he doesn't start gambling a little. Grade: Neutral.
Players to Watch: Max Unger OT, Blair Philips LB, Jeremiah Johnson RB, Dexter Manley II DE, and Jaison Williams WR.
College: Arizona State Conference: Pacific 10 Columnist: Sam Maxwell
Name # Ht Wt Speed Pos Class Game Notes
Zach Miller 86 6' 5.0" 259 0.00 TE 2008: He and his brother Brent were mostly being used more as H-backs other than TEs. His style of blocking is strong and aggressive which can lead him to standing to tall on his blocks occasionally but it did not look like it caused him any problems this game. He only amounted to one catch the entire game but how many catches are you expected to make if your QB only completes six passes the entire game. Grade: Neutral.
Andrew Carnahan 52 6' 8.0" 288 0.00 OT 2007: DNP (out for the season)
Brandon Rodd 62 6' 4.0" 301 0.00 OT 2008: Rodd was such a presence on the left side of the line despite his somewhat small stature. If Rudy Carpenter had any pocket awareness he would of rolled out to the left more; it's too bad he's not left handed. Good footwork combined with good awareness is what Rodd is all about. Grade: Positive.
Mike Pollak 76 6' 4.0" 305 0.00 C 2008: He flashes strength but lacks perserverence. If I could grant him one wish as a genie it would be to turn him into a raw grizzly bear so he could become more savage and blood-thirsty. Right now he's a panda. Grade: Neutral.
Rudy Burgess 3 5' 10.0" 180 0.00 WR 2008: For an all-purpose guy it looked like he didn't amount to anything which I wouldn't blame on him necessarilly but more on his QB that day. Grade: N/A.
Zach Catanese 5 6' 2.0" 230 0.00 S 2007: A mighty impregnable safety who can single handedly take down Johnathin Stewart injuring him in the process and hashmark a pulling guard standing still. I don't know how good his coverage is because the broadcast doesn't show enough of the defensive back-field. Grade: Slightly Positive.
Jesse Ainsworth 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 K 2007: Made all of his XPs and FGs almost perfectly and has a rocket of a kickoff. Grade: Positive.
Players to Watch: Ryan Torrain RB and Terry Richardson WR/KR (Note: I added Terry to the database Sam he is a guy to watch out for and a potent KR).