Courtesy: Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) -Green jerseys with silver feathers on the shoulders, topped by white helmets.
That appears to be the answer to perhaps the most-asked question of Rose Bowl week: Just what will the fashion-forward Oregon Ducks wear for their first postseason trip to Pasadena in 15 years?
"We expected them to do something wild and crazy for coming back to the Rose Bowl," said a vaguely disappointed Ohio State defensive lineman Doug Worthington. "We'll go out there and look at it for about 30 seconds, and then we'll forget it."
There's no such mystery around Ohio State, which will wear the latest version of the white-and-gray ensemble that has suited the Buckeyes since well before their last Rose Bowl 13 years ago.
"But we care about this part the most, and I think they do, too," Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman said Wednesday, pointing to the Rose Bowl emblem on his jersey's shoulder.
Beyond that patch, the ever-evolving Ducks (10-2) and the tradition-rich Buckeyes (10-2) seem to have little in common in their approaches to offenses, uniforms and everything in between. Their many contrasts could make for a compelling game Friday in two powerful programs' overdue returns to the Rose Bowl.
"We've all heard about how much being in this particular game means to our fans and our alumni," Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher said. ''Everybody knows this is your real goal every season when you're a Big Ten or a Pac-10 team. It feels good to be part of that tradition coming back."
Oregon has its well-deserved reputation as Nike's laboratory, with its innovative fashion sense and impressive facilities. Most of the No. 7 Ducks, who largely hail from California, cite that connection as a reason for choosing the school.
"Our tradition is no tradition," Oregon left tackle Bo Thran said. "We're always changing things up, trying new approaches. We want to make our own, and that's what we're doing this season."
The approach couldn't be much more different in Columbus. Ohio State places a heavy emphasis on its decades of football tradition enjoying a revival under Jim Tressel, the genteel coach who wears ties on the sideline and shepherds his players' every move.
"Everybody who comes to Ohio State knows what we stand for and what we try to accomplish," Coleman said. ''Coach Tressel has a vision for what he wants to happen in this program, and we respect everything that got us to this point, all the guys who came before us."
Several Ducks were surprised this week to learn that for all the Buckeyes' success in recent years under Tressel, No. 8 Ohio State hasn't been to the Rose Bowl since 1997.
The Buckeyes have played for bigger prizes during that time, winning a national championship along the way - but they were in the Granddaddy of Them All only two years more recently than Oregon, which never made it during just-departed coach Mike Bellotti's successful tenure.
With rookie coach Chip Kelly leading a high-scoring offense, the Ducks rebounded from their season-opening loss at Boise State to win the Pac-10 title and a second trip to Pasadena, where they beat UCLA 24-10 in October without injured quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. Kelly claims he never once mentioned the Rose Bowl to his Ducks until they beat Oregon State in the Civil War to qualify.
"We knew if we just won the Pac-10, everything else would come together," Oregon safety T.J. Ward said. "Coach Kelly didn't have to tell us what we were playing for."
Every player on both Rose Bowl teams crowded into a conference room at a downtown hotel on Wednesday morning - except Oregon tailback LeGarrette Blount, who stayed back at the team hotel in Beverly Hills. Blount has barely spoken to the media since punching a Boise State player after the Ducks' season-opening loss, leading to an eight-game suspension.
"He believes in actions, not words," Kelly said in explaining Blount's absence. "He wants to finish the season, and I respect him. It's his choice. He can talk to anybody, but he chose not to."
If the Buckeyes are tired of talking about anything, it's their three straight postseason losses in BCS bowl games, including last year's Fiesta Bowl following national championship games in the previous two seasons. Ohio State's senior class could go out as the winningest in school history with a victory - but a loss would leave those seniors with four Big Ten titles, but no postseason wins.
And though Ohio State might lean on its past more than Oregon, both schools are well aware of the history in the game they're playing Friday.
"You just feel the tradition," Tressel said. "I don't care how old you are."
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Rose Bowl Week Begans!
I know I haven't posted anything on here for a long time! Here is the latest on the buckeyes and the Rose Bowl!
Buckeyes Practice, Lift Weights & Ride Rides
LOS ANGELES - The members of the Ohio State football team spent just over two hours stretching, lifting weights and practicing under somewhat overcast skies but pleasant conditions Saturday morning at the Home Depot Center.
The start of the practice was split between one of the numerous practice fields at the Home Depot Center - a sprawling athletics complex in Carson, Calif., that is home to MLS Soccer's LA Galaxy and Chivas USA as well as the U.S. Soccer Federation and the U.S. Tennis Association - and the weight room at the complex. The offense ran through drills in shorts on one of the lower turf fields while the defense lifted and then the two units switched workout locations.
The latter part of the morning was a full team practice session in shorts and helmets.
Following practice, showers and a return trip to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza - the hotel and practice facility are about 35 minutes apart - the team had just about enough time to return to their rooms and relax briefly before boarding the busses once again for the trip to Disneyland.
Tressel Confirms Players' Status A note of interest from Saturday: coach Jim Tressel confirmed to members of the media that four players from the typical team roster this season are not with the team in California: senior receiver and return specialist Ray Small; senior defensive lineman Rob Rose; sophomore running back Bo DeLande; and freshman receiver Duron Carter.
Tomorrow The team will begin a series of 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. practices for the next three days. The team will eat dinner at Lawry's The Prime Rib as part of the Rose Bowl's annual "Beef Bowl."
A Delightful Day at Disneyland
LOS ANGELES - Members of the Ohio State football team (and Oregon's team, too) spent about seven hours Saturday afternoon enjoying rides and having a great time as the special guests at Disneyland.
Visiting the park on what the locals say is one of its busiest days of the year, the Buckeyes had plenty of time to experience much of what Disneyland and its adjacent sister park, California Adventure, has to offer.
Toward the end of the evening the Buckeyes were treated to a welcome reception at the ESPNZone, located in the Downtown Disney District. At about 7:15 p.m. the team boarded the busses for the 43-mile trip back to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza for team meetings before calling it a night.
Welcome Ceremony Members of the Ohio State and Oregon football teams kicked off the day at Disneyland with a nicely attended - media, Rose Bowl court, Tournament of Roses dignitaries, media and fans - welcome reception with the park's iconic Sleeping Beauty's Castle looming in the background.
Ohio State was represented by coach Jim Tressel, the team's senior tri-captains Kurt Coleman, Austin Spitler and Doug Worthington, and offensive lineman Jim Cordle. Oregon coach Chip Kelly was on hand with his team captains: senior defensive end Will Tukuafu, cornerback Walter Thurmond, center Jordan Holmes and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.
A Majestic Symbol Each team was presented with its own trophy at the welcome reception: a "Crystal Castle" described as "a majestic symbol of a place where dreams do come true."
First a Little Work Before the welcome reception started, the four members of each team and the coaches autographed 22 footballs that will be used for charitable purposes. Ohio State was the first to arrive and sign the balls. In between the signings, the eight players had just a moment to shake hands and talk briefly with each other.
In the Director's Chairs After the welcome reception the players and coaches met with the media for a good 30 minutes of up-close interviews and photos. Each of the players was stationed at his own director's chair next to a nice-sized Disneyland sign with their name on it.
Buckeyes Practice, Lift Weights & Ride Rides
LOS ANGELES - The members of the Ohio State football team spent just over two hours stretching, lifting weights and practicing under somewhat overcast skies but pleasant conditions Saturday morning at the Home Depot Center.
The start of the practice was split between one of the numerous practice fields at the Home Depot Center - a sprawling athletics complex in Carson, Calif., that is home to MLS Soccer's LA Galaxy and Chivas USA as well as the U.S. Soccer Federation and the U.S. Tennis Association - and the weight room at the complex. The offense ran through drills in shorts on one of the lower turf fields while the defense lifted and then the two units switched workout locations.
The latter part of the morning was a full team practice session in shorts and helmets.
Following practice, showers and a return trip to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza - the hotel and practice facility are about 35 minutes apart - the team had just about enough time to return to their rooms and relax briefly before boarding the busses once again for the trip to Disneyland.
Tressel Confirms Players' Status A note of interest from Saturday: coach Jim Tressel confirmed to members of the media that four players from the typical team roster this season are not with the team in California: senior receiver and return specialist Ray Small; senior defensive lineman Rob Rose; sophomore running back Bo DeLande; and freshman receiver Duron Carter.
Tomorrow The team will begin a series of 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. practices for the next three days. The team will eat dinner at Lawry's The Prime Rib as part of the Rose Bowl's annual "Beef Bowl."
A Delightful Day at Disneyland
LOS ANGELES - Members of the Ohio State football team (and Oregon's team, too) spent about seven hours Saturday afternoon enjoying rides and having a great time as the special guests at Disneyland.
Visiting the park on what the locals say is one of its busiest days of the year, the Buckeyes had plenty of time to experience much of what Disneyland and its adjacent sister park, California Adventure, has to offer.
Toward the end of the evening the Buckeyes were treated to a welcome reception at the ESPNZone, located in the Downtown Disney District. At about 7:15 p.m. the team boarded the busses for the 43-mile trip back to the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza for team meetings before calling it a night.
Welcome Ceremony Members of the Ohio State and Oregon football teams kicked off the day at Disneyland with a nicely attended - media, Rose Bowl court, Tournament of Roses dignitaries, media and fans - welcome reception with the park's iconic Sleeping Beauty's Castle looming in the background.
Ohio State was represented by coach Jim Tressel, the team's senior tri-captains Kurt Coleman, Austin Spitler and Doug Worthington, and offensive lineman Jim Cordle. Oregon coach Chip Kelly was on hand with his team captains: senior defensive end Will Tukuafu, cornerback Walter Thurmond, center Jordan Holmes and quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.
A Majestic Symbol Each team was presented with its own trophy at the welcome reception: a "Crystal Castle" described as "a majestic symbol of a place where dreams do come true."
First a Little Work Before the welcome reception started, the four members of each team and the coaches autographed 22 footballs that will be used for charitable purposes. Ohio State was the first to arrive and sign the balls. In between the signings, the eight players had just a moment to shake hands and talk briefly with each other.
In the Director's Chairs After the welcome reception the players and coaches met with the media for a good 30 minutes of up-close interviews and photos. Each of the players was stationed at his own director's chair next to a nice-sized Disneyland sign with their name on it.
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