After the beat-down the Ducks put on the Bears on Saturday, it's no surprise there's a lot of Oregon news out there this week. Some of it, of course, isn't good news. Let's get right to your morning fix:
- I'm sure you've heard by now, but it turns out no news was bad news: Walter Thurmond III will need season-ending knee surgery after tearing all three ligaments during the opening kickoff against Cal last weekend. But how will this untimely injury affect the Ducks? And Thurmond? The Oregonian's John Hunt discusses the impact. This bit is noteworthy: True freshman Cliff Harris and running back-turned-cornerback Kenjon Barner both took turns at the position in practice Tuesday.
- ESPN.com's Ted Miller takes a look at the Pac-10's run defenses and run offenses. As many predicted heading into the season, it's all about stopping the run in the Pac-10 this year, with four Pac-10 teams in the nation's top 24 rushing offenses, and five Pac-10 teams amid the nation's top 21 rushing defenses. Oregon, who rushed for 236 yards last weekend and held Cal's Jahvid Best to a mere 55 yards, isn't among them.
- The Spokesman-Review in Spokane has a capsule of this weekend's game, which offers a bit of Washington State's local insight and perspective on the game. It seems their pretty excited about true freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel.
- Speaking of Tuel, Miller has a bit more information about the Clovis, Calif., native. Apparently he's only the second true freshman in Washington State history to start. The first? Drew Bledsoe.
- It sounds like Jamere Holland, who didn't play against Cal, is performing well in practice so far this week. This is good news, as his development is important to the Ducks' passing game.
- In other Oregon receiver news, the Ducks are planning to petition the NCAA to allow Tyrece Gaines to redshirt this season, despite appearing on the Ducks' "hands" team against Purdue two weekends ago. It seems like the NCAA would grant the waiver, considering the Oregon brass are calling his participation a "mistake."
- And finally, former Oregon star Dante Rosario caught a touchdown pass from struggling Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme during the Panthers' loss to Dallas during Monday Night Football. The best part about this story, however, is ESPN.com's Matt Mosley referring to Rosario as "Dawson" in the second paragraph. Was he thinking Rosario Dawson? It wouldn't be the first time.
As always, leave any relevant links or comments below.
GO DUCKS!