DSA Tailgate: Husky edition.... Special food this week

This is that time of year; a time when no Duck fan should hold a grudge against anyone that is not a Husky.

As always, we will be tailgating and I want to see all DSA'ers in force ion Saturday afternoon. We used to brag that Autzen was as close to an SEC vibe as there was... well, guess what, in Tennessee they tailgate whereever there is a patch of grass... we have a HUGE patch of grass and I really look forward to seeing every Duck fan that wants to come by and say hello...

National TV audience once again; A night game. Let's not disappoint! It's time to get that old tailgate magic going. We love seeing all of our members at these. Never been to one? Now's the time! Been to all of
them? Keep coming, we love all members showing up and having a good time!

The new TV setup is awesome... we have a portable automatic aiming satellite dish... we had perfect reception once we found the right spot and it was a crisp clear picture!!!!!

Crazily enough, we will still have near picture perfect weather Saturday afternoon... plenty of reasons to come out and enjoy the day with fellow Duck fans!

Please remember that this is 100% financed by me... I hate to "pimp" for donations, but they are very helpful in keeping these going for all... and they are what help me to keep expanding our amenities.

Anyone who wishes to make their donations in advance can do so with the paypal information below, otherwise, feel free to donate at the tailgate. There is no required or minimum cost, but we sure like to see all our members.


Last year there was, at times, confusion about  our location. We will be in the same spot. There are two entrances for the Serbu Youth Center. We are at the WESTERNMOST entrance. If you are headed up MLK towards Springfield, this is the first entrance; and if you are headed towards Coburg it is the second. I have included an overhead screen shot from google maps. Our spot is located on the left side of the image. You
should see a long field (and if you look close, a goal post at the left end of the field), we are at the end near the goalpost . I know it is not the same as tailgating at Autzen, but they are pricing us regular fans out of there, so let's all get together and show them that the average fan still matters (not that I or any of us are actually
average!)

After you go in this entrance you should see a long field to your left... go down the road until you see a bunch of spaces to the LEFT, we are at the farthest end on the left hand side.

As a bonus, we have a huge field for people to hang out, play, etc. There is a porta-potty close to our spot that is almost a private place! It is a pretty sweet set up. Though we only have one parking space this season, because we have the end space, we will have plenty of space to ourselves!


Below are the details!


What: DSA Tailgate - Husky Edition

When: Oct. 6, 2012

Time: ~ 3:30 PM local time tailgating lots open; I will be there!

Where: John Serbu Youth Campus, 2727 MLK Blvd

Space: 223

Donations: Donations may be made at the game with cash or through

PayPal: To pay with paypal you can use my email address:

Email Address: SReed39@canby.com

Cell Phone: 503-807-9543

Twitter: ScottReed_DSA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ScottReedDSA



COMMENTS: Remember that we will have the following amenities:
*-R2FireDuck is bringing Brisket and grilled potatoes!*-TV with cable to watch games during tailgate
*-Food: Burgers, Hot Dogs, Brats*-Beverages: Beer, Sodas, Blended Drinks (thanks to the generator, we can use a blender and have fun with drinks!)
*-Burgers are hand made again this year and I hear that they are VERY good!



*-The picture shows our location!

The Inside Edge

Oregon-Washington Defensive Match-Ups

The No. 2 Oregon Ducks (5-0, 2-0) return home this Saturday to take on the No. 23 Washington Huskies (3-1, 1-0) at Autzen Stadium.

The Washington Husky defense struggled mightily for most of 2011 culminating with an all-time horror against Baylor int eh Alamo Bowl where the Huskies allowed 777 yards of total offense. Shortly after the disastrous performance, head coach Steve Sarkisian overhauled his entire defensive staff. In the process, Sarkisian brought two former Ducks on to the Husky staff luring Justin Wilcox away from Tennessee to be the new defensive coordinator as well as hiring Peter Sirmon as the new linebackers coach.

With the exception of one game this season, the defensive numbers have been dramatically better than last season making the overhaul of the defensive staff appear to have worked.

Oregon comes into the contest off of their first road game. The Duck defense dominated the Cougar offense for much of the game holding Washington State to just 214 yards of total offense through three quarters and did not let up until the outcome was all but decided.

Today Duck Sports Authority continues our weekly look at the in-depth match ups on both sides of the ball turning our attention now to the defense.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Washington: The Huskies run a 3-4 base defense which leaves them starting one defensive tackle. Getting the nod against the Ducks will be Danny Shelton (6-1, 317) a sophomore from nearby Auburn, Washington. Shelton will be making the fifth start of the season at nose tackle for Washington and his sixth career start Saturday night. Coming into the game Shelton has recorded 16 total tackles. He had a career high 7 of those tackles against LSU earlier this season. Behind Shelton will be Semisi Tokolahi (6-2, 340) a senior from Hawaii. Tokolahi has started 12 games over his career with the Huskies but has missed time with injuries over the past two seasons. Coming into Saturday's contest Tokolahi has 6 total tackles in four appearances.

A third nose tackle, Sione Potoa'e (6-2, 271) has seen time at nose tackle and defensive end this season. He has appeared in all four games for the Huskies notching just one tackle this year.


Oregon: Oregon brings a wealth of experience at defensive tackle. Starters Wade Keliikipi (6-3, 295) and Isaac Remington (6-4, 301) both saw action as starters last season with Keliikipi starting the final 11 games. Keliikipi recorded a career high 5 tackles in the win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl while Remington recorded 31 total tackles on the season. So far this season Remington leads the defensive tackles with 9 total tackles and 3 tackles for loss and one sack. After a great performance against the Cougars Keliikipi has raised his season total to 9 tackles with 3 tackles for loss of his own and 2 sacks.

The real difference for Oregon will come in the reserves as Oregon returns all the defensive tackles from last season. Ricky Heimuli (6-4, 305) showing promise with 22 total tackles in his 14 reserve appearances last season for the Ducks has also recorded 6 tackles in 2012.

Deforrest Buckner (6-7, 265) a true freshman from Hawaii has played well this season notching 8 total tackles and 2 tackles for loss and his first career sack through five game in 2012. The Ducks are also versatile here as Taylor Hart can move inside if needed. The Duck defensive line has been dominant most of the 2012 season.

EDGE: Oregon

The Ducks have superior depth and experience at the defensive tackle position. The team easily goes two deep and, when running a 3-4, Oregon has four defensive tackles capable of playing as well as a couple of defensive ends who can move inside and be effective. Shelton has played well early for Washington, but the Ducks just have too much depth and production out of this group.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

Washington: The strong side defensive end position will be manned by Talia Crichton (6-3, 264) a senior who has started 16 games in his career. Crichton has not been particularly active for the Huskies recording just 4 tackles in his three starts this season. Behind Crichton is Pio Vatuevi (6-2, 281) a true freshman. Through his four appearances Vatuevi has 6 tackles for the Huskies.

On the weakside will be Andrew Hudson (6-3, 249). The sophomore, who appeared in all 13 games last season has recorded 14 total tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack through the first four games of the season. Behind Hudson will be Potoa'e.

Oregon: Oregon has a first team All Pac-12 defensive end hybrid in Dion Jordan (6-7, 243) who terrorized Pac-12 quarterbacks and coaches last season has looked explosive in early action this season recording 22 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. Backing up Jordan will be Tony Washington (6-3, 244) a sophomore who also moved over from defensive tackle. Washington saw action in 10 games as a freshman and recorded 18 total tackles. So far in 2012, Washington has 8 total tackles and one tackle for loss.

The other side has been taken over by Taylor Hart (6-6, 292) a junior from Tualatin. Hart moved over to defensive end after starting 14 games last season as a defensive tackle. Hart received honorable mention All Pac-12 last season. So far this year, Hart has notched 16 tackles with 4 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Hart leads the team in tackles for loss and sacks through five games.

Behind Hart true freshman Arik Armstead (6-8, 297) has made his mark early in 2012. He made the most of his early arrival and has earned rave reviews early on from coaches and team mates alike. Armstead has 11 total tackles and 0.5 sacks through five games.

EDGE: ...

Click here to read entire story

Oregon-Washington I Depth: offensive match-ups

The No. 2 Oregon Ducks (5-0, 2-0)return home this Saturday to take on the No. 23 Washington Huskies (3-1, 1-0) at Autzen Stadium.

The Washington Husky offense had some bright moments in 2011. The team averaged over 33 points per game and nearly 410 total yards per game. With the return of Keith Price, the Huskies expected to play well on offense this season. The loss of their top running back and their best wide receivers, though, have left the Huskies searching for an offensive identity. Through the first four games of 2012, the Huskies are averaging 10 points per game less at 23.2 and nearly 100 yards less total offense averaging just 313.2 yards per game.

Oregon comes into the contest off of their first road game. The trip to Seattle was a bit uneven with the Ducks dominating the first and third quarters, but suffering from self inflicted wounds in the second quarter. Nonetheless, what was a tight game at halftime quickly turned into a blowout for the Ducks in the second half. The offense once again rushed for over 300 yards and scored over 50 points.

QUARTERBACKS

Washington: The starter will be Keith Price (6-1, 202) returning this year for his junior season.
After a stellar season in 2011 that saw Price complete 67% of his passes for over 3000 yards and 33 touchdowns, Price has seen those numbers dip early this season. Price comes in completing 75 of 127 passes for 737 yards with just 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Price has good mobility, but has struggled with escaping pressure early in the season. He has been sacked 9 times for (-) 83 yards through four games. On his non-sack running plays, he has carried the ball 9 times for 58 yards. As a team, the Huskies have been sacked 11 times through four games.

The reserve quarterback for the Huskies is Derrick Brown (6-2, 245) a redshirt freshman who has appeared in just two games attempting five passes this season.

Oregon: Marcus Mariota earns his sixth start for the Ducks against the Huskies. Mariota has played well most of the time, but has suffered the inconsistencies that come along with being a freshman quarterback in the Pac-12 Conference. After a shaky second quarter against the Cougars, Mariota appeared to settle down in the second half. For the season Mariota has completed 99 of 144 passes for 1103 yards with 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. On the ground, Mariota has carried the ball 36 times for 181 yards on the ground scoring his first rushing touchdown of the season last week against the Cougars.

Behind Mariota will be Bryan Bennett. Bennett has one start to his credit coming against Colorado last season. This year, playing a back-up to Mariota, Bennett has completed 13 of 23 passes for 135 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Bennett is dangerous with his feet last year accumulating 200 yards rushing in his brief 6 appearances. Through four appearances this year, Bennett has 13 carries for 57 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns.

EDGE: Oregon

The Huskies have an experienced quarterback with Keith Price the incumbent starter from last season. But Price has struggled with accuracy issues early in the season and his mobility has not seemed to help this season. He is completing less than 60% of his passes, his yards per attempt, yards per completion, and touchdown per attempt ratios have all gone down this season.

While Mariota is a freshman and has made some freshman mistakes, he has also shown tremendous poise and has not let one mistake become multiple mistakes. He does not let the game get ahead of him. He has shown better accuracy when throwing the ball and has used his mobility better than has Price.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Washington: Washington uses a three wide receiver set and has Promising sophomore Kasen Williams (6-2, 216) leading the way with 25 receptions for 292 yards and three touchdowns for the Huskies.

Across from Williams will be DiAndre Campbell (6-1, 198) a sophomore from Oakland, California. Campbell and slot receiver Jaydon Mickens (5-10, 170), a true freshman, have not found many opportunities yet for the Huskies. Campbell has 4 receptions for 38 yards and 1 touchdown while Mickens has 5 catches for 33 yards. Kevin Smith (5-11, 213) is the primary reserve receiver and has 6 receptions for 68 yards so far this season.

Oregon: Starting at the wide receiver position for Oregon on one side will be...

Click here to read entire story

Top Trio: cornerbacks

After opening conference play with two wins, the Oregon football team returns to Autzen for a contest against the Washington Huskies. With the ramping up of the schedule, Duck coaches will also be turning up their recruiting efforts as well.

With the heart of football approaching and more prospective student athletes visiting campuses around the nation, talk about the top recruits is also sure to pick up steam.

Today we continue our weekly series intended to rank some of the most talked about players on Oregon's recruiting board. During each week of the season we will look at a different position and the "Top Trio" at the position. The main factors for choosing which players we discuss will be need, buzz and interest; but not necessarily in that order.

Any and all opinions of these articles are purely that of Duck Sports Authority and do not reflect the opinions or thoughts of the Oregon coaching staff.

The next position we will discuss is one that always stands out. Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti loves to use pressure to create havoc, but the pressure leaves one position all alone on an island; cornerbacks. Without good corners, the Duck defense cannot create the havoc they thrive on. Currently, the Ducks are very young at the cornerback position with no cornerbacks set to graduate for at least two more years. The Duck coaches can be a little pickier when looking to fill a position where the need is less. That is the case with corner backs as the Rivals database currently shows just one offer at the position. There are a few other intriguing prospects who may be worth a look to the Duck coaches if their top target chooses to go elsewhere.

#	NAME	POS.	STARS	HT/WT/40	HOMETOWN	VIDEO
1	Will Likely	CB		5'7"/172/4.6	Belle Glade, FL
WHO: Will Likely is the 17th ranked corner back in the nation and the 194th overall prospect by Rivals.com. The 26th ranked player in the state of Florida, Likely has very good speed and field vision. Likely impressed just about everywhere he went during the summer camp circuit. While he is small, he can definitely cover. SAY WHAT: "He had at least two pass breakups against bigger receivers and showed good ability to elevate. If he were a few inches taller, he'd be in the discussion as one of the most complete in the country. "-Mike Farrell at The Opening Likely does not yet have any favorites, but has thought about what he wants to see in the school he chooses. "Just feeling comfortable, seeing what kind of environment, seeing where I fit at the school and then how the players are, seeing what they're like," Likely said. WHERE: At the moment Likely has not named a leader. Most of the schools he is interested in are East Coast schools. One West coast school has received some reciprocal interest from Likely and that school is Stanford. At this point, the Ducks are a long shot for a visit let alone a commitment from Likely. But he is at least willing to consider a West coast school.

To read entire story, click here

Patterson quietly excels

After John Boyett made the decision to undergo double knee surgery, many Duck fans wondered just how well the defensive backfield would perform without their senior leader. To get the answer, Duck Sports Authority looks back to the decision of Avery Patterson to commit to the Ducks.

Avery Patterson began to gain attention nationally with a stellar performance at a Nike summer camp where he ran an electronically timed 4.33 40 yard dash. As the recruiting process picked up, Patterson received offers from several Pac-10 school including Arizona, Cal, Arizona State and Oregon.

Patterson would eventually select the Ducks. Commenting about how important academics were in his decision making process, Patterson told Rivals.com that "Academics are a big deal for me. I plan to graduate so I'm looking at things like graduation rate and the overall academic structure at each of the schools I'm looking at."

Though he played cornerback in high school and originally projected at the same position for the Ducks, Patterson did not come with a prim donna attitude. "I would do what ever the coaching staff asks me to do," Patterson told Duck Sports Authority. "I would redshirt if they wanted me to. I wouldn't have any problem doing that."

With the kind of elite speed Patteson possessed, and his stellar high school career, Patterson would seem to have all the tools necessary to make an immediate impact. It was Patterson's early self-awareness, though, that would show just how maturity can make a player even better.

"There are things I could do better," Patterson continued. "I need to work on my ball skills. I need to be able to intercept better."

Patterson would spend his first season in Eugene recovering from an injury as a redshirt. But he watched as the Oregon Ducks marched their way to their first Rose Bowl appearance in 15 years. The 2010 season saw Patterson begin to make a mark on special teams. Patterson played in all 13 games as a freshman and even recorded a tackle in the BCS National Championship Game. His stellar special teams play would pave the way for his sophomore year which really saw Patterson blossom into a special player. As a reserve defensive back, Patterson was fifth on the team with 55 tackles last season.

When Eddie Pleasant graduated after the season, there would be a spirited battle between fellow 2009 signees Patterson and Brian Jackson for the starting nod opposite fourth year starter John Boyett. In the Oregon defensive scheme, sometimes starter is just a title as the team plays anywhere from 20-25 defensive players in a regular rotation. Patterson lost the bid for the starting role to Jackson, but he did not lose his spirit or competitiveness.

When John Boyett announced his season ending surgery, though, the picture changed. Pegged as a backup after losing the starting nod to Jackson, Patterson had to change his mindset to become Boyett's replacement. "I felt more stable knowing we had him back there," Patterson told us. "But every one of us has to step up now. We all have to fill his void in the secondary."

Patteson had the full support of his team mates and coaches. All were sure Patterson would be able to step in without missing a beat. "I know Avery is here to perform," Jackson said at the time. "He will do what it takes to be that guy. He has been looking good, and we know we can depend on him."

Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti had full faith in Patterson as well. "He's a warrior," said Aliotti. "He just plays so hard. He just has a passion for the game. He's very intelligent."

The only question, then, was...

Click here to read the entire story