Georgia Tech Prevails over FSU with game-winning shocker
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 24: Lance Austin #17 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets returns a blocked field goal attempt to score the game-winning 78 yard touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles on October 24, 2015 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images
Praise all the engineering gods, the Georgia Tech has finally broken their five-game losing streak by defeating number 9 Florida State, 22-16.
The punch line of this fairytale was the blocked field goal attempt by Patrick Gamble return by the overnight celebrity stud, Lance Austin, for a touchdown. While the cheers from the crowd could be heard for miles, Austin took a moment to dedicate his touchdown to his late grandmother, Louise, as he crossed the goal line.
"I just know when I looked over my shoulder, I didn't see anybody on my backside," Austin told ESPN.com on Sunday. "So I picked it up and started running” (per Matt Fortuna, ESPN Staff Writer).
The game-winning shocker was able to overcome the two early interceptions thrown by Justin Thomas giving a quick 10 point lead for Florida State in the first quarter. Nevertheless, Tech never lost hope in their ability to overcome the Seminoles 28 straight victories over ACC opponents. With 54 seconds left Thomas made a huge play when he threw to Harrison Butker for 35-yarder that tied the game.
Oregon Volleyball Sweep Arizona Wildcats in Straight Sets
The 11th ranked Oregon Ducks defeated the Arizona Wildcats, 25-17, 25-12, 25-19, Wednesday at Matthew Knight Arena.
The Story: The Ducks dominated from start to finish. Coming off of a great win on the road against USC (3-1), Senior Serena Warner said, “the team really wanted to come out with high intensity and high energy from the very first serve.”
The Ducks never trailed behind in the first two sets and instantly gained control in the third securing the victory. The first set was full of hard earned points by both teams, as the Ducks finished the set with a hitting percentage of .170 compared to Arizona’s .021. The Ducks outshined the rest of the game with thirteen kills each in the last two sets. They had no errors in the second hitting the .448 mark and only three errors in the third.
Oregon Football Dominates Washington, Again
The Ducks continued their winning streak to 11 games with their win over rival, Washington. The win confirmed the longest streak in history by either team of the series as No.9 Oregon defeated the Huskies 45-20 in Autzen Stadium, Saturday.
The Story: Oregon came out as the dominant force in the first half as Royce Freeman ran for three touchdowns building a 26-8 halftime lead. The Huskies stayed close in the first quarter with two field goals at 7-6 before the Ducks took over in the second. By the third, Oregon found themselves up 35-6, making it impossible for their opponents to make a comeback. Overall, Washington was unable to slow down Oregon’s rushing attack as they ran for 554 yards for the game, 169 earned by Freeman. The UO defense limited UW to only 317 yards of offense and 133 rushing yards.
Oregon Track and Field Take NCAA Sweep
Perhaps it’s a universal truth that one success can power a domino effect of many. It first started with the Oregon men’s track and field team claiming the NCAA outdoor championships on Friday. The momentum carried over, 24 hours later, when the women also claimed the title giving Oregon a clean sweep.
"We saw them go out there and win and saw how pumped up they were," Oregon's Jenna Prandini said. "We didn't want the men to outshine us so we went on the track and did our thing."
The day got off to a rough start for the lady Ducks a their the 4x100 relay team was disqualified during a bad second exchange. But they kept their heads up and followed up with impressive performances. Pradini ran strong in the 100 meter finishing in an incredible 10.96 seconds.
Oregon Baseball Holds On Against Gonzaga
The rain held off just long enough for Oregon baseball to take the victory over Gonzaga, defeating them 2-1. This win completed their series with the Ducks earning a clean sweep as well as their fourth win in the last five games.
Although the victory kept the Ducks hopes alive to move into postseason play, they won’t be able to afford losing more than two of their last seven games if they want a shot at the NCAA regionals.
“We needed those two games," outfielder Phil Craig-St.Louis said. "We need every game. We'll go out there and compete for every inning, every pitch, and try to make it."
Thank You, Marcus Mariota
Every so often, someone comes along whose very nature causes a widespread ripple effect. In this case, the source of that effect stemmed from none other than Marcus Mariota. The 2015 second round NFL draft pick is traveling cross country to become a Tennessee Titan. Last Thursday, GoDucks.com (Oregon’s main athletic website) released a dedication feature, in which every Oregon sport shared a “Thank You” to Marcus for his time spent at the university.
The feature showcased what I call the “Mariota Effect”, highlighting the humility, leadership, and success represented by the Heisman Trophy winner, which overflowed into the university, the community, and the nation.
Mariota Brings Team Atmosphere to Pro Day
Oregon’s top players returned to the field for NFL Pro Day, Thursday, at the Moshofsky Center. Marcus Mariota and potentially the university’s most noteworthy class yet, brought in over 80 scouts, general managers, and coaches from all 32 NFL teams.
After completing an impressive combine, with a 36-inch vertical and a 4.52-second 40-yard dash, Mariota elected only to throw on pro day. Scouts were most interested in seeing how he would perform while dropping back from the center, and so, Kevin O’Connell, quarterback coach for the Cleveland Browns, put the Heisman Trophy winner and five other receivers through a variety of drills that included various throws, routes, and three-to-seven drops in the pocket. Mariota threw approximately 66 balls, making 59.
On his performance Thursday, he said, “I thought I threw better at the combine. Today, I think, there is a lot of emotion being back here in Eugene causing some nervousness.”
Although watching Mariota taking snaps is unique to most Duck fans, Hroniss Grasu, Mariota’s old roommate and former teammate, indicated that it came very natural for the Ducks.
“In practice all four or five years we always start up practice under center,” said Grasu. “We’ve always had it under our belt, but we’ve never really brought it out.”
Mariota threw to a variety of receivers, including graduating seniors Kenny Bassett and Keanon Lowe, and former Ducks, Darlyle Hawkins and Lavasier Tuinei.
Vernon Adams: New Duck Finds Home
The best stories are the unexpected ones. The ones that make you stop, do a double take and leave a lasting impact.
One such story began today when Eastern Washington transfer quarterback, Vernon Adams found his new home, Monday, signing his financial aid agreement with the Oregon Ducks.
As the FCS most efficient passer in 2014, Adams is nothing short of impressive. He came in as one of the most high profile FCS players concluding last year with an efficiency rating of 183.13. He completed 251-of-380 passes, for 3,483 yards and 35 touchdowns with eight interceptions.