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In close games, great players make all the difference. The
showdown between UCLA and Oregon was supposed to showcase two of
college football’s greatest. Two teams, two Heisman
front-runners. One game, the Pac-10’s finest on display. But
things didn’t exactly turn out as advertised.
Joey Harrington was all over the field on Saturday. DeShaun
Foster never stepped foot on it.
Harrington was MVP. Foster was MIA.
Harrington played 60 minutes of mistake-free football. Foster
made his biggest mistake of the year before the game even
started.
When the Ducks fell behind, Harrington told himself to
“just play.” When he was declared ineligible, Foster
told his coach he was “very sorry.”
Harrington drove his team 70 yards for the winning score in the
fourth quarter. Foster drove himself right off the team.
Harrington connected on 13-of-23 pass attempts for 195 yards.
Foster’s line never changed all day: zero carries for zero
yards.
Harrington threw one touchdown and ran for another. Foster only
saw the end zone on TV.
Harrington kept his team in the hunt for the conference
championship. Foster watched his team fall out of contention.
Harrington drew one step closer to the Downtown Athletic Club.
Foster lost his way.
Harrington told reporters after the game: “We have been in
that situation before and done what we needed to do. This is a
great feeling sitting on top.” Foster wasn’t available
for comment.
Harrington ran his record to 23-3 as Oregon’s starting
quarterback. Foster saw UCLA’s record fall to 0-3 without him
in the starting lineup during the last two seasons.
Harrington’s fourth quarter TD toss moved him within five
touchdown passes of Bill Musgrave for second place on the
Ducks’ all-time list. Foster’s suspension left him
still one yard short of Freeman McNeil for second place on
UCLA’s all-time rushing list.
Harrington and the Ducks can lock up a BCS Bowl bid with just
one more win. Foster can only watch as the Bruins struggle to lock
up any bowl bid they can.
Harrington has reportedly received respect and praise from all
of his coaches and teammates. Foster has allegedly received
“extra benefits.”
Harrington’s name will make headlines today for all the
right reasons. Foster’s name will make them for all the wrong
ones.
Harrington is a great football player. Foster is too.
When it’s all said and done, great players win close
games. On Saturday, Oregon had theirs and UCLA didn’t.
It made all the difference.