After three weeks of the 1994 college football season, the Oregon Ducks were 1-2 including losses at Hawaii and at home against Utah. Over the past 5 seasons, Rich Brooks’ teams had broken droughts of winning seasons and bowl trips. But the coach’s yearly proclamation that Oregon could represent the PAC-10 in the Rose Bowl was ringing quite hollow. “Ditch Rich” was the phrase of the day.
Three months later, the Ducks had won 8 of 9 games, clinched the conference championship and were bound for the school’s first Rose Bowl appearance in 37 seasons. A season on the edge produced more than its share of legendary moments and memories and marked Oregon’s ascent to the national stage.
The Ducks knew they had a power running game with Ricky Whittle and Dino Philyaw. Quarterback Danny O’Neil was a senior leader and Nick Aliotti had just branded his defense “Gang Green.” But none of that clicked until after the 1-2 start. Coach Brooks circled the wagons and the running game took control in a “get-well” romp over Iowa.
One week later with Danny O’Neil battling a finger injury and two other starters missing, little known backup Tony Graziani and the power running of Philyaw led the way to an upset win over 19th ranked USC in Los Angeles.
Two weeks later, injured players returned and the run began. Five straight victories. Danny O’Neil connects with favorite targets Cris McLemore and Josh Wilcox. The Oregon offense completes key 4th quarter drives.
And in the middle of all that, another legendary moment, “The Pick”. Kenny Wheaton’s 97-yard interception return saves victory against Washington.
By Civil War weekend, O’Neil and McLemore are shredding the record books on offense, but the trip to Corvallis brings some chills. The Beavers were undergoing their own renaissance and had won 2 of the last 3 rivalry games.
On a cold and rainy day in front of a national TV audience, the Ducks continued their clutch play. Danny O’Neil returned after being knocked out of the game and led a 4th quarter drive for a 17-13 Civil War victory.
The Ducks were 9-3 and were PAC-10 champions. Rich Brooks’ optimism was rewarded. Oregon would play in the Rose Bowl. Undefeated Penn State was a 17-point favorite yet optimism reigned supreme during the build-up to the Rose Bowl.
The pre-game pageantry on a picture perfect January 2nd brought lumps in the throats and a tear or two to the eye of many longtime Oregon observers. A crowd in excess of 102,000 packed the historic stadium in Pasadena.
Then the reality of facing the 11-0 Big Ten champs struck on the first play from scrimmage. Ki-Jana Carter’s 83-yard explosion broke the spell and gave the Nittany Lions the lead. The Ducks would not go quietly, moving the ball up and down the field, 500 yard’s worth. In the end mistakes and three missed field goals made the scoring margin misleading. Penn State 38 Oregon 20.
The Ducks ended up ranked #11 in the country. Rich Brooks won a bevy of coaching awards and then departed for the NFL. Offensive coordinator Mike Bellotti took over and would continue Oregon’s run of excellence.
And Jerry Allen’s play-by-play call of Kenny Wheaton’s interception return would become required listening at every home game at Autzen Stadium.
The 1994 Oregon Football Team was inducted into the University of Oregon Hall of Fame in 2005.
1994 Coaching Staff and Roster included: Head Coach Rich Brooks, Defensive Coordinator Nick Aliotti, Offensive Coordinator Mike Bellotti, Danny O’Neil, Tony Graziani, Ryan Perry-Smith, Dino Philyaw, Dwayne Jones, Ricky Whittle, Marcel Stewart, Pulou Malepeai, Eric Winn, Dan Meade, Pulou Maleapeai, Cristin McLemore, Dameron Ricketts, Pat Johnson, Marty Murphy, Damon Griffin, Eric Johannsen, Kory Murphy, Josh Wilcox, Blake Spence, Christian Anderson, Mark Gregg, Steve Hardin, Tasi Maleapeai, Eric Reid, Dave Cutrell, Bob Baldwin, Dave Cuttrell, Paul Wiggins, Troy Bailey, Silila Maleapeai, Mark Schmidt, Mark Slymen, Jeremy Asher, Paul Jensen, Reggie Jordan, Rich Ruhl, Derrick Barnes, Chad Cota, Alex Molden, Herman O’Berry, Jeff Sherman, Kenny Wheaton, Isaac Walker
