~TheFuriousX~ » Speaking of the Americans… I ha

SAN ANTONIO -- No. 10 Oregon first felt overlooked by the BCS, and then came to the Alamo Bowl overshadowed by Mack Browns final game at Texas. But the Ducks are flying home with an attention-getting blowout. Quarterback Marcus Mariota had 386 total yards and Oregon returned two interceptions for touchdowns, spoiling Browns emotional farewell after 16 seasons at Texas with a runaway 30-7 victory Monday night. The BCS-snubbed Ducks (11-2) dominated throughout -- even though their famously high-powered offence scored just one touchdown and repeatedly settled for field goals. Yet the rout didnt seem to completely balm the sting of not playing in a BCS bowl for the first time in five years, with Oregon players after the game still reflecting on their championship hopes derailed by November losses. Oregon coach Mark Helfrich declined to answer whether this season was a success. "Thats for you to decide," Helfrich said. "I dont think in those terms. I think of how well we can prepare and whats next." Brown received warm goodbyes from a sellout crowd in what was practically a home game for Texas (8-5). Even the school marching band spelled his name at halftime. But the blowout was a final reminder of why Brown is resigning after a rocky and tense season at Texas, which he led to a national championship in 2005 but couldnt reverse a sharp decline in recent years. Leaving the field for the last time with Texas, Brown flashed the "Hook em Horns" hand signal to the scattered remaining Longhorns fans who stuck around to the end of another humbling loss this season. His players didnt say a word while surrounding Brown and his wife, who walked side by side into the tunnel and toward the locker room. Brown said he had no regrets about making this his exit. "I think its best for Texas. Its best for me, its best for the players," he said. "We need to win more than eight games. Last year was nine. I really thought we had a chance to win all the games this year. It didnt work. Its my job to make that work. I told them tonight, the only regret I had is we didnt win enough games this year." Mariota led all rushers with 133 yards on 15 carries. He was 18 of 26 for 253 yards passing in his Heisman Trophy campaign tuneup for 2014, having announced earlier this month that he was coming back for his junior season. His one touchdown pass was to Josh Huff, who turned a short pass into a spectacular 16-yard sprint to the end zone. Yet even Mariota was outscored by Oregons defence -- and so was Texas, for that matter. Oregons first touchdown came on the third play of the game when safety Avery Patterson intercepted an overthrown pass by Texas quarterback Case McCoy and returned it 37 yards to the end zone. McCoy later bookended a dismal performance in his final game with another pick-six, this one returned 38 yards by linebacker Derrick Malone that sent waves of burnt orange-clad fans streaming for the exits. McCoy scored on a 1-yard rush in the first quarter for Texas only touchdown. He finished 8 of 17 for 48 yards and was pulled at times in the second half for freshman Tyrone Swoopes. Running back Malcolm Brown was the lone offensive constant for Texas, finishing with 130 yards on 26 carries. "Its tough not to get a win for him," defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat said. "Miss Sally, shes like a second mom to us. She takes care of us. Coach Brown loves us " Far from the uplifting send-off Texas wanted for Brown, the school now shifts its focus to finding a replacement. New Texas athletic director Steve Patterson said before kickoff that he wants a successor by Jan. 15. Patterson said coaches interested in the job have come forward but wouldnt discuss potential candidates. "Theres interest thats sincere, and theres interest thats Help me find a better contract," Patterson said. Whoever Texas hires shouldnt expect patience from a fanbase that grew accustomed to winning under Brown, and then became restless as the Longhorns slid from perennial BCS contention. Brown arrived in 1998 and went 128-27 by the end of 2009, when the Longhorns lost to Alabama in its second BCS title game in five years. He went out, however, 30-21 in his final four seasons. Texas could do a lot worse than look to Oregon for how to pull off a coaching transition. Although first-year coach Mark Helfrich couldnt get the Ducks to a BCS bowl as Chip Kelly did in each of his four seasons, Oregon still finished with a fourth consecutive year of 11 or more victories. This was the Ducks third consecutive bowl win. Playing before New Years Day was a disappointing consolation for the Ducks after entering November unbeaten and ranked No. 2. Losing to Stanford dashed their national title hopes, but theyll be favourites to contend again in 2014 with Mariota back. "Yeah, it wasnt the season we hoped for," Huff said. "That month of November was a tough stretch for us but we were able to come together as a team and continue to fight for one another." Seldom has the Alamo Bowl hosted blowouts like this in recent years. Seven of the previous eight games had been decided by a touchdown or less before heavily favoured Oregon ended that run of drama, in front of what was the second-largest crowd in the bowls 20-year history. Lanny McDonald Jersey .ca. Kerry, In the closing minutes of the second period of Game 4 between Pittsburgh and Columbus there were the remnants of two broken sticks behind the Pittsburgh net. Rob Ramage Jersey .ca. 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Colorado Avalanche Jerseys . -- Pinch-runner Rajai Daviss decision to steal third base just as Oakland catcher Derek Norris was throwing the ball back to the pitcher caught most everyone by surprise -- including several of his Detroit teammates.Remembering Nigel de Jong seemingly Kung Fu-kicking Xavi Alonso within inches of his life during an ill-tempered 2010 World Cup Final, it is hard to fully rationalize we now stand only a mere six months from the first ball to be kicked in anger at Brazil 2014. On June 12, just as the sun sets on the magnificent historical city of Sao Paulo the inventors, innovators and purveyors of “joga bonitowill” open their campaign. The opponent, Croatia and all its football might and will. As opposites do attract we are set for a corker of an opener. Brazil, though, will go into the 2014 World Cup Finals with the single mindset and firm view to finally remove the only significant un-removable stain on the host nations World Cup Finals legacy. Its been 64 years of tears, pain, anguish and embarrassment for the nation of 200 million. The source of which traces itself back to the 1950 Finals, the only other time Brazil has played host to the grandest and greatest show on mother earth. The scene was The Estadio do Maracana, without a doubt world footballs global shrine and likely the greatest sporting amphitheatre on the planet and the 1950 World Cup Finals. Now lovingly restored for next summers tournament for a cost well in excess of half a billion, Maracana was inaugurated this past spring when England were fortunately invited to attend. A joyous occasion and celebration last June, but that was not the case on July 16, 1950. Close to 175,000 packed in to witness what they thought would be World Cup fame, glory and honour for their beloved football nation. Sadly, Brazil forgot the script, completely botched their lines and went down to the stunning 2-1 defeat against fellow South Americans, Uruguay. Going 1-0 up early in the second half Uruguay hit back and scored the winner with just 11 minutes remaining on the clock. All 173,850 were left open mouthed in shock come the final whistle. Making the defeat all the less palpable was the format. The tournament called for a final group of four to determine the winners. In their previous two final group encounters Brazil had amassed an astonishing 13 goals against Sweden and Spain. A draw would have seen Brazil win its first World Cup and the rather magnificent trophy named after the World Cup Finals founding father, Jules Rimet. Instead, Uruguay were crowned champions for a second time at what was only the fourth Finals in FIFA history, this coming after a 12-year break due to War World II. Englands Dreaming … Or is it a Nightmare? An Englishman may liken that momentous Final to what happened in Germany in 1974 and South Africa in 2010, but the national team were rightfully put in their place. It was a match that still stands as the most significant shock in World Cup Finals history. Make that in all world football history itself. The English had held out from the previous three World Cup Finals afflicted with what could be best described as a decade-plus-long case of extreme snobbery, likely caused by the air of arrogance that in some ways still surrounds. Footballs founding nation, which celebrated its 150th birthday in late October, left London packing some of the most illustrious names ever for Brazil in 1950. They included Matthews, Finney, Nicholson, Milburn and a man who would go on to coach them to 1966 glory, Alf Ramsey himself. Following Joe Gaetjens lone marker late in the first half England trudged off the Belo Horizonte pitch with their heads held shamefully low after a 1-0 loss to the United States. To put into a correct and clear perspective when Pathe News sent the score to Fleet Street London newspapers incorrectly stated England had beaten the US 10-1.dddddddddddd Speaking of the Americans… I had the utmost pleasure of speaking with the 1950 US captain Walter Bahr on TSN 690 during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa who, although at the time a spritely 83-years of age, had memories as vivid as if it were just yesterday. Bahr also disclosed in our chat that in the mid 1950s he played his football in Montreal and pointed out that not only was Canadiens goaltending legend Lorne “Gump” Worsley a teammate but that he was an exceptional central defender. High praise indeed from a man who captained America to its greatest-ever football victory, which could only be surpassed by winning a World Cup itself. That will certainly not occur next summer, after the Americans were handed a horrendous draw topped off with a frantic travel schedule. Their schedule is one that even the Rolling Stones - and all those millions they would command - would even baulk at. Drawn in a group along with the 1974 and 2006 hosts (Germany), it is of no relevance what U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said Friday afternoon. "I guarantee you Jurgen [Klinsmann] knows more about Germany than “Jogi” Low knows about the U.S." Nor does it matter the result of their recent friendly. More important is the fact that the Germans - like the rest of the world - are fully aware of who currently coaches the U.S. team. No one in World Cup Finals history prepares as successfully and efficiently as Deutschland. The Americans will play friendlies like all other Brazil 2014 nations as part of preparations including a showcase one which is scheduled against England in Miami. If the USSF have an ounce of genuine thought and desire about Brazil 2014 any England match should be rain-checked in favour of playing a nation whose football styles are more in keeping with the likes of Germany, Portugal and Ghana. Jet… With the wind in your hair An interesting sidebar to the last time Brazil hosted a World Cup Finals: Only 13 nations could be bothered to show up. Absent despite qualification were India, who were denied a request made to FIFA to play in bare feet. Imagine that, Cristiano. France was another to withdraw due to a requirement to play two of their three group stage games so far apart. The distance between matches would almost cover the entire length of Canada. You will be sure the U.S. will not be happy with their Brazil 2014 group, nor the fact no other nation will rack up the air miles like they have to. Continental Shift? As he rightfully did in Fridays draw Nelson Mandelas rightful and most honourable shadow will loom large over Brazil 2014 from Sugar Loaf Mountain to the beaches of Ipanema and beyond. Not ever before in the previous 19 World Cups to date has an African nation reached even the semifinal stage. Let alone a final. How wondrous it will be if the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon or Ghana can pull off the unprecedented. Get into the Final four and magic often occurs. Come next June I know who I will be cheering most heartedly for. Do you? Tune into TSN 690 when Noel Butler hosts a special edition of oranges at halftime which will include a significant tribute to Nelson Mandela. To broadcast Monday evening at 7:00pm Listen Live: TSN.ca/Montreal. 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