Heisman Hopeful LaMichael James went down with an elbow injury against Cal on Oct. 6. (Photo by Alan K. Fox / The Torch)
By Alan K. Fox/The Torch
alankfox@lcctorch.com
(Updated 10/10/11)
There is no hiding the fact that the Oregon football season got off to a slow start after the loss to LSU at the Cowboys Classic in Arlington, Texas. But what do you expect when you face what is possibly one of the best looking defenses that college football has seen in recent years?
Chatter began on a national level that Heisman finalist LaMichael James may have been another one-year wonder.
After the loss to the Tigers, James and the Ducks brought the flock back to Eugene to prep for the home opener against the Nevada Wolf Pack.
While Chip Kelly’s offense seemed to be unstoppable, there still seemed to be an element missing. It was the rushing attack of the nation’s leading rusher from a year ago James.
James finished the game with only 67 rushing yards, but he became the first Oregon player in the history of the program to score by rushing, receiving and also on a punt return in a single game.
Yet that still didn’t seem to be enough for the naysayers and the doubters of the junior running back from Texarkana, Texas.
There were numerous reports stating that James had lost a step.
In week three Oregon played host to the Missouri State Bears and James mauled — rushing for 204 yards on only 12 carries, reaching the end zone three times.
In that game he also set an Autzen Stadium-record with his 90-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. The run ranks second in Oregon football history.
Even with that astonishing performance against MSU, James continued to garner no respect for his game, due to the fact that the Bears come from the Football Championship Subdivision and not the Bowl Subdivision.
Then it was time for the Pac-12 conference opener against Arizona and their crybaby coach, Mike Stoops.
James picked up right where he left off the week before against the Bears by setting multiple school-records as he moved his way up into the sixth spot in the all-time rushing list for the Pac-10, now Pac-12.
With 288 yards rushing, James moved into the nation’s top spot for rushing yards before last weekend’s games, inducing Stoops into his well-known childlike rage.
Against Cal on Thursday, James continued to tear through the opposing defenses like he was a hot knife cutting through butter. He finished the game with another 200-yard game (258), but he was carted off in the second half with a serious elbow injury.
Now the question is: How long until James can see the field again?
Once he gets on the field the question will be whether he will be able to pick up where he left off or not.
If he does that, there is a strong chance he could add a Heisman Award next to his Doak Walker trophy.
Sports Editor Alan K. Fox can be reached at (541) 463-5657, on Twitter @alankfox and also alanfoxjr@gmail.com.
