Game Day vs. Arizona State University

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d a i l y

vol. 112, issue 15

e m e r a l d

friday, september 24, 2010

PREVIEW forecast

101 degrees, sunny

at a glance Who: No. 5 Oregon Ducks at Arizona State Sun Devils What: Week 4 game, Pacific-10 Conference opening game for both schools When: 7:30 p.m., FSN Where: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.

summary The No. 5 Oregon Ducks (3-0) open Pac-10 play when they go to Arizona State (2-1) on Saturday night. The last time the Sun Devils beat Oregon was Oct. 2, 2004.

INSIDE game preview Arizona State, coming off a one-point loss at No. 11 Wisconsin, plays host to No. 5 Oregon

LOCKING IT

DOWN Oregon’s sophomore cornerback motivates teammates with his locker room presence and big-play ability

ivar vong photo editor

LUCAS CLARK sports editor

Two years ago, a lanky 17-year-old from Fresno, Calif., stood up and addressed his teammates for the first time. “My name is Cliff Harris, and I’m here to lock shit down,” the newest addition to the Oregon secondary said. Harris then immediately returned to his seat without uttering another word. Some of the older players scoffed at the remark initially, before they recognized the newcomer’s incredible talent on the football field. Now, two years after that preliminary meeting, Harris is one of the most well-liked members of the Oregon football team. His flamboyant personality off the field and

nose for the end zone on it has Harris pinned as the Oregon’s next defensive star. Recruited as the top cover corner in the country, Harris has shown his knack for big plays, having found the end zone three times in 2010. His two punt returns for touchdowns in the season-opener against New Mexico set the Oregon record for most return touchdowns in a single season. His 76-yard interception return for a touchdown in front of more than 102,000 people at Tennessee just reiterated what defensive backs coach John Neal already knew. “There’s no question he’s going to intercept that ball and score,” Neal said reflecting back on the play. “And that’s his mind-set — that’s special. I

think Walter (Thurmond) had that. Jairus Byrd had that. Pretty exceptional players here. “You’ve got to be pretty much a step higher than the normal guy to have all that going for you.” For Harris, being a step ahead of his opponents, both figuratively and literally, began at an early age when his older brother, Mike, was playing high school football. Harris took it upon himself to compete and train the same way his older sibling did. “He was a football star,” Harris said. “So I always used to just hang around him every time he worked out. I started at a younger age.”

harris

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oregon notes Ducks simulate simmering Tempe temperatures to prepare for road trip to Arizona State PAGE 3

asu notes Vontaze Burfict and the Sun Devil defense look to corral Oregon’s second-ranked rushing attack PAGE 3

pac-10 season Conference opener may be more indicative of Oregon’s Rose Bowl chances than non-conference play PAGE 4


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