Ducks Arrive in San Antonio, Will Resume Practice Sunday
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
SAN ANTONIO — When the Oregon football team arrived at its hotel for the Alamo Bowl two seasons ago, the Ducks were greeted by a gantlet of bowl representatives who slapped an endless supply of stickers bearing the bowl’s logo on players’ clothing, luggage … even a forehead or two.
Surely the Ducks’ victory over Texas in that year's Alamo Bowl was the best memory from the trip. But smaller details like the stickers were memorable too.
And so, when Oregon arrived at the same hotel Saturday, for this year’s Alamo Bowl next weekend against Texas Christian, veterans smiled nostalgic smiles when walking the sticker gantlet again, while newcomers experienced it for the first time.
“San Antonio is a beautiful place,” senior defensive end DeForest Buckner said. “We’re excited to be back at this bowl game.”
Much more during the upcoming week will feel familiar to Buckner and other veterans who were on hand for the 30-7 victory over Texas in 2013. Oregon’s practices, the first of which will be held Sunday morning, are at the same location, Alamo Heights High School.
There are similar functions for players to enjoy — a San Antonio Spurs game Monday evening, a visit with wounded warriors at Brooke Army Medical Center’s Center for the Intrepid on Tuesday, and Sea World on Wednesday. It all leads up to next Saturday’s 3:45 p.m. kickoff against the Horned Frogs.
Oregon enters the Alamo Bowl at 9-3 and ranked No. 15, while TCU is 10-2 and ranked 11th.
"We're playing in a great bowl game against some high-powered competition,” sophomore running back Royce Freeman said.
As they do at home, the Ducks will practice in the late morning this week. They’ll stretch out a normal five-day schedule of game preparation over six days; currently, plans call for Thursday-style non-contact workouts on both Wednesday and Thursday of this week.
Inclement weather around Texas caused some travel delays Saturday, but UO coach Mark Helfrich said he expected every player eligible for this season to arrive and participate in Oregon’s preparations this week. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was one of the players affected by the weather; a few dozen Ducks travelled on the team’s charter from Eugene, but many others scheduled flights directly into San Antonio from their hometowns after spending time with family for the holidays.
Oregon's schedule for the week also includes a pep rally Thursday, and a trip to the Alamodome for a team photo Friday.
