Canzano: Let's hear it for those who bothered to show up
"This game means a lot."
Brandon Dorlus said there was no other option, but I beg to differ. The best defensive football player at the University of Oregon could have opted out of the Fiesta Bowl and prepared for the NFL Draft.
Nobody would have blamed him.
Bo Nix, same deal.
Liberty may be undefeated this season, but its best chance to play Oregon close evaporated on Tuesday when the UO team plane landed in Phoenix at Sky Harbor International Airport. The aircraft delivered Dorlus, Nix and an Oregon team that casts a focused juxtaposition this bowl season.
USC won’t have quarterback Caleb Williams, running back MarShawn Lloyd and wide receiver Brenden Rice in Wednesday’s Holiday Bowl. They’ve opted-out of the game. The Trojans will also be without more than a dozen other players who won’t be in uniform for kickoff against Louisville at 5 p.m. because they’re either in the transfer portal or don’t see the point of risking injury.
Oregon State won’t have star running back Damien Martinez in uniform for the Sun Bowl. He was cleared to play, but will sit the game out. Left tackle Josh Gray (broken foot) is also out. They’ll both be on hand in El Paso on Friday to support their teammates.
The Beavers will start Ben Gulbranson at quarterback because quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles both jumped in the transfer portal after their head coach bolted for Michigan State.