Canzano: Oregon Ducks hunting for payback

Phil Knight deserves more than a game ball.

Phil Knight on the field at Autzen Stadium on Saturday. (Photo: Tim Healy)

The first time I saw Phil Knight come out of the University of Oregon football locker room he was holding the game ball.

This was 20 football seasons ago — in 2003.

Knight was in his mid-60s then. The Ducks had just upset No. 3-ranked Michigan at Autzen Stadium 31-27. The Nike founder slipped out of the locker room and stepped into coach Mike Bellotti’s post-game news conference with the football still tucked under his arm.

Oregon beat Cal 63-19 on Saturday.