Nick Daschel is a veteran sports writer and columnist who has worked on the West coast for nearly three decades. Nick has covered the Pac-10 for about 15 years, primarily focusing on the Northwest schools.
This is Big Game week in the Pac-10, where it’s been USC at Oregon 24-7. From Herbie to Dr. Lou to USA Today to ESPN.com, the game has been dissected like a fetal pig in a freshman biology class.
In honor of the Big Game, we turn the spotlight on some of the Pac-10’s lesser knowns, players who are having an impact this season but rarely rise to headline status. College football is more than Taylor Mays and Jeremiah Masoli, ya know. It’s also about the Trevin Wades and Kenny Rowes.
Here is one player from each Pac-10 team flying under the radar this season:
Ben Ossai, Washington: A familiar name to Husky fans, as well he should be with 39 career starts at left tackle, but not on anyone’s watch list outside of Seattle. Ossai is nowhere near Mel Kiper’s wheelhouse, but you got to give it up to someone who has persevered for four years as a starter in a downtrodden program like UW’s. And there’s something to be said that, as the left tackle, Ossai has helped keep Husky meal ticket Jake Locker upright this season.
Chima Nwachukwu, WSU: Like Ossai, well known to Cougar fans but because he plays for beleaguered Washington State, a mystery outside of Pullman. Which seems strange, even for a Cougar, because when Nwachukwu was a freshman in 2007, greatness was projected. A corner who could hit like a safety. Greatness never came, but Nwachukwu didn’t give up. Now a junior, Nwachukwu is fourth in the Pac-10 in tackles this season.
Kenny Rowe, Oregon: If you’ve been paying attention this season, you may have heard of Rowe. But for most players not known as USC Trojans, it takes a while for notoriety to sink in. It won’t be long in the case of Rowe, a first-year starting linebacker who is plays more like a defensive end. Rowe, third in the Pac-10 in sacks, is a leading reason why the Ducks’ defense is one of college football’s surprise stories this season.
Lyle Moevao, Oregon State: He’s not going to play a down in 2009, but if the Beavers have heart – is there any program in the Pac-10 that has more? – Moevao is going to be huge inspiration down the stretch.
Owen Marecic, Stanford: Fullbacks always make for good under-the-radar players, because at best, they run the ball a few times, catch some passes, but mostly try to crack open the skulls of rushing linemen, linebackers and blitzing safeties. The Cardinal have a running game that’s as good as any in the Pac-10, and it’s not all because of tough guy Toby Gerhart. Marecic might be coach Jim Harbaugh’s favorite player, because of his robust approach to the game.
Anthony Miller, California: On a team that is desperate for a playmaking receiver, Miller isn’t that. But at least the sophomore has become a reliable tight end who is second on the Bears in receptions. If Miller continues to produce, surely opponents will have to pay more attention to him, and who knows, maybe that’ll lead to something on the outside.
Michael Morgan, USC: He played sparingly a year ago behind USC’s linebacker studs, and didn’t start the 2009 season opener against San Jose State. Even Pete Carroll wasn’t sure what to expect, telling the Orange County Register that Morgan “is inexperienced … we’ll make sure he’s adjusting well as the game goes on.” Sounds like Morgan isn’t having a problem. He’s third in the Pac-10 in tackles for losses, eighth in sacks and averaging 5.1 tackles a game.
Jeff Locke, UCLA: Rick Neuheisel’s year-old line that “punting is winning,” probably ought to get put to bed, except in the case of the Bruins still-crappy offense, punting is winning. And Locke, a freshman, is winning big. He leads the Pac-10 in punting average at 46.5 yards per kick and has dropped 12 inside the 20-yard line. Last Saturday against Arizona, Locke launched an 81-yard punt against Arizona.
Trevin Wade, Arizona: A year ago, Wade was a freshman playing in mop up situations. This season, the sophomore cornerback stepped into a veteran lineup and has looked anything like a rookie starter. Only UCLA’s Rahim Moore has intercepted and knocked away more passes than Wade this season.
Thomas Altieri, ASU: He’s unlikely to land on the all-Pac 10 team, but I’m always a sucker for a senior who doesn’t give up. It looked like Altieri was going to lose his starting job at center to sophomore Garth Gerhart during fall camp, but injuries and circumstance have allowed Altieri to remain at center. Even when Gerhart returned, he went to right guard.
Nick Daschel covers the Pacific-10 Conference for Buster Sports, and can be reached at ndaschel@bustersports.com
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