Best-Laid Plans Go Awry for Old Pals

Flush with the optimism that accompanies the preseason, former Taft High teammates Jerry Brown and DaShon Polk spent an August weekend together in Las Vegas.

“We were having a great old time, talking about how our senior years are going to be special,” Polk said.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s in the cards.

Polk, a linebacker and captain at Arizona, is a key member of a defense that has been blistered for 151 points in four games, including a 50-22 loss to Stanford on Saturday night.

At least Polk is in the lineup most of the time.

Brown is fourth on the depth chart at Oregon. He capped the Ducks’ scoring in a 72-10 annihilation of Nevada on Saturday with a one-yard run late in the fourth quarter.

It was Brown’s first touchdown since 1996. He has 29 yards in eight carries this season, including 14 yards in five carries against Nevada.

Although Brown is the fastest player on the Oregon roster, the prospect of gaining more playing time is bleak.

“Jerry’s speed adds a dimension to our offense,” Coach Mike Bellotti said. “We are searching for ways to incorporate him into our plans more than we have.”

Reuben Droughns is the undisputed starter at running back, Derien Latimer is the first backup and Herman Ho-Ching is next. Brown battles junior Jason Cooper and freshman Allan Amundson for mop-up duty.

Brown has been plagued by injuries for most of his career. He missed this year’s opener against Michigan State because of a leg injury, and a nagging hamstring injury sidelined him in 1997 and much of last year.

The only year he had significant playing time was 1996, when he rushed for 215 yards and two touchdowns in 42 carries as a freshman.

*

In Nevada’s debacle against Oregon, quarterback David Neill (Hart) suffered through one of his poorest performances.

Normally among the nation’s passing leaders even when his team loses, Neill threw for only 116 yards before getting dazed making a tackle after the second of his two interceptions.

Neill played in one more series, misfiring on three passes to finish eight for 23 before giving way to freshman Zack Threadgill.

Neill, who practiced Monday and will play this week against Fresno State, has completed 65 of 121 passes for 822 yards and four touchdowns. He passed for 429 yards in a loss to Colorado State two weeks ago.

*

Expanding on the national trend of using two quarterbacks, New Mexico played three passers in the first half of a 45-14 victory over Northern Arizona.

Justin Mobley (Antelope Valley) is the best runner, Sean Stein the best passer, and Eric Jaworsky does both well enough to be the starter.

Mobley, a redshirt freshman, had his best game this season, rushing for 75 yards and two touchdowns against the Lumberjacks.

“There isn’t enough separation between the three to make a clear-cut decision,” Coach Rocky Long said. “They all have their strengths.”

Ted Iacenda (Hart), a transfer from USC, scored his first touchdown for New Mexico on a 39-yard reception from Jaworsky. Iacenda, a fullback, had five catches for 82 yards.

Reserve running back Quincy Wright (El Camino Real), a redshirt freshman, was the Lobos’ leading rusher with 94 yards in four carries, including a 60-yard run.

Northern Arizona running back Ronney Jenkins (Hueneme) was held to 36 yards in 14 carries, although he had 80 yards on five receptions, including a 45-yard touchdown.