Oregon RB Blount sees first action since punch

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EUGENE, Ore. (AP)—Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount, who was suspended for throwing a punch after the Ducks’ season opener against Boise State, returned Thursday night and ran for a touchdown against Oregon State.

Blount’s 12-yard score came midway through the third quarter of the Civil War at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks went on to win 37-33 to earn a trip to the Rose Bowl.

“This means everything to me,” Blount said. “I’m kind of at a loss for words.”

Blount finished with 51 yards rushing on nine carries.

He spoke briefly about his ordeal—his first public comments since he apologized immediately following the punch.

“I was wrong for what I did,” he said. “I never expected to be back with this team. I just expected I’d practice and do what I did.”

Blount was suspended for the season after he punched Boise State defensive end Byron Hout in the aftermath of the Broncos’ 19-8 victory on Sept. 3.

Blount missed eight games, but was kept on scholarship and was allowed to practice with the team.

He was reinstated in mid-November after meeting certain academic and behavior conditions set by coach Chip Kelly.

After the game, Blount was engulfed by fans chanting his name. Several handed him roses.

“To win, my last year, my last game at Autzen as a senior, I love it,” he said.

Oregon will face Ohio State in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. It is the Ducks’ first trip to Pasadena since 1995.

Updated Dec 4, 1:42 am EST
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4,030 Comments

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    Thomas Fri Dec 04, 2009 01:42 pm PST Report Abuse
    Hey Bengal - You aint never gonna find a Gator afraid of a Beaver or a duck. Instead of whining about the GATORS not traveling, bring your quackin, tail smackin asses to Gainesville!
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    emilio s Fri Dec 04, 2009 01:23 pm PST Report Abuse
    lol haters are always going to be hating.... this guy punched out that dude with one swing!!! and the guy kind of deserved it.. you don’t talk @#$% after a game like that... yet i understand you can't just punch somebody out... this game is about emotions and sometimes emotions can get the best of you... I think it's great Blount was able to get a second chance at the game he loves and enjoys... remember it's a physical and emotional game this is not the office where you can just complain about somebody.. in this world you can lay a pop on somebody you disagree with...
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    arrbasque Fri Dec 04, 2009 01:03 pm PST Report Abuse
    Everyone has a right to their own opinion so here goes. Mr. Blount mouthed off before the BSU/Oregon game about kicking asses, etc. Then he throws the "punch". He is a college football player not a pro - he should not have been allowed to even play against Boise State after letting his mouth run like he did. His mouth and his actions should have taken him off the team - keep his scholarship somehow but he certainly didn't make a good impression for those young boys who aspire to be a good college football player. Yep, he paid the price somewhat, but I sincerely hope he really did learn his lesson and goes on to be an example of how college sports players are supposed to act. We will see.
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    michael h Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:58 pm PST Report Abuse
    4027 - Jim - Clean up the USC - Reggie Bush situation and then get back to us in the SEC. Until then you have no room to trash talk the SEC or any other conference.
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    Jim Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:34 pm PST Report Abuse
    Now that I have read alot of these posting. Sounds like most of these SEC posters are upset that Oregon conducted itself in a better manner than another School did. PAC-10 keep up the great work with your student athelets.

    And now to you SEC posters, better take a good look at what is happening around the SEC and see just how many programs are not clean or have student athelets that are in trouble with the law.

    Also better take a look at some of the coaches and where they came from not all the coaches in the SEC were from there Gator Fans Myer (MWC Uath HC), Kiffin (PAC-10 USC OC), Petrino (Big East Louisville HC), Brooks (PAC-10 Ore HC).
    See the point SEC Fans it makes yall sound like the haters.

    Just like a movie once said on any given day any team can will.

    Question for all of you what high school did LaGerrette Blount goto and in what state?
    And he (LaGerrette) was over looked by how many SEC schools?

    As you can tell l like this young man, he has come along way to show his coaches and teammates first as well as the PAC-10 and NCAA Boards, that he wants to be the person and player that he knows he is.

    Now on to this subject since when did the Heisman become a post season thing Confrence championship games are not considered regular season games and since when has the Heisman been a bout someone's career?

    Toby Gerhart, is the only player that has meet all the standards this season in the true alotted amount of games to be the front runner for the Heisman. So once the Championship games are over with and McCoy, lngram, and Tebow. All have played an extra game to high light the Heisman Board remeber this it is what a player has done for there team in the regular season not Post Season Championship Games sorry but, those games should not be concidered in the running.
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    AARONY Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:17 pm PST Report Abuse
    My issue isn't that he got a second chance its the fact the coach was the one making the decision. He didn't break some silly team rule he attacked another person. If you attack someone at work doe you get to go back there? Probably not you'd be looking for work. And I couldn't careless how much he may or may not make in the NFL or how much I will make. He flat out assalted someone and then went after some fans. If you think him missing 8 games really taught him anything you are mistaken. Many of these football players think the rules don't apply to them. Once an idiot always an idiot just ask Pacman Jones.
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    Donovan Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:01 pm PST Report Abuse
    Ducks are gonna go kick some Big Ten Buckeye ASS, and represent westcoast baby!!! Case closed. Theyve got a better spread QB , Blount and James. That offense is tight. Theyve gotten used to shootouts, so IF they get into one with Ohio. I dont think they will. I think(pay attention) that it will be similiar to the SC game. Theyll run with em a while get tired of defending that spread and pack it up and head back to the mid west. All sad and $hit. Im a little pissed we are not gonna get a real Pac 10, SEC match up. Id like to see Stanford and Alabama, just watch those running backs slug it out. I should be the BCS commissioner-- id keep you all entertained. At least give everyone a plus one. Be coot to see the horned frogs end up in the big game. Id bandwagon for that, buy a TCU shirt. lol, i cant believe its over again. skipping a funeral this saturday :) dont tell no one. shhhh........ Fight ON!
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    SJ4410 Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:55 am PST Report Abuse
    AARONY...it's no different....he accepted the punishment...met the requirements to get another chance.....and received another chance......if you have a flat do you throw the entire car away or do you repair the damage and keep going???

    The truth is you are most upset with the fact that although he did something horrible he was able to recover from it and now has a chance to earn more money, with the stroke of a pen, than you ever will...
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    t t Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:44 am PST Report Abuse
    4017. Posted by cubensin Fri Dec 4 1:28pm EST
    I was really proud of the way Oregon handled the Blount situation. They suspended their #1 runnng back for most of the season, but allowed him to work his way back in. They put integrity ahead of winning. Contrast that with the Florida player who was caugt on film trying to gouge at an opponents eyes during the game, and was suspended for HALF a game (against one of the many cupcake teams on Florida's schedule)
    YOU self-righteous pile of dog do ! Don't lie much do ya !!! Blount cold crocked a player and when after fans . Spikes was paying the Dawgs back for their very dirty play in the first qtr . Even the player you said he gouged said "He was no where near my eyes . If he wanted to he would have."
    Liberal Jackass u r .
    GO GATORS
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    t t Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:37 am PST Report Abuse
    Damn good game last night .
    And all you peeps with silly little lies and hating on the SEC and Florida . BEAT US . Sooners couldn't .tOSU couldn't . YOU CAN'T EITHER
    GO GATORS
    talk is cheap, that's all most of ya do . talk
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    Jim Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:06 am PST Report Abuse
    Well, l enjoyed the game very much. Thanks Oregon and Oregon State for putting on a great contest.
    And now for you want a be LAWYERS that don't like the fact that Blunt played so what. Look at a LB from the SEC that purposly tried to poke someone in the eye. That happened on the feild.
    Question to most of you posters do you have a set of the Rule Books? If so then you will understand that the officials only call what they see.
    And just to let yall know I have lived in the SEC world for most of my life, and yes the PAC-10 and alot of the other conferences in the Football arena can play with them, (SEC).
    LeGarrette Blunt congraz on getting back on the feild. Keep up the good work that you have been doing to show, your real personality.
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    kalin Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:05 am PST Report Abuse
    sec has no offense thats why their defense is good. Garbage football sec they don't even want to play boise state.
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    AARONY Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:42 am PST Report Abuse
    SJ4410...this situation is a little different than prison. I don't see how he could possibly show he has learned from his mistake in 8 weeks. Sorry but your actions have consequences. The only thing worse than this poor excuse for punishment is the suspension for the Florida player, both they acts were intentional and should have received suspensions from the NCAA not the schools(coaches). I don't feel sorry for these athletes that think they are above everyone else, they are already receiving an eduation and the opportunity to earn millions of dollars playing a game.
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    Bengal Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:42 am PST Report Abuse
    @ GatorDick #4000.....ur name says it all.

    Weak-@ss SEC football too afraid to play the Pac-10
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    Hal Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:28 am PST Report Abuse
    I was really proud of the way Oregon handled the Blount situation. They suspended their #1 runnng back for most of the season, but allowed him to work his way back in. They put integrity ahead of winning. Contrast that with the Florida player who was caugt on film trying to gouge at an opponents eyes during the game, and was suspended for HALF a game (against one of the many cupcake teams on Florida's schedule)
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    Duck Fri Dec 04, 2009 10:22 am PST Report Abuse
    daniel post 4006 You are judging someone for what they havent done what a moron. And homicide and murder are the same genius. You could kill somebody later in life so could anyone.
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    HD RIDER Fri Dec 04, 2009 09:59 am PST Report Abuse
    SOMP S yes you are right, sorry I forgot about that one thats got the worse thing that
    has happened. that guy should have been kicked out of football
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    Lafleur Fri Dec 04, 2009 09:49 am PST Report Abuse
    I knew they'd bring him back and let him showcase his skills for scouts. Go Lemichael, Ducks, Rose Bowls, and Chip Kelly growing a stache!!!! What a beautiful day
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    Somp S Fri Dec 04, 2009 09:48 am PST Report Abuse
    HD RIDER consider this one then, a Florida player was caught trying to gouge out another players eyes during a scrum. He was suspended half a game. What's worse, potentially blinding someone or a shiner on the jaw?
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    HD RIDER Fri Dec 04, 2009 09:42 am PST Report Abuse
    Why is RACE alwys brought in to everything ( 4004 Quentin) Its idiots like you
    are the real racists. Blount made a mistake paid for it, gets to come back and
    play, but Oklahoma St. wr gets supspened for the season for lieing to the NCAA
    whats worse sucker punching another player and almost starting a riot on national
    TV or telling the NCAA that you don't know someone!!!!! Think about it
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    SJ4410 Fri Dec 04, 2009 09:34 am PST Report Abuse
    The SMILE on that young man's face after scoring that TD showed that maybe he had learned something from the entire ordeal and that is what made me be ok with it..If he had been pounding his chest or strutting around acting differently I would have an entirely different outlook....

    I had the same opinion as 95% of he population when I saw what he did after the Boise game and last night I saw what I believe to be the same young man with a completely different outlook....sometimes it takes something like that to open a persons eyes to what is really important...
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    Dawgmeat Fri Dec 04, 2009 09:20 am PST Report Abuse
    SJ ......... absolutely.
  • 0 users liked this comment Please sign in to rate this comment up. Please sign in to rate this comment down. 0 users disliked this comment
    SJ4410 Fri Dec 04, 2009 09:04 am PST Report Abuse
    AARONY.....people get sentenced to 10 years and serve 7.....25 to life up for parole in 15....that's how a season long suspension becomes 8 games....sometimes people do take advantage of the second chance and make amends...
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    SJ4410 Fri Dec 04, 2009 08:56 am PST Report Abuse
    Hey Bruce and Daniel...It's not up to ESPN, the U of O or any sports team to teach YOUR kids what is right or wrong or what is accepted and what is not....Some people believe that all SIN can be forgiven but what you believe and what you want your kids to be taught is YOUR JOB jackass.....Not some coach in Eugene, Or...

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