12TH-RANKED DUCKS PLUCKED BY ST. MARY’S IN BB UPSET: The past couple of days have not been kind to Oregon. Last Thursday, the Ducks lost both their Heisman-hopeful QB & BCS Championship chances in a 34-24 loss at Arizona.

Then on Tuesday night, the 12th-ranked basketball team was felled by Gael forces in a 99-87 loss at St. Mary’s.Gael freshman & Australia native Patrick Mills roasted the Ducks with 37 points in helping St. Mary’s stay undefeated. The small Bay Area school was Ernie Kent’s first head coaching stop before he flew to Eugene.

But all is not lost for the Green & Gold (& black & white & lavender & whatever color Nike decides to employ onto Oregon’s uniforms). Injured QB Dennis Dixon can hopefully use his classroom skills to pocket the Ducks an NCAA Billiards title.