Johnny Cash » option, particularly with centre Tiago Splitter sitting out

SAN ANTONIO -- No. 10 Oregon first felt overlooked by the BCS, and then came to the Alamo Bowl overshadowed by Mack Browns final game at Texas. But the Ducks are flying home with an attention-getting blowout. Quarterback Marcus Mariota had 386 total yards and Oregon returned two interceptions for touchdowns, spoiling Browns emotional farewell after 16 seasons at Texas with a runaway 30-7 victory Monday night. The BCS-snubbed Ducks (11-2) dominated throughout -- even though their famously high-powered offence scored just one touchdown and repeatedly settled for field goals. Yet the rout didnt seem to completely balm the sting of not playing in a BCS bowl for the first time in five years, with Oregon players after the game still reflecting on their championship hopes derailed by November losses. Oregon coach Mark Helfrich declined to answer whether this season was a success. "Thats for you to decide," Helfrich said. "I dont think in those terms. I think of how well we can prepare and whats next." Brown received warm goodbyes from a sellout crowd in what was practically a home game for Texas (8-5). Even the school marching band spelled his name at halftime. But the blowout was a final reminder of why Brown is resigning after a rocky and tense season at Texas, which he led to a national championship in 2005 but couldnt reverse a sharp decline in recent years. Leaving the field for the last time with Texas, Brown flashed the "Hook em Horns" hand signal to the scattered remaining Longhorns fans who stuck around to the end of another humbling loss this season. His players didnt say a word while surrounding Brown and his wife, who walked side by side into the tunnel and toward the locker room. Brown said he had no regrets about making this his exit. "I think its best for Texas. Its best for me, its best for the players," he said. "We need to win more than eight games. Last year was nine. I really thought we had a chance to win all the games this year. It didnt work. Its my job to make that work. I told them tonight, the only regret I had is we didnt win enough games this year." Mariota led all rushers with 133 yards on 15 carries. He was 18 of 26 for 253 yards passing in his Heisman Trophy campaign tuneup for 2014, having announced earlier this month that he was coming back for his junior season. His one touchdown pass was to Josh Huff, who turned a short pass into a spectacular 16-yard sprint to the end zone. Yet even Mariota was outscored by Oregons defence -- and so was Texas, for that matter. Oregons first touchdown came on the third play of the game when safety Avery Patterson intercepted an overthrown pass by Texas quarterback Case McCoy and returned it 37 yards to the end zone. McCoy later bookended a dismal performance in his final game with another pick-six, this one returned 38 yards by linebacker Derrick Malone that sent waves of burnt orange-clad fans streaming for the exits. McCoy scored on a 1-yard rush in the first quarter for Texas only touchdown. He finished 8 of 17 for 48 yards and was pulled at times in the second half for freshman Tyrone Swoopes. Running back Malcolm Brown was the lone offensive constant for Texas, finishing with 130 yards on 26 carries. "Its tough not to get a win for him," defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat said. "Miss Sally, shes like a second mom to us. She takes care of us. Coach Brown loves us " Far from the uplifting send-off Texas wanted for Brown, the school now shifts its focus to finding a replacement. New Texas athletic director Steve Patterson said before kickoff that he wants a successor by Jan. 15. Patterson said coaches interested in the job have come forward but wouldnt discuss potential candidates. "Theres interest thats sincere, and theres interest thats Help me find a better contract," Patterson said. Whoever Texas hires shouldnt expect patience from a fanbase that grew accustomed to winning under Brown, and then became restless as the Longhorns slid from perennial BCS contention. Brown arrived in 1998 and went 128-27 by the end of 2009, when the Longhorns lost to Alabama in its second BCS title game in five years. He went out, however, 30-21 in his final four seasons. Texas could do a lot worse than look to Oregon for how to pull off a coaching transition. Although first-year coach Mark Helfrich couldnt get the Ducks to a BCS bowl as Chip Kelly did in each of his four seasons, Oregon still finished with a fourth consecutive year of 11 or more victories. This was the Ducks third consecutive bowl win. Playing before New Years Day was a disappointing consolation for the Ducks after entering November unbeaten and ranked No. 2. Losing to Stanford dashed their national title hopes, but theyll be favourites to contend again in 2014 with Mariota back. "Yeah, it wasnt the season we hoped for," Huff said. "That month of November was a tough stretch for us but we were able to come together as a team and continue to fight for one another." Seldom has the Alamo Bowl hosted blowouts like this in recent years. Seven of the previous eight games had been decided by a touchdown or less before heavily favoured Oregon ended that run of drama, in front of what was the second-largest crowd in the bowls 20-year history. Sony Michel Youth Jersey . I kind of got a taste of being able to pick a suit with the draft lottery, I went with the bow tie. Stephon Gilmore Womens Jersey . -- So much for concern that running back Marshawn Lynch would be absent from the Seattle Seahawks minicamp. http://www.patriotsjerseysauthentic.com/John-Hannah-Super-Bowl-Jersey/ . -- Barry Bonds is all set to return to the San Francisco Giants. Rob Gronkowski Jersey . The Brazilian heads into Saturday afternoons race coming off a close runner-up finish to Ryan Hunter-Reay in the Indianapolis 500. John Hannah Jersey . After missing 20 games as a rookie a year ago, Valanciunas - like the Raptors as a whole - has been fortunate to be in good health this season. As he spoke about it, the Raptors sophomore centre scanned the room for wood to knock on. "It is disappointing because we lost today so thats the worst part of the day," said Valanciunas, who left Tuesdays game with a lower-back sprain in the third quarter, missing the rest of Torontos 118-113 overtime defeat at the hands of the Hawks.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Patty Mills said Saturday night reminded him a little of playing for the Australian Olympic team in 2012. He was counted on to shoot, score and run the offence. "The Olympics are fun," said Mills, who led all scorers in the 2012 Games with 21.2 points per game. So was Saturday night. Mills, getting added playing time for the ailing Tony Parker, turned in a near-perfect game, scoring 18 of his season-high 32 points in the fourth quarter to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 104-100 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats for their fourth win in five games. Mills was 10 of 13 from the field, including 5 of 5 in the fourth quarter. He also connected on 8 of 9 foul shots and had four 3-pointers to help the Spurs defeat the Bobcats for the sixth straight time. Parker started for the Spurs and played 26 minutes, but it was obvious hes not back to full speed after sitting out Thursday night with back spasms. "Its important for all of us to step up, whether youre in the backcourt or not," Mills said. "We have managed to do OK without (Manu Ginobili and Parker). Everyone has been able to collectively step up." Mills stayed in the game for the entire fourth quarter, and coach Gregg Popovich made sure he called plays to get him the ball. "His motor is always going," Popovich said. "He doesnt need me to do anything to get him going. Hes a competitor. Hes played on the Australian Olympic team for I dont how many years. Hes a competitor. Hes not impressed with the NBA. He just comes and plays." Tim Duncan finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds for his 22nd double-double of the season. Nando De Colo tied a career-high with 15 points, including two free throws with 2.4 seconds left to seal the victory. The red-hot Al Jefferson led the way for the Bobcats with 26 points and nine rebounds. Gerald Henderson had 23 points. The Spurs trailed by one entering the fourth quarter when Mills took over, knocking down jumpers and floaters in the lane to push the lead to nine. The crucial play came with the Spurs leading 99-95 with 26 seconds left when Josh McRoberts stole the ball from Duncan at the top of the key. But an overanxious McRoberts, looking ahead to Michael Kidd-Gilchrist for a fast break, turned the bball over.dddddddddddd Charlotte cut the lead to 102-100 when Henderson knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner after corralling an offensive rebound with 3.1 seconds left, but De Colo put the game away for the Spurs, who own the leagues best road record. "He was incredible tonight," said teammate Boris Diaw. "He really stepped up and made some incredible shots and brought a lot of energy." Henderson said Mills is a tough player to cover. "Not only is he a good shooter, hes a smart scorer and he can set the team up," Henderson said. San Antonio came in having won its last three games against the Bobcats by an average of 28 points. In this one, the Spurs never led by more than four points in the first three quarters. The Bobcats jumped out an 18-6 lead behind Jefferson, who was active in the low post on both sides of the ball with 10 points and three steals in the first quarter. Popovich countered by moving the more physical Diaw to bang in the low block with Jefferson instead of Duncan. Diaw turned out to be the best option, particularly with centre Tiago Splitter sitting out with a calf contusion. That helped slow Jefferson and the Bobcats. Jefferson was limited to four points the rest of the half with the Bobcats missing 22 of their last 31 shots before the break. "He keeps (Jefferson) in front of him better," Popovich said of Diaw. "And he stays down on Als pump fakes, which are maybe the best in the league. Theyre ridiculous." Charlotte is clinging to the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference and aiming for its first playoff berth since 2010. "We didnt play with level of discipline that we need to," Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said. "It was a good effort but were going to have to play a much more disciplined game to beat a team like that." NOTES: Along with Ginobili and Splitter, the Spurs were without Marco Belinelli (back spasms), Kawhi Leonard. ... Jefferson had scored at least 30 points in four of his last five games. Charlotte fell to 13-6 in games when Jefferson scores 22 points or more. They are 4-19 when he doesnt. ... Kidd-Gilchrist had a season-high 12 rebounds for the Bobcats. ... Mills 18 points in the fourth quarter were the most in any quarter by a Spurs player this season. ' ' '