Amid the rumors of the coaching carousel, the Oregon Ducks stepped up and have offered coach Willie Taggert a one year contract extension that would pay him $4-million a year through 2022.

Taggert has been rumored to be offered the Florida State job if current coach Jimbo Fisher were to leave for Texas A&M.

Taggart would owe the U of O a total of $4.5 million if he leaves this year in a buy-out clause in his current contract.

(Salt Lake City, UT)  --  Former Oregon State coach Gary Anderson may be joining the Utah staff according to reports out of Salt Lake City.  Anderson played and coached at Utah.  Football bowl Championship Subdivision teams will be allowed to add a tenth full-time assistant beginning on January 9th.  Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham acknowledges the probability of adding Anderson to his staff.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State hired Washington offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith as its football coach.  The 38-year-old Smith is a former OSU quarterback, starting four years after walking on.  He was the MVP of the Fiesta Bowl when the Beavers topped Notre Dame to finish the 2000 season 11-and-1.  Oregon State finished last season 1-and-11 and departed ways with head coach Gary Anderson midway through the season.  Smith agreed to a five-year contract.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Trail Blazers will host the Bucks tonight at the Moda Center.  Portland won its last three to cap off a 4-and-1 trip.  Milwaukee beat the Blazers 113-110 on October 21st in Milwaukee with Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring a career-best 44 points for the Bucks.  Portland is 7-and-4 at home.  The Bucks are 5-and-5 on the road.

(Undated)  --  In college basketball, Oregon will host Boise State tomorrow night.  The Ducks are 5-and-2.  Boise State is 6-and-1.  Oregon State will return to the court on Saturday, hosting Loyola Marymount in Corvallis.  The Beavers are 3-and-3.   Portland State will play Portland Bible on Saturday.  The Vikings are 5-and-2.  Portland University will host Multnomah tonight at the Chiles Center.  The Pilots are 2-and-4.

(Eugene, OR)  --  Oregon is projected to play in the Cactus Bowl against a Big 12 opponent.  The game will be on December 26th at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The Ducks are 7-and-5.  The official bowl pairings will be announced on Sunday.

(New York, NY)  --  The Trail Blazers completed a 4-and-1 trip with a 103-91 victory over the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.  Damian Lillard scored 32 points for Portland.  Pat Connaughton contributed 17 points as the Blazers won their third straight.  Portland, which leads the Northwest Division with a 13-and-8 record, returns Thursday to the Moda Center to host the Bucks.
 

(Los Angeles, CA)  --  Former Oregon skipper Chip Kelly is returning to the college coaching ranks.  UCLA introduced Kelly yesterday as its 17th head football coach.  Kelly agreed to a five-year contract worth more than 23-million-dollars to take over at UCLA.  Kelly was head coach at Oregon for four years, guiding the Ducks to the national championship game following the 2011 season.

(Undated)  --  In college basketball, Oregon will host Boise State on Friday.  The Ducks are 5-and-2.  Oregon State will return to the court on Saturday, hosting Loyola Marymount in Corvallis.  The Beavers are 3-and-3.  Portland State will play Portland Bible on Saturday.  The Vikings are 5-and-2.  Portland University will host Multnomah on Thursday at the Chiles Center.  The Pilots are 2-and-4.

(Undated)  --  In college basketball action, Oregon lost 90-80 to Oklahoma in the PK80 Motion Bracket consolation final at Portland's Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  Paul White led the Ducks with a career-high 17 points.  Oregon went 1-and-2 in the tourney.  Portland State rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to beat Stanford 87-78 for seventh place in the 16-team PK80 Invitational at Memorial Coliseum.  Deontae North led the Vikings with 22 points.  The Vikings improved to 5-and-2.  The Portland Pilots dropped an 82-69 decision to DePaul in the seventh place game in the Victory Bracket at the PK80 Invitational at Memorial Coliseum.  The Pilots fell to 2-and-4.  Oregon State defeated Marist 65-46 in the Advocare Invitational in Orlando.  Tres Tinkle topped OSU scorers with 16 points. The Beavers improved to 3-and-3.

(New York, NY)  --  The Trail Blazers will close out their five-game trip tonight against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.  Portland defeated Washington 108-105 on Saturday and has won three of the first four on the trip.  The Blazers are 12-and-8.  The Knicks are 10-and-9, losing their last two.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Some sources have reported Cal offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin will be the next Oregon State football coach.  Head coach Gary Anderson and Oregon State parted ways in October.  The Beavers went 1-and-11 this year.

(Eugene, OR)  --  Oregon routed Oregon State 69-10 in the 2017 edition of the Civil War at Autzen Stadium.  It was the most one-sided margin in the Civil War history.  The Ducks wrapped up the season with a 7-and-5 record and 4-and-5 in the Pac-12.  The Beavers lost their last 10 games and are 1-and-11 overall and 0-and-9 in the conference.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State has fired all of its assistant football coaches after a 1-and-11 season.  The Beavers did retain interim coach Cory Hall, who was promoted after the school and head coach Gary Anderson parted ways after six games.

(Philadelphia, PA)  --  The Trail Blazers will play the Sixers tonight in Philadelphia.  Portland has won two straight after opening a five-game trip with a 100-92 victory on Monday in Memphis.  The Blazers are 10-and-7, while Philly is 9-and-7.

(Undated)  --  In local college hoops, Oregon, Oregon State, Portland State and Portland will all be in action on Thanksgiving.  The 4-and-0 Ducks take on UConn and the Pilots draw number-nine North Carolina at the "PK80-Phil Knight Invitational" at the Moda Center.  Portland State will play top-ranked Duke to open the PK80 Invitational motion bracket in an afternoon contest at Memorial Coliseum.  The Beavers will meet St John's at the Advocare Invitational in Orlando.

(Undated)  --  Oregon and Oregon State are both getting set for Saturday's 121st "Civil War" matchup in Eugene.  The Ducks will enter the game at 6-and-5.  The Beavers are 1-and-10 and 0-and-8 in Pac-12 play.  OSU running back Thomas Tyner played for the Ducks for two years before switching schools.

(Undated)  --  The defending Pac-12 baseball champion Beavers will start their 2018 season in Surprise, Arizona.  Oregon State will open with New Mexico on February 16th and will play Gonzaga the next day.  Oregon State will play their first six games in Surprise, the spring training home of the Royals and Rangers, before their first home game on March 2nd against Hartford.  OSU went 56-and-6 last year and set a Pac-12 record with 27 wins.

(Memphis, TN)  --  C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard led the way as the Blazers held off the Grizzlies 100-92 last night in Memphis.  McCollum finished with 24 points and eight rebounds while Lillard netted 21 with four assists and three boards.  Shabazz Napier pitched in with 16 points off the bench as Portland improved to 10-and-7.  The Blazers head to Philly to battle the Sixers tomorrow.

(Undated)  --  In local college hoops, Oregon, Oregon State, and Portland will all be in action on Thanksgiving.  The Ducks take on UConn and the Pilots draw number-nine North Carolina at the "PK80-Phil Knight Invitational" at the Moda Center.  The Beavers will meet Saint John's at the Advocare Invitational in Orlando.
 

(Eugene, OR)  --  The top-rated recruiting class in Oregon's basketball history is getting stronger.  The Ducks landed a commitment from five-star center Bol Bol.  The seven-foot-two, 225 pound center out of Findlay Prep in Nevada is a projected top-five pick in the 2019 NBA draft.  Oregon's class is the top-ranked in the country.   
 

(Undated)  --  Oregon and Oregon State are both getting set for this weekend's "Civil War" matchup.  The Ducks will enter the game at 6-and-5.  The Beavers are 1-and-10 and winless in Pac-12 play at 0-and-8.

(Memphis, TN)  --  The Blazers will meet the Grizzlies tonight in Memphis.  Portland is 9-and-7 after splitting a home-and-home weekend series with Sacramento. Tip-off at 5:00 p.m.

(Eugene, OR)  --  Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert threw for a touchdown and for 235 yards in a 48-28 victory over Arizona on Saturday at Autzen Stadium.  It was Herbert's first action since September 30th when he fractured his collarbone in a win over Cal.  The Ducks improved to 6-and-5 for the season and 2-and-5 in the Pac-12.  They will end the season hosting Oregon State.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State fell to Arizona State 40-24 on Saturday at Reser Stadium in its home finale.  The Beavers dropped to 1-and-10 overall and are winless in eight conference games.  Oregon State and Oregon close out the season Saturday in Eugene.

(Eugene, OR)  --  Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert will start tomorrow against Arizona at Autzen Stadium.  Herbert has not played since fracturing his collarbone on September 30th in a win over Cal.  The Ducks went 1-and-4 in Herbert's absence.  They are 5-and-5 overall and 2-and-5 in Pac-12 play.  The Wildcats have won five-of-six and are 7-and-3 and 5-and-2.

(Sacramento, CA)  --  The Blazers are on the road tonight at Sacramento after completing a 4-and-2 homestand.  Tipoff is 7 p.m.  The Kings have lost three straight and 10 of their last 12.  Portland defeated the Magic 99-94 on Wednesday.  The Trail Blazers are 2-and-2 on the road.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State will meet perennial powerhouse Ohio State on the road to start the 2018 football season.  It is the first time the two schools have met since 1984.  The Beavers will play Southern Utah and Nevada in its other non-conference games.  They will end the season at home on November 23rd against Oregon.
 

(Eugene, OR)  --  The Ducks will open their 2018 football season with four consecutive games at Autzen Stadium.  Oregon will play Bowling Green, Portland State and San Jose State in non-conference games to begin the season.  The Ducks' first Pac-12 game is September 22nd against Stanford.  UCLA will play in Eugene for the first since 2013 on November 3rd.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State hosts Arizona State tomorrow.  Kickoff is noon at Reser Stadium.  The Beavers are 1-and-9 overall and winless in seven conference games.  The Sun Devils are 5-and-5 and 4-and-3.  Oregon State and Oregon close out the season a week from Saturday in Eugene.

(Undated)  --  There is a full slate of local college hoops action over the weekend.  Oregon will host Alabama State tonight and Ball State on Sunday.  The Ducks have won their first two games.  Oregon State will host Long Beach State tomorrow.  Portland State is also in action tomorrow at UC-Irvine.  The Vikings are 2-and-0.  Portland hosts Oregon Tech on Sunday.   The Pilots are 1-and-1.

(Portland, OR) --  Portland State closes out the season at Eastern Washington.  The Vikings are one-of-three FCS schools without a win at 0-and-10.  Indiana State and VMI are the others.  The Vikings have lost 12 in-a-row since beating UC Davis on November 6th, 2016.  Eastern Washington is 6-and-4.

(Portland, OR)  --  Multiple reports state Timbers coach Caleb Porter is leaving the MLS team.  Porter compiled a 68-50-52 record in five years with Portland.  The Timbers won the Western Conference this year, but was ousted by Houston in the conference semifinals.  The Timbers are expected to formally announce Porter's departure today.
 

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State hosts Arizona State on Saturday.  The Beavers are 1-and-9 overall and winless in seven conference games.  The Sun Devils are 5-and-5 and 4-and-3.  Oregon State and Oregon close out the season a week from Saturday in Eugene.

(Eugene, OR)  --  The Ducks will look to become bowl eligible in their first season under Willie Taggart when they host Arizona on Saturday.  Oregon has gone 1-and-4 after beginning the season 4-and-1.  They are 5-and-5 overall and 2-and-5 in Pac-12 play.  The Wildcats have won five-of-six and are 7-and-3 and 5-and-2.

(Portland, OR)  --  Damian Lillard scored 26 points and seized 11 rebounds as the Trail Blazers beat the Magic 99-94 at the Moda Center.  CJ McCollum contributed 24 points, while Shabazz Napier had a season-high 19 points.  Portland went 4-and-2 on its homestand.  The Blazers will play the Kings tomorrow night in Sacramento.
 

(Undated)  --  There is a full slate of local college hoops action over the weekend.  Oregon will host Alabama State tomorrow night and Ball State on Sunday.  The Ducks have won their first two games.  Oregon State is 1-and-1 after a Tuesday loss to Wyoming.  The Beavers welcome Long Beach State on Saturday.  Portland State is also in action on Saturday at UC-Irvine.  The Vikings are 2-and-0.  Portland hosts Oregon Tech on Sunday.   The Pilots are 1-and-1.

(Portland, OR) --  Portland State closes out the season at Eastern Washington.  The Vikings are one-of-three FCS schools without a win at 0-and-10.  Indiana State and VMI are the others.  The Vikings have lost 12 in a row since beating UC Davis on November 6, 2016.  Eastern Washington is 6-and-4.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Blazers are back in action tonight as they welcome Orlando to the Moda Center.  Portland sits at 7-and-6, one-game behind Minnesota for first in the Northwest Division.  The Magic enter play at 8-and-6.

(Eugene, OR)  --  The Ducks will look to become bowl eligible in their first season under Willie Taggart when they host Arizona on Saturday.  Oregon has gone 1-and-4 following a 4-and-1 start to the season.  They are 5-and-5 overall and 2-and-5 in Pac-12 play.  The Wildcats have won five-of-six and are 7-and-3 and 5-and-2.

(Undated)  --  There is a full slate of local college hoops action over the weekend.  2-and-0 Oregon will host Alabama State on Friday and Ball State on Sunday.  Oregon State is 1-and-1 and welcomes Long Beach State on Saturday.  Portland State is also in action on Saturday at UC-Irvine and Portland hosts Oregon Tech on Sunday.  
 

(Portland, OR) --  Portland State closes out the season at Eastern Washington.  The Vikings are one-of-three FCS schools without a win at 0-and-10.  Indiana State and VMI are the others.  Eastern Washington is 6-and-4.
 

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State plays host to Arizona State on Saturday.  The Beavers are 1-and-9 overall and winless in seven conference games.  ASU is 5-and-5 and 4-and-3.  Oregon State and Oregon close out the season a week from Saturday in Eugene.

The college preseason continues and both the Ducks and Beaver men scored wins last night at home.

Oregon beat Prairie View A&M, 100-to-67 with 5 Duck players scoring in double-digits led by Troy Brown’s 17. Oregon dropped in 11 three-point baskets. The Ducks host Alabama State Friday night at 8.

The Beavers lost to Wyoming, 75-66. Tres (trace) Tinkle with 20 points and 14 rebounds in the loss. Oregon State hosts Long Beach State, coached by Dan Monson, Saturday night.

There should be quite a shakeup in today’s College Football Playoff Committee poll which is released this afternoon after two top-5 teams, Georgia and Notre Dame both lost over the weekend.

The Associated Press poll has Alabama at #1…Miami elevates 5 spots to number-2. And 1-loss Oklahoma and Clemson both are back in the top-4 at #3 and #4, respectively.

Undefeated Wisconsin is fifth…followed by Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma State. Elsewhere in the AP poll, USC is 12th, Washington State 15th….the Huskies 15th, and Stanford 20th.

The CFP Committee will select on December 3rd the Final-4 teams to vie for the National Semifinals.

In other college gridiron news…former Duck coach Chip Kelly and Oregon assistant coach Scott Frost are reportedly candidates for the vacant Florida Gator job.

Kelly is a commentator for Fox Sports, and Frost is head coach of undefeated Central Florida. Frost also is rumored to be Mike Riley’s replacement at Nebraska should Riley get the axe in the coming weeks.

The Civil War between the Ducks and Beavs is one week from Saturday, and kickoff was announced by the Pac-12 yesterday. It will be a 4pm start from Autzen Stadium. OSU snapped an 8-game win streak by Oregon in the series with a win last year.

It was all Carolina last night in the Bud Light Monday Night game as the Panthers and Cam Newton threw for 4 TD’s handing the Dolphins a 45-21 defeat, and the third straight loss for Miami. Thursday night, the Steelers host the Titans and Marcus Mariota.

The Blazers ended a 2-game slide beating Denver in Portland last night, 99-82.  Jusuf Nurkic and CJ McCollum each scored 17 points as the Trail Blazers beat the Nuggets 99-82 in Portland.  Damian Lillard contributed 15 points to the Portland victory.  The Blazers had lost their previous two games, both at the Moda Center. Portland shot a sizzling 52-percent from the floor to improve to 7-and-6. The Blazers close out the 6-game home town run hosting the Magic tomorrow night here on KBND.

 

(Portland, OR)  --  The Trail Blazers will host the Nets tonight at the Moda Center.  Tipoff is 7 p.m.  The Blazers lost on Tuesday to the Grizzlies 98-97 at home.  The Blazers have played five games decided by five points and or less and a sixth that went into overtime.  Portland is 6-and-5.  Brooklyn is 4-and-7.  The Nets will be playing their fourth game of a five-game trip.
 

(Undated)  --  The college basketball season starts tonight.  Oregon coming off a Final Four appearance will host Coppin State.  Oregon State, which had a 5-and-27 record last season, will open at home against Southern Utah.  Portland will host Portland State tomorrow at the Chiles Center.

(Eugene, OR)  --  The Ducks are unsure whether quarterback Justin Herbert will return a week from Saturday after being idle this week.  Oregon has lost four of five games since Herbert broke his collarbone.  The Ducks' next game is November 18th against Arizona.  Oregon is 5-and-5 overall and 2-and-5 in the Pac-12.

(Tucson, AZ)  --  Oregon State will seek its first Pac-12 victory tomorrow at Arizona.  The Wildcats have a high-octane offense, scoring 254 points in six conference games, but a porous defense, allowing 232 points.  The Beavers have scored a Pac-12 low 110 points in their six games.  Oregon State is 1-and-8 overall and 0-and-6 in the Pac-12.  Arizona is 6-and-3 and 4-and-2.

(Portland, OR) --  Portland State will host Weber State tomorrow in its final home game of the season.  The Vikings are 0-and-9 overall and 0-and-6 in the Big Sky after losing their last game at Cal Poly.  Weber State is 7-and-2 and 5-and-1 in the Big Sky.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Several sources have reported former LSU coach Les Miles is interested in the Oregon State vacancy.  The school parted ways with Gary Anderson last month.  Cory Hall is serving as the interim coach.  Miles compiled a 114-and-34 record in 12 years with LSU but was forced out after a 2-and-2 start in 2012.

(New York, NY)  --  The NBA upheld Carmelo Anthony's flagrant two-foul in the Thunder loss Sunday at Portland.  Anthony elbowed Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic in the face while driving for a shot in the third quarter.  After officials reviewed the play, his basket was overturned and Anthony was ejected.  The league rescinded the flagrant given to Russell Westbrook.  The NBA fined Oklahoma City coach Billy Donovan, Westbrook and Paul George for criticizing the officials after the call against Anthony.

(Eugene, OR)  --  The Ducks signed five-star small forward Louis King and four-star power forward Miles Norris to national letters on the first day of the early fall basketball signing date.  King is considered among the top 20 players in the country by recruiting services for the 2018 class.

(Eugene, OR)  --  The Ducks will have two weeks to prepare for the Arizona Wildcats.  Oregon is off this week before hosting the Wildcats on November 18th.  Oregon has lost four of its last five to fall to 5-and-5 overall and 2-and-5 in the Pac-12.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State will seek its first Pac-12 victory on Saturday at Arizona.  To accomplish that the Beavers must slow down Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate and a high-octane offense that is averaging 44 points a game.  Oregon State is 1-and-8 overall and 0-and-6 in the Pac-12.  Arizona is 6-and-3 and 4-and-2.

(Portland, OR) --  Portland State will host Weber State on Saturday in its final home game of the season.  The Vikings are 0-and-9 overall and 0-and-6 in the Big Sky after losing their last game at Cal Poly.
 

(Undated)  --  The college basketball season is just around the corner.  Oregon and Oregon State tip things off tomorrow night.  The Ducks coming off a Final Four appearance host Coppin State to Matthew Knight Arena.  The Beavers will entertain Southern Utah.  Portland will host Portland State on Saturday at the Chiles Center.

They’ve done it again…the Summit Storm girls soccer team will play for the OSAA prep State Championship once again after the 2nd ranked Storm blanked Crescent Valley in Bend yesterday in the semifinals, 2-zip.

The Lady Storm will face top-rated North Eugene in the Title match Saturday at 1pm at Hillsboro Stadium. That game will be broadcast live with streaming video on the OSAA/NFHS pay per view network. Fans can log online to O-S-A-A dot org to watch the Championship.

Summit is gunning for their 5th State crown since 2012. The Storm won consecutive Titles from 2012 through 2015 under head coach Jamie Brock.

Meantime…the run in the Playoffs for the Bend Boys soccer team came to an end yesterday as the Lava Bears were blanked 1-zip losing at Corvallis in the Semifinals. Corvallis meets Woodburn Saturday for the 5A Boys Title.

 

(Portland, OR)  --  Mike Conley came to life in the second half to help the Grizzlies beat the Trail Blazers, 98-97, at the Moda Center.  C.J. McCollum missed a jumper in the final moments that would have given Portland the win.  McCollum's 36-point effort went to waste as the Blazers had their two-game winning streak come to a close.

(Eugene, OR)  --  Senior linebacker AJ Hotchkins is leaving Oregon's football program with plans to play elsewhere as a graduate transfer.  Hotchkins suffered a leg injury in September and has not played since.  He plans to use 2017 as a medical redshirt would be eligible for the NCAA's medical hardship waiver.  Hotchkins would have one remaining year of eligibility.  The Ducks are on a bye this week.
 

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State will seek its first Pac-12 victory on Saturday at Arizona.  To accomplish that the Beavers must slow down Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate and a high-octane offense that is averaging 44 points a game.  Oregon State is 1-and-8 overall and 0-and-6 in the PAC-12.  Arizona is 6-and-3 and 4-and-2.
 

(Portland, OR) --  Portland State will host Weber State on Saturday in its final home game of the season.  The Vikings are 0-and-9 overall and 0-and-6 in the Big Sky after losing their last game at Cal Poly.

(Undated)  --  The college basketball season is just around the corner.  Oregon and Oregon State tip things off on Friday.  The Ducks welcome Coppin State to Matthew Knight Arena, while the Beavers will entertain Southern Utah.  Portland will host Portland State on Saturday at the Chiles Center.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Trail Blazers will try to win their third straight tonight when they host the Memphis Grizzlies.  Tip off is 7 p.m. at the Moda Center.  Damian Lillard scored 36 points and doled out 13 assists in Portland's 103-99 victory over Oklahoma City on Sunday.  Lillard has scored at least 32 points in four consecutive games.  The Grizzlies took two-of-three from the Blazers last season.

(Eugene, OR)  --  Five-star small forward Louis King and four-star power forward Miles Norris are expected to sign with Oregon tomorrow, the first day of the early basketball signing period for the 2018 class.  Coach Dana Altman guided the Ducks to a Final Four appearance last season in Glendale, Arizona.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State will seek its first PAC-12 victory on Saturday at Arizona.  To accomplish that the Beavers must slow down Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate and a high-octane offense that is averaging 44 points a game.  Oregon State is 1-and-8 overall and 0-and-6 in the PAC-12.  Arizona is 6-and-3 and 4-and-2.

(Eugene, OR)  --  The Ducks are off this week after losing last weekend 38-3 at 12th ranked Washington.  With the bye week, Oregon is hopeful starting quarterback Justin Herbert will return for a November 18th home game against Arizona.  Herbert has been out since suffering a broken collarbone on September 30 in a win over Cal.  Oregon has lost four of five without him.

(Undated)  --  The college basketball season is just around the corner.  Oregon and Oregon State tip things off on Friday.  The Ducks welcome Coppin State to Matthew Knight Arena, while the Beavers will entertain Southern Utah.  Portland and Portland State will meet on Saturday at the Chiles Center.
 

(Portland, OR) --  Portland State will host Weber State on Saturday in its final home game of the season.  The Vikings are 0-and-9 overall and 0-and-6 in the Big Sky after losing their last game at Cal Poly.
 

It’s playoff time under the Friday Night Lights as the OSAA State Football Championship playoffs kick off around the state and the top-ranked and undefeated Mt. View Cougars host Milwaukie in a first round game at Jack Harris Stadium.

The Cougars won the Intermountain Conference last week and are the favorite to claim the 5A Title as the school last did in 2011. Elsewhere, Bend is on the road and plays at 2nd ranked Wilsonville.

In the 3A classification, the La Pine Hawks host Rainier tonight at 7pm. It’s the first playoff game for the unbeaten Hawks since 2008.

Follow all the prep playoffs at OSAA.org

The State Volleyball Championship Tournaments begin today and in Hillsboro at Liberty High School the #1 ranked Summit Storm meet Hood River at 115 in a 5-A opening round game, and 3rd ranked Bend faces Dallas.

In Forest Grove, they hit the hardwood early this morning at 8am at the Class 4-A Tourney with Sisters and Crook County squaring off in a quarterfinal match. The winner moves on to this evenings state semifinals.

Ridgeview High School is hosting the 2A State Tourney where top-ranked and favorite Culver opens play also at 8am meeting Heppner.

You can follow all the High School State playoff brackets online at ‘O-S-A-A dot Org.

Back outdoors…the prep 5-A state soccer playoffs continue and 2nd ranked Summit girls host Corvallis at 1pm. Bend plays at Sandy and Ridgeview travels to Crescent Valley with both matches starting at 4pm.  On the boys side, Bend hosts Hermiston in a 2pm kickoff tomorrow, and Madras travels to Brookings.

You can follow all the High School State playoff brackets online at http://www.osaa.org/

(Portland, OR)  --  Damian Lillard swished a trey with seven-tenths of a second remaining to give the Trail Blazers a 113-110 victory over the Lakers at the Moda Center.  Lillard finished with a game-high 32 points.  Jusuf Nurkic [[ you-SOOF nur-KITCH ]] scored six of his season-high 28 points in the final three minutes.  The Blazers will host the Thunder on Sunday night.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State will play at Cal on Saturday.  Kickoff is 2 p.m. at Berkeley.  The Beavers are 1-and-7 overall and 0-and-5 in the Pac-12.  The Golden Bears are 4-and-5 and 1-and-5 in the conference, having lost five of their past six.

(Eugene, OR)  --  Oregon will play tomorrow at Washington, which is ranked 12th in the initial College Football Playoff rankings.  The Ducks began the season 4-and-1 before starting quarterback Justin Herbert broke his collarbone and they lost three straight.  Herbert has been practicing and might return tomorrow.  Oregon takes a 5-and-4 record and 2-and-4 in the PAC 12 into the game.  The Huskies are 7-and-1 and 4-and-1 in conference play.

(Salt Lake City, UT)  --  Trail Blazers starting power forward Al-Farouq Aminu is anticipated to miss two-to-three weeks with a right ankle sprain.  He suffered the injury on Wednesday in the overtime loss at Utah and was on crutches before the Lakers game.  If he is out for three weeks, he could miss 11 games.  Noah Vonleh replaced him in the starting lineup in the win over the Lakers and had two rebounds, one assist, two blocks, five fouls and no points in 15 minutes.

(Portland, OR)  --  The Timbers depth will be tested when they host the Houston Dynamo on Sunday in the second leg of the MLS Western Conference semifinals.  Three Portland players left the game Monday in the zero-zero tie in Houston.  Diego Chara broke a foot.  Darlington Nagbe went out with a calf injury.  Larrys Mabiala exited with a hip injury.  Plus Sebastian Blanco suffered second degree burns from spilling boiling water on himself in a cooking accident before the first playoff game.  While Chara is definitely out, the Timbers are monitoring the health and availability of the others.

(Undated)  --  The college basketball season is just around the corner.  Oregon and Oregon State tip things off on November 10th.  The Ducks welcome Coppin State to Matthew Knight Arena, while the Beavers play host to Southern Utah.  Portland and Portland State will meet on November 11th at the Chiles Center.

(Portland, OR)  --  Portland State will play at Cal Poly tomorrow in a battle of winless teams.  Both teams are 0-and-8 overall and 0-and-5 in Big Sky play.

The Bend Lava Bears boys soccer team advances to the OSAA State championship Playoff quarterfinals Saturday. Bend, in overtime, edges visiting Crescent Valley yesterday, 2-1, and will host Hermiston Saturday.

Meantime, Summit boys were eliminated in overtime losing, 3-2, at Parkrose.

5th ranked Madras boys blanked Hidden Valley of Grants Pass, 3-zip. Madras travels to Brookings Saturday for a 2nd round game.

The State Volleyball Championship Tournaments are set for tomorrow and Saturday with Summit, Bend, Sisters, Crook County and Culver all set for quarterfinal matchups in the morning.

(Salt Lake City, UT)  --  Trail Blazers power forward Al-Farouq Aminu [[ Al-Fah-Ruke Ah-ME-new ]] rolled his right ankle in the second quarter in the 112-103 overtime loss at Utah.  X-rays detected an ankle sprain.  He was wearing a walking boot as he exited the arena.  There is no timetable for his return, but it highly unlikely he would play tonight against the Lakers.

(Salt Lake City, UT)  --  The Blazers fell in overtime 112-103 to the Jazz at Salt Lake City.  Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 33 points, but his shot at the regulation buzzer was blocked.  Jusuf Nurkic scored a season-high 19 points for Portland.  The Blazers dropped to 4-and-4, losing three of their last four.  They will host the Lakers tonight.  Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. at the Moda Center.

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State will play at Cal on Saturday.  The Beavers are 1-and-7 overall and 0-and-5 in the Pac-12.  California is 4-and-5 and 1-and-5 in the conference.

(Eugene, OR)  --  Oregon starting quarterback Justin Herbert is taking some first repetitions in practices for the game Saturday at Washington.  Herbert has been out with a broken collarbone.  The Huskies are 7-and-1 and 4-and-1 in the PAC and ranked 12th in the initial College Football Playoff rankings.  The Ducks are 5-and-4 and 2-and-4 in the PAC-12.
 

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Rick Neuheisel acknowledged on the Bald Faced Truth radio show on 102.9 FM that he is interested in the Oregon State job.  Neuheisel had an 89-59 record at Colorado, Washington and UCLA.  He says he misses coaching.  He last coached in 2011 at UCLA.  Oregon State parted way with coach Gary Anderson last month.
 

(Portland, OR)  --  When the Dynamo meet the Timbers on Sunday in the second leg of the MLS Western Conference, Houston will probably be without starting goalie Tyler Deric.  He was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.  The league announced it has suspended Deric pending investigations by the league and the Houston police department.  He was the MLS player of the month for October.  Portland and Houston played to a nil-nil draw on Monday in the first game of the semifinals.

(Undated)  --  The college basketball season is just around the corner.  Oregon and Oregon State tip things off on November 10th.  The Ducks welcome Coppin State to Matthew Knight Arena, while the Beavers play host to Southern Utah.  Portland and Portland State will meet on November 11th at the Chiles Center.

From the High School soccer State Championships…all 3 Girl’s IMC class 5A teams advance to the Quarterfinals Saturday as yesterday, 2nd ranked Summit blanked Lebanon 3-zip.

Bend shutout Churchill by the same score, and Ridgeview gets past Marist, 2-to-1. This weekend, Summit will host Corvallis. The Lady Lava Bears travel to Sandy, and Ridgeview plays at Crescent Valley.

The Boys Soccer 1st round playoffs kick off today with Bend hosting Crescent Valley at 2pm at the 15th Street Fields, while Summit travels to northeast Portland to face Parkrose.  At 3 O’clock today in Madras, the White Buffs entertain Hidden Valley of Grants Pass.

The State Volleyball Championship Tournaments are set for Friday and Saturday with Summit, Bend, Sisters, Crook County and Culver all likely favorites to claim a blue Title trophy.

(Salt Lake City, UT)  --  The Blazers will be back on the court tonight when the visit the Jazz in Salt Lake City.  Portland and Utah are in a four-way tie atop the Northwest Division standings with upstart Minnesota and Oklahoma City at 4-and-3.  The Blazers have lost three of their last five.  The Jazz have won two-straight.  Tip off is set for 6:00 p.m.

(Undated)  --  The college basketball season is just about underway.  Oregon and Oregon State tip things off on November 10th.  The Ducks welcome Coppin State to Matthew Knight Arena while the Beavers play host to Southern Utah.  Portland and Portland State will battle on November 11th at the Chiles Center.
 

(Corvallis, OR)  --  Oregon State will play at Cal on Saturday.  The Beavers are 1-and-7 overall and 0-and-5 in the Pac-12.  California is 4-and-5 and 1-and-5 in the conference.

(Eugene, OR)  --  Oregon will be on the road this Saturday, playing at Washington.  The Huskies came in at number-12 in the first College Football Playoff rankings.  The Ducks are 5-and-4 and 2-and-4 in the PAC-12.  Washington is 7-and-1 and 4-and-1.