Tonight’s BCS National Championship game started with Texas quarterback Colt McCoy — the most aptly-named player in the nation for position and geography — injuring his throwing shoulder. A bummer for the ‘horns who are down 24-6 at the half. McCoy and one of his opponents, Heisman trophy winning running back Mark Ingram of Alabama, have been profiled on ESPN’s “Sport Science,” which gives us a detailed scientific take on sports. One segment compared Colt McCoy’s passing ability to the accuracy required by a trained skeet shooter. Watch another segment as...

Tonight’s “Civil War” game divides our state, workplaces … and families. Today I’m wearing orange. Lots of it. While Patterson Street in Eugene is named after my great-grandfather, I broke ranks with our family ties to the University of Oregon Ducks, becoming an Oregon State Beaver of all things. (As if you care. My mom did, however. She cried when two of her sons became Beavers and not Ducks. We have some humorous banter about it now.) Here’s what former Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington had to say in the Oregonian this morning: “The rivalry will never...

For this last home game —at The Swamp — Tim Tebow, the famous senior quarterback at the University of Florida donned his usual eye black, along with a new Scripture reference. This time it was Hebrews 12:1-2. It reads: 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right...

I’ll be rooting for Mizzu to totally wreck my bracket by beating Memphis in the Sweet 16, because of the compelling story of senior Matt Lawrence. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Perseverance pays off", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2009/03/25/perseverance-pays-off/" });

Pat Forde gives some perspective on the 16 teams remaining. Never before have the top 8 teams make it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament; this year the top 12 made it (seeds 1-3 in all four regions). I rarely get to watch games and have caught clips of a few online . SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "16 teams left", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2009/03/24/16-teams-left/" });

I am intrigued by the excellence and the well-spoken emphasis of self-forgetfulness modeled by the quarterbacks in this year’s college football national championship game. Florida QB Tim Tebow is an inspiration (and the Heisman trophy winner last year). Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford is the model of poise and consistency (and the Heisman trophy winner this year). The only players to win the Heisman as sophomores lead their teams, #2 and #1, respectively, in the nation. Tebow is both humble and outspoken about his faith in Jesus Christ. Routing for him and the Gators in the nat’l championship...

I am in two fantasy football leagues. Yeah, probably two too many (as Kari tells me). Team name: The Jackalopes (it’s a long story as to why that name, but the mascot is a hybrid of a jackrabbit and an antelope — thus, jackalope ). As for my two teams, in separate leagues: with one I’m 0-4, the other is 4-0. Last place and first place. Funny how that happens, through no real skill of my own. Wasn’t available to be there for the draft in person for either, but somehow the two teams are going the opposite directions. Deciding who I will play in the coming week gives me a good...

Tonight our beloved Oregon State Beavers were victorious over the vaunted #1 USC Trojans (27-21) . (Oregonian recap .) They are the "Giant Killers ." Go Beavs! (For us in Oregon, remember College Colors Friday ) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "The Beavers win!", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/09/25/the-beavers-win/" });

Josh Hamilton, All-Star centerfielder for the Texas Rangers tells his incredible testimony of a life thrown away only to have Christ redeem him. If you are a sports fan, then you want to get to know Josh Hamilton and our Savior Jesus who rescued him. If you are a fan of God’s redemptive work in and through restored lives, then this story is for you. Actually, if you are breathing … read this story . (The story ran July 5, 2007. I first read it last Summer in ESPN The Magazine and am stoked to follow Josh’s comeback all the way to the big leagues and testimony for Jesus the Christ.) The...

"All of us get completely covered, from head to toe to teeth, in the dust of the cradle of civilization." - First Lieutenant Ted Janis, platoon leader of 3rd Platoon, Angel Company, 3rd Battalion, 187 Infantry Regiment of 3rd Brigade Rakkasans, 101st Airborne Division One of the best sports stories I’ve ever read: Infantry Hoops In Iraq Remember our troops and happy Memorial Day SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Hoops in the cradle of civilization", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/05/26/hoops-in-the-cradle-of-civilization/" });