Oregon delivered the knockout blow to Arizona, but the Wildcats gave themselves a black eye Saturday night when a bottle thrown by someone in the crowd sent Ducks cheerleader Katelynn Johnson to the hospital in the chaotic aftermath of Oregon's 44-41 double-overtime win.
According to OregonLive.com, Johnson, a junior, was struck in the head by a water bottle thrown from the stands and was taken to an area hospital after collapsing on the field shortly thereafter. Johnson was treated for a concussion and an Oregon spokesman said she returned to Eugene on Sunday.
The incident came on the heels of a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the Wildcats. Students from the "Zona Zoo" had gathered around the field in the final minutes of regulation, expecting to storm the field when Arizona won. But Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli hit Ed Dickson with six seconds left for the game-tying touchdown. Two overtimes later, Masoli ran in a one-yard score to stun the host Wildcats and the students dispersed.
The loss made a Rose Bowl berth unlikely for the Wildcats, the only Pac-10 team that hasn't played in the New Year's Bowl.
It also unleashed a rain of objects upon the Ducks, according to Oregon associate athletic director Joe Giansante, who said the projectiles did not come from the Wildcat student section.
"As the team was coming in, they were getting bombarded with water bottles, batteries, and various other items coming out of the stands," Giansante told OregonLive.com. "We were yelling at everybody to keep their heads up, but one got through and hit Katelynn in the head. All the kids [on the cheerleading team] are scared, but hopefully she'll be OK."
For a team rarely in the national spotlight, the incident will become something of a black mark on what was otherwise a showcase night for Arizona.
"That's just unacceptable behavior from fans, whether it was an Arizona fan or any fan across the nation," Masoli said.
Arizona head coach Mike Stoops, who described the incident as "disturbing" at his weekly campus news conference, called Oregon athletic director Mike Bellotti to express his concern.
According to a KEZI.com report, Arizona police are reviewing tapes and conducting a full investigation to try and find the fans who threw bottles onto the field.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Comments (Page 1 of 10)
Too bad human garbage has to throw crap from the stands. Just like the waste products who set fire to cars after a victory....hope the girl is OK..
I AM LOSING FAITH IN HUMAN KIND EVERY DAY! IT'S GOOD TO BE PASSIONATE ABOUT SOMETHING BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
What scumbags....and I wish I could say it was an isolated incident involving one moron, but unfortunately it wasn't just one. The scariest part of this story was the "batteries" part. That means that these people came armed with items they intended to throw at one point. What kind of sick f*** takes batteries to a game to whip at people's heads?
I'm very relieved to hear the girl will be okay, but one never knows the kind of hidden damage a head injury can have over the long term.
*Note to the "Zona Zooheads"..... Next time, if you're going to throw batteries and water bottles, throw them at your own team....you know, the ones who BLEW the game!
I watched the Zapruder film of the incident last night. At mark 7:02 you can clearly see a hurled object coming from the direction of the grassy knoll!
Yes I hope so too: these Kids are out of control on levels and it does not matter what color or creed low-life to do something like that and i know you where with your friends so let people kmow who did this. CAN be your sister cousin aunt family friend .Zona Zoo that was F'uped ..
I hope they prosecute everyone that threw so much as a french fry. These people should all be banned from ANY sports gathering (pro, college and school/rec center) and any students should be expelled. A poor girl in the hospital because you're a sore LOSER...
To PatsOwnNFC, I wouldn't say the people throwing batteries all brought them in just to throw. Many people have portable radios or the little TV's, etc... that they take into games. But I'm sure some of the scumbags did bring some just to throw, like the NYers that brought them to throw at the Braves pitcher a few years ago. Sorry scum, anyone that would even think of it.
No need to refer to "people" in such a boorish way. Go take some medication.
After reading this article WVU doesn't deserve to be the #1 school with the rudest fans.
WHAT are you talking about? It was Arizona vs Oregon..when the young lady was hit. Where did WVU come from? OHIO STATE WILL GO TO THE ROSE BOWL.. who will win to play them?
Hope the young lady will be ok.
He/she meant that WVU fans are amongst the rudest and meanest in the country. Burning couches, throwing batteries, refusing to sell anything to other teams fans. I remember once on a cold, snowy game that stores refused to sell Miami FL heaters. It doesn't even scratch the surface of how mean these fans are. Hope I provided a bit of insight.
The saddest part about the WVU situation is that they can be very good when they wish as in the empathy they showed to U Conn this season and the support they showed for Marshall back in 70'. they know better, just need to step up and show leadership in how to show GOOD sportsmanship.
We Are, Marshall.
Yeah, they probably still do, if you've ever been to a game there
I hope and pray she will be ok. And they find the idiots who were throwing stuff onto the field. That is totally uncalled for, you lost a game get over it. Don't endanger lives for it.
i'd love to see her after full recovery bring this punck to time sguare and set a ring and watch her beat the heck on national tv. You little man are a punk
What? Your comment doesn't make much sense. Thank goodness she's okeh! This mars a great game; too bad.
define OK. I know someone that was hit by a dogeball in elementary school and she was NEVER 100% she looked like she recovered but still there was lasting mental impairment after the incident. Maybe yes maybe no but you might not be able to tell by looking.
Really classy, Arizona. I went to the U of O, and although our fans get loud, we never get violent. Oh yeah, and thanks students from climbing down onto the field to get ready for your celebration. Because that little act fired up the offense and ruined your chances at the Rose Bowl. And how do you handle defeat? Throwing a water bottle at a woman. Wow. I'm even more pleased we shoved it down your throats last night night. Enjoy the Sun Bowl. I hear El Paso is great in late December.
Ummmmmm, El Paso IS nice in dec, they just got a vacation.
Hey, don't blame all of Arizona for one idiot's actions. Most of us are embarrassed by that birdbrains behavior. There is one in every crowd.
The Pac-10 should penalize Arizona for this for instance not allowing them to participate in any bowl game this year!