Kelly Faces Pac-12 Media

Universal City -- Oregon's Chip Kelly was the last coach on the podium during the Pac-12 Media Day on Tuesday. Kelly was asked a number of questions including his impressions of the penalties handed down to Penn State on Monday.

Chip Kelly responded to the question about the sanctions given to Penn State in the wake of the revelations released in the Freeh Report indicating Penn State officials including the last head coach Joe Paterno turned a blind eye to the activities of Jerry Sandusky in order to protect the reputation of Penn State and the Penn State football team.

Sandusky the former Penn State coach who was convicted of several counts child molestation in June and a report written by Judge Louis Freeh. On Monday, the NCAA announced unprecedented punishments against Penn State.

Oregon has been under investigation by the NCAA because of possible recruiting violations involving a Houston, Texas man, Will Lyles. Kelly responded to the question by saying that, "I think about the kids involved," and further went onto to say that "protecting the youth of the country should be first and foremost."

Football wise, Kelly spoke of the momentum heading into the season following a "great victory" in the Rose Bowl over Wisconsin in the 98th Rose Bowl.

Seniors Kenjon Barner and Michael Clay accompanied their coach to the front stage at the Gibson Amphitheater. Kelly mentioned that this year's version of the Ducks had only 16 seniors and both Barner and Clay will play as graduated seniors, having already earned their degrees.

One questioner asked Kelly just how good can sophomore sensation De'Anthony Thomas get, and Kelly nearly became giddy saying that Thomas "just makes you want to go WOW."

With All-American running back LaMihael James departed for the NFL, Kelly was asked about filling that role and Kelly indicated that "having Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas let's you sleep better at night."

Whenever Oregon has a national media stage the question of uniforms comes up and today was no exception. This time Barner was asked about the uniforms and he smiled in his response by saying "who knows what to expect, it's Oregon."

Clay was asked about the Duck defense going up against teams in a league known for speed. The senior linebacker calmly pointed out that the Duck defense faces the fastest offense in the country -- the Oregon offense in practice.

One final question asked Kelly was whether Barner would be able to hold up with the number of carries that James had occasionally taken while at Oregon and Kelly responded his coaching staff did not want its running backs to ever have to carry the ball that many times and that the carries would be spread among Barner, Thomas and possible an incoming freshman.