Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008

Oregon quarterback Nathan Costa is down, but don't count him out

Former Hilmar star determined to help Ducks any way he can

So this is what it must feel like to be a linebacker, to spy the big hit and then … grab nothing but air.

Chasing former Hilmar High star Nathan Costa around a football field was never easy. Ask Ripon and Escalon. But these days, he's proven to be just as elusive outside the lines.

I tried to get Costa, The Bee's Player of the Year in 2005, on the horn for about a week. Finally, following multiple phone calls and messages that turned into desperate pleas, I got this on Sunday afternoon:

"I'm not supposed to be talking to you. I know you're local, but I'm not allowed to say anything about anything right now," said Costa, now a redshirt sophomore quarterback at Oregon. "Sorry, man."

So the media blackout continued in Eugene, where the Ducks remained tight-lipped throughout the weekend about Costa and his tricky knee.

Then came Monday — the day of truth and full disclosure.

It must have felt like Groundhog Day for Costa, whose football career has been a series of major knee injuries.

Doctors discovered that Costa, who was on track to start this Saturday's season opener against Washington, suffered cartilage damage in his left knee and would need surgery. Again.

He was ruled out for the season on Thursday following surgery, which basically means Costa will spend the next year waiting and rehabilitating.

No pads or the end zone.

"There's going to be something good to come of it; there always is," Costa told The (Portland) Oregonian on Monday. "Maybe I'm going to coach somebody up on the sidelines and they make a big play.

"Or maybe I'm going to tell (new starting quarterback Justin Roper) about a coverage that I saw and he'll throw a touchdown pass. Something good is going to come out of it, and that's what I'm waiting for."

Cornered again Tuesday morning, Costa talked about the injury, another bout of physical therapy and keeping the football dream alive:

Q: How devastating was the news?

A: I wouldn't describe it as devastating. It was tough to hear, sure, but I've heard it all before. I know I can come back from this. I've just got to restart the whole process again, which is going to be tough. But I wouldn't call it devastating.

Q: When you injured your knee, did you think it would ultimately cost you another season?

A: Yeah, I knew it was pretty bad.

Q: How did it happen?

A: I was running, actually. I escaped the pocket and was running upfield for about a 10-yard gain. I went to decelerate and cut back in the middle on a defender, and it twisted on me. It popped a little bit.

Q: Three serious knee injuries in five years. Ever thought about giving up the dream and saving what's left of that left knee?

A: I'm determined as ever to come back from this. I've never once thought about giving up or any of that kind of stuff. The doc stressed it — told me this is my third time and to think about my knees when I'm 40 or 50 years old — but I want to play football. In my mind, there's no giving it up.

Q: At any point in the last few days — or for that matter, your career — have you thought, why me?

A: I've accepted it. I have bad luck with my knees. It's something to laugh about now. I've tried to keep my sense of humor through all of this with everyone — the media up here, my roommates. I can't let negative thoughts in my mind. I've seen what they can do to people. It's something I'm not going to let happen to me.

Q: Last week, you were at the front of a quarterback competition. Now, because of this injury, you're the odd man out. Talk about the role you'll play with this season's team.

A: I'll be there on Saturday with my headset on, giving hand signals. I'll be there every Saturday if they feel that I'll be valuable on the sideline. We got a bunch of young quarterbacks behind Rope, and I believe that I can be one of the guys to help them. Hopefully, I can still make a difference.

Q: What has the reaction been like back at home?

A: People in Hilmar are upset, like me. They feel sorry for me. They can't believe this has happened to me again, but you can't think that way. The people in Hilmar are great. They've supported me all my life. That's my town. That's where I'm from. They'll always be there for me.

Q: In light of the recent news, what's the atmosphere like in the locker room right now? How are the guys handling it?

A: At this point, everyone's really excited. We're tired of seeing the same 11 dudes across the ball. We're eager to see 11 ugly faces wearing purple.

Q: Wow. So if I'm hearing you right, you're saying the Washington Huskies wouldn't stand a chance in a beauty contest or a football game?

A: Believe it or not, our fans have more hatred for the Huskies than Oregon State. The Huskies are more of a consistent team. They're good every year. They've won a national championship, and they've consistently put more players in the NFL. Our fans describe it as arrogance. (Washington fans) have an arrogant walk, arrogant talk about them.

Eventually, hopefully … Costa will be healthy enough to play football and make an impact against the Washingtons of the world.

It's a cliché, but … maybe next year.