(Editor's note: Oregon running back Reuben Droughns will share a weekly diary with ESPN.com throughout the season. For more information on the Ducks, visit the official Oregon site.)

Oct. 27, 1999

Before last week, some were worried we might be a little rusty, but we were able to have good practices throughout the bye week, and that helped us a lot in our preparation. The break allowed us to recover from some injuries for several guys. We were also able to establish a great defensive stance against an explosive Arizona defense, and work out an offensive game plan.

	THE FULL DOSE OF DIARIES
	Georgia Tech's Joe Hamilton: Controlling your own destiny
	UCLA's Danny Farmer: Another tough loss
	Miami's André King: Bring on West Virginia
	Ole Miss' Tode Wade: Date in Death Valley
	Oregon State's Ken Simonton: Running down a dream

I was ready to go from the start, and was glad that I could establish myself early. I was definitely excited at the beginning of the game, as I usually am. I also try to be focused going into the game on always being warmed up and ready. We knew their defense as a whole was aggressive, so we needed to be even more ready and play the role of aggressor as much as possible.

It was a crazy game, and I was able to keep my focus pretty well throughout. At the same time it was a little funny because off the field I was also thinking about my little girl, who was in the stands. She's only 1 and had been at UCLA the week before, but normally she doesn't get to come to my games. She's an important part of my future, and it was nice having her there.

By the time we got to the fourth quarter, I did start to get a little tired. But then suddenly I had a burst of energy. Anything you get into a fourth-quarter situation like that makes it especially exciting for any player. Some people asked if I like to be the one that gets the ball and carries the team. It's not that way to me. There are a lot of guys willing to step up and make big plays, and that's great. When one guy does that, it usually takes everybody a step up. I can only run the ball, and there are 10 other guys out there, nine blocking down field. It takes them to do their job even more so.

This weekend, both teams (Oregon and Arizona State) are on a little bit of a roll. We have to know our assignments, eliminate mistakes and play aggressively. Some have asked if I want to rack up more stats than the Sun Devils' great running back, J.R. Redmond. There's no competition between us. I don't either of us thinks about that as a competition to see who's better. I just want to go out and contribute to our success.

It will be nice that we finally get to come home. It will be a great feeling to be back on our own turf. Compared to being on the road, you can tell everyone loves to play at Autzen Stadium. We all feel very comfortable to be back here, but energized, too.