Thursday, December 25, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

JOE HAWK: Local star eclipses game's outcome

Steven Jackson demonstrated Wednesday night why he'll be making mountains of Andrew Jacksons next fall.

The Oregon State tailback and former Eldorado High School standout has hands of gold and legs of platinum -- coordinated by a will of iron and emboldened by nerves of steel.

As the New Mexico Lobos all-too-painfully learned.

On an overcast but mild Christmas Eve at Sam Boyd Stadium, Jackson provided a running, churning, cutting, stretching-and-catching videotape of talent for drooling NFL general managers as the Beavers rolled to a 55-14 Las Vegas Bowl victory.

Jackson rushed for 149 yards and four touchdowns. He hauled in five passes for 51 yards and an NCAA bowl-record-tying fifth score. He grinned on cue for the ESPN cameras.

In what was a holiday homecoming for the 6-foot-3-inch, 233-pound junior, Jackson provided his own ghosts of Christmas past, present and future -- recalling his glorious prep career with the Sundevils, playing quite likely his best collegiate game in front of enthusiastic family and friends and, finally, making an announcement that left the game outcome pale by comparison.

His voice strong and sure, his parents, Brenda and Steve, at his side for support, Jackson declared he will be leaving Oregon State for the NFL next season.

Goodbye, Corvallis. Hello, Dallas?

No one knows where this tank of a running back will end up, other than he almost certainly will be a first-round selection next April. He only improved his image Wednesday night with a performance that fully showcased his capabilities.

Jackson demonstrated he can run over opponents, around opponents and twist off opponents even when it appears he is wrapped up. His huge hands hold firmly onto the ball, whether it's on a muscling, bruising run off-tackle or taking a screen pass from his quarterback and powering up-field. He hits his hole hard and comes through with a blazing burst of speed for a big man.

Now, coach Mike Riley's dream player at Oregon State soon will be some GM's dream draft choice.

Jackson went back and forth on his career decision over recent days and didn't make up his mind until Tuesday night. The first person he told was his coach, following the game, and then he told his teammates.

His parents didn't find out until a few minutes later when he leaned forward on the postgame dais and intoned, "I really felt that I've accomplished a lot at the university level and I am passing the torch on to the other running backs. I am announcing that I am entering the NFL Draft."

Steve Sr. leaned back in his chair, with a proud-papa grin. Brenda simply glowed.

"I'm glad he didn't talk to me about it because I wouldn't have known what to say," Brenda said.

It was only appropriate that Jackson would make his announcement following a record-tying bowl game performance in his hometown.

"I wanted to do it back home, in front of my mom and dad, 'cause they had no idea of my decision. I really kept them on their toes," Jackson said, grinning like the Cheshire cat. "My mom asked me (Tuesday night), `Baby, what you doin?' I said, `You'll find out when the rest of the world finds out.' So, I really kept everyone on their toes. I didn't want to overwhelm them, either, because it was difficult for me."

Steve Sr. pointed out that Steven, the youngest of the couple's four children, was to be the first to graduate from college. While having Steven finish his education is important, "What they're offering the kids nowadays, he has to do whatever is best for him," Steve Sr. said. "I wouldn't want him to have to struggle and work 30-some years like I have when he could have a chance to make millions of dollars."

Still, papa is confident embarking on an NFL career won't deter Steven from earning his degree in housing studies. Post-NFL career, Jackson would like to become an architect.

Appropriate, you might say.

The way his football career has gone -- from solid prep player to outstanding college player to the potential for great success at the game's highest level -- Steven Jackson already has his first blueprint drawn.

Joe Hawk's column is published Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. He can be reached at 387-2912 or jhawk@reviewjournal.com.