Oregon Ducks legend Joey Harrington recaps the 2001 win over Wisconsin Badgers

In this week’s episode of Return the herdformer Oregon ducks consensus All-American Safety Verone McKinley III spoke with former Ducks football legend quarterback Joey Harrington. Forward with the ducks Big Ten Showdown against Wisconsin in the famous Camp Randall StadiumHarrington summarized his career, specifically describing a thrilling victory over Wisconsin in September 2001.

The Ducks defeated the Badgers 31-28 at Autzen Stadium, and Harrington led one of his patented comeback drives in the fourth quarter to win the game. Harrington threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns.

Harrington’s career as a Duck remains one of the most renowned in program history. Before we get into career stats and accolades, the biggest achievement we want to highlight is the fact that Harrington, along with his teammates, were winners. During his three-year tenure as a starter for Oregon, Joey Harrington has an overall record of 25-3, including two bowl victories over the Texas Longhorns and Colorado Buffaloes.

Harrington’s career numbers were impressive, especially considering the time frame. The early 2000s were a very different landscape than today. Six thousand nine hundred eleven passing yards, 59 passing touchdowns, and 18 rushing touchdowns are still among the elite in Ducks history. During his senior season, Harrington finished as a Hesiman finalist, finishing fourth in the voting.

Throughout his career, Harrington has received high praise. He was named a First Team All-American, Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, Sporting News Second Team All-American, First Team All-Pac10, Second Team All-Pac10 and 2002 Fiesta Bowl Offensive Player of the Game. Perhaps his most significant honor was his induction into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.

Harrington became the third overall pick of the 2002 NFL Draft for the Detroit Lions. After a seven-year career in which he played for the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, Harrington retired from professional football. Harrington threw for over fourteen thousand passing yards and seventy-nine passing touchdowns in this National Football League career.

The Nike billboard in Times Square to advertise and promote Harrington’s campaign was as innovative as anything that could happen in the modern era of football. It is still considered perhaps the biggest marketing move by a college football program ever. Last season, Oregon recreated the theme, this time for Heisman finalist quarterback Bo Nix. Harrington’s impact is still felt. Since his retirement, he has been involved in broadcasting and various philanthropic efforts.

Here’s episode seven of Turn Back The Flock with Harringon and McKinley.