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Aleman eager to lend hand in bowl Ashlander dogged by injuries this year By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN It's been a season of injuries and disappointments for University of Oregon receiver Cy Aleman. But Aleman, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound redshirt freshman from Ashland High, is healthy again and brimming with hope that he will get a chance to play for the Ducks in their Dec. 31 Sun Bowl game against Minnesota in El Paso, Texas. "It's been a real hard year for me because of injuries," says Aleman, 19, who played in two games -- against Nevada and Washington State -- but did not catch a pass. "When you're injured and it seems like nobody cares about you out on the practice field, it's hard," says Aleman. "I let it get to me." But the good news for Aleman is that he's Sun Bowl-bound with his Oregon teammates. The Ducks begin practice sessions for the bowl game Friday in Eugene. "My position coach (Chris Petersen) told me to start practicing like I can," says Aleman. "I'm going out there to show the coaches what I can do." Petersen says he wants to see that in Sun Bowl workouts, starting Friday. "When Cy came here as a freshman last year, he looked really good and he had a chance to play for us right away," says Petersen. "When you see some of the things a kid can do like he did, you look for improvement and then you try to project how good he can be. "Cy didn't focus or dedicate himself like he needed to after that. He got hurt and then it seemed like he got the freshman blues." "But he has a lot of potential and ability," says Petersen. "He runs good routes as a receiver. He runs precise routes with great speed for a big guy." Aleman says the freshman blues disappeared when his health reemerged. He suffered a pulled hamstring muscle on opening day of fall camp last August. "I couldn't run hard for a month," says Aleman. "That was very disappointing. By the time I got back, I was at the bottom of the barrel (depth chart). "I had to try to battle back into the mix. It's not easy to do that here with the receivers we have." Then the injury bug bit again. He suffered a sprained knee that took him out of practice for several weeks. Aleman says his mental mettle has been tested. "I was depressed a lot," he says. "I had some long talks with my mom on the phone. She told me I have to be patient and keep my head up. She said I have to think good thoughts and then good things will follow. "That's what I'm doing." Now that he's back it in the fold, Aleman needs to utilize his unique assets, says Petersen, referring to the receiver's size and speed. "He needs to be the guy who can go up and catch a pass over a defensive back," says the coach. "He needs to be a tough guy in going for the ball. We believe Cy can do that." When Aleman, a former Southern Oregon Conference sprint champion in track, is at full speed, he's nearly as fast as most of Oregon's outside receivers. That group includes Tony Hartley, Marshaun Tucker, Sonny Cook and Kenon Howry. All of them are in the 4.45-second range for 40 yards, says Aleman, who comes in at 4.5. "It will be nice to have (Ray) Brust and Aleman working out with us and available," says Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti. "They add to our depth and talent available for the bowl game." Brust, a junior, is another 6-3 wide receiver who has been injured. Aleman says he's looking forward to a second chance to prove to the Oregon coaches that he can play. "The bowl game is like a separate season," he says. "I feel I need to get out there and prove I can play here. I couldn't blame the coaches if they are doubting me a little." After traveling with the Ducks to the Aloha Bowl last year as true freshman, Aleman looks forward to the trip to El Paso. "I've heard they do a real good job there for the players," says Aleman. "The players will all get Texas cowboy boots there. I need a pair." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.