Oh what a year it could have been.
When the Ducks were 4-0 and ranked No. 11 nationally in late September, few would have predicted that Oregon would finish the season unranked and reeling from a three-game losing streak.
The Ducks’ late-season woes resulted in a fourth-place finish in the Pacific-10 Conference. Despite its end-of-season collapse, Oregon’s 7-5 overall record was enough to secure a bid to the Las Vegas Bowl in what will be Oregon’s 10th bowl game in 12 seasons under head coach Mike Bellotti.
The Ducks’ Dec. 21 matchup against BYU will mark Oregon’s first appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl since 1997, when wide receiver Pat Johnson (169 yards) led the Ducks to a 41-13 victory over Air Force.
Quarterback controversy
Junior quarterback Dennis Dixon made 11 starts for the Ducks this season and looked like a competent offensive leader through the first six games.
But Dixon’s problems began in the Ducks’ 34-23 defeat at Washington State at Pullman on Oct. 21. Dixon threw two interceptions and was replaced by Brady Leaf in the fourth quarter.
From that point on, Dixon appeared to unravel. Over the next four games, Dixon threw six interceptions and managed only a single touchdown.
Leaf began to see more playing time.
In the Ducks’ 35-10 defeat to USC, Dixon went 15-of-23 for 130 yards and one interception. Leaf replaced him and finished the game 14-of-23 with 123 yards and one touchdown.
The following week, Dixon got the start again, but threw three interceptions and went 14-of-22 for 88 yards in the Ducks’ 37-10 Senior Day loss to Arizona.
Dixon’s poor performance compelled Bellotti to give Leaf the start in the Ducks’ final regular season game against Oregon State.
Leaf responded by completing 25 of 42 pass attempts for 274 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and almost managed to lead the Ducks to victory against their in-state rivals.
His solid play sparked buzz about a quarterback controversy. But Bellotti is playing his cards close to his chest and has not named a starter for the Las Vegas Bowl yet, though he said if there was a game today, Leaf would start.
He said the competition is again open and the position will be evaluated throughout the bowl practices.
To date, Dixon has completed 187 of 302 pass attempts this season for 2021 yards, and 11 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. Leaf is 80-of-141 with 873 passing yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.
Back on Defense
Linebacker Blair Phillips suffered a sprained knee in the Ducks loss to the Beavers in the Civil War, but is expected to be back in the lineup for the Bowl game.
“I’ll be fine,” Phillips said. “It’s a two to four week thing.”
Phillips was named the team’s Most Outstanding Player this season.
The senior finished the season with 98 total tackles, two sacks, and one interception.
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