It would be easy to say Copeland Bryan ruined the Oregon season, but not truthful.
Bryan, an Arizona senior defensive end, sacked Oregon quarterback Kellen Clemens when he was knocked from Saturday’s game with an ankle injury that will most likely end his playing career at Oregon. Bryan was also involved in the tackle that forced reserve Dennis Dixon from the game with a concussion on the ensuing possession.
He took out our first- and second-string quarterbacks! Not exactly.
The season isn’t over and Bryan isn’t the player to blame if Oregon doesn’t finish with 10 or 11 wins. Whether the Ducks will make it to a lucrative bowl game is up to the current players.
All season long each Duck has said that this team picks each other up. That has been proved by the Oregon offense, which averaged 40 points per game in the three prior to Arizona after a league-opening loss to top-ranked USC. And recently, the defense proved itself Saturday at Arizona. With a third-string quarterback leading the sputtering offense, the defense forced two turnovers, scoring on one, and allowed only 51 yards in the fourth quarter.
Now is the perfect time to see whether what they said is true or if it is just sports jargon.
Should the Ducks play each game one at a time (another sports version of a politically correct thing to say), they could find themselves 10-1, ranked in the top 10 and headed to the Bowl Championship Series. It isn’t too far out there to believe that, and that is exactly what new starting quarterback Dennis Dixon and the rest of the flock need to buy into if there is a chance.
The bye week couldn’t come at a better time, allowing Dixon two weeks to not only shake off his concussion, but to get first-string reps in practice. All the nuts and bolts should be figured out and bruises healed before Oregon’s next game, at home against No. 24 California.
Autzen Stadium will be full of Oregon fans salivating at a chance of revenge for last season’s more-than-disappointing loss to the Bears. If Dixon can establish the passing game early, with several completions in the first couple of drives, Oregon can feel comfortable with him running the offense and help his confidence level.
A win over Cal would be huge in the battle of confidence and that is exactly what Oregon will need as they travel to a probably-snowy Pullman, Wash., to play Washington State. The Cougars have proved they can not only score points, but can take any team to the wire; and Pullman is always a dangerous place to play. However, should Dixon establish himself early, the confidence level should lead to an Oregon victory.
To close out the season is hated rival Oregon State at home. It will be an ugly game, but one the Ducks can win if they pick each other up and play with confidence and poise.
It has been a common theme this season, and now is the time for it to be reality for Oregon: When your teammate is down, pick him up.

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