It’s the spring game with a twist.
Saturday’s contest — set to start at 1 p.m. — is getting a bit of a makeover. Out is the traditional format of the top offensive and defensive units taking on the rest. No, this one’s going to be competitive. This is going to be offense versus defense.
This year, the Ducks will be playing on a point system, where each unit can earn points by successfully completing a certain play. For instance, if the offense can get off to a quick start and run for more than 20 yards on a single play, it will take a two-point lead.
“We sort of took it from a couple different magazine suggestions and then sort of adjusted a couple,” head coach Mike Bellotti said. “We feel like it’s good. It’s very competitive.”
If the Duck defense is able to pick off one of Oregon’s four quarterbacks, the group will earn four points. If it can return that interception all the way to the end zone, tack on another six.
On the flip side, a field goal will earn the offense a traditional three points, while a successful two-point play is still two points.
There’s more to the system, but for the players, the opportunity to go against the other team’s best is the real opportunity.
“We want to see the best against the best,” cornerback Steven Moore said. “We’re going to see a lot of that. We’re going to keep up
the intensity.”
However, some of Oregon’s best won’t be the on the field, and for some of those that are, they won’t be on the gridiron for long.
Bellotti said at Thursday’s practice that wide receivers Keith Allen and Kellen Taylor will both be held out of the game. Allen is questionable with a strained hamstring while Taylor did not meet the requirements of his winter workout program.
The Ducks will also be without running back Kenny Washington, who suffered an injured shoulder in the team’s first scrimmage of
the spring.
Bellotti said an additional few players could be kept out as well because of academics, but that he would talk to team counselors before making that decision.
Linebacker Kevin Mitchell and fullback Matt Floberg are both expected to see action on the field. Mitchell practiced for the first time last week after sitting out because of arthroscopic knee surgery. Floberg returned earlier this week after tearing his rotator cuffs in both shoulders.

Neither truly knows how much time he will see in the game.
“I’m just going to look to get back into the groove,” Floberg said. “(The rotator cuffs) feel pretty good. They healed pretty well and they healed a lot faster than I thought they would. I’ve had no problems with them.”
Like last year, quarterbacks Kellen Clemens and Jason Fife will both see roughly the same amount of action with the first-team offense. However, unlike last year, what either does will most likely not be enough for Bellotti to name a starter.
That does take a little pressure off both throwers’ shoulders, although not a whole lot.
“At the same time, every practice, every throw, every move that we make out here is going into our evaluations as quarterbacks,” Clemens said. “It’s all going to come to a head the second week of fall camp, probably.”
Finally, the Ducks will also unveil a new uniform on Friday at the Casanova Center, just in time for the game.
“I think everybody will be pleased,” Bellotti said. “I don’t think it’ll be quite the shocking revolution that the first (uniform change) was. This is more of an evolution. I’m pretty excited about it and I think the players will be too.”