The third spring scrimmage for the Ducks was full of points, penalties, jaw-dropping moves and head-scratching miscues.
After all, the Ducks have only been practicing for less than a month.
That being said, the most concrete thing to take away from Friday’s scrimmage at Autzen Stadium was the marked improvement on both sides of the ball.
“We talked about being aggressive on defense and I think we showed that,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said. “I thought that there was more violent collisions and more of them and I like that. I think that our quarterbacks, certainly Kellen Clemens and Dennis Dixon, showed up and did some things.”
The defense that dominated the Ducks’ first scrimmage returned Friday, leading by as many as 20 in the first half. The highlight for the defense was the two safeties on consecutive possessions toward the latter part of the first half.
“I think that it was a good play by the defensive line to contain the pocket,” Bellotti said. “Probably good coverage down the field, and I think it was not a very good play by our quarterbacks. You can never take a safety. Never.”
Taking a safety was about the only thing quarterback Kellen Clemens did wrong. Clemens looked to be in mid-season form, going 11 for 13 for 135 yards, including two touchdowns through the air and a 12-yard score on the ground.
“I feel like I improved this week, and that was very, very important,” Clemens said. “But there are always things to work on.”
Miscues proved to be the exception rather than the norm. Most of the scrimmage was highlighted by individuals making plays. Junior rover Aaron Gipson provided a spark and turned some heads with his second-half, 60-yard punt return for a touchdown. Tight end Tim Day ran over and through most of the defense en route to five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown.
The most impressive performances, however, were delivered by a pair of freshmen. After a slow start, redshirt wide receiver Garren Strong caught six balls for 96 yards and a pair of touchdowns. One of them was on a fade route that drew comparisons to two big-time Pacific-10 Conference receivers, Mike Williams of Southern California and Reggie Williams of Washington.
“Hopefully we can put that in our game plan,” Strong said. “When we get down to the ten, that would be nice.”
The other freshman to make an impression was quarterback Dennis Dixon. Dixon is already earning comparisons to former Oregon quarterback Akili Smith from both the coaches and media, with his ankle-breaking moves and running back speed.
“There is no question that Dixon is as athletic of a quarterback since Akili Smith,” Bellotti said. “He can make some things happen, and it’s exciting to watch.”
Dixon made more than a few defenders miss on a 40-yard scramble in the first half. Dixon hid behind linemen, made spin move after spin move and beat defensive backs to the sideline, drawing oohs and aahs from the spectators and general head-shaking from the media.
“I just act like I’m running from a dog,” Dixon said. “That’s what the defense is trying to do, they’re trying to get me, but I’m trying to escape and get out of the pocket.”
The future looks bright for the Ducks as they head into Saturday’s annual spring game at 12:30 p.m. at Autzen.