The Oregon football team is running out of chances.
With a 1-3 start and bowl hopes fading fast, the Ducks are in serious need of a win against Washington State in Martin Stadium on Saturday. If Oregon is to come out of Pullman victorious, a sputtering Duck offense will need to shrug off heavy criticism and start producing.
Oregon (1-3 overall, 0-1 Pacific-10 Conference) has dropped its last two meetings to Washington State (3-1, 1-0), including last season’s 55-16 embarrassment at Autzen Stadium. The Cougars won 32-21 in 2002 during the Ducks’ last trip to Pullman.
If Oregon is to avoid a three-game losing streak to Washington State, it needs to capitalize in the red zone. The Ducks penetrated Arizona State’s 20-yard line four times last week, coming away with two field goals and only one touchdown. Oregon can’t let any more scoring opportunities slip away, especially during a conference road game.
“We move the ball well, but we stutter in the red zone,” Oregon quarterback Kellen Clemens said. “We just need to work on getting some better plays (called there).”
Pass protection is another issue that Oregon needs to solve quickly. Clemens was sacked six times last week against Arizona State and spent most of the game looking out of his ear hole.
Further complicating the situation is the loss of starting right tackle Robin Knebel, who suffered a high ankle sprain in last week’s game. Knebel’s injury places a greater emphasis on tight ends and running backs to step up and help with protection.
“You hate to give up six sacks, but the (offensive) linemen aren’t the only guys out there pass blocking,” guard Nick Steitz said. “It’s a collective effort. A lot of the protections are designed to have the ball gone quick and ASU did a great job covering. It’s definitely a number you don’t want to see, and it kind of fires us up.”
Protecting Clemens is the first step toward opening up an Oregon offense that has grown stagnant. The Ducks haven’t been able to stretch the field with the deep passing game and have yet to establish a big-play receiver. Demetrius Williams, who was expected to be Oregon’s top pass-catching threat after the departure of Samie Parker, has suffered through a nagging turf toe injury that has slowed his production.
Williams has 15 receptions for 212 yards this season and owns the only touchdown scored by a wide receiver this year.
When receivers have gotten open, Clemens has struggled to find them. The Burns native has completed 59 percent of his passes for 830 yards and eight touchdowns this year, but head coach Mike Bellotti said he wants more dependable play from the quarterback position.
“We’re getting inconsistent play by Kellen Clemens,” Bellotti said. “I think he’s a great leader, a very good athlete and a good quarterback. He’s made some great things happen when things break down, but he hasn’t been as effective as I need him to be when things don’t break down, and he’s aware of that.”
Bellotti also said true freshman Dennis Dixon is likely to see playing time against the Cougars. In limited action, Dixon has completed six of 11 passes for 73 yards and possesses the speed to make things happen with his legs.

In order for the passing game to thrive, Oregon needs to establish the run. Washington State ranks second in the Pac-10 in pass defense but sits in the bottom half of the conference against the run. Running back Terrence Whitehead has rushed for 330 yards in 63 carries this season and will need a solid game Saturday. The last time an Oregon running back had a big day in Pullman was when Onterrio Smith exploded for 285 yards in 2001.
The Ducks will be facing a Cougar defense led by first team All-Pac-10 linebacker Will Derting. The junior has racked up 30 tackles and a sack this season. Safety Hamza Abdullah has 18 tackles and a sack.
Defensively, the Ducks will be facing the nation’s 12th-best passing attack and sophomore quarterback Josh Swogger. The Cougars are averaging 283 yards passing per game, and the Youngstown, Ohio native has thrown for 795 yards and nine touchdowns. Swogger is susceptible to pressure, however, and has completed less than 50 percent of his passes. If Oregon can get a pass rush from the defensive line, the young quarterback can be rattled.
Eugene native and Sheldon High School graduate Alex Brink has passed for 278 yards and a score as a backup.
Chris Bruhn is Washington State’s leading rusher with 243 yards on 58 carries. Allen Thompson and Jerome Harrison have two rushing touchdowns apiece.
The Cougars are also solid on special teams. Punter Kyle Basler has been named conference special teams player of the week twice already this year and boomed an 87-yard punt against Arizona. Kicker Loren Langley has struggled with field goals, however, connecting on just two of five.

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