It was a drizzly day inside Autzen Stadium on Nov. 5, 2005, the last time California and Oregon faced one another.
And what a classic game it was – a game coaches and players described as one of many defining moments from a historic 10-2 season last year.
One week removed from its bye week and two weeks removed from losing starting quarterback Kellen Clemens, Oregon got its first look at heralded sophomore quarterback Dennis Dixon and his backup, Brady Leaf.
After each scoring two field goals and two touchdowns in the first three quarters, the 15th-ranked Ducks and No. 23 Bears played a scoreless fourth quarter after Tom Schneider’s rushed 53-yard attempt looked good, but tailed left and sent the game into overtime.
That’s when Leaf connected with James Finley for a four-yard touchdown on third-and-goal to propel Oregon to a dramatic 27-20 win.
A lot has changed since then for both teams.
Dixon, who is now the unquestioned leader of Oregon’s potent spread offense, finished that game 15-of-26 passing for 139 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
This season, Dixon has thrown for 1,032 yards on 89-of-137 passing with six touchdowns and two interceptions. His progression and maturation have translated to an improved offense that averages 497 yards per game – fourth best in the nation. Dixon ranks eighth in the nation in total offense at 286.5 yards per game.
The two teams will meet Saturday in Berkeley with national rankings and conference implications on the line once again.
The series has proved one of the most competitive and dramatic as of late with the last three games being decided by seven points or fewer.
The Ducks are 14-24-2 all-time in Berkeley but emerged victorious in three of its last four trips. Mike Bellotti is 7-1 all-time as head coach against the Bears.
Lost in the Shuffle
If senior wide receiver James Finley is looking for any motivation this season, he may want to pull out video tape of last season’s victory against California. Finley came up huge for the Ducks in that game, catching six passes for 47 yards including the eventual game-winner in overtime. Finley finished the season as Oregon’s most potent target alongside then-senior Demetrius Williams. He finished the season by hauling in 57 passes for 571 yards and two touchdowns. Prior to the season, Bellotti said Finley is capable of catching 100 passes this season.
But this year hasn’t exactly played out how Finley and Bellotti had hoped. Hampered by injury, he’s hauled in just five passes in four games for 30 yards and no touchdowns. With much of the attention now on Jaison Williams (28 catches, 462 yards), Finley may be needed more than ever.
Individual Rankings
Running back Jonathan Stewart ranks 11th with 114.25 yards per game. Blair Phillips, the team’s leading tackler with 40 total tackles, is tied for 14th in the country. Those two join Jaison Williams, who is second in the nation with 115.5 receiving yards per game.
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