Coach Mike Bellotti re-emphasized it – Dennis Dixon is the starting quarterback.
Dixon struggled in Oregon’s 34-23 loss to host Washington State, leading Bellotti to make a switch to back-up quarterback Brady Leaf in the second half. Leaf emerged with the biggest game of his three-year Oregon career, completing 16-of-27 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
In contrast, Dixon completed 12-of-20 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
“I don’t think he played well,” Bellotti said. “I thought he wasn’t quite as comfortable in the pocket today. Maybe he felt some of the pressure. But overall, I can’t put the turnovers on him early. But we just have to have a spark and make sure we get the ball down field.”
Dixon’s performance beared a resemblance to the California game when his stat line read 20-of-35 passes completed with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
“It doesn’t affect my confidence at all,” Dixon said of the Washington State loss. “I was trying to pick up the team, trying to tell everyone to slow down, take their time. In the Cal game we rushed ourselves in the same way but I try to calm everyone down, but things went down.”
Bellotti made the switch in the third quarter after Dixon’s second interception of the game. Leaf led two scoring drives, both touchdown passes to Jordan Kent. Offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, Bellotti, Dixon and Leaf all shied away from any potential quarterback controversy.
“It takes more than just one quarterback to win games each season,” Leaf said. “You need help on the sideline or in the film room. We’ve always got each other’s back so there’s no hard feelings there.”
Kent said: “Whether it’s Dennis or it’s Brady, we’re going to believe in them and keep working. You like to see that guys aren’t giving up. That, even though they aren’t the starter, they still got their head in the game, and they are able to come in the game and make a big contribution like that.”
[email protected]