Oregon football coach Mike Bellotti said multiple times this spring that his offense is having to think too much as it adjusts to new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
Saturday’s extended 68-play scrimmage was no different as the defense dominated, holding the Oregon quarterbacks to seven completed passes on 24 attempts for 81 yards, with over half the yardage gained on a 45-yard reception by junior wide receiver Jaison Williams from senior quarterback Dennis Dixon.
“I was very proud of our defense,” Bellotti said. “They’re not learning a new system, but their focus and concentration was on becoming an elite conditioned status – to help us play, faster, harder, and dig down.”
Bellotti was particularly impressed with the defensive line, an area of concern for the Ducks because of its lack of depth.
“I thought they played excellent today,” Bellotti said. “They controlled the line of scrimmage, they dominated.”
Because of the defensive dominance, Bellotti hopes to see improved production from the opposite side of the line. Still, the line is currently without any of its starters from last year. Returning offensive linemen Geoff Schwartz, Max Unger and Josh Tschirgi were held out of the scrimmage with injuries.
“Our offensive line needed to play much, much better,” Bellotti said. “I didn’t see the pride or the passion that I needed to see.”
Still, the offense felt like there was something to take away from the scrimmage as it attempts to improve upon something that plagued the team during its four-game losing streak last year: Turnovers. The offense didn’t turn the ball over once so that was something positive for the offense to take away.
“We eliminated turnovers. That’s the main thing,” Dixon said. “That’s all you can ask for.”
Also, aside from his pass to Williams, Dixon stole the show for the offense as he ran four times for 41 yards but was limited to completing two of six passes for 49 yards.
“Obviously his scrambling is a difference-maker for us,” Bellotti said. “But that’s also a concern for us in terms of our defense. A lot of times we lost containment on the quarterback – in fact we didn’t know where the quarterback was.”
For Dixon, it wasn’t anything unusual for him.
“I’m just taking what the defense gives me,” Dixon said. “If the coverage is far away, get what you can.”
As for his passing, Bellotti said Dixon is trying to improve on some aspects that needed to be fixed from last year.
“He’s working on his actual technique and using his feet,” Bellotti said. “Overall, I’ve been pleased with Dennis’ leadership, his decision making.”
Junior running backs Jeremiah Johnson and Jonathan Stewart were kept out for most of the scrimmage and combined for six yards on four carries.
“I don’t need to see them. Both Jonathan and Jeremiah have proven they can play at this level and what I really need to see is the young guys. I though both Andre (Crenshaw) and Remene Alston did some really nice things. They weren’t as consistent as I would like but they showed a knack for tucking the ball, getting it up in there and seeing the holes.”
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