Many new faces contributed to Oregon’s 38-24 victory over Houston a week ago, and those faces will make their home debuts at Autzen Stadium Saturday.
Wide receiver James Finley, a junior college transfer, made several key catches and finished with 95 yards on 10 receptions.
“James Finley did everything we expected,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said. “He caught everything.”
Heralded freshman running back Jonathan Stewart had five carries for 47 yards, including a fourth-quarter scamper of 33 yards, in which
Stewart broke numerous tackles, warranting a spot on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10 Plays of the Weekend. The 5-foot-11, 228-pound Stewart, a top-rated recruit who rushed for 7,755 yards in high school, split time with starter Terrence Whitehead and sophomore backup Terrell Jackson.
“I was happy to get to play as a freshman,” Stewart said. “It was one of the best experiences of my life.”
Although he was not making his Oregon debut, junior Paul Martinez made his first start at kicker after the departure of Oregon’s all-time scoring leader and four-year starter Jared Siegel. Martinez, a punter on the Ducks’ roster for the past two seasons, tied a school record by making five field goals, including a 51-yarder in the second quarter.
Martinez also tied the school record for number of field goals attempted with six. The Danville, Calif. native made kicks of 22, 24, 29, 39 and 51 yards. His only miss came at the end of the first half from 32 yards.
“I am pleased with Paul,” Bellotti said. “He started very well. That is something I can expect each game.”
Pac-10 welcomes instant replay
The Pacific-10 Conference will be one of nine Division I-A conferences to utilize instant replay this season. The Pac-10 version does not allow the coach or referee to challenge a play. Instead, a controversial call must be reviewed by a replay official, who will have the benefit of televised replay in the press box and will page the on-field official if a play deserves further review. However, if the on-field official does not receive the page before the next snap, the play cannot be reviewed.
In order for a play to be overturned, there must be indisputable evidence and the play must have “direct competitive impact.”
The Ducks had two plays reviewed against Houston by the Conference USA’s instant replay model, which also has a replay official who alerts the on-field referee. The on-field referee then reviews the play via a sideline camera and determines the ruling on the field.
The two plays involving the Ducks, a potential fumble by James Finley and a touchdown by Dante Rosario, were both inconclusive and ruled in Oregon’s favor.
“I think it’s great for the game because referees can’t see everything,” Finley said.
Clemens, Williams in record books
Senior quarterback Kellen Clemens turned in a career day against the Cougars, amassing 420 of the Ducks’ 554 total yards of offense. The Burns native, operating in a new spread offense, threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns and led Oregon in rushing with a career-best 72 yards on 12 carries. His career-high 43-yard run in the third quarter set up the Ducks’ go-ahead touchdown.
Clemens is now fourth all-time on Oregon’s career list for total offense with 5,876 yards. He surpassed Dan Fouts, who accumulated 5,871 yards in his career, which spanned from 1970-72.
Wide receiver Demetrius Williams was the recipient of 133 of Clemens’ yards. The senior, who is returning from a nagging turf toe injury last season, caught nine passes including a touchdown. The performance was his eighth career 100-plus yard receiving game, and it ties Keenan Howry (1999-2002) and Tony Hartley (1998-99) for the school record.
“That is what I perceive to be a typical game for Demetrius,” Bellotti said.
Oregon’s perfect record
The Ducks boast a 6-0 all-time record against the Montana Grizzlies, with the last meeting in 1993, a 35-30 victory for Oregon.
During that season, Bellotti served as the team’s offensive coordinator under then-head coach Rich Brooks.
“Montana is a very good football team,” Bellotti said. “They have got my players’ attention.”
Oregon is 10-0 against teams from the Big-Sky Conference, with the last opponent being Portland State during the 2002 season, a game in which Oregon won 41-0 at Autzen Stadium.
Injury updates
Both wide receiver Garren Strong and defensive end Devan Long were held out of practice the majority of this week. Strong pulled a groin
muscle during the game against Houston after catching a two-point conversion, and Long has been bothered by an injured knee and swollen ankle. The two, according to Bellotti, are considered day-to-day. Strong may be ready for action Saturday, but Bellotti expects Long to “most likely” miss the game in order to be available against Fresno State, next week’s opponent. Missing Saturday will also be wide receiver Brian Paysinger, who will miss the early part of the season due to knee surgery.

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