Before the end of the season senior place kicker Jared Siegel will not only hold most of the kicking records at Oregon but will also likely be the most prolific scorer in University history.
With seven more points, Siegel will pass running back Derek Loville with 272 points scored at Oregon. While Loville scored 45 touchdowns and a two-point conversion to reach his total, Siegel has kicked 146 extra points and 40 field goals to reach his mark of 266.
Siegel’s 146 extra points is already a school record, and he needs six more field goals to pass Gregg McCallum’s record total of 45. However, Siegel doesn’t take much of the credit for his success.
“I think the record is more of a tribute to my teammates and the great teams I have been on over the years and the caliber of success we have enjoyed,” Siegel said. “I take advantage of the opportunities that my teammates present me with, because without their success I wouldn’t have any points at all.”
Siegel looks to return to form after a junior season that saw him make only 13 of 19 field goal attempts. It was a step back from his sophomore season, when he made 20 of 24 field goals (including a school-record 59-yard field goal) and was a Lou Groza Award finalist.
“I’ve worked real hard and got a lot of game-like situations in this summer,” Siegel said. “I did a lot of work with the holders and snappers to develop some chemistry along with a couple of other fine things to help with my efficiency.”
Woods tears ACL
during fall camp
A loss to Oregon’s secondary weakens an area seen as the Ducks’ biggest question mark on defense coming into the game against Indiana.
Senior defensive back Rodney Woods was lost for the season when he was defending a pass during a non-contact drill and tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the
second day of practice, Aug. 19.
Damage was also found to the post-cruciate complex toward the back of the knee, meaning two surgeries might be needed to repair the damage. The two injuries rarely occur in combination with one another, said Bob Crist, the Athletic Department’s coordinator of athletic medicine.
Woods racked up 28 tackles and recovered a fumble for the Ducks last season while playing in 10 of 13 games, including four starts. He was competing for the other cornerback starting spot on the other side of junior Justin Phinisee.
“That was a big loss for us because he was interchangeable and helped make our secondary more flexible,” Phinisee said. “I hate that he went down, but we have to move on and adjust. This will force the young cats, especially Jackie Bates and Sharrod Davis, to get brought up to speed and step in.”
Woods will redshirt this season and will be eligible to return in 2005.
Dixon named backup quarterback to Clemens
Head coach Mike Bellotti announced Tuesday that true freshman Dennis Dixon will be the backup to Kellen Clemens to start the year.
“He’s doing a very good job and we are figuring things out he can do that he is comfortable with,” Bellotti said. “His athleticism, explosiveness as an athlete running the football, and his accuracy throwing the football whether in the pocket or on the move have separated him from all the other quarterbacks vying for that spot.”
Dixon came in with the second string during Oregon’s last scrimmage and completed 7 of 15 passes for 41 yards. His evasiveness and athletic ability is what stood out after dodging several defenders and creating time to throw the ball.
Redshirt freshman Johnny DuRocher was another candidate for the position, but understands what the coaches see in Dixon.
“He brings an element to our
offense that is difficult to plan for,” DuRocher said. “I just need to worry about what I do. He’s more athletic so that’s what he does.”
During Oregon’s last scrimmage, DuRocher stood in and had his best throwing day. He went 5 of 9 for 108 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver Cameron Colvin.
“Johnny threw the nicest pass of the day,” Bellotti said. “Dennis moved the ball and had a couple of passes dropped that would have kept drives going. His command of the offense is getting better, but it is not where it needs to be.”
While the two are competing, they also have respect for each other, Dixon said.
“Me and him have a good friendship,” Dixon said. “I try to make each rep count, and whatever happens we know it’s best for the team.”
