When Oregon backup quarterback Jason Fife stepped on the field Saturday against Arizona, Duck fans everywhere cheered.
Fife wasn’t playing because starter Joey Harrington had pulled a hamstring or because Harrington had thrown five interceptions. He was playing because Harrington engineered a blowout, the Ducks’ first this season, against the Wildcats. When Fife entered the game, the score was 56-14, Oregon.
Fife, who went 4-of-5 for 46 yards Saturday, said that getting reserves into the game is a good thing for the team and the reserves themselves.
“It was a good moment for me,” Fife said. “I wanted to play earlier in the season, and figured once the Pac-10 started I wouldn’t get a chance.”
Sophomore Erik Cheney, a backup linebacker who, like Fife, played his first collegiate game against Arizona, said the experience was exciting.
“It was probably the biggest rush of my life,” Cheney said.
Cheney tallied the first tackle of his career in Arizona, and was one of 37 Oregon reserves who were given a chance to play.
“It’s fun when new players get an opportunity to perform,” Oregon Head Coach Mike Bellotti said. “It gives them a greater sense of being part of the team, and that sense of ownership and family.”
Sophomore Matt Floberg had an opportunity to perform Saturday, but in a different form than he’s used to. Floberg, who has played in three other games this season, got his first-ever touches at tailback against Arizona, when Onterrio Smith and Maurice Morris sat out most of the fourth quarter.
“I was running plays I wasn’t used to,” Floberg said. “But it was fun.”
All 37 reserves who played will be licking their chops in anticipation of playing time against California. The Golden Bears are 0-4 this season and have been outscored by an average of 22.3 points per game.
The Ducks, though, say they will not overlook the Bears.
“They’re a really good team,” Floberg said. “They’re a lot better than everyone thinks.”
“Cal’s one of those teams that, if we take them for granted, we’re going to get beat,” Fife said. “But I don’t think we will. It would be nice to get back in and get another shot.”
Cheney will also be shooting for his second field appearance in an Oregon uniform this Saturday.
“Hopefully we can pull something out like a 63 or a 70, so I can hop back in,” Cheney said.
Still, Cheney said the difference between the two teams could be intensity, and that could lead to the starters going all the way for both teams.
“I think Arizona just didn’t show up to play,” Cheney said. “I think Cal will show up to play.”
UO reserves are enjoying the spotlight
Daily Emerald
October 11, 2001
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