In the fourth quarter of a tied game last Saturday, Dennis Dixon calmly made his way on to the field with more than 40,000 people screaming their lungs out and clapping their “Thunderstix”, hoping he’d fail.
And under the bright lights in Fresno with his team having everything to lose, Dixon gave Oregon fans a glimpse of a maturing quarterback with a very bright future.
Eighty yards in 13 plays.
That’s what Oregon drove, relying almost exclusively on Dixon to get there, too.
Suddenly gone are the questions about his throwing ability and run-first mentality. Also gone are any doubts about his ability as a leader. Last season many wrote the Ducks off when Dixon
became the starter.
But right now, he is the key ingredient to Oregon’s spread offense.
With the most talented offensive line and running back tandem in many years and a host of capable receivers, the fate of this entire Oregon team may very well rest on the shoulders of the 6-foot-4, 196-pound Dixon.
And if his performance last Saturday on the road in a hostile environment was any indication, this team has a chance.
In the first two games, he’s been efficient, completing 66.7 percent of his passes for 476 yards and one touchdown. He’s also been mistake-free with no interceptions.
At Fresno State, we found out he’s not simply able to post great stats – he’s a leader with the intangible necessary to carry the team on his back, if need be.
He made savvy decisions throwing the ball, and he made wise reads in Oregon’s option-running game.
When he’s doing that, watch out – this is the most explosive Oregon offense since 2001.
And on the biggest drive of the game Saturday, Dixon’s poise was impressive.
First he fired for gains of 11 and 14 yards to Jaison Williams.
Then came the turning point.
In a 24-24 tie, and the Fresno State defense smelling the makings of an upset, Oregon was up against the ropes with a third and 10 at its own 45-yard line.
Oregon’s worn and beaten defense watched along the sideline. They’d been unable to stop a powerful Fresno State offense on the previous possession and placed their hope on Dixon’s right arm in a delirious Bulldog Stadium.
Dixon didn’t even blink.
Instead, as if tossing the ball in a backyard pick-up game, he calmly found Dante Rosario over the middle for 23 yards and an all-important first down.
Dixon finished that critical drive by completing seven consecutive passes and throwing for 68 yards on 7-of-9 passing to put Oregon in position to score the game-winning touchdown.
If Dixon didn’t complete that pass to Rosario, who knows if Oregon would have escaped with the victory.
What we do know is that with Dixon at the helm, the Oregon offense is averaging nearly 457 yards per game and is beginning to open eyes.
Now with Oklahoma paying a visit to Autzen Stadium, Dixon has an opportunity to showcase his undeniable talents against a marquee opponent on a national stage – and show that, at
this time next season, he may be one of college football’s
top quarterbacks.
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