The Oregon football team had its share of skeptics after a disappointing end to last season but have answered those critics with early successes this season on both sides of the ball and a top-25 ranking after a nationally-televised drubbing of the Michigan Wolverines.
One of the biggest question marks for Oregon coming into the season was senior quarterback Dennis Dixon. As a junior Dixon struggled, throwing more interceptions (14) than touchdowns (12), and was eventually benched for the Civil War in favor of Brady Leaf.
Dixon’s critics became even more vocal when he spent his summer playing baseball – he was a fifth-round pick of Atlanta as an outfielder – instead of working out in Eugene.
But Dixon has put up big numbers while making very few mistakes, and the critics have been effectively silenced.
In Oregon’s season opener against the Houston Cougars, Dixon rushed for 141 yards, including a career-long 80-yard touchdown, in the Ducks’ 48-27 victory. The following week, at Michigan and in the national spotlight, Dixon threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 76 yards and another score in the 39-7 beatdown of the Wolverines. Dixon was named Pacific-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Week and USA Today National Player of the Week for the performance.
The rest of Oregon’s backfield, namely running backs Jonathan Stewart and Jeremiah Johnson, have been less gaudy statistically, but effective. As a whole, the Oregon ground attack has averaged 335 yards per game so far, third-best in the country, with six touchdowns.
“We have been running the football very well by a combination of multiple running backs,” said Oregon coach Mike Bellotti. “And obviously the mobility of our quarterback.”
The Oregon receiving corps started slowly, catching nine balls for 134 yards as a group against Houston, but they caught fire against Michigan with three touchdown receptions of 46 yards or more.
Leading the way is senior Brian Paysinger with eight catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns in his first two games, including an 85-yard touchdown at Michigan.
On Oregon’s line, junior Max Unger has made the switch to center from left tackle, and junior transfer Fenuki Tupou has stepped in at left tackle to have an immediate impact. Senior right tackle Geoff Schwartz anchors a group that has dominated the line of scrimmage, as evidenced by Oregon’s huge rushing numbers and limited sacks.
But it isn’t all about offense this season. In week one, Oregon scored more points than any other Pac-10 team (48). In week two Oregon allowed fewer points than any other Pac-10 team (7).
The strength of the defense starts in the secondary, anchored by three-year starter and 2006 Pac-10 All-Conference honorable mention Patrick Chung at rover. Sophomore cornerback Jairus Byrd has had an interception in each of the first two games and sophomore cornerback Walter Thurmond III had five pass break-ups against Michigan. Both Byrd and Thurmond were also named 2006 Pac-10 Conference honorable mentions last year as freshman. Matt Harper has filled out the secondary at free safety following an injury to senior Ryan DePalo, and he has won over his coaches with his performance. Harper leads the team with 24 total tackles and tallied an interception and a sack against Michigan.
“He’s a playmaker. Matthew has a good sense of the field and he knows where the ball is,” said Bellotti.
And while Oregon has given up plenty of yards already – Houston racked up 545 total yards and Michigan 365 total yards – Bellotti said he is pleased with their ability to create turnovers – eight in two games – and hold opponents at bay in the red zone.
“I would hope that our defense would be described as emerging and resilient,” said Bellotti. “Even though we have given up significant amounts of yardage we have found a way to stop teams and keep them out of the end zone and that is the whole key.”
Even though it is early in the season, this football team has flashed greatness and whetted Duck fans’ appetites for BCS glory. But Bellotti said that his staff and team are fighting against being self-satisfied and, as a result, complacent in their preparation.
“We had a great start last year and we did not finish, so I think that the burden of proof is still there,” said Bellotti. “I think this team understands that and my coaches understand that.”