Immediately after the completion of the spring football game on Saturday, the two respective Oregon teams huddled together around the Duck emblem on the 50-yard line.
As they gathered, one could sense that this was not a team celebrating its completed spring, but rather a team focusing on their impending fall.
It is expected to be a fall with high expectations, and following the game, head coach Mike Bellotti said that it will be then that the true test comes.
“The most important thing I just told my kids is not [to think about] what happened on that field today, but what starts tomorrow,” Bellotti said. “Tomorrow starts each of them working on any deficiencies that they may have. Whether that be athletic or academic, and all of us pulling together and helping.”
Bellotti was asked whether anybody won any spots with their performances.
“No, there’s not a single decision I made watching it,” Bellotti said. “I will tell you that it certainly impacts where we are right now and the depth chart for the fall.”
The most-talked-about depth chart is that of the quarterback position, in which Joey Harrington maintained his starting status with a very strong spring. A.J. Feeley was never quite able to show what he could do as the nerve damage in his throwing elbow still lingers.
The third-string quarterback battle seems to have been won by Jason Fife, who stole the show in the Spring Game with his combined 14 of 17 passes for 186 yards — the highest among the four quarterbacks.
“Overall, I do feel that our quarterback position is one of strength and depth,” Bellotti said. “I don’t think A.J. is where he wants to be yet, but he will benefit a great deal from these next few months. But Joey has been sort of taking the ball and running with it.”
In Saturday’s game, Harrington picked up right where he left off last season, leading his team to two touchdowns in the first half.
His most impressive drive came near the end of first half. Harrington took over at the 29-yard line with 1:01 remaining. He was sacked on the first two plays for a total loss of 14 yards, leaving a daunting third and 24.
Then instead of taking a knee, Harrington blazed a pass to wide receiver Keenan Howry for a 46-yard gain. And on the very next play, Harrington connected with tight end Justin Peelle for a 39-yard touchdown pass.

It was a series that answered a lot of questions for the offense.
In a spring where young receivers like Cy Aleman and Samie Parker shone, it was a statement by Howry (8 catches for 146 yards) that he is indeed the go-to guy downfield.
At the tight end spot, Peelle proved that he is most deserving of starting status. Unproven George Wrighster showed good signs throughout the month of workouts, but he still has more to learn. LaCorey Collins never quite got going after starting late because of academic problems, and finished slow because of a hamstring injury.
Bellotti was pleased with the talent exhibited on both sides of the ball, but indicated that the influx of the 27 junior college and high school recruits will have a tremendous effect.
“We showed that we have some depth,” he said. “But we need to get better, get more competitive and physical. And that’ll happen in the fall certainly when some of the people we recruited come into camp.”
The most notable recruit is obviously tailback Maurice Morris, who Oregon desperately needs if it wants to have a formidable offense. The Ducks leading rusher on Saturday was redshirt freshman Joe Broder, who compiled 43 yards on his seven carries.
“Our passing game is perfect right now,” Fife said. “Once we get that speed factor in here, it’s going to be a lethal offense.”
Anchoring the defense has been linebacker Matt Smith, who seems poised to take over the role left by recent NFL draftee Peter Sirmon.
“We lost some guys from last year, so this spring started out slow,” said Smith, who recorded four tackles on Saturday. “But I really saw a lot of improvement and we picked it up from the start. I think we’re in good shape going into fall camp.”
Many of the Ducks will stay in town this summer to work on individual needs before starting fall camp in August. Harrington sees these next few months as some of the most vital in terms of next season’s success.
“This summer is a very good bonding opportunity for the team,” Harrington said. “That plays a big part in how we’re going to be. A close team off the field is a close team on the field, and that’s what we need next year.”
Such unity would give Bellotti even more reason to hope that his team can get back to where that custom-made watch around his wrist came from: The Rose Bowl.