Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti recorded his 82nd career victory after last weekend’s 47-14 win against Montana, which ties him with Len Casanova for second all-time on the school’s career wins list. Bellotti needs only nine wins to tie Rich Brooks for the school record of 91.
Three of Bellotti’s 82 wins were against Saturday’s opponent, Fresno State, a team Bellotti holds a 3-0 mark against. Two of his three wins, however, were overtime victories and all three wins were by an average of just more than three points per game. The latest meeting between the two schools was a 28-24 Oregon win in 2002. The Ducks are 3-2 all-time against the Bulldogs.
“They are going to run the football at you and run play action,” Bellotti said. “I have not one thought in a million that we’d overlook Fresno State.”
Whitehead continues to climb the charts
Despite rushing for only 36 yards on 18 carries, senior running back Terrence Whitehead moved to sixth all-time on the school’s career rushing yards chart. He passed Onterrio Smith and Don Reynolds. Whitehead now has 2,220 career rushing yards, but only 67 yards this season on 26 carries.
“I don’t think our running game in particular was very good across the board,” Bellotti said following the win over Montana in which the Ducks had a combined 87 yards rushing. “I’m surprised a little bit at this point because I felt that we’d be able to run the ball better.”
Ducks get defensive
While the offense struggled to find the endzone against Montana, it was the defense that dominated the contest. Led by the front four, Matt Toeaina, Haloti Ngata, Darius Sanders and Victor Filipe, the Oregon defense allowed only two first downs in the first half and seven all game, its lowest since allowing seven first downs in a 16-10 win over Arizona during the 1989 season.
The Grizzlies finished last weekend’s game with only 144 total yards of offense.
“(The Ducks) are every bit as good as I expected,” Montana offensive guard Chris Orwig said. “Our offense just couldn’t get a first down. They have a great defensive line.”
The defense will get a boost Saturday with the possible return of defensive end Devan Long, who was held out of the game against Montana because of an injured ankle.
Martinez’s record day
The surprising play of first-year kicker Paul Martinez has stolen the show early this season. The junior from Danville, Calif., kicked a perfect 6 for 6 on field goal attempts, breaking Oregon and Autzen Stadium records and tying the Pacific-10 Conference record. Martinez has converted 11 of 12 field goal attempts in two games, which surpasses last season’s entire total of nine.
“It was fun,” Martinez said. “I didn’t really think about the record. I was just worried about making the next field goal.”
Ironically, Martinez missed his two extra point attempts against Montana.
Injury updates
After becoming the first Oregon player to run a kickoff back for a touchdown since Kenny Washington’s 93-yard return against UCLA in 2003, heralded freshman Jonathan Stewart left last weekend’s game at the 6:54 mark in the second quarter after injuring his left ankle on a run from scrimmage.
Stewart’s X-rays at halftime were negative, but the Lacey, Wash., native wore a protective boot without crutches after the game and is listed as questionable with a mild ankle sprain for Saturday’s game against Fresno State.
“I have a feeling he will be a fast healer,” Bellotti said.
Ducks donate to relief efforts
The Oregon Athletic Department, during last weekend’s game against Montana, facilitated opportunities for fans to donate to the American Red Cross and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
“This is an opportunity for our fans to really make an impact in the lives of the people of the Gulf Coast region in their darkest hour,” Dave Heeke, Oregon senior associate athletics director, said.
To donate to the American Red Cross, call 1-800-HELP-NOW, or visit redcross.org.
