With a quick move to his right, a sudden glance downfield and an accurate throw to his receiver, Dennis Dixon gave the 8,885 fans at Autzen Stadium a glimpse of what was missing from last year’s Duck offense.
Explosiveness.
After escaping the grasp of junior linebacker Jon Pope with a quick step to his right, Dixon floated a pass to a wide open Garren Strong for a 65-yard touchdown on Saturday during Oregon’s spring game. Plays like this from the sophomore quarterback helped the “green” team defeat the “white” team 20-15.
Unlike previous seasons, the two sides were divided as equally as possible to create a more competitive atmosphere. While each squad had comparable talent, there was a clear offensive slant toward the white team, while the green team was built around defense.
Although the white team featured the likes of Kellen Clemens, Demetrius Williams and Terrence Whitehead, the green offense held its own.
Dixon’s touchdown pass was the game’s longest play from scrimmage and was the most blatant example of what Oregon is capable of if it can improve on its lack of big plays from last season.
Dixon, who has been told by coaches to spend more time in the pocket before trying to scramble, recognized a blown coverage by the white defense and struck with the second-quarter scoring toss.
“I wanted to run again but I had to look downfield and I saw (Strong) doing jumping jacks,” said Dixon, who completed 4 of 9 for 78 yards and a touchdown. “There was no way but to throw it, so I threw it.
“It comes back to composure with me. I’ve got to stay in the pocket more and have more pocket presence. There were certain times I could have stayed in there and took a hit, but knowing me, I’m using my god-given talent.”
Clemens completed 8 of 13 passes for 118 yards and a score for the white team before leaving with a sprained left foot in the second half. While the
senior’s numbers were respectable, he was sacked four times as the Ducks’ inexperienced offensive line struggled with the green team’s solid defense.
The Ducks also got plenty of production from their wide receivers in offensive coordinator Gary Crowton’s new scheme. Junior Kyle Weatherspoon led all pass catchers with 10 receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown for the white, while Williams added 55 yards on a pair of receptions. Redshirt freshman Jaison Williams led the green team with five catches for 79 yards, while junior-college transfer James
Finley added five catches for 54 yards.
“I thought we produced well as a unit,” Jaison Williams said. “The defense did an excellent job, but we had the upper hand on them.”
Sophomore quarterback Brady Leaf also shined for the green team, completing 12 of 16 passes for 138 yards. The Great Falls, Mont., native also completed 5 of 9 passes for 75 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown to junior Drew Larson, after switching to the white squad late in the game.
“What (Leaf) lacks in athleticism, compared to the other two
(quarterbacks), he has great poise and decision-making and a sense of the pocket,” head coach Mike Bellotti said. “I was very pleased with his
performance today.”
Redshirt freshman Terrell Jackson led all rushers with 56 yards in nine carries, including a 10-yard touchdown on the last play of the third quarter. Whitehead gained 47 yards on seven carries, but amassed 34 of those yards on one attempt.
Defensively, sophomore linebacker Ryan Phipps recorded nine tackles for the green, while redshirt freshman
defensive tackle Ra’shon Harris finished with a pair of sacks. Sophomore linebacker Josh Thomas-Dotson led the white with seven tackles. The white team was also credited with a safety on Dixon on a referee’s holding call in the end zone during the second quarter.
Junior defensive tackle Haloti Ngata recorded half a sack for the green team in limited playing time. Bellotti said he reduced Ngata’s time on the field, “to give the other team a chance.”

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