They made their move. Now they must move on.
The Oregon football team reached its way to the top in the 2001 season and was within a couple computer points of the ultimate high.
The Fiesta Bowl victory over Colorado was as close to perfect as Oregon has ever been. It’s something to remember, to cherish.
“Winning that game gives us the credibility, but more, the ability to enjoy,” head coach Mike Bellotti said.
Enjoy indeed. But don’t dwell.
The past is the past. It has little significance now or on Aug. 31, when Mississippi State rolls into town for next season’s opener at newly-renovated Autzen Stadium. What matters now is that instead of playing catch-up, the Ducks are playing stay-up — and that’s even harder.
The Ducks have always thrived at being the underdog, just ask Colorado. But instead of hunting, the Ducks are now the hunted — the two-headed beast of the Pacific-10 Conference, and everyone wants a piece of them.
It’s a long fall off the top of a pedestal, and if the Ducks don’t have their wings ready next year, they could fall head first.
“I think, obviously, we’ve said all along that if we played a game tomorrow, we’d have some holes,” Bellotti said.
One notable hole: Quarterback.
Redshirt sophomore Jason Fife served as a backup all season and seems destined to replace the great one, Joey Harrington (who is rumored to be one of the top picks in April’s NFL draft). But Bellotti said Kellen Clemens, a super prep from Burns, Ore., who redshirted this season, will compete for the starting job.
Besides Harrington, the Ducks won’t suffer a huge drop-off offensively next year. Returning are tailback Onterrio Smith, who is coming off a 1,000-yard season, three dependable receivers, tight end George Wrighster and three offensive lineman.
“Winning a bowl game in the offseason motivates the younger guys to get better,” senior tight end Justin Peelle said. “There’s going to be a lot of pressure and a lot of doubt in a lot of people’s minds because of who’s leaving, but I think they’ll be ready to play and win the Pac-10 title again next year.”
Defense was the biggest question mark heading into the 2001 campaign. Holding Colorado to 49 rushing yards in the Fiesta Bowl erased any of those doubts.
Oregon will return five starters defensively next year — including linebackers Kevin Mitchell and David Moretti. The defensive line loses both tackles, but freshman defensive tackle Igor Olshansky, the only Duck to be named to the all-bowl team by Sports Illustrated, has shown great potential this season in limited action.
The Ducks, however, lose two of their defensive spark-plugs in cornerbacks Rashad Bauman and Steve Smith. The duo combined for 10 interceptions in 2001, leaving the Ducks with big shoes to fill in 2002.
“They have a good core coming back next year,” Bauman said. “I’m sure coach Bellotti will have them ready. We’re definitely looking forward to good things from the University of Oregon next year.”
A three-peat is not out of the question, but it won’t be easy. In fact, the Ducks could be rated the fourth-best of the four teams in the Pacific Northwest. Washington comes off an 8-4 season returning several key players, including receiver Reggie Williams. Washington State won 10 games and returns quarterback Jason Gesser. Oregon State has a lot of young talent and could be dangerous.
So is an unprecedented third-straight conference crown feasible?
“I certainly hope so,” Bellotti said. “It’s hard to tell right now. When you lose Joey Harrington, Maurice Morris and Justin Peelle, you’re losing a lot of quality, a lot of talent and a lot of leadership. Those things don’t just walk in the door.”
Neither do victories.
Oregon will have to work just as hard, if not harder, to maintain its dominance. In essence, next season has already begun.