Ducks Ready to Put It on the Line

Oregon's Offense Is in Good Hands

When the Oregon Ducks reported to camp last year, the sting of a 5-6 season was still fresh. The offensive line, a key cog in the Ducks' transition to the spread option offense, was viewed as a problem because of its experience.

But one year later, with the transition to the spread a roaring success and the Ducks coming off a 10-2 season that nearly ended in a Bowl Championship Series berth, the same offensive line returns healthy and intact.

More important, they come back with experience.

"We feel confident going into this season," said Enoka Lucas, the starting center. "All five starters on the O-line are back. We're all working hard."

The Ducks enter the season with plenty of reasons to believe that they are the ones to end Southern California's Pacific-10 dominance.

Oregon returns a pair of quarterbacks in Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf. Both proved they could lead the offense, and both proved their worth after an ankle injury sidelined starter Kellen Clemens.

"Right now, Dennis is the better athlete," Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti said. "He's faster, has a stronger arm and a quicker release. Brady Leaf has a knack of making plays. The dilemma is that we have two quarterbacks who proved they can win."

Bellotti said a return to last year's two-quarterback system, which saw Dixon and Leaf split time, is highly unlikely. Dixon enters camp as the starter after passing for 777 yards and six touchdowns with just three interceptions last year.

But Leaf, more of a pocket passer, may be ready to challenge. Leaf, the younger brother of former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf, threw for 467 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions. However, Leaf showed an ability to make clutch plays when he threw the winning touchdown pass in a 27-20 overtime upset of California.

"We feel pretty good about [Dixon's] decision-making and leadership. He just needs to become vocal," Bellotti said. "Brady is that way naturally. He's a good leader and utilizes that as one of his strong points. I think they've learned from each other."

While leading rusher Terrence Whitehead won't be back, Bellotti is high on his replacements, sophomores Jonathan Stewart and Jeremiah Johnson. Stewart rushed for 188 yards and six touchdowns in limited action as a freshman. He also battled injuries.

"Stewart is a beast," Bellotti said. "He's a big, strong running back that has the power and strength to run over people, and speed to run around them."

Johnson, meantime, brings speed. Then there's the offensive line, which this year is expected to show improvement after playing an entire season together.

"There's no question whatever you do offensively starts at the line of scrimmage," Bellotti said. "That O-line gives you a chance to have success."

But there are questions as well, especially on a defense that loses all-American tackle Haloti Ngata.

"It's difficult to replace," Bellotti said. "He was the best to play here and one of the most dominant athletes. Every single person on that defense has to realize they've got to play harder and finish every play. Each and every one of us on defense has to pick up the slack."

Oregon led the Pac-10 in total defense last year, though they allowed 357.7 yards per game. The Ducks also were strong against the pass, but lose both starting cornerbacks.

The early portion of the schedule doesn't help the Ducks either. Oregon opens the season with Pac-10 opponent Stanford before traveling to Fresno State. The Ducks host Oklahoma in a Holiday Bowl rematch before traveling to Arizona State, a key early game in the conference race.

"It will challenge and test us," Bellotti said about the demanding early schedule. "It will tell us what kind of team we're going to be."