Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.

Ducks looks for constant under center

102308-football3
Sophomore quarterback Justin Roper looks to hand off the ball during the game against Washington earlier this season. (Dave Martinez/The Daily Emerald)

The 2008 college football season has proven to be as unpredictable as any in recent memory.

Oregon has fallen right in line with this erratic pattern, especially with the quarterback position.

The Ducks’ quarterback situation has been anything but traditional this season, but it hasn’t stopped UO from starting the season with a 5-2 record (3-1 in the Pac-10).

Injuries and depth chart uncertainties arose late last season with the sidelining of senior quarterback Dennis Dixon. The injury many say cost the team a trip to the BCS Championship Game.

Not only was Dixon out for the season, then-freshman Nate Costa, the backup quarterback, was also hurt.

For the Ducks, the quarterback shuffle has carried over into 2008.

After a preseason knee injury to Costa, the projected starter, four different players have stepped in this season.

Sophomore Justin Roper was first named the starter, a position he would soon relinquish.

Roper was forced to miss four games, including the Ducks’ 31-24 victory over UCLA two weeks ago, with a knee injury of his own and a lingering illness.

Then-sophomore Jeremiah Masoli had his number called. Masoli has only averaged 96.5 passing yards per game, but broke out as a runner against UCLA, totaling 170 yards on the ground.

“Jeremiah has certainly staked his claim to that position, but there are certain things he can do to improve, too,” coach Mike Bellotti said earlier this week.

Now that Roper has returned to practice, Bellotti said the quarterback position will be an open competition between him and Masoli.

Although both Roper and Masoli play the same position, their styles are completely the opposite of one another. The 6-foot-6-inch Roper is more of pocket passer, while the 5-foot-11-inch Masoli relies more on his legs.

Roper has been prone to throwing interceptions, while Masoli, who has completed far less passes, hasn’t made as many mistakes with errant throws.

Bellotti said the competition could result in both quarterbacks taking snaps Saturday against ASU.

“We’ll probably name a starter prior to the game on Saturday night,” Bellotti said.

Freshmen Darron Thomas and Chris Harper have also seen action this season.

Thomas is the only UO quarterback to throw for more than 200 yards in a game this season, with a 210-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 37-32 loss to Boise State on Sept. 20.

Thomas got more playing time after that, but didn’t play at all in UO’s game against UCLA.

Bellotti said Thomas may also see action this weekend. That’s right: a three-quarterback rotation is a possibility for the Ducks. But this scenario is not unusual for the Ducks, which have played three different quarterbacks in the same game on five different occasions this season.

The quarterback is seen as the cornerstone of the offense, and although the Ducks have yet to settle into a rhythm at this important position, they are still ranked second in the Pac-10 Conference in total offense (466 yards per game) and third in points (39.7 per game).

Reach the reporter at todonnel@asu.edu.


Continue supporting student journalism and donate to The State Press today.

Subscribe to Pressing Matters



×

Notice

This website uses cookies to make your experience better and easier. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.