Pac-10 Position Breakdown Quarterback: Oregon Ducks

Oregon is looking to replace more starters than any other team in the Pac-10.  This is on top of replacing the legendary Mike Bellotti, who engineered more than a decade and a half of winning in Eugene. On the surface, that is a pretty daunting task, capable of causing great anxiety for Ducks fans as the 2009 season approaches.

However, two major components remain off of the 10-3 2008 Oregon team. Former offensive coordinator and now head coach Chip Kelly is one. The other is dual-threat quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.

Between Kelly and Masoli, the identity of Oregon’s highly entertaining, fast-paced spread offense is still intact. Last year, Oregon produced more touchdowns of 50 yards or greater than any other Pac-10 team.

Unlike offensive line and especially wide receiver, the quarterback position will not be an open competition at Oregon. If anyone was going to challenge Masoli for significant time this season, it would have been Justin Roper, who transferred out less than a month ago.

Masoli will be a junior entering 2009, coming off of a very successful campaign in 2008 where he threw for 1,744 yards and 13 touchdowns, as well as running for 718 yards and 10 scores. Masoli helped lead the Ducks to two electrifying wins at the end of 2008.

First, in the Civil War against Oregon State, Masoli threw for 274 yards and a career-high 3 TD’s as well as running for another. More importantly, he led his offense to a record 65-38 smashing of a Beaver team playing at home for a Rose Bowl birth and Pac-10 crown.

In his next game, Masoli absolutely demolished No. 13 Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl with 258 yards and one score through the air, while adding 106 yards and three scores on the ground on his way to Holiday Bowl Offensive MVP.

The nationally televised game allowed college football fans a chance to see the multi-talented Masoli throw with great accuracy and then plow his way through defenders, looking more like a Mack Truck than a signal-caller.

This is what Oregon fans expect to see this season, and they will as long as he can stay healthy. But all of his physically destructive running may have to be used in moderation because that style is not conducive to a full season’s work.

Assuming Masoli plays at the level he did last season, and can establish chemistry with the youthful receivers, Oregon should be potent on offense again this season. Having RB LeGarrette Blount back certainly doesn’t hurt either, and he will take some of the load off of Masoli. Behind Masoli is fellow junior Nate Costa.

Only a year ago at this time it was Costa who was named starting quarterback. Costa suffered a season-ending knee ligament tear just two weeks before the season started.

When healthy, Costa is a versatile playmaking quarterback that is perfect for Kelly’s spread offense. Unfortunately, Costa has had three knee surgeries altogether and will be a question mark until he can stay on the field.

Masoli’s primary backup in 2009 could be true sophomore Darron Thomas. Last year Thomas may have redshirted but he was forced into action against Boise State because of injury problems. When he did enter the game in the second half, the 6-4 dual-threat athlete almost helped Oregon overcome a 24-point deficit against Boise State.

He ended his day 13-25 for 210 yards and 3 TD’s. Rivals.com rated him as a 4-star prospect when he came out of Aldine High School in Texas.

My Take: You could make a very strong argument that Masoli is the best returning quarterback in the Pac-10 this year. I have never seen a power runner at quarterback quite like Masoli.

He is an underrated passer as well and my only hope is that he can stay healthy by running out of bounds on a few of those runs instead of lowering his shoulder. If he is the quarterback for all of 2009, Oregon could have a big year on offense, but the line must re-tool and the receivers have to step up.

Darron Thomas has upside but he needs to prove that he can make the crucial quick decisions that Chip Kelly’s spread offense demands. If he becomes a polished passer, he could be the future at QB for the Ducks.

As for Costa, Mike Bellotti seemed very high on him going into last season, and that is enough to make me think he must have great ability. Maybe three knee surgeries later Costa is ready, but in an offense like Oregon’s where the Quarterback is asked to run a ton, I am skeptical.

- Sam Saig, www.allpac10.com