Ducks vs. Aggies: Oregon Seeks To Overcome QB Curse and Keep Rumblin'

When Jeremiah Masoli (MAH-su-li) was signed this off-season most observers (myself included) thought it an extravagance by the Ducks offensive staff. But it turns out you can never have too many quarterbacks.

Let us take a look at the recent history of Oregon signal callers:

2007 practice: second string Nate Costa tears ligaments in knee, out for season.

2007 vs. Arizona State: Starter Dennis Dixon partially tears ACL, out for game.

2007 vs. Arizona: Starter Dennis Dixon tears ACL, out for season. Third string Brady Leaf injures ankle, stays in game.

2007 vs. UCLA:  Third String Brady Leaf aggravates ankle, out for season.

2007 vs. Oregon State: Fourth string Cody Kempt concussed, out for game.

2008 off season: Cody Kempt transfers.

2008 fall camp: Starter Nate Costa re-aggravates knee, has surgery, out for season.

2008 vs. Washington: Second String Justin Roper concussed, out for game.

This means that Oregon’s last five games have produced injuries to one or more quarterbacks. With the kind of training facilities available in Eugene, I have a hard time believing this the fault of poor training and conditioning, just bad luck.

Roper looked sharp until his injury and it took time for Masoli to settle into a rhythm. But he proved effective in the second half, rotating with running threat Chris Harper and helping the Ducks beat the hated Huskies 44-10. Chip Kelley and Mike Bellotti’s decision to bring Masoli in from the JuCo ranks appears to have been a wise one.

Assuming all goes well, Roper is scheduled to start against Utah State this Saturday. Fenuki Tupou returns at offensive tackle after serving an NCAA mandated suspension for taking perks from an agent, allowing Max Unger to return to center.

The Aggies will be heavy underdogs, the cellar dwellers of the WAC against a top five Pac-10 team in hostile territory. Utah State will be fired up for an upset bid, but the fact of the matter is that there is simply no excuse for Oregon to lose this game.

It is said that the biggest improvement a football team makes comes between weeks one and two. If the Ducks want to improve from their impressive opening week showing, here is what they need to accomplish against the Aggies.

Settle the quarterback position

Some fans have speculated that Roper has merely been keeping the seat warm for Masoli who will take the reins after he has time to digest Chip Kelley’s complex spread option scheme.

If that is true, he seemed to have most of it down in the second half last week. Bellotti has used two headed quarterbacks before, but usually only until one improves their game enough to raise themselves above the competition.

Oregon’s coaches need to decide if Roper’s decision making and passing ability allow him to run the offense better than the more physically gifted Masoli. There may already be a quarterback controversy brewing among the fan base, the last thing the team needs is one in the locker room as well.

Have Chris Harper Complete some passes

Though a quarterback, the athletic Harper didn’t attempt a single throw against Washington. Harper’s primary role is serving as a powerful, quick option runner in a Tim Tebow/Ryan Perriloux mode.

That is understood by everyone, including opposing defenses, but as has been demonstrated it can be very effective. To be its most effective however, there needs to be the threat that what seems like a standard zone read option or quarterback draw could turn out to be a passing play.

Even if Harper runs nine out of ten times he touches the ball, the very fact that he could throw will make defenses hesitate just enough to get critical extra yards in close games.

Spread the wealth on offense

The Ducks put up a lot of points against the Huskies, but only a small minority of players had a hand in moving the ball down field. Only four different players caught passes, and play-making tight end Ed Dickson was not one of them.

Terrence Scott was a pleasant surprise as the leading receiver, but he and the other two starting wideouts can’t do it alone. The point of the spread option is to create one on one matchups in open space to take advantage of mismatches with opposing defenders. If opposing defenses can key on a few players, the entire scheme unravels. Oregon’s offense needs to start using all the tools at their disposal.

Sweat the small stuff

Oregon had eight penalties against Washington for 85 yards. They can spare that kind of numbers against Utah State at home, but next week or the week after? The defense performed admirably, limiting Jake Locker and shutting down the Huskies running backs.

However, Washington also dropped some passes when receivers were open. Arizona State and USC won’t make as many of those mistakes, the defense needs to be in the area on every play. They cannot afford to take the second quarter off and spot opponents a 10 – 0 run either.

Matt Evenson is a solid placekicker, but must improve on his first outing of this season where he missed both a field goal and an extra point. The Ducks cannot afford those kinds of mistakes down the stretch.

Oregon should have a fully healthy team this week, and if they can accomplish these goals they will be able to comfortably defeat Utah State and will be in great position to continue to improve each week and make a strong run in the conference.

If they cannot, they might struggle to succeed later in the season, and even this week’s game could be uncomfortably close.

MY VERDICT

Oregon Ducks 50, Utah State Aggies 17