Ducks Prepare for USF in El Paso
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by Deuelio
The Oregon Ducks have a quarterback controversy. Should they start their #4 quarterback or their #5 quarterback? Does it even matter?
After two games of barely moving the ball, the UCLA game was downright embarrassing, the Duck offense finally got in gear a little in the Civil War and they might have found their quarterback to lead them in El Paso, Dec. 31 against South Florida.
Justin Roper began the year as the fifth string Oregon QB. In the summer and fall, there was debate over who should start Dennis Dixon or Brady Leaf. It’s laughable now to consider but when Dixon was attempting to play baseball on the east coast, Leaf was leading the passing drills in Eugene.
Dixon earned the job and soon joined the Heisman discussion as the Ducks reached #2 in the polls after a win at home against Arizona State. In the game, Dixon tore his ACL but decided to play anyway. He tore it for good early in the next game at Arizona and Leaf took control.
He hurt his against the Wildcats and was never very effective. Did the Ducks turn to #3 on the depth chart to try to spark an ineffective offense and re-energize the national title hopes?
Nope, #3 was at home rehabbing his own torn ACL suffered on Nov. 6.
Three down, two left.
The leader of the two appears to be Justin Roper, a 6-6, 205lb redshirt freshman from Georgia.
He did a nice job in the Civil War, taking over for an ineffective and injured Cody Kempt and nearly leading the Ducks to the victory. If not for a horrible coaching error in the waning moments of regulation, the Ducks would have likely won the game with a field goal.
Now the Ducks have several weeks to prepare an offense that suits either Kempt or Roper better. The spread option might be tapered back slightly as both Kempt and Roper aren’t runners like Dixon. But one has to believe that Mike Bellotti, coordinator Chip Kelly and the rest of the staff will put Kempt/Roper in the best position to make plays.
There are still playmakers on the field for the Ducks. All-American running back Jonathan Stewart is getting healthy and getting rest. Wide-receiver Jaison Williams is a dangerous receiver but has struggled with consistency catching the ball. Freshman Jeff Maehl, recruited to Oregon as a defensive back is now a wide-receiver and one of Roper’s favorite targets.
But the Sun Bowl will be about heart and pride and desire. If the Ducks come with an effort similar to last year’s Vegas Bowl, the 23rd ranked Bulls will roll to an easy win. But if Oregon can summon some strength and courage they should be right in the game.
The Ducks rolled over against BYU. Didn’t want to be there and showed no interest in competing. When the game ended, Cougar fans mobbed the field, celebrating a big win for their program. Will USF have the same reaction should they beat the Ducks? Probably not, but it’s a big game for the Bulls.
They’re a young program, still trying to make a name for itself in a state renowned for college football. Does that translate to more desire? When you’re on the cusp of playing for a national title in front of the world, how do you respond to suddenly taking a bus into El Paso the day after Christmas? The team that views that as a privilege will be my pick to win.
Oregon was not excited to play in the Vegas Bowl last year. Will they be excited to play in El Paso?
