Defense Rules Ducks First Scrimmage Saturday

Salem-News.com Sports

EUGENE - Nick Reed and Darius Sanders combined for eight tackles, including three tackles for loss, as the Ducks’ defense created problems for the offense during the team’s first scrimmage, held Saturday at Autzen Stadium.

“We failed the test today on special teams and I was very dissapointed with our offensive play.” Head Coach Mike Bellotti said. “However, I was pleased with the defensive play, I thought they showed up and they challenged themselves today.”

Oregon’s starting quarterback, Dennis Dixon, threw for 112 yards and a touchdown in the scrimmage, which featured drives starting at various field positions and simulated crowd noise in order to replicate different game situations.

“I think we succumbed both to the heat and the noise.” Bellotti said. “Luckily, we did it in a practice situation where we can do something about it.”

The offense’s most impressive drive in the exercise came as Dixon stepped into the two-minute drill and led the team on a ten play, 80-yard drive which included a spectacular 34-yard catch on fourth down by tight end Dante Rosario, playing with a cast on his right arm. The drive culminated in a three yard touchdown pass to Kyle Weatherspoon.

“I think that the sense of urgency during that drill, [that simulates] when you can win or lose the football game, is something we’ve worked on a lot in practice.” Bellotti said. “I was pleased that they responded at that time.”

Dixon and junior quarterback Brady Leaf both also led scoring drives of 25 yards. Leaf, the Ducks’ backup quarterback, showed flashes of the form that helped him share time with Dixon last year, completing six passes for 65 yards, including a 25-yard strike to redshirt freshman halfback Ed Dickson.

Wide reciever Garren Strong had the strongest receiving performance for the Ducks, catching five passes for 65 yards.

Third string running back Chris Vincent led the rushing attack, carrying the ball five times for 20 yards. Starter Jonathan Stewart was rested for a majority of the scrimmage, finishing the afternoon with 2 carries for 19 yards, including the lone touchdown run of the afternoon, a 16-yard effort.

The Ducks’ defense also added a safety during the simulated drive that began on the 1-yard line.

“This was really our first scrimmage, so we were throwing a lot of things at a young group of players, with the noise in particular.” Bellotti said. “It was not like last year, where we had a lot of seniors, we have many young guys that have to step in and get used to this type of atmosphere.”

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