Oregon QB Dennis Dixon Done for the Year

Dixon underwent an ambitious rehabilitation regimen the 11 days prior to Thursday night’s 34-24 loss at Arizona and had practiced since Sunday without experiencing any complications.

Dennis Dixon suffered a season-ending knee injury Thursday night at Arizona.

EUGENE, Ore. - University of Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon has suffered damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that will require surgery and force him to miss the remainder of the 2007 season, according to the Ducks’ football coach Mike Bellotti.

Oregon team doctors, trainers and Bellotti became aware following the Nov. 3 Oregon football game against Arizona State that Dixon’s left knee had sustained damage that would eventually require sugery to enable a complete recovery.

It was at the request of Dixon and his family that the Oregon senior quarterback would attempt to play the remainder of season and delay the surgery until after the year, with the understanding that should the knee exhibit any further instability he would pull himself out of all further play.

Dixon underwent an ambitious rehabilitation regimen the 11 days prior to Thursday night’s 34-24 loss at Arizona and had practiced since Sunday without experiencing any complications.

He capped the opening drive Thursday with a 39-yard touchdown run to provide the Ducks with an 8-0 advantage before his left knee gave way on Oregon’s third drive of the game in the opening quarter.

"I want to commend Dennis for his courage and support of his teammates in his attempt to overcome his personal setback," Bellotti said. "While he certainly had some personal goals at stake, anyone who is familiar with Dennis knows that any decisions he made were purely in the interest of his teammates and not motivated by any personal gains.

Dixon finishes the season completing 172 of 254 passes for 2,136 yards, 20 touchdowns and four interceptions. In addition, he ran for 583 yards and nine TDs to land second on the school’s single-season list for most rushing yards by an Oregon quarterback (trailing Reggie Ogburn’s 644 yards in 1979).

The San Leandro, Calif., senior completes his collegiate career as the Ducks’ single-season and career record holder in completion percentage (season - 67.7%, surpassing Kellen Clemens’ 64.0% in 2005; career - 63.9, surpassing Clemens’ 61.0, 2002-05), in addition to sixth on the school’s all-time total offense chart (6,339 yards) and eighth in passing yards (5,129).

Dixon becomes the seventh Oregon player this season to suffer a potential season-ending injury, with five of those in the starting lineup at the time.

They include linebacker John Bacon, wide receiver Cameron Colvin, wide receiver Brian Paysinger, linebacker A.J. Tuitele, as well as reserve quarterback Nate Costa and running back Jeremiah Johnson. Only Tuitele is given a chance to return before the season is concluded.

Source: goducks.com

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