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-Oregon Daily Emerald
GAME DAY
Friday, September 19, 2003
Sports Editor: Hank Hager
Hank Hager
Behind the dish
Clemens
should
be it on
Saturday
It's the biggest non-conference
game at Autzen Stadium since Notre
Dame tied the Ducks, 13-13, in 1982.
No. 3 Michigan's appearance in Eu
gene on Saturday will be the biggest
game — bar none — for those who
are going to strap on the pads. And if
the Ducks are going to give the
Wolverines a game, it's going to have
to be because Kellen Clemens plays
up to his potential and a whole host
of youngsters step up.
What Duck fans are going to see
Saturday will be No. 22 Oregon's fu
ture brightly lit by the yellow or green
uniforms the team plans to wear.
Leading that charge, though, will be
Clemens, the quarterback who has
started the first three games of the sea
son. He has led the offense to three
victories, and sits fifth in the nation in
passing efficiency.
Siemens has averaged more than
189 yards passing per game, and
considering he has yet to take every
snap in a contest, that's a pretty sig
nificant number.
Senior Jason Fife, who, entering the
game against Arizona was anointed the
backup via the team's two-deep depth
chart, has been nearly perfect, complet
ing 22 of his 27 passing attempts.
Again, that's a pretty significant
number. But eventually, the Ducks
will have to go to the traditional one
quarterback system and break away
from the alternating QBs.
Against Michigan, it would be an op
portune time to do so. It would allow
the offense a chance to show what it
can do against one of the nation's best
defenses. The offense has averaged
more than 40 points a game, so realisti
cally at least 30 shouldn't be out of the
picture against the Wolverines.
For Clemens, allowing him to play
the entire game would build confi
dence, and would be a valuable tool to
prepare him for the next two seasons
because he's just a redshirt sophomore.
Unlike last season, he seems much
more comfortable running the team's
offense. More than once he has stayed
in the pocket as long as he needs to.
Each time, he has stepped up and
fired a rocket down the field, getting
the Ducks valuable field position.
I lis receivers seem comfortable get
ting the ball from him, and aside from a
poor first half against Arizona, he has
shown die ability to do that consistendy.’
Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti has
indicated that he and offensive coordi
nator Andy Ludwig plan to continue
using the quarterback rotation.
"I think the competition at that po
sition has made us better," Bellotti
said. "We're leading the nation in
passing efficiency right now. This is
Turn to HAGER, page 11
Mark McCambridge Senior Photographer
Justin Phinisee and the Oregon defensive backfield have improved since the 2002 season.
Oregon looking
for possible upset
against Michigan
The Ducks host No. 3
Michigan, the highest
ranked nonconference
opponent to play at Autzen
By Mindi Rice
Senior Sports Reporter
Don't believe the players when they
say it's just another game.
No. 22 Oregon hosts No. 3 Michi
gan on Saturday, the first time since
1992 that a top-five opponent has
taken the field at Autzen Stadium.
"All the guys on the team are look
ing forward to the opportunity to
play against them," wide receiver
Sarnie Parker said.
The Ducks, who have averaged
more than 40 points per game, will
have to make headway against a
team that has allowed just one
touchdown and one field goal
through three games.
"I'm excited because as a football
team, this will be a great test for us,"
Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr
said. "1 think it's a game that pre
pares our team as we go into the Big
Ten season."
Michigan (3-0) has high hopes for
its season, and many of those rest
with quarterback John Navarre and
tailback Chris Perry.
Navarre has thrown for 580 yards
and four touchdowns. Me has only
been intercepted once. Perry has run
for 549 yards to lead the nation.
"1 think Michigan is a potential
national championship team," Ore
gon head coach Mike Bellotti said,
"lust look at the way they play and
what they are on paper. Obviously
we want to derail some of those
hopes this weekend."
One of the keys this season for Ore
gon (3-0) has been the improved play
of the defensive backfield. Steven
Moore has continued his starting du
ties from the 2002 season at comer
back. Justin Phinisee has started two
games this season, the first two starts
of his career.
Last season, teams threw past Ore
gon defenders who were just a step or
two behind. In three games, both
Phinisee and Moore have been on the
ball, ready to make tackles when and
where needed.
Duty will call when Navarre and
his blue and maize teammates take
to the turf.
"The nervousness is more excite
ment because it's a big game on ABC,"
Moore said. 'There's more opportuni
ty for you to show off what you can
do and show people that we're back.
It's a different team versus last year."
The nation's most efficient passing
duo also has its work cut out. Quarter
backs Kellen Clemens and Jason Fife
face a defense that has given up only
one touchdown — to Central Michi
gan — and one field goal to 1 louston.
The Wolverines held then-No. 15
Notre Dame scoreless Sept. 13.
Michigan has allowed 305 passing
yards in three games, while the Ducks
come in averaging 284 yards per game
from the air.
Turn to UPSET, page 6