Duck defense shines in third spring scrimmage
The defense makes the
most of opportunities in
an 84-77 victory in Friday’s
scrimmage at Autzen
By Brian Smith
Freelance Reporter
The third spring scrimmage for the
Ducks was full of points, penalties,
jaw-dropping moves and head
scratching miscues.
After all, the Ducks have only been
practicing for less than a month.
That being said, the most concrete
thing to take away from Friday's
scrimmage at Autzen Stadium was
the marked improvement on both
sides of the ball.
"We talked about being aggressive
on defense and I think we showed
that," Oregon head coach Mike Bel
lotti said. "I thought that there was
more violent collisions and more of
them and 1 like that. 1 think that our
quarterbacks, certainly Kellen
Clemens and Dennis Dixon, showed
up and did some things."
The defense that dominated the
Ducks' first scrimmage returned Fri
day, leading by as many as 20 in the
first half. The highlight for the de
fense was the two safeties on consec
utive possessions toward the latter
part of the first half.
"1 think that it was a good play by the
defensive line to contain the pocket,"
Bellotti said. "Probably good coverage
down the field, and 1 think it was not a
very good play by our quarterbacks.
You can never take a safety. Never."
Taking a safety was about the only
thing quarterback Kellen Clemens
did wrong. Clemens looked to be in
mid-season form, going 11 for 13 for
135 yards, including two touch
downs through the air and a 12-yard
score on the ground.
"I feel like I improved this week,
and that was very, very important,"
Clemens said. "But there are always
things to work on."
Miscues proved to be die exception
rather than the norm. Most of the scrim
mage was highlighted by individuals
making plays. Junior rover Aaron Gip
son provided a spark and turned some
Day ran over and through most of the
defense en route to five catches for 51
yards and a touchdown.
DUCK
FOOTBALL
heads with his
second-half,
60-yard punt
return for a
touchdown.
Tight end Tim
The most impressive performanc
es, however, were delivered by a pair
of freshmen. After a slow start, red
shirt wide receiver Garren Strong
caught six balls for 96 yards and a
pair of touchdowns. One of them
was on a fade route that drew com
parisons to two big-time Pacific-10
Conference receivers, Mike Williams
of Southern California and Reggie
Williams of Washington.
"Hopefully we can put that in our
game plan," Strong said. "When we get
down to the ten, that would be nice."
The other freshman to make an im
pression was quarterback Dennis
Dixon. Dixon is already earning com
parisons to former Oregon quarter
back Akili Smith from both the coach
es and media, with his ankle-breaking
moves and running back speed.
"There is no question that Dixon
is as athletic of a quarterback since
Akili Smith," Bellotti said. "He can
make some things happen, and it's
exciting to watch."
Dixon made more than a few de
fenders miss on a 40-yard scramble in
the first half. Dixon hid behind line
men, made spin move after spin
move and beat defensive backs to the
sideline drawing oohs and aahs from
the spectators and general head-shak
ing from the media.
"I just act like I'm running from a
dog," Dixon said. '"Ihat's what the de
fense is trying to do, they're trying to
get me, but I'm trying to escape and
get out of the pocket."
'I he future looks bright for the Ducks
as they head into Saturday's annual
spring game at 12:30 p.m. atAutzen.
Brian Smith is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald.
DRAFT
continued from page 7A
With the next pick at No. 36,
Kansas City turned to Siavii because
the coaches were fascinated with his
athletic ability for his size at 6-foot-4
and 340 pounds.
"The way we looked at it was there's
one thing he has that you can't coach
— that's size," Kansas City head coach
Dick Vermeil told Chiefs.com. "He's
very inexperienced and very raw, (but)
I think this kind of guy can develop
into a dominating player one day."
Siavii, who started every game last
season and finished with 43 tackles
and two sacks, will be looked upon
to improve a Kansas City defense,
which ranked 30th in the league
against the run, giving up more than
146 yards per game.
"I hope to have an effect on our
defense," Siavii told Chiefs.com. "I
hope to be a run-stopper in the mid
dle and get some sacks."
The American Samoa native
teamed up with Olshansky as part of
an effective defensive line at Oregon
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last season. They held running backs
Steven Jackson of Oregon State and
Michigan's Chris Perry to a com
bined 101 yards in two of Oregon's
eight wins in 2003. Both Jackson and
Perry were first-round picks Saturday
at No. 24 to St. Louis and No. 26 to
Cincinnati, respectively.
Siavii said he was happy to hear
about going to Kansas City because it
was a team he wanted to go to.
"When I came out there, I had a
good time with the coaches," Siavii
said. "I told the coaches and every
body there to 'get me, I need to be
out there.'"
Siavii later was asked by Chiefs.com
whether he believes he can come in
and play right away.
"Don’t be too surprised if it hap
pens," he said. Two more former
Ducks were selected on the second day
of the draft. Wide receiver Sarnie Park
er was taken in the fourth round at
105th overall to Kansas City. San Fran
cisco chose safety Keith Lewis in the
sixth round at the 198th pick overall.
Contact the sports reporter
at alextam@dailyemerald.com.
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