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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 24, 2004)
■ Oregon notes Frustrated reserve QB DuRocher granted release After winding up third on the depth chart, the former prep star leaves BY BRIAN SMITH SPORTS REPORTER The University announced earlier this week that third-string quarter back Johnny DuRocher was granted a conditional release to transfer from the school. DuRocher made no indication about his future plans. He was listed third on Oregon’s depth chart at quarterback, behind Kellen Clemens and freshman Dennis Dixon and did not see any playing time in the team’s first two games. “I respect Johnny’s decision and his desire to play,” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said Tliesday. “I can’t guarantee to him that’s going to change (his status). 1 was very honest with him about our needs, and this is what he wanted to do, so that’s that.” DuRocher’s departure leaves Oregon thin and inexperienced at the position. “We have a true freshman and a redshirt freshman backing up our junior,” Bellotti said. “That in it of it self is a big concern.” According to Bellotti, freshman Brady Leaf will step into third-string duties, as well as keeping his duties as the team’s scout team quarter back. Sophomore punter Drew Lar son, who played quarterback in high school, might also be worked in as a scout team quarterback. “It obviously puts us short, |s_ Erik R. Bishoff | Photographer The future is uncertain for Oregon’s former third-string quarterback Johnny DuRocher after his request to be released was granted by the University. significantly short,” Bellotti said. “It’s very difficult timing for a team when you’re three games into the season and to lose a person that was your backup and your third team quarterback.” DuRocher was a top prospect from Bethel High School in Wash ington state. He was ranked ninth OREGON, page 4 ■ In my opinion The painful ways sports teams build you up and let you down I’m watching Oregon in its loss to Oklahoma last Saturday, and I’m thinking; OK, we got them third-and long, the Duck defense will stop them this time, right? Ahhhhh! Not another first down! It was like getting poked to death with a sewing needle. Maybe I’m overreacting, but dur ing two touchdown drives in the de cisive second and third quarters, Ja son White and the Sooners converted four — that’s right, four — third-and long tries, and Duck fans everywhere felt that little vein in their forehead getting bigger and bigger. Just when the Ducks looked like they were going to stop the mighty Oklahoma offense ... BAM! First down Oklahoma. After the Sooners picked up two third and longs in the second quarter during Oklahoma’s first touchdown drive of the game, I actually started rooting for the Sooners to get closer to the first down marker during their CLAYTON JONES SEVENTH INNING STRETCH first two downs so I didn’t have to see another third and long. But the trend continued, and it’s almost like I knew a first down was going to happen. 1 don’t think it would have mattered if Oregon would have dropped back all eleven players in coverage, Jason White would have found someone open. Don’t get me wrong — this col umn isn’t a knock on the Oregon de fense. In fact, barring the fourth quar ter, the defense looked the best it has in a long time. It held a team that was averaging more than 50 points per game to zero points in the first quar ter and 10 in the first half. That’s im pressive. 1 am recognizing how clutch the Oklahoma offense is on third downs. This season the Sooners have com pleted 66.6 percent of their third down attempts, tied for first in the country. Oregon ranks 90th in the na tion in that category, completing 31 percent of its third down attempts. White, the 2003 Heisman winner, looks so confident and comfortable on the field it’s as if he’s in the back yard of his house with a Nerf football and a couple buddies playing against sixth graders, and why shouldn’t he? White should feel comfortable on the field — he has been at Oklahoma for six years. Yes six. Do you know what we call most college students who are at college for six years? Med students. JONES, page 6 Oregon Daily Emerald Newsroom Display Advertising Classified Advertising (541) 346-5511 (541) 346-3712 (541) 346-4343 Now in its 13th year, Game Day is published every Friday throughout the football season and is distributed on campus, at distribution sites around Eugene and at Autzen Stadium the day of the home games. Game Day is published by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co. Inc., at the University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. The Emerald operates independently of the UO with offices in Suite 300 of the Erb Memorial Union. Oregon Daily Emerald | P.O. 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