O n The Sidelines
Oregon backups Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf face
former Duck DuRocher in a battle of the clipboards
BY SCOTT]. ADAMS
SPORTS REPORTER
You can find a talented group of
quarterbacks locked in heated compe
tition for depth chart status at just
about any school, but it is a rarity to
find a group as close-knit as the one
found at Oregon.
Aside from vying for playing time
behind starting quarterback Kellen
Clemens at practice, Oregon’s sopho
more backups Dennis Dixon and
Brady Leaf have become friends while
in college. Their rapport off the field
has helped their morale at practice,
where both are growing more accus
tomed to playing in Oregon’s new
spread offense. Both Dixon and Leaf
are optimistic about their futures and
pleased with the progress they have
made.«
“I have accomplished a lot while be
ing a backup behind Kellen,” Dixon
said. “I have to thank him and my line
for helping me learn things week by
week, day by day. It’s coming along
and I have to thank them for that.”
Dixon has seen limited playing time
this year, but has made the most of his
appearances. In Oregon’s season
opener against Houston, the San Lean
dro, Calif., native ran in a touchdown
from 1 yard out and orchestrated two
lengthy drives late in the game. Fans
saw Dixon’s versatility against USC,
where in one drive he amassed more
than 20 yards both through the air and
on the ground. Dixon has all the attrib
utes necessary to play as the ‘new
aged’ quarterback; he can run-and
shoot out of the pocket and cut past
defenders running the option. He has
been content holding a clipboard on
the sideline this season, patiently hon
ing his skills for next year, a year in
which he aims to pick up where
Clemens leaves off.
“My expectations for next season
are to fulfill some big shoes,” Dixon
said. “It’s going to take a lot of work in
the summertime and everything, but I
think I’m ready for the challenge. ”
Replacing senior Clemens as start
ing quarterback will indeed be a chal
lenge for Dixon, as he will also have to
fend off his friend Leaf. Leaf’s style as a
pocket-passer may not be a flashy as
Dixon’s, but it has served him well. He
has seen time on the field this year as
Oregon’s holder, and like Dixon he has
lofty aspirations heading into spring
camp. Leaf has learned much from
both Clemens and Dixon and enjoys
his time playing alongside them.
“I have learned from Kellen to keep
my composure,” Leaf said. “We’re
learning new things week in and week
out on the field and during film, and
he’s helped me along through a lot of
it. I’m going to take the role that I can
on this team next year, and although
I’m going to be fighting with Dennis
next year for the starting role, I just
need to take what’s there for me.”
Courtesy
Washington quarterback Johnny DuRocher (12) throws over the middle against Idaho.
The former Duck sits second on the Huskies’ depth chart.
Leaf appreciates the rapport he has
with the other quarterbacks.
“Me, Kellen and Dennis have a great
relationship with one another,” Leaf
said. “We all get along fine and things
are great between us. ”
Dixon earned his second-string spot
in the offseason, impressing both head
coach Mike Bellotti and offensive coor
dinator Gary Crowton with his domi
nating physical ability. The lanky quar
terback shows great similarity in
appearance and potential to Texas’
Vince Young and Missouri’s Brad
Smith. Dixon currently holds the
school record for the fastest 40-yard
dash among quarterbacks. His 4.51
recorded last winter was enough to
surpass former quarterback Akili
Smith, who held the record for the past
eight years. Dixon has committed him
self to being as ready as possible to
jump in for Clemens during a game
should he be needed.
“I make sure that I’m on my game
because I know I’m a play away from
being a starter, so I have to be ready,”
QUARTERBACKS, page 7B
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