DuckSeason Oregon football magazine

p o w e r ed b y eme r a l d g a med a y

WILL CHIP GIVE HIM A shot?

Marcus Mariota aims to take the reins of Oregon’s high-speed offense at his own pace

INSIDE Position previews. Greatest QBs. Season predictions.

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MASTHEAD

CONTENTS

at quarterbacks who have left a legacy at Oregon 18

a historic look back is produced each summer by the Emerald Media Group. The Emerald is an independent, non-profit news organization and has served the University of Oregon since 1900.

News

we break down the team’s

positions to give you an insight into the upcoming season 20

Editor-in-Chief

Tyree Harris

seem to suggest that the Ducks will return to the BCS

SEASON PREDICTIONS

Sports Editors

David Lieberman Patrick Malee

37

GAME PREVIEWS may leave you wondering whether Oregon’s nonconference schedule will prepare the Ducks for Pac-12 play 33

photography editor

Alex McDougall DESIGNer/ART DIRECTor

Andy Rossback photographers

Michael Ciaglo Aaron Marineau COPY editors

WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AT Autzen?

We’ve got a go-to guide for beginners

Franklin Bains Jonathan Bowers

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lucas Clark Isaac Rosenthal Will Rubin Matt Walks

Business PUBLISHER

Ryan Frank manager

Kathy Carbone

Advertising Director

Brittney Reynolds

praises Mariota’s performance in the spring game 38

sports editor David Lieberman

8

led by example, and that won’t change as he fights for a starting job

Marcus Mariota has always

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MARCUS MARIOTA

The strong, silent guy from Honolulu could make a splash

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p i c t u r e s b y a l ex m c d o u g a l l

Mark Helfrich had answered one question, maybe two, before the pack began to move away en masse.  There they went, off to the far left corner of Oregon’s confined interview room at the Len Casanova Center. The abandoning reporters meant no offense to Oregon’s offensive coordinator, whose Green team had just fallen to defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti’s White team in the annual spring game. Helfrich was, in fact, a wanted man among these scribes — one of the most knowledgeable talking heads when it came to the ongoing quarterback controversy between a battletested junior and a mysterious redshirt freshman. But still, they fled, because the man of the hour had just made a characteristically quiet entrance.  c o n t i n u e d o n p a g e 1 1

he takes the lead by example T H E Q UAR T E RBA C K b a tt l e

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MARCUS MARIOTA T H E Q UAR T E RBA C K S

Bryan Bennett

re ds hirt Sophomo re  6’3”, 19 9 poun ds  E n ci n o, C a l i f.

Coming off a stellar redshirt freshman year behind two-year starter Darron Thomas, Bennett entered the spring season as the favorite to take over as Oregon’s next signal caller. Unfortunately, a frustrating performance in the Spring Game left a poor taste in some fans’ mouths, following what was believed to be a very good month of practice.

In limited action last season, he completed 25-of-46 passes for 369 yards and six touchdowns without throwing an interception and carried the ball 23 times for 200 more yards. What stood out most about Bennett in the eight games he appeared in was his incredible arm strength and top-end speed. However, those intangibles were somewhat overshadowed by a pair of interceptions and an early fumble in the Spring Game. Knowing his work ethic and overall competitiveness, that performance likely added to an already motivated offseason training regiment.

Marcus Mariota

Re ds hirt fre s hm an  6’4”, 196 poun ds  H o n olulu, H awa i i

Few players made more of an impact on the Oregon fan base following the Ducks’ Spring Game in April. He has the size and composure that seemed to remind fans of Dennis Dixon, and his 82-yard touchdown run proved he’s more than a capable runner in Chip Kelly’s offense. Having spent last season as the team’s No. 3 quarterback and member of the travel squad, it seems Mariota isn’t far behind Bryan Bennett in terms of grasping the offense conceptually. By most measures, it doesn’t appear that either quarterback holds much of an edge over the other entering summer camp. This leads most people to believe there will be a steady month of competition between the two before Kelly names a starter the week of the Arkansas State game. At this point, it’s anyone’s guess who that might be.

Jake Rodrigues

F re s hm an  6’3”, 205 po unds  Rockli n , C a l i f.

Coming off a leg injury that prevented him from doing much in the spring season, Rodrigues figures to take over Mariota’s spot as the team’s No. 3 quarterback. Since he didn’t play in the Spring Game, little is known about him entering summer camp. As a senior at Whitney High School, however, he threw for 2,036 yards and 26 touchdowns, while rushing for another 684 yards and 15 scores in 2011.

He was a finalist for the 2011 Elite 11 Quarterback Competition and ought to compete for playing time as a redshirt freshman in 2013.

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Marcus Mariota was ready to take questions.

To call him a “man” would seem a stretch, even. He was just 18, and at that point had yet to complete his freshman year of college. Yet, in this confined space, after a breakout performance that saw the Honolulu, Hawaii, native complete 18 of 26 passes for 202 yards while running for 99 more, he was the room’s shining star, his 6-foot-4 frame overshadowing even the eldest statesmen on the team. For a moment, at least, he was living out his dream of being the star quarterback of a major collegiate team.

And he acted the part, too. Cool and collected, lounging in shorts and a white “Samoa” athletic shirt (emblazoned with the Nike logo, of course), his voice barely raised an octave as he answered the predictable questions about how he felt about his performance, what could be improved, what his plan was going forward. Eventually, once it became clear that Mariota was in high demand, he was moved from that chair to the podium, where Darron Thomas would plop down after nearly every home game less than a year earlier. If the bright lights fazed him, he wasn’t showing it; not in front of the assembled scribes, and not in front of the 44,000 people who had gathered, in large part, to see exactly what this new kid from Hawaii was made of.

If only they knew.

Darnell Arceneaux was brand new on the job as St. Louis High School’s head football coach when he met Marcus Ardel Taulauniu Mariota. Arceneaux, once a star himself at St. Louis, was returning to the school after moving on from another coaching job. Mariota, meanwhile, was just about to complete his junior year and looking to finally take his place as the team’s starter after a three-year wait. He was one of the first students Arceneaux noticed when the team gathered for spring drills, and with good reason.

Mariota towered over most of his peers at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds.

He was handsome and distinctly n t i n u e d o n pa g e 1 3

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MARCUS MARIOTA

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“We’ve got something here,” he thought.

There was never really any question whether Mariota would start. His physical stature and burgeoning mastery of the offense had Arceneaux immediately convinced that he’d found his man, and he wanted to establish that leadership position right away. If there was any doubt in his mind that Mariota could handle the job, it was extinguished quickly.

“There was no doubt in my mind that he was our guy,” Arceneaux says. “But he came out every day like he was battling for a job.”

In true Polynesian fashion — “local boy style,” as the Hawaiians term it — Mariota chose to lead more through example than by mouth.

What Arceneaux originally viewed as aloofness was actually more like slow burning firewood: level and steady, but undeniably intense.

“He’s one of those guys that can change the morale of a room,” Arceneaux says. “And when I say something like that, you know he’s in the room without him having to say anything. That’s the kind of

leaders in quarterbacks that I look for in my program. If he’s in the room, he doesn’t need to be loud, he doesn’t need to be flamboyant or do things to bring attention to himself, but he can still change the way the room is acting or whatnot, by just his presence alone.”

And when he needed to speak up, Mariota did. He just picked his spots, and when that low voice echoed through the room, people listened. Early in the 2010 season, with Mariota at the helm, St. Louis fell behind early to Kahuku High School. Nothing seemed to be going right, and Mariota had seen enough.

“It’s not about how we started,” he told his teammates. “And it’s not about if we’re going to win this game or not. It’s about how we gotta finish, and how we gotta always compete and we gotta learn how to push through these errors.”

As Arceneaux recalls, Mariota even got in the faces of a few teammates, as if personally challenging them to be better. If the outcome was already set in stone — St. Louis lost by 21 points — a far more important precedent had been set. Mariota would hold people accountable, and he was every bit the leader that Arceneaux had doubted back in the spring. St. Louis wouldn’t lose another game that co

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Samoan, with a bright smile and boundless potential. He had a look in his eye, Arceneaux recalls, one that seemed to peer into the newly installed head coach and press him with a single question: “Coach, I can’t wait … what you got for me?”

Arceneaux was, in his words, an “uppity, rah-rah kind of coach,” and if there was one flaw in Mariota’s makeup — on the surface at least — it was that he seemed almost too laid back. The “Hawaiian island chill” isn’t entirely stereotypical, and the regal junior seemed to embody that persona completely.

“He was kind of too laid back,” Arceneaux says. “And at first it kind of struck me like, ‘Maybe this kid doesn’t want it.’”

That notion was quickly rebuffed, as Mariota seized control of summer camp from the onset.

The physical talents were obvious — not only did Mariota possess game-breaking speed, he also proved to have a deft touch passing the ball, a great “spin” on it in Arceneaux’s terms. At one point, during seven-on-seven drills, he unleashed a pass that even Arceneaux — a former quarterback who went on to play at Utah — admits he couldn’t have thrown at that age.

 Marcus Mariota made his presence felt in Oregon’s Spring Game. Can he carry that momentum into the fall?

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season, and went on to win the state title. Mariota was a whirling dervish on the field, throwing for 2,597 yards and 32 touchdowns with just five interceptions, while also rushing for 455 yards and seven touchdowns.

With the season behind him, Mariota could now look to the future, having committed to Oregon back in the summer of 2010. He would be arriving amidst a stable of quarterbacks including Darron Thomas and the highly-touted Bryan Bennett, but after sitting through a three-year wait at St. Louis, the situation in Oregon likely seemed less than daunting.

He’d been through this drill before.

And, indeed, throughout his first season in Eugene, Mariota existed as mostly a shadow — unseen within the newly closed confines of practice and jogging undisturbed past the reporters gathered outside for interviews. He was redshirting,

barred from seeing the field unless it was an absolute emergency. While sophomore Bryan Bennett proved his worth when Darron Thomas went down with a knee injury, Mariota watched and waited. The Ducks, of course, won the Rose Bowl in January, but Mariota was little more than a spectator within the jubilation.

When Thomas rather surprisingly left school a year early and entered the NFL draft, most assumed Bennett would plug in neatly as the starting quarterback. He had the pedigree (a four-star recruit to Mariota’s three, according to Scout.com) and invaluable live game experience.

What Mariota had — well, no one quite knew. He was as much a mystery to fans and the media as he was to Arceneaux back in early 2010.

Yet, there were hints. In an early spring teleconference, just before practices were set to begin, Chip Kelly made a point of singing Mariota’s praises.

“He’s a real sharp kid,” Kelly said.

“You really don’t have to correct him

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more than once. He very rarely makes the same mistake twice and has worked really hard at the off the field stuff — studying tape on his own and doing all those other things.

“He’s got a real good grasp of what we’re doing, so I think we feel real confident as a staff in our quarterback situation.”

Later in the spring, during the third week of practice, linebacker Michael Clay shed light on what he had seen from the other side of the ball.

“He’s really calm,” Clay said. “He’s very calm and collected. Whatever he does ... he’s really calm, and he just has things under wraps and he’s not really frenetic or anything like that.”

And in his trademark fashion, Mariota found a way to connect to teammates without necessarily being the loudest guy in the room. Each morning, he shook hands with every player he came across, made sure to say hello. In post-practice media sessions — which became much co

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AUTZEN EXPERIENCE

Nine tips to have a great time at the loudest stadium in college football w o r d s b y I s a a c R o senth a l

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p i c t u r e b y a l ex m c d o u g a l l

So you’re going to Autzen Stadium for the first time? Congratulations! Here are a few things to remember in order to make the most of your time in college football heaven: during the week) before the game to eat food, drink beer, watch college football and greet the Ducks on their walk to the locker room.

Walk to the stadium  Don’t plan on parking at the stadium. Instead, walk to Autzen through Alton Baker Park. It’s a roughly one-mile journey starting at corner of East 13th Avenue and Agate Street and is a beautiful and fun way to enter a stadium. When the bike path turns and Autzen becomes visible for the first time, it’s a gorgeous sight to behold. get loud  If you’re reading this, it’s unlikely you’ll need reminding that Autzen Stadium features one of the most feared home crowds in college football (despite being

just over half the size of some of its counterparts). That reputation comes as a result of unrelenting, unbearable noise on every defensive snap. When you occupy a seat at Autzen, consider it a duty to maintain this essential role.

Learn the fight song  The Oregon Marching Band plays “Mighty Oregon” when the Ducks take the field and after scoring plays. 60,000 fans clap along, and a few even sing the lyrics — but most don’t seem to know them. The song is an easy one to learn (there are plenty of videos online), and there’s something undeniably awesome about an entire stadium singing the same song. co

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Arrive early  The student section is general admission, so the better seat — er, standing position — you want, the earlier you should expect to arrive at Autzen Stadium. The students who routinely occupy the front row have been known to arrive more than six hours before kickoff. The gates to Autzen open three hours before kickoff, but the seating bowl itself doesn’t open until roughly 90 minutes before the game. Oh, and if you’re watching from the student section, don’t expect to sit down (except at halftime). Those who aren’t students — as well as students who aren’t obsessed with getting the best seat in the building — are still encouraged to arrive at Autzen early. Fans can visit the Moshofsky Center (the Ducks’ practice facility

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Know the forecast  It never rains at Autzen Stadium ... except when it does.

Stay the whole time  Nothing makes a fanbase look worse than half-empty bleachers at the end of a game. It might be easy to leave a nonconference game early because Oregon is up by 30 points and it’s 100 degrees outside, but the players don’t get to leave early because the weather is uncomfortable, and you shouldn’t either. Fans that stay the entire game are invited to run around on the turf five minutes after the final whistle.

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Brace for the return walk  Since a great deal of Duck fans elect to park

closer to campus and walk across the river to Autzen Stadium, an equally high number of fans leave the stadium in an identical manner. Until the throngs of people cross the footbridge, it’s a slow-moving, claustrophobic pack of people. There’s no simple way to avoid this, and yelling and screaming won’t make it any better.

Don’t drink and drive  Beer and college football are a good combination, but beer and driving is not.

If you’re going to drink, whether it’s during the game or at a tailgate, make sure you have a plan for how to get home. Autzen Stadium shuttles can be a great designated driver, and there are other public transportation options as well.

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Legacy.

QUARTERBACK HISTORY

w o r d s b y D a v id Lie b e r m a n

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As most fervent fans know, Oregon isn’t renowned for producing outstanding quarterbacks on a consistent basis through its entire history. That being said, the program can lay claim to a respectable list of distinguished signal callers over the years. Here are some of the all-time greats to have suited up in the green and yellow: Norm Van Brocklin is a member of the Pro and College Football Halls of Fame and was named an AllAmerican in 1948. He led the Pacific Coast Conference in passing two times and in punting once. He also spearheaded Oregon’s journey to its first bowl game in 29 years, the 1949 Cotton Bowl, and finished sixth in voting for the Heisman trophy that season.

Years played 1946-48

Dan Fouts is a member of the Oregon Sports and Pro Football Halls of Fame and left Eugene holding 19 school records. He is sixth all-time in career passing yards, despite having played just three seasons. During his time in the NFL, he was one of the league’s most prolific passers and was a named an All-Pro on three occasions (1979, 1982, 1985).

Years played 1970-72

Passing stats 1,949 yards, 16 touchdowns, 22 interceptions

Passing stats 5,995 yards, 37 touchdowns, 54 interceptions

Record as starter 16-5-0 (.761 win pct.)

Record as starter 15-17-1 (.455 win pct.)

Bill Musgrave revived the Oregon program by leading the Ducks to their first bowl game in 26 years, a 27-24 victory over Tulsa in the 1989 Independence Bowl. He remains Oregon’s career passing leader with 8,343 yards and threw for a single game-record of 489 yards against BYU in 1990, the same year he was named firstteam All-Pac-10.

Years played 1987-90 Passing stats 8,343 yards, 60 touchdowns, 40 interceptions Record as starter 28-19-0 (.596 win pct.)

Watch Bill Musgrave’s historical achievements and learn about his obsession with video games. It’s quite a gem. bit.ly/OBufpQ

Joey Harrington was the first Heisman finalist in Oregon history and helped the program gain momentum that has carried into the current day. During the 200102 season, Harrington was named Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year while leading the Ducks to a BCS berth and victory in the Fiesta Bowl as well as a No. 2 national ranking in the final Associated Press poll. Harrington holds a share of the school record for most touchdown passes in a single game (6), a feat he achieved twice.

Years played 1998-01 Passing stats 6,911 yards, 59 touchdowns, 23 interceptions Record as starter 25-3 (.893 win pct)

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Watch the video from Joey Harrington’s 2001 Heisman Trophy presentation. It talks about how his father and grandfather were both college quarterbacks. bit.ly/QpyZkJ

Norm Van Brocklin

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Dennis Dixon was the first quarterback to fully embrace Chip Kelly’s system — and it surely embraced him. The dual-threat quarterback was spotty as a part-time starter in 2005 (777 yards, six touchdowns, three interceptions) and a full-time starter in 2006 (2,143 yards passing, 12 touchdowns, 14 interceptions). Yet, these experiences paved the foundation for a spectacular 2007 that would vault Oregon’s program into the national consciousness for the first time since the Joey Harrington era. That year, Dixon guided the Ducks to an 8-1 record and a No. 2 ranking in the BCS Standings before a knee injury (first suffered against Arizona State and reaggravated in a loss to Arizona) derailed his season and the team’s hopes of reaching the title game. Despite playing in only 10 contests, Dixon was the Pacific-10 Conference’s unanimous Offensive Player of the Year and an honorable mention All-American.

The San Leandro, Calif., native also registered fourth in voting for AP Player of the Year and was one of three finalists for the Maxwell Award. His mix of pinpoint passing and electrifying athleticism would set a blueprint for the ideal quarterback in Chip Kelly’s spread option. He was drafted in the fifth round (156th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Put simply, Jeremiah Masoli came out of nowhere to put his stamp on Oregon’s program history. A junior college transfer, he shot up the team’s depth chart — from potential redshirt and the fifth quarterback in camp to a 10-game starter — showing that unconventional quarterbacks could consistently perform in the spread option. He capped off 2008, his first year as a starter, by earning Offensive MVP honors at the Holiday Bowl, where the Ducks cruised past No. 13 Oklahoma State. Masoli finished with 258 yards and one touchdown through the air, and 106 yards and three scores rushing. Just as important, Oregon football now had a new face — and an intimidating one, at that.  2009 saw Masoli’s prospects continue to improve. His late-game heroics against Arizona and Oregon State earned Oregon a berth in the Rose Bowl and led to first team All-Pac-10 honors from several media outlets. Masoli’s career was cut short by a series of off-the-field issues, eventually leading him to transfer to Ole Miss and finish his career in the Southeastern Conference.

Despite the unceremonious ending to his time in Eugene, Masoli is remembered as a fearless competitor and impressive athlete during his time with the Ducks.

Years played: 2008, 2010-11 Passing STATS: 5,910 yards, 66 touchdowns, 17 interceptions Record as starter: 23-3 (.855 winning percentage)

Years played: 2004-07 Passing stats: 5,129 yards, 38 touchdowns, 21 interceptions Record as starter: 18-7 (.720 winning percentage)

Years played: 2008-09 Passing STATS: 3,891 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions Record as a starter: 16-6 (.727 winning percentage)

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Darron Thomas made his Oregon debut under ominous conditions, sacrificing a potential redshirt year in 2008 to attempt a rousing comeback against Boise State. That day, Thomas completed 13 of 25 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns in the game’s final 15 minutes, rallying the Ducks from a 24-point deficit to a respectable 37-32 loss. In many ways, the qualities Thomas exhibited that day — poise, reliability and sound decision-making — would guide him throughout the rest of his time as a Duck. In his two seasons as a starter, Thomas led the Ducks to a first-ever appearance (and defeat) in the BCS National Championship Game and Oregon’s first Rose Bowl win in 95 years. Despite a shortened career, Thomas ranks first all-time in program history in touchdown passes (66), seventh in passing yards (5,910) and sixth in total offense (6,633). In contrast to Dixon, Thomas was anything but flashy. However, his accurate touch passes and deft decisions in the option-read formation spearheaded the height of Oregon’s ascent to national prominence and proved that Kelly’s spread was more trend than flash in the pan.

POSITION PREVIEW

Lineups. w o r d s b y eme r a l d s p o r ts st a ff

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LaMichael James, Darron Thomas and Lavasier Tuinei are gone.

De’Anthony Thomas, Kenjon Barner and John Boyett are back.

The Ducks will field a whopping 65 freshmen and sophomores next season. Here are some of the names — both familiar and unfamiliar — that look poised to step up their play in 2012.

Running back

Ke n jon Ba r ner , B yron Mars hall, Aye le Forde

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There is no question that the loss of three-time all-conference running back LaMichael James will be felt in more ways than one when the 2012 season begins. Fortunately, the Ducks have a proven talent in senior Kenjon Barner, who played a crucial role in each of the last three seasons as James’ backup. Barner’s touches figure to double as the featured back, though it’s easy to forget the 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior carried the ball 152 times a year ago and will likely surpass the 2,000-yard mark for his career within the first two weeks of the season.  Things do get a little murky behind the senior. True freshman Byron Marshall will likely be pressed into action his first year on campus — without the added benefit of the spring season to get a grasp on Chip Kelly’s challenging playbook. What has been a deep position for Oregon in recent years will be a bit of a question mark entering summer camp.

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 Kenjon

Barner has racked up impressive stats while running in the shadow of LaMichael James. Now, it’s his turn to shine.

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POSITION PREVIEW

Wide receiver

J o s h H u ff, Da ryle Hawkins, De ’Ant ho ny Thomas

For the second year in a row, Oregon’s wide receiving corps remains somewhat of a mystery. Lavasier Tuinei far surpassed expectations for his senior season, and the Ducks will need someone to step up in the same fashion in 2012. With only two seniors on the roster — Will Murphy and Rahsaan Vaughn — and a trio of redshirt freshmen expecting to become impact players in the fall, this figures to be a position of key interest during summer camp.  Junior Josh Huff and sophomore Eric Dungy have proven to be talented options on the outside, while sophomore Keanon Lowe and junior Daryle Hawkins have climbed their way up the depth chart as blue-collar workers. Of course, sophomore sensation De’Anthony Thomas will be in the mix as a slot receiver again, and few players have speed remotely comparable to the Los Angeles native. He will be used in a variety of ways as a sophomore and should have an even better understanding of the playbook once the season begins.

 Tight end Colt Lyerla will look to fill the shoes of David Paulson.

Lyerla is a big red-zone target (5 TDs on 7 catches in 2011) and should have a monster fall.

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With three-year starter David Paulson graduated, sophomore Colt Lyerla is in line to take over at a position that’s been as important as any for the Ducks offensively.

One of the greatest true athletes of any player on the current Oregon roster, he will be leaned on for more consistency in his second season. Having caught five of his seven receptions for touchdowns in 2011, he proved to be a quality target in the red zone and will certainly be someone Bryan Bennett and Marcus Mariota look to early in the year.  Redshirt freshman Christian French and true freshman Evan Baylis should compete for the second tight end position, which Oregon used extensively late last season. Neither player showed much in the Spring Game in April, though French (6-foot-5, 231 lbs.) and Baylis (6foot-6, 232 lbs.) both have adequate size to contribute to blocking in the run game right away.

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POSITION PREVIEW

Offensive Line

C a r s on Yo r k, Nick Co dy, Hroniss Gras u, Ryan Clanton, Jake F i sh e r

Even Carson York himself has professed to be surprised at how quickly he recovered from a devastating knee injury suffered in the Rose Bowl, and if all goes according to plan, there’s reason to expect him to start opening weekend.

His presence will be needed, too, after the departures of senior stalwarts Mark Asper and Darrion Weems.  With York posted at left guard, sophomore Hroniss Grasu and senior Nick Cody will also return at center and right tackle, respectively. The most pressing question is who will take over at the all-important left tackle position in Weems’ wake, but sophomore Jake Fisher should be ready after seeing some playing `time as a freshman. At 6-foot-6, 279 pounds, he certainly has the size to excel on the blind side.  Finally, senior Ryan Clanton should step in for Asper at right guard, and though he’s never been a full-time starter at Oregon, he did appear in 11 games last season at both tackle and guard.

In all, though some patchwork certainly needs to be done by offensive line coach Steve Greatwood, this group shouldn’t miss a beat in 2012.

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 Taylor Hart, who started 14 games last season, forms the foundation of a stacked and powerful defensive line this fall.

Defensive Line

Dion Jordan, Taylo r Hart, Wade Ke l i i k i p i , A r i k A r m ste a d

The defensive front line will certainly miss departed seniors Terrell Turner and Brandon Hanna, but the “next-man-up” attitude on the offensive line also carries over here. If last season was any indication, defensive end Dion Jordan (first team All-Pac-12, 42 tackles, 7.5 sacks) might be ready for a monster senior season.  Taylor Hart started all 14 games at defensive tackle last season, and his motor is unstoppable. Expect him to be as consistent as ever.  Elsewhere, many will likely wonder how involved true freshman Arik Armstead will be. At this point, it’s impossible to say how much the heralded recruit from Elk Grove, Calif., will play, but a noteworthy fall camp would bring him a long way toward increased time on the field. At a monstrous 6-foot-8 and 297 pounds, he’s certainly mature enough physically to contribute right away. Whether his schematic development can catch up to his physical stature remains to be seen.

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POSITION PREVIEW

Linebackers

B o s e ko Lokombo, Kiko Alo nso, Mic hae l Clay

This may be Oregon’s most solidified position on either offense or defense. Josh Kaddu and Dewitt Stuckey’s departures will hurt to a certain extent, but both Kiko Alonso and Boseko Lokombo proved last season they’re more than capable of contributing on a full-time starter level (79 tackles, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions combined in 2011).  Michael Clay will be the unquestioned leader of the linebacking corps and likely the entire defensive unit — few know Oregon’s defensive schemes better than the senior from San Jose, Calif. The backups — Derrick Malone, Anthony Wallace, Tyson Coleman — are far from proven, and this might be the only Achilles’ heel of the unit.

Should any of the starters go down — and Clay struggled with injuries throughout 2011 — it’s unclear whether Oregon has the depth to press forward as it has in past seasons. Judging purely by the starters, though, it’s hard to find fault with the linebackers who will see the bulk of playing time on opening weekend.

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Defensive backs

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With Cliff Harris conspicuously absent from last year’s defensive backfield, three true freshmen — Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Troy Hill and Terrance Mitchell – were thrown into significant roles. Surprisingly, the Ducks didn’t miss a beat, largely thanks to the veteran leadership from Boyett and rover Eddie Pleasant, who graduated last spring.  Ekpre-Olomu possesses the most potential of the sophomore trio. He played in every game last season — racking up 34 tackles along with eight pass breakups — and displayed elite coverage skills. The former four-star recruit could have a breakout campaign in 2012.  Mitchell is another big-time talent who should start opposite Ekpre-Olomu. He had two picks and 10 pass breakups in 2011 as well as showed solid cover skills and a nose for the ball as a first-year player. He should see more challenging assignments in a larger role as a sophomore.  Boyett can be counted on to display the leadership, obsessive attention to detail and fearlessness that’s made him one of the conference’s best safeties during his career as a four-year starter.  Dargan is a ball hawk but has big shoes to fill in replacing Pleasant. He’s shown progression this spring and should be an interesting storyline as the Ducks look for reliable play behind Boyett.

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POSITION PREVIEW

Ale j an d ro M a ldon a do, Jac ks on Ric e , Rob Be ard, De ’Ant ho ny Thom as, J o sh H uff, Br i a n J ackso n

Despite many ups and downs during a year filled with setbacks, most Oregon fans will remember Maldonado’s 2011 for the 37-yard field goal he missed against USC. However, fans forget that the then-sophomore — who was headed for a redshirt until quad injuries took Beard out of the lineup — hit a 30-yarder late in the Rose Bowl as well as six other kicks through the season. That being said, Rob Beard has the bigger leg of the two and looked serviceable when he returned late last season to assume kickoff duties. The position will be up for grabs heading into fall practices, but Beard has the upper hand because of his range.  Rice’s opportunities to punt are few and far between, but he looks to be headed for an elite season, as his 49.5 yards per attempt would have been sixth in the country last year (he failed to qualify statistically due to limited reps).  Thomas, if given the opportunity, should continue to be electric in the kick game; Huff and Jackson could also serve as solid returners and give Oregon two more home-run threats every game.

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 Josh Huff could pair with De’Anthony Thomas on an explosive kick return unit for the Ducks.

Special teams

THE FUTURE

OK, so it turns out Chip Kelly won’t be getting a personalized, tricked-out hot tub after all. No matter how awesome it was to imagine an offensive guru breaking down film in between bubbles, that doesn’t mean Kelly won’t welcome Oregon’s $68 million football facility renovation.

Construction is currently underway and expected to wrap up in fall 2013. The new compound will feature nine dedicated classrooms (one for each key position on the football team), two movie theaters, an advanced video center, a Duck football museum and a 2,285-square-foot players lounge and deck, among other amenities. Kelly and his staff have already lured a handful of blue-chip studs (De’Anthony Thomas, Colt Lyerla, Arik Armstead) with their current, state-of-the-art facilities. An opulent, Nike-fueled makeover should ensure that the Ducks remain stocked with talent.

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more common for him during spring practices — his easygoing friendliness also extended to reporters, whom he’d smile at and even clap on the shoulder as a form of greeting. To watch and hear about it all was to witness a young freshman making his way in a new world.

“There’s still things that I feel like I can improve on,” Mariota says.

“Establish myself as a leader and making sure people understand that together we can accomplish big things. That’s what we’re hoping.”

None of that would matter, of course, without progress on the field, and to that end, Mariota continued to work with an almost frightening single-mindedness. Just like in high school, he approached every day like he was fighting for a job — only this time, he really was. Even during his spring break, when he returned to Honolulu, Mariota could often be found waiting outside Arceneaux’s office, ready to break down tape or throw passes to some of the high

school’s newer pupils.

“It’s almost where I’ve gotta tell him, ‘Why don’t you just go have fun?’” Arceneaux says. “You always enjoy this time of your life, because you only get this once. But he understands that he’s got this one shot to make his dreams comes true. You only get those in special guys.”

The April 28 Spring Game was where it was all supposed to pay off, at least in the short term, before fall camp in August and the season opener in September. Mariota himself admitted beforehand that it was one of the biggest games of his career, even if it didn’t count for anything in the record books.

With ESPN cameras and 44,129 eyes trained on him that Saturday, Mariota positively shined. His first two passes were short completions, baby steps on a high-tempo drive that would end in a touchdown. “That was impressive,” Kelly said in an interview with ESPN after the drive ended.

“And that’s what we’ve seen all spring from Marcus. He’s got a real good

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command of what we’re doing.”

He wasn’t done, either. Breaking hard to his right in the second quarter, Mariota faked the option toss and cut left into the open field. All of a sudden, a gaping hole opened up in the defense, and he was off to the races.

The crowd erupted as he loped into the endzone, 82 yards later. By this time, ESPN’s Chris Fowler and Brock Huard were knee deep in Dennis Dixon comparisons, and their fawning only continued when Mariota roped a pretty touch pass for a 35-yard touchdown to Daryle Hawkins less than two minutes later. It was all smiles on that sideline afterward, and the cameras picked up a rare uncensored moment when Mariota embraced defensive back Erick Dargan — with a handshake, of course.

“Take that shit, Marcus!” Dargan yelled as he walked away.

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that breakout game in April — and a comparatively mundane performance from his competition — experience should play in the favor of Bennett going into fall camp. But Kelly is nothing if not unpredictable, and the last time the head coach faced such a decision at quarterback, he went with the relatively unknown Darron Thomas over senior Nate Costa. Anything can happen, and that’s the sentiment Kelly prefers until he finally names a starter the week before the season opener against Arkansas State.

None of that — not the complex machinations of Kelly’s mind, nor the ongoing development of Bennett — is within Mariota’s control. All he can do is keep his head down and continue to work, to shake hands with every player he sees before practice and command the room with his quiet presence — just as he did at St. Louis.

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GAME PREVIEWS

Will a weak nonconference schedule fully prepare the Ducks for Pac-12 play? w o r d s b y p a t r ic k m a l ee

Arkansas State, Saturday, Sept. 1, eugene, 7:30 p.m. on espn (103, 8-0 Sun Belt in 2011) It’s certainly no showdown with LSU in Texas, but welcoming Arkansas State to Autzen Stadium in the season opener won’t be a picnic for Chip Kelly & Co. The Red Wolves posted a strong 10-3 overall record last year, including an impressive undefeated run through the Sun Belt conference. Adding another wrinkle to the matchup is the presence of former Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who accepted the Arkansas State head coaching position back in December. Like Kelly, Malzahn is a known proponent of the nohuddle offense, so if nothing else, this should certainly be a high-paced game. There’s little reason to believe the Ducks will stumble at home to open the season, and the most interesting part of the game will likely be evaluating whoever ends up starting at quarterback. Did You Know? This is the first ever meeting between Oregon and Arkansas State.

Fresno State, Saturday, Sept. 8, EUGENE, 3:30 p.m. on pac-12 networks (4-9, 3-4 Mountain West in 2011) The Bulldogs were fairly miserable in 2011, posting a 4-9 overall record and their first losing season since 2006. After what should be a decently competitive season-opener, Oregon should cruise through this matchup — especially within the confines of Autzen Stadium. Like the Missouri State and New Mexico games of years past, this will be a stat-padding blowout that might be over by the end of the first quarter. Did You Know? The last time Oregon lost to Fresno State was in 1982 by a rather odd score of 10-4.

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Tennessee Tech, Saturday, Sept. 15, eugene, noon on pac-12 networks (7-4 in 2011) Many Oregon fans will likely look at this matchup and wonder if Tennessee Tech is a real school. It is, indeed, and one that competes in the FCS division of college football. The Ohio Valley Conference mainstay was actually successful with a winning 7-4 record last season but was destroyed by Iowa 34-7 in its only game against big-time competition. The Ducks, playing at home for a third straight week to start the season, won’t have any trouble dismantling the Golden Eagles, and the backups should be in by the second half.

Did You Know? According to Tennessee Tech’s athletic website, head coach Watson Brown operates under the notion of playing “The Fastest 60 Minutes in Football.”

GAME PREVIEWS Arizona, Saturday, Sept. 22, EUGENE, Channel & TIME tba (4-8, 2-7 Pac-12 in 2011) Arizona’s fall from grace in 2011 was stunning, particularly because it came during quarterback Nick Foles’ senior year. Between Sept. 8 and Nov. 12, the Wildcats lost eight of nine games, including a 56-31 defeat at the hands of Oregon in Tucson. It was all enough to cost head coach Mike Stoops his job, and now Arizona looks to rebuild its program under former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez. The Wildcats will already be battle-tested by the time they arrive in Eugene, having faced off with Oklahoma State in the second week of the season. Beyond adjusting to a new coaching regime, the Wildcats are also faced with replacing Foles, wide receiver Juron Criner and cornerback Trevin Wade — all of whom were drafted to the NFL. Rodriguez will look to deploy his spread-option offense against Oregon, but it doesn’t look like he has the pieces yet to overcome the Ducks. Did You Know? Arizona has a player named Sir Thomas Jackson, a freshman linebacker, on its roster.

Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 29, century link field, seattle, Channel & TIME tba (4-8, 2-7 Pac-12 in 2011) The first Chip Kelly-Mike Leach showdown takes place in Pullman, as Kenjon Barner also returns to the scene where he suffered a terrifying head injury back in 2010. Barner enters as the full-time starter this time around and will likely look to exorcise any lingering demons with a dominant outing. The Cougars typically play better at home, and Leach will certainly have them fired up for this game, but it’s still hard to imagine them possessing enough firepower to get passed the Ducks.

Did You Know? This is only Leach’s second head coach job, after spending ten seasons at the helm of Texas Tech.

Pa g e 3 4

Washington, Saturday, Oct. 6, eugene, Channel & TIME tba (7-6, 5-4 Pac-12 in 2011) The Ducks come right back home after the Pullman trip to face off with Washington, which should be a formidable opponent with Keith Price returning for a second year at the helm of an offense that averaged 33.4 points per game last year. Star running back Chris Polk may be gone, but Washington should have plenty of firepower to throw at Oregon regardless, and some new additions to the coaching staff could also pay dividends. After firing embattled defensive coordinator Nick Holt, head coach Steve Sarkisian brought in Oregon alumnus Justin Wilcox — most recently the defensive guru at Tennessee. Also added to the staff was former California defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi — known to be a recruiting wizard. Of course, it’s the players on the field that matter most, and in this case, Oregon remains the far superior team on paper. Expect that to be reflected on the field come October. Did You Know? Oregon has now won eight straight games against Washington, dating back to 2003.

Arizona State, Thursday, Oct. 18, tempe, ariz., 6 p.m. on espn (67, 4-5 Pac-12 in 2011) Oregon’s first Thursday night game of the season comes off of a bye week and against an Arizona State team that, like its cross state counterpart, is in the middle of the rebuilding process.

Head coach Dennis Erickson is gone, replaced by former Pittsburgh coach Todd Graham. Quarterback Brock Osweiler is gone, too, and will be replaced by one of three players currently battling for the spot: sophomore Mike Bercovici, redshirt freshman Michael Eubank and redshirt sophomore Taylor Kelly. Also departed is ever-controversial yet productive linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who surprisingly went undrafted back in April. Like many other Pac-12 teams, the Sun Devils are clearly in a reloading phase, and even home field advantage shouldn’t do much to stop Oregon. Did You Know? After spending just a single season at Pittsburgh before moving to Arizona State, Graham has now coached at four different schools since 2006.

GAME PREVIEWS

Colorado, Saturday, Oct. 27, Eugene, Channel & TIME tba (3-10, 2-7 Pac-12 in 2011) It was a rude welcome to the Pac-12 for Colorado in 2011, but the Buffaloes did manage to snag a pair of four star ESPN recruits (cornerbacks Yuri Wright and Kenny Crawley) to round out their 2012 recruiting class and seem to expect better things in all for their second conference go-round. Game-breaking receiver Paul Richardson returns, as does second team All-Pac-12 offensive tackle David Bakhtiari. The expectation is for Texas transfer Connor Wood to replace departed senior Tyler Hansen at quarterback, and in all, the Buffaloes will likely look like an entirely different team than the one Oregon saw in 2011. Alas, those differences won’t likely amount to anything close to bridging the talent gap between the Ducks and the Buffaloes, and it’s not too much to expect another blowout — especially since the game is at Autzen Stadium this time around. Did You Know?

Colorado welcomed eight defensive lineman to its 2012 recruiting class, and according to ESPN’s Ted Miller, the Buffaloes expect to play at least half of them this season.

USC, Saturday, Nov. 3, Los Angeles, Calif., Channel & TIME tba (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12 in 2011) This is, of course, the game everyone has circled on their calendars — and with good reason. USC will likely be the only Pac-12 team ranked higher than Oregon in the preseason polls and returns a slew of star players including quarterback (and Heisman frontrunner) Matt Barkley, receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee and safety T.J. McDonald. After shocking Oregon in Eugene last year, ending any slim hope of a repeat national championship appearance, USC deservedly will come into this game as the favorite. Though Oregon’s offense should be expected to be as productive as ever, the defense will have to grasp at straws to contain Barkley — who shredded the Ducks to the tune of 323 yards and four touchdowns last year — and his dominant duo of receivers. Whoever wins Oregon’s quarterback battle, meanwhile, will find himself smack dab in the middle of one of the year’s most anticipated games. It’s impossible to know how Bryan Bennett or Marcus Mariota would react under the circumstances, but in the absence of that knowledge, USC should be expected to win going into the season. Did You Know? Woods and Lee combined for 2,435 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in 2011.

Pa g e 3 5

California, Saturday, Nov. 10, Berkeley, Calif., Channel & TIME tba (7-6, 4-5 Pac-12 in 2011) Oregon continues its toughest road trip of the season here in Berkeley against Jeff Tedford and Cal. This will be a big game in what may turn into a make-or-break season for Tedford, whose teams have continued to underperform in recent years.

Quarterback Zach Maynard will be back in action, and Tedford can only hope that the senior will improve upon an uneven 2011 campaign that saw him complete 57 percent of his passes for 17 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. The good news for Maynard and Cal is that wide receiver Keenan Allen returns for his junior season, looking to improve on a stellar 2011 campaign that included 1,343 yards and six touchdowns on 98 receptions. At the same time, Allen will shoulder even more of a load after the Golden Bears saw their No. 2, 3 and 4 receivers depart. Look for the Ducks to key in on Allen and force Cal’s other receivers to beat them. Barring a major upset, it’s hard to see Oregon losing this game. Did You Know? Cal’s recruiting class has ranked in ESPN’s top 25 for three straight years.

GAME PREVIEWS Stanford, Saturday, Nov. 17, eugene, Channel & TIME tba (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12 in 2011) This showdown lacks the luster of yesteryear with star Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, but Stanford looks set to rebound nicely on the heels of landing ESPN’s twelfth-ranked recruiting class in 2012. As far as this upcoming season is concerned, Luck will be replaced by either senior Josh Nunes or junior Brett Nottingham — neither of which is anywhere near his caliber. Stanford also lost two of its best offensive linemen — Jonathan Martin and and David DeCastro — as well as tight end Coby Fleener, who joined Luck in Indianapolis. For the time being, Stanford doesn’t appear to have the firepower to overcome Oregon — which won the last two against the Cardinal even when Luck was around — but David Shaw’s crew should be back in contention sooner rather than later. Did You Know? In the last two seasons, Stanford has been outscored by Oregon 105-61 in head-to-head matchups.

Oregon State, Saturday, Nov. 24, Corvallis, Channel & TIME tba (3-9, 3-6 Pac-12 in 2011) If nothing else, the Beavers come into 2012 with the advantage of continuity on offense. Quarterback Sean Mannion is back for his sophomore season, as is leading receiver Markus Wheaton. Promising sophomore receiver Brandin Cooks also returns, and together the three skill players could turn into a formidable trio. The specter of last year’s sleeper of a matchup remains, though, and even with the game taking place in Corvallis, it’s hard not to see Oregon winning its fifth straight Civil War. The Beavers ranked last in the Pac-12 in rushing defense last year, and barring a stunning turnaround, that could prove to be their downfall once again this year.

Did You Know? Wheaton’s time of 10.58 seconds narrowly edged Oregon’s De’Anthony Thomas (10.65) in the 100-meter race at the Twilight track and field meet last Saturday.

Get coverage throughout the season from some of the nation’s top student journalists at DailyEmerald.com, on Twitter with @odesports and on the Ducks Gameday iPhone app.

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

PREDICTIONS

Emerald Sports staff share their insights on the coming season OPPO N E N T

W I LL OR E GO N W I N ?

Want more analysis and predictions from the Emerald Sports staff?

Go to DailyEmerald.com



David Lieberman

Matt Walks

Will Rubin

Isaac Rosenthal

Arkansas State

WIN

63-7

WIN

44-10

WIN

44-17

WIN

42-20

Fresno State

WIN

42-17

WIN

56-21

WIN

41-3

WIN

34-17

Tennessee Tech

WIN

59-7

WIN

38-13

WIN

59-7

WIN

35-6

Arizona

WIN

36-28

WIN

48-21

WIN

38-21

WIN

31-14

Washington State

WIN

54-24

WIN

45-28

WIN

40-12

WIN

37-10

Washington

WIN

42-28

WIN

35-17

WIN

55-30

WIN

35-14

Arizona State

WIN

49-24

WIN

54-38

WIN

49-24

WIN

31-21

Colorado

WIN

38-7

WIN

45-2

WIN

38-7

WIN

52-3

USC

LOSS

42-24

LOSS

48-45

LOSS

31-30

WIN

43-41

Cal

WIN

35-24

WIN

41-17

WIN

35-24

WIN

24-10

Stanford

WIN

45-27

WIN

47-23

WIN

41-17

WIN

34-21

Oregon State

WIN

52-14

WIN

38-7

WIN

57-16

WIN

42-24

Pac-12 Championship

LOSS

48-28

WIN

52-35

WIN

35-21

WIN

28-14

Oregon wins Alamo Bowl 48-21 against Texas and ends the seaon 12-2 (10-2 Pac-12).

VS. USC

Oregon wins BCS Championship 36-28 against LSU and ends season 13-1 (10-1 Pac-12).

VS. USC

Oregon wins Rose Bowl 41-40 against Michigan and ends the season 13-1 (10-1 Pac-12).

VS. USC

Oregon wins BCS Championship 35-28 against LSU and ends season 14-0 (10-0 Pac-12).

Pa g e 3 7

Bowl game and the bottom line

VS. USC

COLUMN

Drama of Bennett vs. Mariota destined to shadow Oregon program indefinitely

Pa g e 3 8

David Lieberman is the Emerald’s sports editor and a sports business major. A Portland native, he remains a Trail Blazers fan despite tortured childhood memories.

On April 28, as soon as the final whistle blew on Oregon’s Spring Game, one Duck player was instantaneously elevated to campus rock star status.  As we all know, that man was redshirt freshman quarterback Marcus Mariota.  Of course, the increased publicity came with sufficient justification. After all, it’s doubtful even one of the 44,129 people at Autzen Stadium went home without thinking at least once: “Damn, that kid looks good.”

Mariota’s flashiest play was an 82-yard touchdown run in which he dusted several speedy members of Oregon’s secondary. But the Honolulu native showed much more than raw ability in his first meaningful public appearance as a Duck.

A solid pocket presence.

Crisp, precise throws. The patience to let receivers get open and the touch and timing to hit them in stride.

In fact, Mariota took up so much of the spotlight that Saturday that Bryan Bennett — the redshirt sophomore who only weeks earlier was the newly anointed golden boy of the program — seemed to be completely overshadowed.

Bennett was such an afterthought that he managed to initially exit Autzen Stadium without making a brief appearance for the assembled horde of media. He was eventually corralled to the pressroom, but the point remained: If only for that day, Mariota was the hot commodity, while Bennett was … something else.

With spring practices coming to a close and the dog days of summer approaching, media and fans did what they do best — react. Suddenly, Bennett was on relatively shaky ground, with Mariota’s stock was booming.

Ironically, it was only a few months prior that antsy fans and journalists had pondered whether Bennett was a better option than now-departed

starter Darron Thomas. Never mind that Thomas was the program’s all-time leader in touchdown passes and a big-game performer. Bennett looked THAT good.

Now it seemed he had misplayed his hand as the favorite to win Oregon’s coveted starting position. Chip Kelly did his best to quiet the firestorm. “(Bryan) didn’t have his best day today,” Kelly said.

“And so he’s got to flip that and use that as momentum.”

One day to be sure, but also one hell of a first impression.

What’s unfortunate is that, for a long while, it’s the only evidence we’ll have to dissect. With Kelly shuttering the doors on spring practices and the players on extended vacation, those around the program are forced to take the scraps thrown our way.

Even if we studied the Spring Game film with Peyton Manning-like intensity, we’d be left wondering about the unseen. Which quarterback is the more vocal leader or more respected in the locker room?

Even more importantly, it’s key to remember what the Spring Game represents: a glorified scrimmage. During the contest, both quarterbacks were commanding skeleton rosters conspicuously devoid of Oregon’s full arsenal of offensive weapons. How do Bennett and Mariota look, respectively, with the firstteam offense at their disposal?

Who has developed better

chemistry with De’Anthony Thomas, Kenjon Barner and the receiving corps?

Fans can only hope that players ignore the impending media circus — or at least learn how to avoid its pitfalls. When rumors swirled about his status on the team, Thomas shrugged off his doubters. His discipline paid off when Oregon won its first Rose Bowl in 95 years.

But Mariota vs. Bennett appears to present much better theater, considering it pits two underclassmen with limited exposure and a litany of outstanding physical traits against one another.

Kelly understands that he’s lucky to have such a hangup.

But it’s a well-tested adage that the backup quarterback is the most popular guy in town.

With both players effectively basking in that type of glory, Oregon fans should be careful to not count on either as a consistent performer.

After all, Mariota has absolutely no game action under his belt. And Bennett — as I documented in a column this past January — racked up most of his impressive stats against competition that’s far from elite.

Round one of Bennett vs.

Mariota undoubtedly went to the freshman challenger. But until the full 12 rounds unfold, grab some popcorn. No matter the victor, Oregon’s future appears headed for enviable territory.

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