Sky's the Limit for QBs on 2004 Team
A year ago the Oregon offense featured a pair of quarterbacks running the show which Bellotti felt offered his team its best chance for early success. It was hard to argue with the results that Jason Fife and Kellen Clemens produced, with one quarterback riding the hot hand often compensating for the struggles of the other.
The formula for success was nothing new for Bellotti, who had previously riden the tandem of Akili Smith and Jason Maas into the 1997 Las Vegas Bowl as well as A.J. Feeley and Joey Harrington to a Sun Bowl berth in 1999.
But a magnificant Clemens-led comeback in the 10th game of the year vs. California anointed the Burns, Ore., sophomore as the present as well as the future solution in the quest that Duck fans hope will have as storied of an ending as such notable Oregon signal-callers as Harrington, Danny O’Neil and Bill Musgrave.
“Last year there was sort of a split focus,” Bellotti admitted. “We obviously had somewhat of two separate game plans for Jason Fife and Kellen Clemens. This year I think we can focus more on Kellen and what he can do, and tailor the game plan to him exclusively.”
Bellotti is hopeful that the lessons learned last year will pay huge dividends for Clemens in 2004, as indicated by his season-ending performance in which he completed 32 of 42 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns in a narrow Sun Bowl setback at the hands of Minnesota.
“Kellen’s performance the latter stages of last year was very encouraging,” Bellotti said. “I think he knows that there is still room for improvement but I think there’s a confidence in him both as an offense and as a football team. I think that’s important to the psyhe of the team.”
Although the focus will be on Clemens to guide the Ducks after starting all 13 games last season, redshirt freshman Johnny DuRocher has had the benefit of two full spring workouts and was part of the Ducks’ travel squad in 2003, making him a prime backup for Clemens. Also looking to step into the rotation are freshman Dennis Dixon (San Leandro, Calif.) and redshirt freshman Brady Leaf, both of whom bring different aspects to the positon and now need the experience to hone their skills.
