Dixon's Late Touchdown Leads Green Over White, 26-17
EUGENE ? Dennis Dixon’s 1-yard option keeper for a touchdown with :29 seconds left led the Green team over the White team, 26-17, in the Ducks’ final spring scrimmage held in front of 6,880 Saturday afternoon at Autzen Stadium.
In a game which matched evenly distributed teams, quarterback Brady Leaf threw for 285 yards and one touchdown for the White team, while competing QB Dennis Dixon connected on 14 of 25 passes for the green team, accumulating 114 yards and one passing touchdown to go with his rushing touchdown.
"We have a lot of weapons on this team and we don’t play selfishly," Dixon said. "It’s up to me to get the ball to the right guys at the right time."
"Everyone made progress," Leaf said. "Dennis [Dixon] and I are battling and that’s good preperation for the season."
Freshman Matthew Harper led the Green defense with two interceptions on the afternoon. The Green team had three total interceptions in the game, while the White team recorded none. Jairus Byrd also had a 55-yard interception return for the Green.
"I was very pleased with the defense," Head Coach Mike Bellotti said. "Anytime you get turnovers, that’s exciting. There were several times the ball was stripped and knocked out and that was good to see."
Johnathan Stewart led the rushing attack for the Green team on the afternoon, accumulating 74 yards on the ground and also catching five passes for 12 yards. Jeremiah Johnson had 45 yards rushing for the White squad and also led the team with five catches for 79 yards.
Dixon’s late touchdown was set up by an 18-yard carry by Terrell Jackson, who played most of the fourth quarter at running back for the Green squad.
Jaison Williams and Garren Strong both recorded touchdown receptions for the Ducks. Williams’ touchdown opened the scoring in the ballgame, as he grabbed a 33-yard pass from Leaf with 6:08 remaining in the first quarter, completing a 77-yard drive that spanned 10 plays. Dixon then responded by hitting Strong less than two minutes later, capping a six play, 69-yard drive with a 31-yard reception to make the score 8-7.
Matt Evenson and freshman Morgan Flint both had field goals for the Ducks, Evenson connecting on a 20-yard attempt and Flint a 26-yard attempt.
The Ducks open the 2006 season Saturday September 2nd against the Stanford Cardinal.
