The University of Oregon Ducks narrowly missed the national championship last season. Instead, the Fiesta Bowl champs finished No. 2 in the rankings after winning back-to-back Pac-10 championships. Returning to the team from a year ago are six offensive starters and seven defensive starters. A good foundation exists to make another run for the Pac-10 title.
However, Oregon must replace the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, a Heisman Trophy Finalist and an All-American. Three players? No, just one. Joey Harrington.
Harrington’s graduation leaves mighty big webbed feet to be filled if the Ducks are going to paddle through the competition like they have recently. In his sophomore season Harrington began to show his talents. In eight games Harrington was 84-158. He threw for 1,180 yards and 10 touchdowns while only throwing three interceptions.
Harrington followed that by leading the Ducks to a 10-2 record by completing 214 of 405 pass attempts that accounted for 2,967 yards, throwing 22 touchdowns, and averaging 247.3 ypg.
To conclude his career Harrington delivered a stellar season. He connected on 214 of 364 attempts for 2,764 yards. While the average ypg dropped to 230.3, Harrington’s efficiency rating soared to 143.76 due to throwing 27 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
To attempt to fill this huge gaping space of impressive statistics and intangible leadership, Oregon has junior Jason Fife. Fife has completed six of nine career passes for 71 yards.
Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti believes his team to be capable of competing this season. Bellotti enters his 8th season at the helm of the Ducks with a
winning percentage of 72.3.
Optimism always helps team confidence, so does experienced talent. The Ducks are strong at the skills position, returning both starting wide receivers. Senior wide-out Keenan Howry is expected to eclipse the all-time Oregon records for receptions, yards and touchdowns at some point this season. Howry only needs 30 more catches, 831 more yards and six scores to become top Duck.
Also returning to this team is a running back in Onterrrio Smith who rushed for 1,007 yards. Smith will certainly get plenty of carries to replicate the results of the previous fall. To replace Harrington would be impossible. Few teams had a player on the covers of both ESPN Magazine and Sports Illustrated. The numerous 4th quarter comebacks that have contributed to Oregon’s recent success may not have happened without Harrington making the decisions and his teammates making the plays.