Pac-10 notebook: Beat-up Ducks under fire
PULLMAN – Oregon offensive coordinator Chip Kelly must feel a little overwhelmed this week.
After being the toast of the West Coast all season as the Ducks’ spread offense – with Dennis Dixon at the controlls – barreled through the Pac-10, Kelly has heard the criticism this week after the meltdown in Tucson.
To recap, the Ducks knew Dixon’s knee wasn’t sound, played him anyway, then seemed lost when his ACL gave out and Brady Leaf had to take over at quarterback.
“I can do a lot of things coaching-wise, but I can’t be a faith healer,” Kelly told the Oregonian this week. “I can’t be Mr. Miyagi from ‘The Karate Kid’ and slap my hands together. That was about the only remedy for the situation.”
But not the only remedy for this week. The Ducks travel to Southern California to face a reeling UCLA team Saturday. The Bruins gave Arizona State all it could handle last week and have to feel as if they have a shot against the beat-up Ducks.
Head coach Mike Bellotti told the Oregonian that Kelly, in his first season as Oregon’s offensive coordinator, will tweak the offense for Leaf. But there is a problem.
Both Leaf and Jonathan Stewart, the Pac-10’s leading rusher, have nagging injuries suffered against the Wildcats. Leaf’s left ankle was heavily taped Monday and Stewart is suffering from toe, shoulder and ankle problems.
The Ducks have had six season-ending injuries this year.
Bruins starting to heal up
Oregon’s opponent Saturday is starting to get a little healthier.
Ben Olson, who was the starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, is expected to practice this week. If he does, he could be available against the Ducks.
So far, all head coach Karl Dorrell will say is Olson could be the emergency quarterback behind Osaar Rasshan, the converted wide receiver who has started the last two games under center.
Beavers banged up
Oregon State head coach Mike Riley revealed Tuesday on the Pac-10 coaches’ conference call starting tailback Yvenson Bernard had an arthroscopic procedure on his ailing knee and may not be available for the Oregon game a week from Saturday.
Bernard was injured in the first half against Washington State and, at the time, it was explained his second-half absence was just a precautionary measure. But an MRI performed Monday showed damage and the arthroscopic procedure was performed Tuesday.
Around the conference
The spotlight is shining bright on Tempe thanks to the Thanksgiving Day showdown with USC. These type of games – national television, top-10 rankings, holiday play – are nothing new for the Trojans, but Arizona State is another matter. And it wasn’t something expected in the desert before the season started. “Somebody asked me if I’d take where we’re at (now) at the beginning of the season,” ASU coach Dennis Erickson told the Arizona Republic. “I would say yes, fast, before they change their mind. Any time you can get to the last two games of the season and have something to play for like we’re playing for now, that’s pretty special.”. … USC is going into the game still nicked up, with wide receiver Ronald Johnson (turf toe) limping around practice and linebacker Keith Rivers (high and low ankle sprain) probably out. … Cal defensive coordinator Bob Gregory was a little shell-shocked after Washington ran for 334 yards against his defense. “It was a little bit of everything,” Gregory told the San Jose Mercury News. “What could go wrong did go wrong. It was kind of a total meltdown in every aspect. … We obviously didn’t play as hard as we should have. We got hammered. That’s not like us.”
Cougar notes
Reserve running back Marcus Richmond was on crutches at the end of practice with his left knee wrapped. He was injured during a drill Tuesday, leaving his status for Saturday unknown. … Defensive end Lance Broadus was also in street clothes throughout practice, though he participated Monday. … Brandon Gibson just did running while Jed Collins still had his left ankle in a boot.