Associated Press Sports
Trailing two unbeaten teams in the Pac-10, Oregon has quietly put together an impressive season. Now the 15th-ranked Ducks must try to keep it going without their best player. Their first game without quarterback Kellen Clemens won't be an easy one, hosting No. 23 California on Saturday in a matchup of teams coming off bye weeks and fighting for attention in the Pac-10. Clemens was having an outstanding season, though it went largely unnoticed around the country because the Pac-10 boasts Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart and another potential Heisman candidate in quarterback Drew Olson. USC's Leinart and UCLA's Olson also play for unbeaten teams who share a one-game lead over Oregon in the Pac-10.
Fans of the Ducks (7-1, 4-1), though, are very aware how important Clemens has been, having thrown for 2,406 yards with 19 touchdowns and four interceptions. He's one of seven finalists for the Johnny Unitas Award. Now Oregon goes into its final three games of the regular season without him due to a fractured left ankle Clemens suffered in the team's most recent game, a 28-21 win at Arizona on Oct. 22. Backup Dennis Dixon also was knocked out of that game with a concussion, but will be ready Saturday to replace Clemens as the starter. Dixon, a sophomore, has completed 15 of 20 passes for 130 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. "I wish we had gotten him into more (games),'' said coach Mike Bellotti, trying to lead Oregon to its first five-game win streak since 2002. With Clemens and Dixon out of the game and third-stringer Brady Leaf being ineffective, the Ducks defense took over against Arizona.
Brent Haberly returned a fumble 34 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Fellow linebacker Blair Phillips had a sack and recovered another fumble late in the game to stop Arizona's final scoring threat, and safety Anthony Trucks had 11 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble. Oregon may need a similar defensive performance against Cal (6-2, 3-2), which is second in the conference with 1,976 yards rushing and is averaging nearly 38 points per game.
The Bears, though, have had some quarterback problems with Joe Ayoob taking over for first-round pick Aaron Rodgers. Ayoob is barely competing more than half of his attempts, is throwing for less than 200 yards per game and has seven interceptions. Criticism of Ayoob had been growing, particularly with the Bears having lost two straight, but the junior quieted some doubters in Cal's last game. Ayoob completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to Lavelle Hawkins with 1:50 left to give the Bears a 42-38 victory over Washington State on Oct. 22. "It's huge,'' said Ayoob, who went 19-of-35 for 274 yards and four touchdowns. "It makes things a lot easier. I don't doubt myself when it comes to the end of the game. To overcome that and make the plays that we needed to make at the end of the game, makes you feel good.'' Cal had lost seven straight in this series before pulling off a 28-27 home win last season. The Bears, however, have lost their last six trips to Autzen Stadium, dating to 1987.
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