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Oregon soars into top 25 after stomping Michigan in Big House
By The Associated Press
Monday, September 10, 2007 | No comments posted.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon got sick at halftime, but he had already done enough damage against Michigan.
Dixon did it all, running and throwing for 368 total yards and a career-high four touchdowns in the Ducks’ 39-7 victory over the Wolverines on Saturday. It was Michigan’s second straight loss after getting embarrassed by Appalachian State the week before.
And it was the second week that Oregon’s senior QB had proven himself a versatile threat on the Ducks’ speedy spread-option offense. He also tossed and scampered away in a season-opening 48-27 victory over Houston.
“Dennis played extremely good football. He got sick at halftime, threw up a couple of times, and he was not quite as good in that second half and we didn’t need that, luckily,” coach Mike Bellotti said. “But overall, I’m very pleased with his development, decision-making, leadership, the whole deal.”
Against Michigan in the Big House, Dixon threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers. He also ran for 76 yards and a score.
“I felt great, but I can’t do this all on my own, I have to thank my offensive line,” Dixon said. “They helped me out a lot on keys and reads allowing me to read downfield.”
Jonathan Stewart ran for 111 yards and a TD against the Wolverines. With the victory, Oregon (2-0) popped into the Top 25 at No. 19.
A week earlier, Appalachian State revealed Michigan’s weaknesses with a 34-32 victory. The loss dropped the Wolverines out of the poll after a No. 5 preseason ranking.
Dixon and the Ducks’ spread, which is similar to what Appalachian State runs, racked up 624 yards, the second-highest total by a Michigan opponent in its 128 years of football.
“Dixon made some great plays scrambling. Mobile quarterbacks are a challenge for any defense,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said.
Michigan had trouble with Oregon’s no-huddle offense that went hurry-up at times. The Wolverines seemed to have a hard time deciding when to sub players in and out.
Oregon’s new offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly, has emphasized speed this season. Kelly took over for Gary Crowton, who went on to take the same job at LSU.
“I’m thankful for having coach Kelly as an offensive coordinator. He brings something new to the table - fast paced, get to the line and get it going. We caught them off-guard a lot,” Stewart said.
Oregon hosts Fresno State (1-1) this Saturday at AutzenStadium. The Bulldogs lost to Texas A&M 47-45 in three overtimes on Saturday.
“I think again we’re still a work in progress, but I’m very pleased with the way we handled the hype of the game and the eye of the nation on Michigan,” coach Bellotti said. “We didn’t give up any explosive plays on defense. We gave up yardage, but we didn’t give up points or touchdowns. We got big plays on offense, via the touch of Dennis Dixon on the long ball, which we didn’t have last year.”
Dixon did it all, running and throwing for 368 total yards and a career-high four touchdowns in the Ducks’ 39-7 victory over the Wolverines on Saturday. It was Michigan’s second straight loss after getting embarrassed by Appalachian State the week before.
And it was the second week that Oregon’s senior QB had proven himself a versatile threat on the Ducks’ speedy spread-option offense. He also tossed and scampered away in a season-opening 48-27 victory over Houston.
“Dennis played extremely good football. He got sick at halftime, threw up a couple of times, and he was not quite as good in that second half and we didn’t need that, luckily,” coach Mike Bellotti said. “But overall, I’m very pleased with his development, decision-making, leadership, the whole deal.”
Against Michigan in the Big House, Dixon threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers. He also ran for 76 yards and a score.
“I felt great, but I can’t do this all on my own, I have to thank my offensive line,” Dixon said. “They helped me out a lot on keys and reads allowing me to read downfield.”
Jonathan Stewart ran for 111 yards and a TD against the Wolverines. With the victory, Oregon (2-0) popped into the Top 25 at No. 19.
A week earlier, Appalachian State revealed Michigan’s weaknesses with a 34-32 victory. The loss dropped the Wolverines out of the poll after a No. 5 preseason ranking.
Dixon and the Ducks’ spread, which is similar to what Appalachian State runs, racked up 624 yards, the second-highest total by a Michigan opponent in its 128 years of football.
“Dixon made some great plays scrambling. Mobile quarterbacks are a challenge for any defense,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said.
Michigan had trouble with Oregon’s no-huddle offense that went hurry-up at times. The Wolverines seemed to have a hard time deciding when to sub players in and out.
Oregon’s new offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly, has emphasized speed this season. Kelly took over for Gary Crowton, who went on to take the same job at LSU.
“I’m thankful for having coach Kelly as an offensive coordinator. He brings something new to the table - fast paced, get to the line and get it going. We caught them off-guard a lot,” Stewart said.
Oregon hosts Fresno State (1-1) this Saturday at AutzenStadium. The Bulldogs lost to Texas A&M 47-45 in three overtimes on Saturday.
“I think again we’re still a work in progress, but I’m very pleased with the way we handled the hype of the game and the eye of the nation on Michigan,” coach Bellotti said. “We didn’t give up any explosive plays on defense. We gave up yardage, but we didn’t give up points or touchdowns. We got big plays on offense, via the touch of Dennis Dixon on the long ball, which we didn’t have last year.”
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