Ducks at a glance

2001 schedule Sept. 1 vs Wisconsin Sept. 8 vs Utah Sept. 22 vs USC Sept. 29 at Utah St. Oct. 6 at Arizona Oct. 13 at California Oct. 20 vs Stanford Oct. 27 at Washington St. Nov. 3 vs Arizona St. Nov. 10 at UCLA Dec. 1 vs Oregon St. 2000 results (10-2, 7-1 Pac-10) Nevada W 36-7 at Wisconsin L 27-23 Idaho W 42-13 UCLA W 29-10 Washington W 23-16 at USC W 28-17 Arizona W 14-10 at Arizona St. W 56-55 at Washington St. W 27-24 California W 25-17 at Oregon St. L 23-13 vs. Texas W 35-30

OFFENSE
It may come as a surprise, but the Ducks have also developed a rich tradition of producing outstanding signal-callers. That list includes Dan Fouts, Chris Miller, Akili Smith and now Joey Harrington.

Excelling at Oregon were QBs such as Reggie Ogburn, Bill Musgrave, Danny O'Neil and Tony Graziani. Also remember A.J. Feeley, a former starter who closed out his college career in Eugene as the backup to Harrington and was a fifth-round selection of Andy Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles in April's NFL draft.

Now with Harrington again at the helm, the Ducks have a top-drawer senior QB who figures in my top-10 list of preseason candidates for the Heisman Trophy. Last year, Harrington led the Ducks to a 9-2 regular season that included a 23-16 victory over Washington, which was the Huskies' only loss of the season. Then, in the Holiday Bowl, the Ducks upset Texas 35-30.

When you talk about home-field advantage, the Ducks have proven to be a major force when playing in Eugene. The nearly 42,000 fans who fill Autzen Stadium are loud at the right time, giving the Ducks a major edge over the opposition. Entering the 2001 campaign, the Ducks have a 20-game home winning streak. Their last loss at Eugene was to UCLA in 1997.

So when you combine a top-flight senior signal-caller like Harrington with the Autzen Stadium advantage, it's easy to see why the Ducks are right there with UCLA as preseason co-favorites to capture the Pac-10 title.

In Bellotti's well-designed system, Harrington can throw from the pocket or roll out away from pressure. This is where he presents major problems for the opposition. The 6-foot-3, 211-pounder has a strong arm, a never-say-die attitude and the improvisational skills to create a big play when it appears that things are breaking down. He's also big into film study and preparation, just like Peyton Manning. If there is an area he needs to improve, it would be completing a higher percentage of his passes (52 percent last season). The backup to Harrington will be sophomore Jason Fife, but down the road, highly regarded freshman Kellen Clemens could enter the picture at QB.

While wideout Marshaun Tucker has moved on, the remainder of the Ducks skill-position talent returns intact.

Tailback Maurice Morris set a school record last year with 286 carries but was forced to play through minor bumps and bruises over the last half of the season. This year, the hope will be to keep Morris fresher from game to game. The assistance will come from former Tennessee Volunteer Onterrio Smith, who showed promise as a freshman in the SEC in 1999 before transferring to the Ducks. I'm told they may experiment some with Smith and Morris on the field at the same time. You could see Smith, a solid pass-receiving option, line up in the slot in certain situations. The Ducks also have junior Allan Amundson available as yet another option. The 5-9, 185-pounder is the Ducks' fastest tailback. The primary task of FB Josh Line is to excel as a lead blocker.

At WR, big-play man Keenan Howry will work opposite former walk-on Jason Willis, who reportedly enjoyed a solid spring. Speedster Samie Parker, just a sophomore, could provide the same excitement that Duck fans were used to while former Duck Patrick Johnson was accelerating past CBs on deeper routes. A freshman who could factor into the equation is highly recruited 6-1, 165-pounder Demetrius Williams. The Ducks also have high hopes for Terrance Whitehead, an athletically gifted, versatile performer who could see action at WR or in the defensive secondary.

Senior TE Justin Peelle may not jump out at you in any one area, but he's steady and reliable. Remember, the TE is a major part of Bellotti's offense. In the future, keep an eye on redshirt freshman Willie Walden, a 6-6, 270-pounder with long-term possibilities.

Keying the Ducks' offensive line will be senior Jim Adams, who could open at either left tackle or guard. I'm told they would prefer to have Adams inside at guard, but that depends on the progress shown by juniors Mike Belisle and Corey Chambers at the LT spot. Belisle, a former Parade All-American, reportedly looked impressive the first two weeks of spring practice, then was injured. Over his first three years in Eugene, durability has been the question with Belisle, a physically talented 6-5, 317-pounder.

DEFENSE
While the Oregon defense appears to be losing a number of former starters, it's important to note that the players moving into key roles saw a great deal of quality action last season.

The Ducks also have a great deal of team speed on defense. In fact, all three starting linebackers can really run to the ball. OLB Wesley Mallard, who has been primarily a special teamer, was a member of the Ducks' track team. In the spring, I'm told that 6-1, 237-pound junior David Moretti, was the surprise of the spring for the Ducks. The former junior-college transfer is the new MLB, making up for the graduation loss of Matt Smith.

Up front, looking to pick up where former Duck Saul Patu left off as an effective outside pass rusher is junior Quinn Dorsey, a 6-4, 256-pound junior who really turned some heads in the spring. Seth McEwen, a battle-tested junior and the Ducks' lone returning starter among the front seven, can be counted on to play reliable assignment football. The key up front, though, could be fifth-year senior Zack Freiter. The 6-3, 280-pounder has been bothered some by nagging injuries, but was 100 percent the entire spring and is regarded as one of the strongest players on the Ducks' squad. Junior-college transfer Junior Siavii, an imposing 6-5, 335-pounder, is being penciled in to start at the RDT spot next to Freiter. Also fortifying the Ducks' defensive front this season and down the road will be seven high school recruits along the line.

The secondary, led by senior CB Rashad Bauman, has the potential to be the top deep patrol in the Pac-10. While he's just 5-8 and 175 pounds, Bauman is a tremendous cover man who can be a real thorn in the side to opposing signal-callers. At the RCB spot is physically talented senior Steve Smith. Sophomore Keith Lewis saw action primarily on special teams last year, but the future appears to be extremely bright for FS. Operating as the Ducks' nickel back, the 6-1, 192-pound Lewis came away with an interception against Texas in the Holiday Bowl. Lewis has the potential to develop into a top-flight DB.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Over the years, special teams have been a major part of the Ducks' success. This season, however, the kicking game is the key question going into fall practice. The Ducks have to replace both PK Josh Frankel and effective P Kurtis Doerr. Junior-college transfer Jose Arroyo needs to show more consistency punting the football, but it is reportedly his job to lose. As far as the kicking situation, there is reportedly a three-way battle taking place. The candidates are freshman Jared Siegel, junior Navid Niakan and junior David Rosenberg.

Overview: While the Ducks benefit from six home games at Autzen Stadium, where they have won 20 straight games and don't have to face Washington this season, the Pac-10 title could come down to the outcome of their road battle against UCLA on Nov. 10. With outstanding senior QB Harrington leading the attack, look for the Ducks' offense to be diversified and extremely hard to defend. Morris has some assistance in the backfield now with Smith, and Parker's speed could provide a major boost at WR. Along the line, it will be interesting to see if Adams is allowed to move inside to guard or ends up working at LT. If Belisle is the answer at LT, the Ducks can utilize Adams at guard, which really fortifies this group. Several new full-time starters need to come through on defense. That group includes DT Freiter, DE Dorsey, OLB Mallard, MLB Moretti and FS Lewis. With a talent like CB Bauman the focal point and Smith on the other side, the Ducks should be able to produce some big plays in the deep patrol. In the end, it could come down to the kicking game. Oregon has been strong in this area over the years, but things are so up in the air this season that coach Bellotti has to be nervous going into the season.