It doesn’t matter who you are or who your favorite team is. At some point, your rooting spirit will get crushed. Sure, there may well be championship glory to celebrate. However, no team wins a championship every year. Eventually, there will be a moment when hope vanishes and championship dreams turn to dust. For the second-ranked Oregon Ducks, that moment happened the instant Oregon’s all-everything QB Dennis Dixon limped off the field last night in Tucson, taking the team’s national championship hopes with him during the first quarter of Oregon’s 34-24 loss to Arizona.
Dixon, the Heisman Trophy favorite and the multi-threat trigger man for Oregon’s lethal spread offense, had already stunned the Wildcats with a 39-yard TD bolt straight up the middle of the field on a 4th-and-3 to start the game. He then drove the team back into the red zone on the Ducks’ next series before a pass bouncing out of WR Derrick Jones’ hands was intercepted in the end zone. While Arizona capitalized on the mistake with a score of their own, a 34-yard TD strike from Willie Tuitama to Mike Thomas, it was what happened on Oregon’s next drive that ultimately determined the game, dashed the Ducks’ dream season, and caused yet another shake-up to the BCS picture.
Driving Oregon into the red zone yet again, Dixon ran an option play, but something went horribly wrong. His knee buckled, and he fell to the turf in a heap. Where a similar sight two weeks before against Arizona State only turned out to be a sizable scare, this time the injury was very real. And Oregon’s high-powered offense came to screeching, ear-splitting halt.
Enter backup QB Brady Leaf. Exit any and all chance for the Ducks to win the game.
Because you cannot take a Ferrari off the racetrack, replace it with a Prius, and expect to win the race. Almost as if on cue, Leaf threw a back-breaking interception on Oregon’s very next series. Arizona’s star CB Antoine Cason jumped a route on a short third-down pass and took the ball 42 yards for a TD and the first lead of the game for the Wildcats, 17-11. Momentum was in full force for Arizona, and the Ducks looked dizzy from how quickly their fortunes had spun on them.
And they simply didn’t stop spinning.
Tuitama burned the Oregon secondary again. This time, on a third-and-long, he again found Mike Thomas, who split the coverage and caught a brilliantly thrown pass from Tuitama in the seam before streaking past flailing defenders 46 yards for a score. Thomas finished the game with 6 catches for a game-high 125 yards and the two big TD’s, and he wasn’t alone in making big plays for the Wildcats.
Just 10 minutes after he stunned Oregon with an interception return for a TD, Antoine Cason stunned the Ducks a second time. He took an Oregon punt 56 yards to the house to give Arizona a commanding 31-11 lead. Just like that, the Wildcats had dropped 24 straight points on the Ducks. Knowing that Oregon was wounded and reeling without their superstar QB, Arizona had swarmed in to take advantage.
Down 20 and left with a single weapon in the backfield, star RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon gamely attempted a second half comeback. Stewart, who finished with 131 yards on 28 carries, just kept churning upfield. However, the Arizona defense, led by senior LB Spencer Larsen, knew that, besides Stewart, Oregon’s offensive cupboard was bare. So, they turned up the heat on the Oregon star.
With Stewart reasonably contained, the Wildcats openly challenged Leaf to make plays. And he couldn’t. Where Dixon had been able to run circles around defenses to buy time or burst into the open field, the cement-footed Leaf could only try to get the ball downfield with his arm and a depleted receiving corps. Arizona’s secondary, playing with house money and a 20-point lead, refused to yield the big plays Leaf and the rest of the Ducks needed to get back into the game.
Though Oregon did close to within 31-24 late in the fourth quarter, the long, painstaking drives that were required for those closing points drained too much off the clock. Without the ability to strike quickly, as they had done for much of the season under Dixon’s scary precision, Oregon just had too little to make up too much.
As Arizona students mobbed the field and the Ducks’ BCS title dreams evaporated, there was little solace to be found in what might have been. While no team ever wants to lose, they can only hope that such losses occur with their best. The added bitterness in Oregon’s meltdown in Tucson was that their best was in street clothes for three-and-a-half quarters
However, give Arizona credit. They took down the #2-ranked team in the nation by knowing exactly where the Ducks were vulnerable and keeping their foot on the wound until Oregon simply could not get back up. That the dream season in Eugene is gone is heartbreaking, for sure. The wild ride that was Oregon’s exhilarating dash to the cusp of college football’s apex still had its moments, and there is gratitude in that. It’s just a shame that the one moment still fresh in everyone’s mind is the sight of the team’s best player not being able to finish what he had worked so tirelessly to help create.
Nooch...great blog and pics. I wish we could have beat you with your best on the field. I am proud of my Wildcats nonetheless but the win is a bit tainted IMO.
Absolutely, you should be proud of the Wildcats. They played a great game and made big plays when they needed them. Cason was amazing.
While Dixon's injury really did change the complexion of the game, injuries sadly are part of the game. It's how a team reacts to those injuries that is most telling. Oregon has really done a great job of overcoming them all year long. This one, though, really tore the team to pieces. You could just see the fire leave them.
That said, Arizona really took care of business. Good luck to the Cats the rest of the way!
Again, thanks so much for the kind words and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Nooch, I was very disappointed that Leaf wasn't ready. He's a senior and has experience. He practiced with the first unit all week. Have you heard anything on Dennis's injury? He was suppose to see the Dr. today.
Agreed, Leaf really did look completely unprepared. I don't think he has the skill set to run Chip Kelly's offense very well anyway. However, his early throws weren't even close. As you mentioned, a senior needs to look a lot better than that.
I haven't heard anything about Dixon's injury status. I sure hope he can come back sometime before the end of the season. It would terrible if his Oregon career ends this way. I know Bellotti already seemed to indicate that Dixon will be out for the UCLA game, which is awful news.
Leaf is way too slow for a quick Bruin defense. I wonder if Costa will get any reps this week. I'd like to see him get a shot.
Thanks for the comemnts and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback. Go Ducks!
I'm glad to hear that you've enjoyed the posts on Oregon, because I sure have had a lot of fun writing them. Well, at least, until this one!
Agreed, I do hope the Ducks can right the ship. Of course, a lot of that will depend on Dixon's injury status. I hope he can come back before the end of the season.
As you mentioned, it's been a heck of a ride, and I'm grateful for that.
Again, thanks so much for the kind words and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Great blog man. I tell ya, with the exception of Kansas, the top 10 are having it worse than Michael Moore at a salad bar. That's one reason I'm glad that my boys, The 13th ranked UH warriors, have been riding the coatails outside of the top 10 for so long. Cause one they break that mark, they have the ability to get beat down by meteoker oppenents like Michael Jackson at a Bar Mitzvah.
You know who's having the worst weekend so far?
Dennis Dixon. Poor guy needs his mommy after that. How much would that bite to be the heisman front-runner and the national champion power of the PAc-10 only to lose it all against sorry Arizona.
I was sorry to find a new article posted in Fox's NCAA football wire section that Dennis Dixon had season ending surgery today...
Leaf tried his damnedest but they hit the berg... I guess the cupboard is bare beyond Leaf? Are they recruiting QB's or are there a couple of red shirts? It's real obvious what a special talent at QB can do...
Later!
Last edited by Dwindy1 on November 16th at 5:37 PM.
Yes, your UH Warriors are still doing their thing. Good luck to them the rest of the way! Brennan is a heck of a QB and is great fun to watch. I was always disappointed that Timmy Chang never really seemed to get a legit shot to play in the NFL.
Agreed also that I feel awful for Dennis Dixon. What a terrible night. To not be able to help your team when you've done so much to get them to where they are. Man, it was tough to see that.
Again, thanks for the kind words and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
I feel awful for Dennis. What a terrible way to have to end his career at Oregon. I just hope he can rehab and get back to where he was so he'll at least have a shot at the NFL.
Thanks for the update. I just wish it was happier news.
Thanks for the update. Man, I wish it was happier news, though.
What an awful break for Dixon. I just hope he can recapture his old form through rehab. I think he definitely deserves a shot at the NFL.
I really don't want to see Leaf play out the string. They do have a sophomore QB named Nathan Costa who got some garbage time action last year as a true freshman. Granted, it was very limited action. However, he looked pretty good. Strong arm, nice mobility. I'd really like to see him get a chance.
That Leaf was as unprepared as he looked last night, I don't think he deserves an automatic nod as starter. Let him and Costa compete this week.
Again, thanks for the update. I just wish it was better news.
No prob man. Gotta bag on Moore whenever I get the chance. Thanks for the well wishes for my boys. I'll love Colt forever for what he's doing( in a manly way of course). Man, I really dig th Timmy Chang shout-out. I might name my first kid: Colt-Timmy. Chang had one of the prettiest deep balls I've ever seen. He's in the CFL now. Maybe he'll pull a Doug Flutie. Lol.
Dixon.
Dang, as a former palyer I know how it is to go down on the field. It sucks worse than college algebra. The man will have his shot, it just won't be this year. But an ACL, dang that's bad.
Thanks for the response bro. LAters.
Last edited by KHboyRiku on November 16th at 6:05 PM.
I guess the stars just had to align last night the way they did. There's someone on every team's schedule that seems to have their number. Evidently Arizona is Oregon's nemesis.
Good luck with the rest of the season. Maybe they'll give Costa a shot, Leaf just doesn't have it.
Colt-Timmy would be awesome! Just make sure the kid has a rocket arm.
Thanks for the update on Timmy. I'm glad he's getting a chance to play somewhere. Yes, if does as Fluite did and gets a shot at the NFL sometime later, that would be very cool.
Agreed, awful news on Dixon. As you mentioned, I hope he gets a shot at the pros. He definitely deserves it.
Again, good luck to the Warriors. You know, they Da Kine!
Mahalo for the visit, bruddah. I always appreciate the feedback.
You gotta give me some good news! I'm dying over here! LOL.
Wow. That stinks about Costa. I was hoping he would get a shot. I guess it's Brady by default. Not good. I haven't heard anything about Stewart. I'm almost afraid to look at this point.
I've never seen anything like this. It's crazy.
Do Bill Musgrave and Ricky Whittle have any eligibility left? Egads!
Agreed, the Cats just seem to have Oregon's number lately. Last year's game at Autzen was brutal. Still, the way Dixon started off, things sure did look good until he got hurt.
Agreed also that Leaf looked awful. However, I just found out from Degraff that Costa is also gone for the year. So, it's Leaf by default at this point. Man, how quickly things change. I'm still hoping for the best, but it ain't easy!
Again, thanks so much for the kind words and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Eh brah you one Local? Lol, if you not, nice job with the pidgen.
Yeah my kid will have a cruise missle for an arm and psychic-like instincts. I might have to Todd Marinovich him. Nah. I'll be lucky to get any women at all.
Dixon looked like Mikey Vick (pre-dog fighting days) at times-- espcially against Michigan. If he makes it back from the injury, he should be pretty dang good.
Thanks for the good luck to my boys. Same to your team, whoever they are.
Nooch, you and degraff are classy bloggers. I'm an Arizona grad, and I'll be blunt, that was a very big win for the Wildcats. Struggling thru tough times, UofA football needs every boost it can get. A bowl game is still alive for the 'Cats.
Point of fact, Oregon is 8-2. BCS (or Jan 1) bowl game is right there for the taking.
Nooch - Mad respect for you, man...but you already know that. Injuries to key personnel are another thing the "experts" apparently never consider. Not only Dixon but Stewart a well. I felt bad for you watching that game last night. Doesn't sound too good for Dixon if your commentors are correct. That is too bad. Like you said...hopefully he rehabs and rebounds and sees his name called again at the next level. Hang tough!!! Here's to the Ducks picking it up against UCLA!!!
Hey Nooch, outstanding post, especially under the circumstances....it's not easy seeing a potential national championship game appearance go out the window thanks to an injury.
I missed the beginning of the game and by the time I turned it on, Dixon had already gone down....
Nooch-
1) Too many good comments in this post to single any out, really, but
2) If I was as good a commenter as you are a writer, I would have something more profound to say here, and finally,
3) I couldn't help but think of my "Sunset" post while reading this, where I lamented the dashed hopes of the Suns vs. the Spurs. Difference is, I had to lick my wounds and put the write off for a couple days before I could bring myself to do it. Not you, though. Day after game, there's the resident Ducker. Nice job.
NOOOOOOCH!!!!!! Hey great read, I am a husky fan so you know I physically cannot root for the ducks,that being said, the ducks are one hell of a team this year! Did you see Locker get carted off the field last week? That scared the #### out of me. He ended up with a "stinger" so hopefully he will be back!
What I was going to ask you is, will Dixon get drafted next year and if so who do you think will get him?
Thanks for the good read.
mtmarinerfan
Last edited by mtmarinerfan on November 17th at 8:49 AM.
bc525, thanks for the props. Nooch, how do you feel about everyone knowing that Dennis already had a torn acl. Was the personal risk worth it? Dennis is my hero, the guy put it all out for his team. You don't find that much anymore.
Way too bad. It took me a year to cut through the god-awful uniforms and to see them for more than a few minutes an evening on highlight footage to come to appreciate Oregon football. But they are/were truly playing a different game.
I was looking forward to seeing them play in the national title game, to see their unique brand of football played on a huge stage for more than just west coasters to appreciate. We'll have to settle for something lesser ...
Man, I feel for ya. I am a USC fan but I've grown up on PAC-10 teams and like them all. I have felt for quite a while that Oregon deserved #1 status, and even before the game I felt the Big-12 would bite the PAC on the #### again (2001 Nebraska > Ducks, 2003 OU > USC, 2005 Texas > Cal); either KU, OU, or Misou passing the Ducks via the schedule boost of the Big-12 CC game and equal or better records.
Dixon going down made that point moot, but in a way the B-12 bit us again with the Stoops brother, ex B-12/OU DC knocking out Oregon.
BTW, I have asked this question but not yet got an answer. If ASU, UO, and USC win out except USC beats ASU, all 3 have 2 losses. What is the PAC 10 tie breker for that situation? I know long ago it was the last team to go to the Rose bowl but that was before the BCS made the Rose non exclusive and the new 12th game allowed all P10 teams to play eac other. If it's head to head UO seems to have the advantage having beaten both, and USC over ASU if my imaginary scenario holds. If it's still last team to go to the Rose (or maybe last team to win conference now?) ASU has the advantage. But if its something else now, such as highes ranked or something, I don't know.
UltTroy, If USC beats ASU and evryone else wins out, Oregon would hold the tie breaker by beating both USC and ASU. I believe that would be the factor.
Not a local but I have an uncle who lives there, and I spent a summer there once and picked up some of the lingo.
Another win for the Warriors last night! Good job. Sets up a huge match-up with Boise. I'm pulling for you guys.
While I hope for the best for Dixon, I'd be really afraid for him if he tries to run in the middle of the field at the pro level. He's such a skinny guy that I wouldn't want to see him take the kind of shots NFL defenses can dish out in the open field. That said, I do hope he gets a chance to compete at the pro level.
Again, thanks for the comments and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Tell me about it! It's almost like the BCS rankings. All of the favorites seem to fall by the wayside every week. with Dixon out, I don't know who takes the lead in the Heisman race now. I think if Kansas runs the table their QB should start to get some pub. And if LSU stays at #1, Dorsey might actually pick up some steam. And, of course, Tebow, Brennan, and McFadden are all still right there.
In this crazy, crazy season, I guess it's fitting that the Heisman race is completely wide open right now.
Thanks for the comments and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
It would be one of Oergon just lost the game, but to lose their heart and soul, Dennis Dixon, for the year as well - man, that stings. I have no idea what kind of team is left. If Stewart is hurt as well, it'll be like a JV team out there.
Not good times in the Duckland at the moment.
Again, thanks for the kind words and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Absolutely, a big win for the Cats. They played a heck o####ame. I've really been impressed by Tuitama's continued improvement this year. He's really adjusted well to the new offensive system. That 46-yard TD to Thomas was a really beautiful throw.
I'm still hoping for the best for the Ducks, but with all of the grim injury news I'm not sure what's left of the team.
Good luck to the Cats the rest of the way, and cross your fingers for the Ducks!
Again, thanks for the kind words and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Agreed, tough, tough thing to watch Dixon hobbling of the field. I felt awful for him. He's given so much to the team this year. For things to end this way for him, it's just brutal. I just hope he gets a chance to shine in the NFL. He definitely deserves the chance.
I'm still hoping that Stewart is ok. He's all they have left now. Man, it's stunning how fast things have changed.
I hope they can still rally for UCLA and the bitter rivalry game against Oregon State.
Good luck to the Sooners in the BCS chase now! I hope they keep taking care of business!
Again, thanks for the kind words and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Yes, this one was a tough one write. And I'm sorry that after welcoming you aboard as a new Ducks fan, the team couldn't keep their wild ride going for a little while longer. It was really, really fun to watch while it lasted.
Man, that injury to Dixon was just devastating. You could practically see all of the fire leave the team when he left. They looked absolutely lost without him.
They just need to re-discover that fight and fire. They still have a lot to play for.
Again, thanks for the kind words and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Thanks so much for the kind words, and it's good to see you, my friend.
Don't sell your commenting short. Your insight and feedback is always appreciated.
Agreed, I think the Ducks-Suns comparison is a good one. Both teams got so close to acheiving their goal. And when it ended for them both, it was a tough thing to take. However, both teams provided their fans with so many great moments. There is much to be said for that.
Again, thanks so much for the kind words and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Man, it stings when your team falls like that, doesn't it? I guess no one is immune. I think every team has some moment of heartbreak and disappointment. I guess the only thing the team can do is try to pick up the pieces and keep fighting.
Thanks for the comment and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
I totally understand the Ducks-Huskies thing. That's what good rivalries are all about.
Regarding Locker, that's very good news. He's a special talent and I think he'll continue to improve and become a really terrific QB. It makes so much difference when a QB has that pass-run threat to keep the defense off-balance, and Locker defnitely has that multi-threat capability.
Regarding Dixon, I think the seriousness of the injury really complicates his draft status. Where he might have been a high first day pick before, I have to think that teams will be scared off by durability issues and how much of his former self he can get back through rehab.
I think he'll be a second day pick now. However, I think there a lot of teams out there who need QB depth and if you could take a flyer on Dixon with a 4th or 5th round pick there are a lot of teams who could be interested.
Again, thanks for the kind words and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Even though the injury was so devastating, I think Dennis wouldn't have had it any other way in terms of him playing against Arizona. With so much to play for and with how hard he had worked to get the team there, he probably felt like he had to be out there. That said, if he already had a tear and they sent him out there anyway, there are some serious questions that need to be asked of the coaching staff. It also makes Leaf's unpreparedness that much worse.
Man, I feel just awful with how things turned out. As you mentioned, Dennis gave everything he had for the team this year, and they got so close.
I wish him all the best in pursuing his dream of playing in the pros.
Agreed, when the offense was at full speed, they looked like they were playing at a different level than just about anyone else. The creativity of pay calling and the talent of the personnel was a thing to marvel when both aspects took off.
It would have been fun to see them take their game into the national spotlight. Big-time bummer with how things worked out.
Thanks for the comments and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
In the new BCS configuration, I think BCS ranking might be a factor. I'm not sure, though. I'd have to look that up. As far as head-to-head record goes, since Oregon beat both USC and ASU, they would have the edge there. Also, from the historical Rose Bowl appearance angle, I think Oregon has the edge there as well. The Trojans went last year, so they're the most recent. The Ducks haven't been there since 1994, and I want to say that Jake Plummer lead the Sun Devils there sometime after 1994.
It will be interesting to see how the Pac-10 race shakes out from here. Good luck to both of our teams the rest of the way!
Thanks for the comments and the visit. I always appreciate the feedback.
Nooch, as for the Heisman, it could be a QB year.
Which ever team finishes strong has the QB who may take the award.
KU and Mizzou have QBs with great numbers. Daniels at Mizzou may be the man if they win the Big XII. I'm not sure if ballots are due in before the game is played.
At least we don't have to worry about a 'system' QB getting too much media coverage this year.
HI has played a terrible schedule and barely survived too many games.
Actually, I probably should be apologizing to you and to all Ducks fans everywhere. I think I brought some sort of Notre Dame jynx along with me, trailing it like Pigpen trails dirt behind him....
Ah, that's great man. Your part local if you have family in the islands.
Man, that game aged me 5 years. I'm not even kidding, I wanted to strangle that Nevada coach when he called the two time outs. But my man Dan Kelly pulled it out.
Dixon sould still be a top 3 round pick. Willis McGahee was drafted in the first after tearing his acl after all. And he's going to have nothing but time to bulk up over the offseason.
Thanks for writing back. Congrats on getting into the most comments section on the comm board. LAters bro.
Nooch is a lifelong sports fan who believes that Indianapolis ended up with a slightly better QB than San Diego in the 1998 NFL Draft, the Golden State Warriors may not make the NBA playoffs again in his lifetime (how was I supposed to know that Chris Mullin would make a coaching hire and a mid-season trade that would basically save the franchise?), and that Mike Ivie's pinch-hit, game winning grand slam for the Giants against the Dodgers in 1978 may have been the greatest moment in baseball history.
