EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is taking heat from Ducks fans at what would seem to be the worst time, with No. 6 California headed to Autzen Stadium on Saturday.
He’s been there before.
“I just block it out, man,” said Masoli, who had fans booing him last season as he orchestrated a game-winning drive against Stanford. “I get good advice from my elders and they just tell me to block it out, that’s all you can do.”
Oregon defeated then-No. 18 Utah 31-24 last Saturday, stopping the Utes’ 16-game winning streak. But it didn’t have much to do with Masoli’s arm. He completed just 4 of 16 passes for 95 yards.
Masoli tried only three passes in the second half and he was intercepted in the end zone.
The performance spurred fans and radio talk show hosts across the state to call for backup Nate Costa. Whereas Masoli is more of a scrambler, Costa is more of a passer.
bit when addressing the criticism of Masoli. While fans have a right to their opinion, Kelly offered that the Ducks are 10-3 with Masoli as starter.
“We know what’s right for this football team,” said Kelly, who was offensive coordinator for the Ducks for the past two seasons before becoming head coach this year.
Oregon is averaging just 126 yards in the air this season, ranking the Ducks 116th in the nation. Masoli has completed only 29 of 64 passes. He has no passing touchdowns and he has been picked off twice.
Always more comfortable on his feet, Masoli has also rushed for 145 yards and four scores this season.
Costa was Oregon’s projected starter heading into last season but he injured his left knee and had his second major surgery in two seasons. Masoli, a 5-foot-11 junior college transfer, was at best the third-string quarterback going into fall practice.
Justin Roper, who has since left Oregon, stepped into the starting job. But injuries beset Oregon’s QB corps, forcing the team to use not only Masoli, but also true freshmen Chris Harper and Darron Thomas.
The uncertainly at quarterback took its toll on the Ducks, who opened 3-0 but then were upset at Autzen Stadium by Boise State.
Masoli took over the starting job when Roper missed nearly four weeks because of a knee injury and an illness.
statement as starter for the final stretch. But despite the boos of fans raining down at Autzen, Masoli led a game-winning drive against Stanford in early November.
Masoli’s confidence soared and in the regular season finale against in-state rival Oregon State he threw for 274 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another on a 65-38 victory.
“Last year, at the end of the season, he played really good for us,” tight end Ed Dickson said. “We’re ready for him to come out and be that guy we saw at the end of last season.”
Adding to Masoli’s struggles early this season has been the drama surrounding the Ducks.
Oregon was ranked No. 16 in the preseason, before getting embarrassed on national television in the opener by Boise State, 19-8. In the aftermath of that game, Ducks running back LeGarrette Blount punched Broncos defensive end Byron Hout.
Blount, Oregon’s top returning rusher, was suspended for the rest of the regular season, but he’s still on scholarship and allowed to practice with the team.
The Ducks regrouped and beat Purdue and Utah, but couldn’t quite extricate themselves from controversy as the Masoli issue came to a boil.
Asked what grade he would give himself for the season so far, Masoli said he deserved a C.
“That’s about it,” he said.
Cal coach Jeff Tedford said his team doesn’t want to be surprised if Masoli gets his arm going this Saturday. The Golden Bears’ pass defense is ranked in the middle of the Pac-10.
“It’s pretty well known that over the last couple of years, the strength of their team is the run game,” Tedford said. “That’s not a surprise to anyone but it doesn’t mean they can’t throw it. They can hurt you at anytime, so there’s no way that you can let down or overcompensate for one.”
Add A Comment