TULSA WORLD HOMEPAGE | Wednesday, February 10, 2010 | WIRELESS
CONTACT US | SUBSCRIBER SERVICES | SIGN IN SIGN OUT | MY PROFILE PAGE | MY ACCOUNT

Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on RSS
Sports Extra!
Follow us on ...
OU | OSU | TU | ORU | HIGH SCHOOLS | COLLEGE FOOTBALL | COLLEGE BASKETBALL | NFL | FANTASY | OUTDOORS | GOLF | PROS | ALL




SPORTS EXTRA BLOGS
    Sports Editor
Mike Strain
Sports Columnist
Dave Sittler
The Picker
Entertaining & Infuriating

LOCAL PROS

ALL SPORTS

PHOTOS & VIDEOS

OUTDOORS

FIND A STORY

EMAIL ALERTS

SOCIAL MEDIA

RSS FEEDS

CONTACT US
BUY PHOTOS & PAGES

TULSA WORLD

ADVERTISE ON SPORTS EXTRA



Newspaper View Newspaper View      Print this story Print      Email this story Email     
Share      Bookmark Bookmark

Ducks QB Masoli proves his worth
The junior college transfer stepped in to lead team beset by QB injuries.

Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has averaged just under 191 yards a game this season. He threw for a career-high 298 yards in a win over Arizona. Rick Bowmer/AP
 
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 12/9/2008  2:26 AM
Last Modified: 12/9/2008  3:21 AM

 Jeremiah Masoli was a late addition to the Oregon football roster this year. The junior college transfer from the City College of San Francisco signed with the Ducks in May to provide some additional depth at quarterback.

Seven months later, a strong case could be made that Masoli was Oregon's most valuable player this season.

Without Masoli, Oregon would not be preparing to face Oklahoma State in the Dec. 30 Holiday Bowl.

"It's just an amazing thing for a first-time player in a program at the quarterback position to do what he's done," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said.

Quarterbacks were an endangered species this season at Oregon.

Projected starter Nate Costa tore knee ligaments 10 days before the season opener and missed the season. Justin Roper became the starter, but suffered a concussion in the opener against Washington. Two weeks later, Roper hurt his knee against Purdue and missed six games.

Freshmen Darron Thomas and Chris Harper saw some action. But Bellotti ultimately went with Masoli.

Despite some rough patches early, Masoli and Oregon's offense were operating without a hitch by the end of the season.

Oregon ranks eighth nationally in total offense at 478 yards a game. Masoli accounts for just under 191 yards a game.

"I've proved to a lot of people that I can do a lot of good things," Masoli said last month.

He provided a lot of good things late in the season as Oregon was making its push for the Holiday Bowl bid.

In the 55-45 win over Arizona on Nov. 15, Masoli threw for a career-high 298 yards and two TDs and added another 89 yards rushing and three scores. In the 65-38 win at Oregon State on Nov. 29, Masoli threw for 274 yards and three TDs on just 17 passes.

"He's an awesome kid to coach," Oregon offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said after the Oregon State game. "He just wants to get better."

Masoli did, and so did the Ducks. At midseason, Bellotti started focusing on the Holiday Bowl as his team's goal.

Winning five out of the last six games accomplished that goal.

"We had some flux at quarterback this year, but Jeremiah's development has been unbelievable," Bellotti said. "He is one of the reasons we're getting a chance to go to this bowl game."



Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

Newspaper View Newspaper View      Print this story Print      Email this story Email     
Share      Bookmark Bookmark


COMMENTS 
      Add your comment Show: Most Recent Comment First

3 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
Report Comment Reporting Comments

If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you.  -- Web Editor Jason Collington
 

 
Report Comment
RickJames, (12/9/2008 1:18:06 PM)
I think the passing game and turnovers will be key in this game. I suspect Pac-10 defenses are better than Big-12 defenses despite what the pundits say. The only common opponent was WSU and OSU only beat them 39-14 and Oregon beat them on their home field four weeks later 63-14 with Masoli a sophomore JC transfer QB who started the season #4 on the depth chart and was starting his second game after being knocked out with a concussion the week before in the first quarter of his first start ever. Masoli's first practice with Oregon was in August and only knew about four plays at the time and has improved immensely since then.
Report Comment
ThatGuyWho, Tulsa (12/9/2008 4:47:00 PM)
Comparing head to head vs. common opponents is worthless...

What are you saying? Both defenses only allowed 14 points. OSU played them the 1st game of the year on the road after the long summer.

There isn't that much difference between 39-14 and 63-14 (as proven in the bedlam game)

The Ducks haven't seen an offense even close to that of OSU. I have hard time believing that Oregon is much better than a Mizzou or Houston.

Good thing we're not playing them there...
Report Comment
stewbacca, Austin (12/17/2008 6:17:06 PM)
Oregon beat Houston in Houston in 2005 38-24, then again at home 48-27 in 2007. I'm not sure why you have a hard time believing Oregon is that much better than Houston. It's not even debatable.
 

 
Add Your Comment 
In order to post a comment on this article, you must sign in to Tulsaworld.com. If you do not have a site account, you can create an account for free.

 
Post Your Comment
 



Home | About Tulsa World | Advertise With Us | Privacy | Usage Agreement | FAQ and Help | Contact Us | Today's Headlines
Copyright © 2010, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved.