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Who Replaces Dennis Dixon At Oregon - July 1st, 2008

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

When Oregon’s Dennis Dixon went down with a leg injury last season, so did the Ducks’ national title hopes and Dixon’s Heisman possibilities.

Second-year offensive coordinator Chip Kelly won’t have the graduated Dixon this season as Oregon tries to get back among the nation’s elite and build off that 56-21 Sun Bowl rout of South Florida.
 
In 2007, the Ducks scored 38.2 points per game, but that’s likely a pipe dream this season, especially with star tailback Jonathan Stewart also gone – but at least they have Jermiah Johnson to replace Stewart. It’s under center where the questions are, and what was once a five-man race to replace Dixon is down to two, sophomores Nate Costa and Justin Roper. 
 
"It's a competition," Kelly says. "No one has the job yet. I like guys battling."

 

Roper was stellar in the bowl game against USF (four TD passes in his first start), but Costa is generally regarded as the better fit in Kelly’s offense (i.e. he’s mobile) and has the edge heading into camp. That said, he’s also coming off knee surgery, so that job isn’t locked up. He redshirted last season after playing briefly in 2006.
 
"He was pressing Dixon before Costa hurt his knee," Kelly said. "If he hadn't hurt his knee in practice (in October), Costa would have been the guy playing late last year after Dennis got hurt.
 
"Nate is built a lot like the guy at Missouri (Chase Daniel), but Costa isn't as bulky and is quicker."
 
In the spring game, with Costa watching from the sideline, Roper showed his stuff early, hitting Ed Dickson over the middle on the Whites' first play from scrimmage for 67 yards. On the next play Roper faked a quick screen to Jaison Williams and scampered 10 yards for the score.
 
"He showed some things that he did in the Civil War and the bowl game that I feel really good about," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said.
 
"I think I at least proved I have the capability of running the offense," Roper said. "As far as putting myself ahead of him or behind him, you can't really say that unless we're side by side comparing each other."
 
Two other quarterbacks who played in the spring game, Cody Kempt and Cade Cooper, apparently saw the writing on the wall and have transferred.
 
The Ducks are +4500 to win the national title this season on WagerWeb.com.

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