The proof that Oregon’s quarterback tandem works well comes each time Kellen Clemens or Jason Fife jogs off the field and the other takes over.
“They are the first people, every time they replace each other and leave the field, to shake each other’s hand,” coach Mike Bellotti said.
“And I think that’s tremendously important for their own psyche, for their own relationship and respect. And for the team to recognize that is part and parcel why we’ve had success doing it.”
Tenth-ranked Oregon has found a groove this season by rotating quarterbacks, with each bringing different talents to stymie opposing defenses and little argument about who is starting or who gets the most snaps. The two have completed 64.2 percent of their passes for an average of 276.2 yards a game with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions.
“It’s working pretty good so far,” said Clemens, a 6-foot-2-inch, 210-pound sophomore. “As long as we’re winning, we’re happy with anything.”
Clemens has started all four games and has completed 50 of 85 passes for 729 yards and seven touchdowns.
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Fife, a 6-2, 222-pound senior whom Bellotti refuses to refer to as a backup, is 27 of 35 for 376 yards and four touchdowns. Fife also has rushed for four scores and has mastered the team’s no-huddle offense.
“So far they’ve made it easy for me to justify getting them both in a game,” Bellotti said.
Both will have their roles Saturday when Oregon (4-0, 1-0) plays No. 21 Washington State (3-1, 0-0) in a key Pac-10 matchup and the nation’s only game between two ranked teams.
Oregon is coming off a stunning 31-27 upset of then-No. 3 Michigan last weekend. The Cougars beat New Mexico 23-13.
With the Ducks’ victory, the quarterback debate that had raged since last season has been quieted.
Hopes were high last season. The Ducks, led by Heisman Trophy finalist Joey Harrington, went 11-1 the year before, claiming the Pac-10 title and a No. 2 national ranking after soundly defeating Colorado in the Fiesta Bowl.
At first it seemed like the team simply picked up where it left off: The Ducks, with Fife as the starter, opened by reeling off six straight wins, got ranked as high as sixth and appeared well on their way to another conference title.
But Oregon lost six of its last seven games and punctuated the dramatic slide with a 38-17 loss to Wake Forest in the Seattle Bowl, finishing 7-6. Clemens replaced Fife in that final game after the first quarter.
During spring and fall practices, no clear No. 1 quarterback appeared, to the confusion of fans who had hoped for another Harrington. The season started and there was still no answer.
Bellotti apparently decided the best choice is no choice. Why not use them both?
“So far they’re doing a great job of getting us in the end zone and being efficient,” Bellotti said. “They bring different things to the table that make us more difficult to defend.”
While Clemens has emerged the starter, Fife is called the team’s spark plug.
“Obviously I don’t refer to Jason as a reserve or the second-string guy,” Bellotti said. “He’s a starter in my mind. It’s just a matter of when he gets in the game and how he sparks the team.”
Said Michigan coach Lloyd Carr: “They’re both very good quarterbacks. I think it speaks to their abilities the fact that [Bellotti] is willing to play them both.”