Ducks need week off to work on pass defense
EUGENE, Ore. -- The Ducks bye week gives them an opportunity to fix some of the things that have not been working through the first seven games.
While Oregon leads the Pacific-10 Conference in sacks and is third in rush defense, the defense against the pass ranks 9th in the conference.
The Ducks are giving up 268 yards per game, ahead of only Stanford who is giving up 271 yards a game through the air. It's just the law of averages catching up with Oregon, who is third in the conference at stopping the run.
QB QUANDRY: Oregon quarterbacks Justin Roper and Jeremiah Masoli will compete for the starter's job, and coach Mike Bellotti was keeping an open mind about how to play them in the future.
Masoli ran for 170 yards on 24 carries, including a touchdown, in Oregon's 31-24 victory over UCLA last weekend. He passed for 42 yards and a score.
Roper, who had missed three games because of a knee injury and illness, could have played if needed, but UCLA's attack was more suited for Masoli and his scrambling ability.
Roper was named starter just before the opener after Nate Costa had knee surgery. Masoli moved into the job when Roper was out.
The Ducks have also played Chris Harper and Darron Thomas in the position.
With Roper back, Bellotti said Harper will be playing more at slot receiver, like he did against UCLA. Thomas will be third on the depth chart at QB.
As to whether he'll use the three situationally, Bellotti wasn't quite sure.
"I'm just excited to have three healthy quarterbacks on the offense to choose from," he said.
BYRD HONORED: Duck cornerback Jairus Byrd was named this week's Pac-10 defensive player of the week.
He had nine tackles, six solo, and he intercepted a pass in Oregon's 31-24 victory over UCLA last Saturday. He also broke up three passes.
Byrd has 45 tackles on the season, along with three interceptions.
He joins Stanford running back Toby Gerhart and USC defensive tackle Fili Moala in earning this week's league honors.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
