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Matching up with the Bulldogs.

Article Excerpt
Byline: The Register-Guard

QUARTERBACKS

A position that was in flux for both teams when fall camp opened remains so only for Oregon. UO coach Mike Bellotti says both Jason Fife and Kellen Clemens will play today, as neither proved noticeably ahead of the other in camp. It remains to be seen whether that was because both played well, or because neither played well enough.

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, decided on senior Kevin Fant over sophomore Kyle York on Monday. Fant started 10 of 12 games last season, though one that he missed was MSU's trip to Oregon due to an NCAA-mandated suspension.

RUNNING BACKS

Despite the fanfare accorded freshman transfer Chris Vincent, Terrence Whitehead leads the UO depth chart after being the backup last season. A slimmed-down Whitehead seems shiftier this fall, while Vincent hasn't shown as much of the flash that made him stand out on the scout team last season.

The Bulldogs have a three-headed tailback: sophomores Nick Turner and Jerious Norwood plus junior Fred Reid. Norwood had the most yards last season among the returners, Reid had the most carries, but Turner may be the best of the group, with the best combination of speed and cutback ability.

RECEIVERS

Samie Parker has added sure hands to go along with his game-breaking speed. He'll start along with sophomore Demetrius Williams, but junior Kellen Taylor will play plenty in Oregon's multiple-receiver sets. He is the team's most dependable wideout going over the middle.

Ray Ray Bivines led the Bulldogs in receptions a year ago, but he's more of a big-play guy. Justin Jenkins, at 6-1, 210 pounds, is the prototype "possession" receiver, but he was plagued by drops last season. Backups Antonio Hargro and Will Prosser both stand 6-3, and Oregon struggled against that kind of...