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Containing Locker Oregon's top priority.

Article Excerpt
Byline: UO GAMEDAY: OREGON VS. WASHINGTON The Register-Guard

Mike Bellotti has said a couple of times this week he thinks Washington QB Jake Locker could be the most dangerous offensive player in college football.

Is it typical for a coach to hype up the opposition entering a game? Sure. But outside of guys like Percy Harvin at Florida or Jeremy Maclin at Missouri, it's tough to think of a player more difficult to prepare for than Locker.

Redshirting QB Darron Thomas had the task of emulating Locker on Oregon's scout-team offense. His task: keep the UO defense honest, no matter what the play. After a handoff or pass, Thomas was told to keep scrambling, and a defender was expected to continue marking him.

Containing Locker will require speed. Reserves like DE Kenny Rowe or LB Eddie Pleasant, who might spend more time on the bench against a more traditional offense, might be a big help tonight.

An advantage for the Ducks is the run support provided by their secondary. CB Jairus Byrd projects as a safety in the NFL, and rover Patrick Chung is a talented run defender. They'll all be called in to corral Locker.

Of course, this all assumes Locker has recovered sufficiently from the hamstring injury he suffered in camp. If the injury is worse than the Huskies are letting on, it'll be a long night for UW.

- Rob Moseley, The Register-Guard

Washington's offensive line vs. Oregon's interior defense

The Ducks' biggest question mark other than QB this fall was in the defensive front, where two tackles and one of two inside linebackers had to be replaced. They found answers, but it remains to be seen if they're space-fillers or playmakers.

Spencer Paysinger is an athletic option at WILL linebacker. Tonight he'll have more edge responsibilities than against a more traditional offense, in which the WILL joins...

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