Document text
Harrington has reins as bowl nears By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington is still waiting for his first big passing explosion of the season. With only the Sun Bowl game on New Year's Eve at El Paso, Texas, remaining, the sophomore starter knows he may not throw for 300 yards in a game in 1999. But he's capable, his coach says. If it doesn't happen in the Sun Bowl, there's always next year and the year after, seasons that look bright for Harrington, said coach Mike Bellotti. "He's played very well when he got his chances," says Bellotti. "He played well enough to go into the bowl game as our starter, assuming something unforeseen doesn't happen." Bellotti says Harrington and junior A.J. Feeley are both healthy and competing for playing time in the Sun Bowl in practice, although Harrington remains the starter. "We're having open competition for the job, but Joey clearly has the edge based on how he finished the season," says Bellotti. ``He earned it by leading us to five straight wins." Harrington, a 6-foot-4, 212-pound former Central Catholic High all-state player, is the son of former Oregon quarterback John Harrington. Unlike his father, Harrington is a rangy quarterback with a strong and accurate passing arm. "There aren't that many similarities between my dad and I," says Harrington. "He was about 5-foot-11, but he made up for it with his execution and accurate arm." Joey Harrington, who replaced Feeley as the Ducks' starter in Oregon's ninth game of the season, has produced impressive passing numbers as a starter in three games and as a backup in two others. He has completed 64 of 115 passes for 948 yards and nine touchdowns. But he feels he's capable of more. "I've had my moments where I've played well, but I wouldn't say I've had the kind of game I'm capable of yet," says Harrington. "But I'm not worried about it because my job is to move the chains and get us in the end zone. I need to focus on being a leader and moving the team." Oregon and Minnesota will both take 8-3 records into the Sun Bowl. The Ducks will be appearing in their eighth bowl game during the past 11 years and fifth in six seasons. "When we have to throw the ball more, I think the 300-yard passing game will come," says Harrington. "But with Reuben (Droughns) running for about 150 yards a game, we don't need me to throw as much. "If we need me to throw more in this game, I'll be ready," says Harrington. "Minnesota has a physical, tough defense and it might be tougher for us to run the ball. "But I'm a believer in Reuben. When he's healthy, he could carry this team on his back. He's done that all year." Droughns suffered torn cartilage in his rib cage midway through the season, but he still managed to play in 10 of 11 games. He rushed for 1,139 yards on 256 carries and scored nine touchdowns. Oregon will face a Minnesota defense that ranked third in the Big Ten in total defense. The Gophers are led by strong safety Tyrone Carter, winner of the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back. "They are a physical defense with speed," says Harrington. "Having the Thorpe Award winner in their secondary says a lot about them." Feeley completed 136 of 259 passes for 1,951 yards and 14 touchdowns during the regular season. He started Oregon's first eight games before suffering a shoulder injury that finally took him out of the starting lineup. "I feel we have not only two of the best quarterbacks in the Pac-10, but in the nation," says Bellotti. "And both of them are healthy. I'm very happy to have them both ready to play." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.