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M/CLEAR Temp: 55 °F Wind: NW at 5 mph Sunday, June 2, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Cyberchef E The People Golf Job Network Headbone Zone Wellness Connection Movie Times Newspaper in Education Oregon CarZone Outdoor Journal Personals Prime Times Real Estate Tempo A & E TV Times W3 Magazine CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Destinations Automotive Communities Employment Entertainment Publications Real Estate Recreation Shopping Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Jobs @ Mail Tribune Email Story to a Friend June 1, 2002 Bellotti mingles with Southern Oregon fans on golf course By TIM TROWER Mail Tribune EAGLE POINT — On the day the University of Oregon announced that its football season ticket sales are moving along briskly, head coach Mike Bellotti was golfing with a lot of Southern Oregon fans who no doubt would like to occupy some of those seats. Bellotti flew in to play in the Duffin’ for the Ducks tournament Friday at Eagle Point Golf Course but flew out before the accompanying dinner to tend to another obligation. Before departing, however, he took time out between swings to talk about playing in expanded Autzen Stadium, about replacing quarterback Joey Harrington and about Oregon’s prospects coming off an 11-1 season in which it was ranked No. 2 in the country in the final polls. Oregon men’s basketball coach Ernie Kent also was scheduled to appear at the golf event but could not attend due to commitments as head coach of the U.S. men’s junior world championship qualifying team. For four years, Oregon’s average football attendance has exceeded its listed capacity of 41,698, reaching a high last year of 45,926. With expansion, Autzen will seat nearly 54,000, meaning an extra 12,000 to 14,000 fans per game, said Bellotti. "When you see it," he said of the configuration, "you think it must be about twice as many. "We’re all very excited about it. While you’re expanding it, you hope to still retain the unique environment we have at Autzen. You hope to fill it, but you hope you haven’t changed the intimacy of it. I don’t think we have." The Ducks have sold 39,100 season tickets for the upcoming year, surpassing the school’s previous season-ticket record of 30,365 from a year ago. Those fans will be extremely interested in who replaces Harrington, who was 25-3 as a starter, then was taken with the No. 3 pick in the April NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. Jason Fife came out of spring drills as the No. 1 quarterback, but Bellotti said that spot isn’t cemented. Fife completed 12 of 15 pass for 217 yards and four touchdowns in the spring game. He’s been battling redshirt freshman Kellen Clemens and will continue to do so. "Right now," said Bellotti, "if we had to play a game, he’d be the starter. But we don’t, so that competition will be revisited when we start fall camp." He hasn’t talked with his quarterbacks yet about the pressure of replacing someone of Harrington’s stature, but expects to do so. Foremost, said Bellotti, the quarterbacks can’t think about the duty in those terms. They each have the arm strength, smarts and leadership qualities to do the job. "Each of them has to be their own person," he said. "Those are big shoes to fill, but they all have big feet." Clemens was 8 of 13 for 72 yards and a score in the spring game. There are key positions other than quarterback that need to be filled. Both Duck cornerbacks, Rashad Bauman and Steve Smith, were drafted, as was tailback Maurice Morris. Six Oregon players went in all. On the plus side, said Bellotti, last year’s leading rusher, Onterrio Smith, is back along with most of the receiving corps, including third-team All-American Keenan Howry. Across the front, three starters return to the offensive line, as do punter Jose Arroyo and place-kicker Jared Siegel. "Jared had a real good spring," said Bellotti, "maybe the best I’ve ever seen from a kicker." On defense, the front seven, which includes end Seth McEwen, who played at North Medford, could be as strong as ever. "We’ll be a different team," said Bellotti, "but we have the potential to be a very, very good team. Can we be better than last year? Yes. Will we be better? I don’t know. Chemistry and unity and leadership, those three things are as important as talent and right up there with experience. Those will be determining factors for us." Oregon is expected to compete for the conference championship. It opens with what should be tough games against Mississippi State and Fresno State, both at home. "We’ll know early what kind of team we’ll have," said Bellotti. Oregon plays eight of its 12 games at home, including the first four. Reach sports editor Tim Trower at 776-4479, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S