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Oregon Ducks vs New Mexico Lobos Football Preview

Legions of football analysts are wondering how to re-calibrate their views of the Oregon football team as the season begins this Saturday with a home date against New Mexico at Autzen Stadium. Over the past several months, pretty much the entire time since the Ducks’ last game (the 2010 Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State), the UO football family has been hit with some form of adversity. For one thing, the University of Mississippi has courted, invited and (ultimately) hosted former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. The troubled youngster – trying to exploit (in tandem with Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt) an NCAA loophole which allows a player to transfer to another institution if it offers a course not given at the previous school – was on the verge of donning a UM helmet and playing in the Southeastern Conference this fall. Yes, the NCAA denied his bid (as of August 31), but the fact remains that the best quarterback in the Pac-10 is not playing in Eugene this season.

Masoli's been looking for a second chance and a new home over the past few months. He  joined the Ducks in 2008 as a fifth-string junior college transfer. He immediately made an impact and, in two seasons, led Oregon to the Pac-10 title and a Rose Bowl appearance. Then, however, his life spiraled downward.

The San Francisco native pleaded guilty in March to misdemeanor second-degree burglary in a plea deal after he was charged with a felony for stealing a pair of laptop computers and a guitar from a fraternity on the Oregon campus. Masoli’s coach at UO, Chip Kelly, suspended him for the 2010 season. He was expected to redshirt and Kelly allowed him to practice with the team during spring ball. However, police then caught Masoli and cited him for possession of marijuana, driving with a suspended license, and failing to stop upon exiting a driveway. Masoli entered a guilty plea and paid a fine only two weeks ago.

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This is a troubled individual, but a talented one. Mississippi is far removed from Oregon, so there’s a chance that a new environment could enable Masoli to experience a fresh start. However, this is all very cold comfort to Kelly and the rest of the Ducks. They are now relying on Darron Thomas, the quarterback who won the starting job this past August after a spirited and relatively even-steven competition with fifth-year senior Nate Costa. They’re also trying to shrug off the fact that several players other than Masoli, including running back LaMichael James and kicker Rob Beard, were arrested in the offseason.

At this point, all that’s left for UO to do, as kickoff time arrives against New Mexico, is to block out distractions. Based on the Ducks’ ability to survive the disastrous Boise State opener last year, complete with the LeGarrette Blount controversy, they know how to play through a soap-operatic environment in the Pacific Northwest.

They’ll have to if they want 2010 to be a success.

By Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer