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2001 Oregon Ducks football
Pac-10 champion Fiesta Bowl champion
Fiesta Bowl, W 38–16 vs. Colorado
Conference	Pacific-10 Conference
Ranking
Coaches	No. 2
AP	No. 2
Record	11–1 (7–1 Pac-10)
Head coach	Mike Bellotti (7th season)
Offensive coordinator	Jeff Tedford (4th season)
Offensive scheme	Pro-style
Defensive coordinator	Nick Aliotti (5th season)
Base defense	4–3
Captain	Game captains
Home stadium	Autzen Stadium
Seasons← 20002002 →

The 2001 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon as a member of the Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) during the 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by seventh-year head coach Mike Bellotti, the Ducks compiled an overall record of 11–1 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, winning the Pac-10 title. Oregon was invited to the Fiesta Bowl, where the Ducks beat Colorado. The team played home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. The stadium was undergoing its fourth and current renovation and expansion from 41,698 in capacity to 54,000, with standing room for 60,000.

Previous season

Summary

Coming off of a season that produced a 10-win, 2-loss record and a 35–30 Holiday Bowl win over the Texas Longhorns, the 2001 season saw more promise with quarterback Joey Harrington returning for his senior year. The backfield of the Oregon offense was dangerous with running backs Maurice Morris and Allan Amundson returning for yet another year at Oregon. Morris had 1,188 yards on 286 carries and 8 touchdowns in the 2000 season.

Departing players

QB A.J. Feeley, RB Marshaun Tucker, WR Sonny Cook, TE Lacorey Collins, Ks Dan Katz and Josh Frankel, LB Matt Smith, DBs Steve Smith, Ryan Mitchell, Gary Barker, Jermaine Hanspard, and P Kurtis Doerr

Before the season

Returning starters

QB Joey Harrington, who went 195–375 (comp-att) on 2,694 yards and 20 touchdowns the season before, RB Maurice Morris, who had 1,188 yards on 286 carries, earning 4.3 for average yards/carry, WR Keenan Howry who had 47 receptions for 721 yards, hauling around 15.3 yards/catch, TE Justin Peelle, who, last season, had 20 receptions for 340 yards and 17 yards per catch.

Recruiting

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Spring football

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Schedule

• Due to Pac-10 scheduling, rival Washington was not played for the only time since 1944.

Rankings

Personnel

Roster

Depth chart

Game summaries

Wisconsin

Prior to Wisconsin coming to Autzen, they were 1–0 to start the season at number 22 (AP). Oregon was number 7 (AP) when they started the season. It was all Oregon in the first quarter, with 10 points scored, making it 10–0 at the start of the 2nd quarter. Wisconsin answered with 7 points of their own in the second quarter to give Oregon a 10–7 halftime lead. Entering the third quarter, both the Ducks and the Badgers would score 14 points to make it a 24–21 ball game before the fourth. Oregon came out victorious in the final stanza of the game, 31–28.

Utah

Utah was 1–0 to start their season following a win against Utah State. Oregon, ranked #7, was rolling high off a victory against #22 Wisconsin at home. Oregon scored first to make it a 7–0 game with 13 minutes in the 1st quarter left to play. Utah cut Oregon's lead to 4 by the time the first was over, making it 7–3. The 2nd quarter saw plenty more action, with Oregon taking a 7-point lead back, 10–3. Utah struck back quickly and tied the game at 10–10 with 11 minutes and 15 seconds left in the half. Maurice Morris ran in a score to make it 16–10, but kicker Jared Seigel missed the PAT, leaving the score 16–10 at the half. When the second half commenced, there were no scores between both teams in the 3rd quarter, and in the 4th quarter, Oregon would score, and then complete a 2-point play to make it a 24–10 victory.

USC

Oregon started conference play with USC on September 22, 2001. The visiting Trojans were 1–1 following a narrow loss to #12 Kansas State, 10–6. Oregon completed a trick play pass from RB Onterrio Smith to TE Justin Peelle for a 35-yard touchdown to give Oregon a 7–0 lead with 4:42 left in the 1st quarter. USC struck back, making it a 7–3 game to end the 1st quarter. The 2nd quarter saw USC cut Oregon's lead to one point, making it a 7–6 game before USC QB Carson Palmer was intercepted by linebacker Steve Smith for a 37-yard interception return, making it a 14–6 Oregon lead going into the half. Oregon scored again with 13:50 to go in the 3rd quarter, making it a 21–6 ball game. Between that last score and up to 16 seconds left in the 4th quarter, USC scored 14 straight points to give USC a 22–21 lead. Kicker Jason Seigel nailed a 32-yard field goal to stab the dagger into USC for a 24–22 final score and to move to 3–0 on the year.

Utah State

Ranked #6, Oregon would play Utah State for the first time since 1990, and would be the first time they played at Romney Stadium. It was not until the 2nd quarter that Utah State scored first to give the Aggies a 7–0 lead, before Oregon scored 17 straight points to give Oregon a 17–7 lead entering the half. When the 3rd quarter started, Utah State scored to cut Oregon's lead to 3, 17–14. Oregon then scored again to make it a 24–14 lead with 11:45 to go in the 3rd. Utah State scored again to end the 3rd quarter to cut Oregon's lead once again to 3, 24–21. The 4th quarter saw all Oregon scores, with the Ducks winning the game 38–21 and moving 4–0 on the season.

Arizona

Arizona played host to #6 Oregon for week 5 of college football action. Arizona was 3–1 (0–1 in the Pac-10 conference) coming off of a brutal 30–7 loss to Pac-10 foe Washington State. Oregon remained at #6 for the second week straight, at 4–0 (1–0 Pac-10). Oregon scored on two straight possessions to make it a 14–0 game with 4:11 to go in the 1st quarter. Arizona scored to cut Oregon's lead to 7 points, 14–7, at the end of the quarter. The second quarter saw Arizona tie the game up at 14–14, but this would be the closest Arizona came to overtaking Oregon for the lead. Oregon scored on the next 7 possessions to make it a 63–14 lead with 13:06 left in the 4th quarter. Arizona scored twice to make it 63–28, but that's all Arizona could muster against Oregon. Oregon moved to 5–0 (2–0 Pac-10) on the year, and Arizona dropped to 3–2 (0–2 Pac-10).

California

California played host to number 5 Oregon in week 6. California was 0–4 (0–2 Pac-10), having dropped the last four games in embarrassing fashion, and facing Oregon looked like a daunting challenge. Oregon was 5–0 (2–0 Pac-10) entering the game. Oregon scored on six straight possessions to make it a 42–0 game at the start of the 4th quarter. Cal scored one time to make it 42–7, but Oregon scored again to make it 48–7 at the end, dropping California to 0–5 (0–3 Pac-10). Oregon moved on to 6–0 (3–0 Pac-10).

Stanford

Oregon was ranked #5 to begin week 7 of play against Stanford. Stanford was 3–1 (2–1 Pac-10) entering week 7, and Oregon was 6–0 (3–0 Pac-10). Stanford struck first to make it 7–0 with 14:55 left in the 1st. Oregon would strike back to make it 7–7 with 11:23 to go. Stanford would score again to make it a 14–7 game with 8:24 left in the 1st. Oregon would then score on 2 possessions to make it a 21–14 game going into the 2nd quarter. Stanford scored to open the second quarter, tying the game 21–21. Oregon would score again to give Oregon a 28–21 lead going into the half. When the 3rd quarter started, Oregon scored again to take a 14-point lead, 35–21. Stanford scored again, narrowing Oregon's lead to 7 points, 35–28. Oregon scored again, making it a 42–28 game, ending the 3rd quarter. Stanford held Oregon to no points in the 4th, and Stanford upset #5 Oregon, 49–42, marking their first loss of the season, 6–1 (3–1 Pac-10).

Washington State

Oregon would drop 8 spots to #13 in week 8 against Washington State. Washington State was #10 in week 8, with a 7–0 (4–0 Pac-10) record. Oregon entered Pullman with a 6–1 (3–1 Pac-10) record. Both teams would go scoreless in the 1st quarter. Washington State would score first on a 34-yard field goal to give them a 3–0 lead. Oregon would score a touchdown to make it a 7–3 game at halftime. Oregon scored to start the 3rd, making it a 14–3 game. Oregon and WSU would score on consecutive possessions, with Oregon coming back on top at the end of the game, 24–17, to continue their winning ways. Oregon would do to WSU what Stanford did to them, handing them their first loss of the season. Oregon would advance to 7–1 (4–1 Pac-10), while Washington State would fall to an identical record.

Arizona State

Oregon would advance to #8 after the win against Washington State, with Arizona State coming to Eugene. Oregon was 7–1 (4–1 Pac-10) entering week 9, and ASU was 4–3 (1–3 Pac-10). Oregon would win this game to a tune of 42–24, improving to 8–1 (5–1 Pac-10), while ASU fell to 4–4 (1–4 Pac-10).

UCLA

Oregon (8–1, 5–1 Pac-10) improved to #7 moving into week 10, and played guest to the #17 UCLA Bruins (6–2, 3–2 Pac-10). Oregon would score first on a 5-yard Joey Harrington touchdown run to make it 7–0. UCLA would score again to make it 7–7 to end the 1st quarter. Oregon started the 2nd quarter with a 1-yard Maurice Morris touchdown run, making it 14–7. UCLA would nail a 20-yard field goal to make it 14–10 to end the half. UCLA would nail another field goal, this time from 37 yards, to make it a 14–13 game. The 4th quarter saw UCLA take the lead from Oregon to make it a 20–14 UCLA lead. Oregon would score with 10:44 left, making it 21–20, and this would be the final score of the game. Oregon would move to 9–1 (6–1 Pac-10), while UCLA would drop to 6–3 (3–3 Pac-10).

Oregon State

at Autzen Stadium • Eugene, Oregon

• Date: December 1
• Game time: 12:30 p.m. PDT
• Game attendance: 46,075
• TV: ABC
• ESPN

The 105th meeting of the Civil War pitted Oregon, who was already bowl eligible at this time, and Oregon State needed a win to become bowl eligible with the Ducks still in the BCS conversation. Oregon State scored first, nailing a long 43 yard field goal to give OSU a 3–0 lead. Oregon followed up with a 44-yard field goal of their own to tie it 3–3 to end the 1st. Oregon State would score on a 28-yard field goal to make it a 6–3 game at the half. Going scoreless in the 3rd, Oregon State went 3-and-out to start the 4th quarter, and punter Carl Tobey punted it to Keenan Howry, where he returned it 68 yards for the 10–6 lead. Oregon would score again to make it 17–6. Oregon State returned the favor by scoring and landing a 2-point play, but it was not enough to defeat the #4 Ducks, 17–14 the final from Eugene.

Fiesta Bowl

Prior to Oregon (10–1, 7–1 Pac-10) being placed in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl against #3 Colorado, many people believed that Oregon, now at #2, was going to face off against #1 Miami, however, the BCS had named Nebraska as the contender, despite Nebraska not playing in the Big 12 championship game. However, these events transpired since Nebraska's first loss that year to Colorado: #2 Florida lost to Tennessee, the Colorado Buffaloes went on to win the Big 12 Championship Game over #3 Texas, and in the SEC Championship Game, #2 Tennessee was stunned by LSU. This left Miami as the undefeated and undisputed No. 1 team in the country but a host of other teams vying for #2. Oregon played against the 2-loss Colorado Buffaloes on January 1, 2002. Colorado scored first, with a 1-yard touchdown to take the lead, 7–0. Oregon would score after them, tying the game 7–7. Oregon would score on their next 5 possessions, including a 49-yard touchdown run by Maurice Morris, in which Morris sat down on a defender after a failed attempt at a tackle and continued to run, and an 80-yard Joey Harrington pass to WR Samie Parker. Colorado would score twice in the 4th quarter, nailing a field goal and a touchdown with a failed PAT, but Oregon would prevail 38–16, earning their first Fiesta Bowl win under HC Mike Bellotti. This game also marked Bellotti's first 11-win season.

Statistics

Team

Offense

Defense

Special teams

After the season

Team records broken

Tackles for loss – single season

Passes broken up – single season

Awards

Conference

• Joey Harrington – Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year

Team

• Joey Harrington, QB – Skeie's Award (Team MVP)
• Ryan Schmid, OL – Gonyea Award (Most Inspirational Player)
• Onterrio Smith, RB – Casanova Award (First year player that exemplifies competitiveness, inspiration and performance)
• Chris Tetterton, DL – Clarke Trophy (Most Improved Player)
• Jim Adams, OL – Ed Moshofsky Award (Best Lineman)
• Zack Freiter, DL – Joe Schaffeld Award (Best Defensive Lineman)
• Wesly Mallard, LB – Gordon E. Wilson Award (Best Special Teams Player)
• Seth McEwan, DL – Bob Officer Award (Major contribution to team despite physical adversity)
• Ryan Schmid, OL – Senior Academic/Attitude Award
• Maurice Morris, RB – Duane Cargill Award (Significant Impact)

Academic All-Americans

The following members of the 2001 team excelled in the classroom as well as the gridiron and were honored as NCAA Academic All-Americans.

• Joey Harrington, QB
• Ryan Schmid, OL Second Selection

All-Pac-10 Team

The following members of the 2001 team were honored as All-Pac-10 players.

First team

• Joey Harrington, QB
• Keenan Howry, WR & PR
• Justin Peelle, TE Unanimous Selection

Second team

• Maurice Morris, RB
• Onterrio Smith, RB & KOR
• Wesly Mallard, LB & ST
• Rashad Bauman, DB

Honorable mention

• Jim Adams, OL
• Joey Forster, OL
• Ryan Schmid, OL
• Zack Freiter, DL
• Seth McEwan, LB
• Kevin Mitchell, LB
• Steve Smith, CB
• Keith Lewis, FS

Academic All-Pac-10

The following members of the 2001 team excelled in the classroom as well as the gridiron and were honored as Academic All-Pac-10 team members.

• Ryan Schmid, OL Second Selection
• Dan Weaver, OL

Senior postseason games

The following Oregon seniors participated in post-season senior games to audition for NFL scouts.

East–West Shrine Game

• Joey Harrington, QB
• Maurice Morris, RB

Senior Bowl

• Rashad Bauman, CB
• Steve Smith, CB

Hula Bowl

• Justin Peelle, TE

Players drafted

The following members of the 2001 team were selected in the NFL Draft.

Team honors

On September 11, 2014, the University of Oregon announced that the 2001 Oregon Ducks football team would be inducted in the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2001 team set school records for wins in a season and featured Heisman Trophy finalist Joey Harrington, who led the Ducks to a 38–16 win in the Fiesta Bowl over Big 12 champions (and future Pac-12 member) Colorado. The team finished with a school record second-place ranking in the AP Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll. Three players made the all-Pac-10 first team, two were named All-Americans and 14 were eventually selected in the NFL Draft.

References

1. Clark, Bob (November 13, 2002). "Time turns down rivalry's heat". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. p. 1C.
2. Clark, Bob (November 16, 2002). "Northwest rivalry resumes, no love lost". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. p. 1D.
3. "2001 Oregon Ducks Schedule and Results". College Football @ Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
4. "2001 Football Schedule". University of Oregon Athletics. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
5. "2023 Oregon Football Record Book" (PDF). University of Oregon Athletics. p. 42. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
6. "2001 Top 25 Preview". NationalChamps.net. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
7. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. September 2, 2001.
8. Clark, Bob (September 2, 2001). "UO sneaks into opening win". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
9. Bellamy, Ron (September 2, 2001). "Just another day of living on the edge for Ducks". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
10. Moseley, Rob (September 2, 2001). "Smith makes most of chance". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
11. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. September 9, 2001.
12. Clark, Bob (September 9, 2001). "Ducks show little in second win". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
13. Bellamy, Ron (September 9, 2001). "UO looks vulnerable after win". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
14. Moseley, Rob (September 9, 2001). "Backups step up for Oregon". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
15. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. September 23, 2001.
16. Clark, Bob (September 23, 2001). "Ducks hit the switch for win". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
17. Bellamy, Ron (September 23, 2001). "It was a night like no other at Autzen Stadium". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
18. Moseley, Rob (September 23, 2001). "Smith's redemption key for Ducks". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
19. Rodman, Bob (September 23, 2001). "USC can't hang on in the end". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
20. Conrad, John (September 23, 2001). "UO offense wary of booting one". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
21. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. September 30, 2001.
22. Clark, Bob (September 30, 2001). "Ducks deny Aggies' bid for upset". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
23. Moseley, Rob (September 30, 2001). "USU offense confuses Ducks". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
24. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. October 7, 2001.
25. Clark, Bob (October 7, 2001). "UO win ranks right up there". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
26. Bellamy, Ron (October 7, 2001). "Ducks dominate with Joey Heisman at the helm". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
27. Moseley, Rob (October 7, 2001). "Parker proves Ducks have depth at receiver". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
28. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. October 14, 2001.
29. Clark, Bob (October 14, 2001). "Dominant Ducks look the part". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
30. Bellamy, Ron (October 14, 2001). "All he does is pass, run, bloc, win". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
31. Moseley, Rob (October 14, 2001). "Cal unable to solve Duck defense". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
32. Conrad, John (October 14, 2001). "Another step ahead for UO". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
33. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. October 21, 2001.
34. Clark, Bob (October 21, 2001). "Perfection lost in Cardinal sins". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
35. Bellamy, Ron (October 21, 2001). "Oregon loses so much more". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
36. Moseley, Rob (October 21, 2001). "Mistakes haunt UO in final period". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
37. Conrad, John (October 21, 2001). "Adversity can't sink Stanford". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
38. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. October 28, 2001.
39. Clark, Bob (October 28, 2001). "Ducks run back into race". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
40. Bellamy, Ron (October 28, 2001). "Smith overcomes tough conditions". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
41. Moseley, Rob (October 28, 2001). "Ducks' defenders deliver". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
42. Clark, Bob; Moseley, Rob (October 28, 2001). "UO offensive line gets a night to shine". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
43. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. November 4, 2001.
44. Clark, Bob (November 4, 2001). "Ducks take control of destiny". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
45. Bellamy, Ron (November 4, 2001). "Oregon two wins away from piece of Pac-10 prize". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
46. Moseley, Rob (November 4, 2001). "Howry turns the corners on another record game". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
47. Hansen, Chris (November 4, 2001). "Defense swings momentum". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
48. Conrad, John (November 4, 2001). "Sun Devils sunk after Krohn injury". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
49. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. November 11, 2001.
50. Clark, Bob (November 11, 2001). "Ducks one step from Fiesta". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
51. Bellamy, Ron (November 11, 2001). "QB wins his Bowl game". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
52. Clark, Bob (November 11, 2001). "Forgotten receivers rally UO". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
53. Conrad, John (November 11, 2001). "UCLA's caution benefits Ducks". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
54. Conrad, John (November 11, 2001). "Play calls leave UCLA coaches on the run". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
55. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. December 2, 2001.
56. Clark, Bob (December 2, 2001). "UO weather OSU". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
57. Bellamy, Ron (December 2, 2001). "These Ducks played like champs". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
58. Moseley, Rob (December 2, 2001). "UO defense holds Beavers short". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
59. Rodman, Bob (December 2, 2001). "OSU parts with star seniors". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
60. Rodman, Bob (December 2, 2001). "OSU takes little solace in loss". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
61. Conrad, John (December 2, 2001). "Howry comes up big in biggest moments". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
62. "Oregon Football Report". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. January 2, 2002.
63. Conrad, John (January 2, 2001). "It's Oregon's party". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
64. Conrad, John (January 2, 2001). "Buffaloes crumble as UO rumbles to victory". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
65. Bellamy, Ron (January 2, 2002). "Wild dreams coming true". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
66. Moseley, Rob (January 2, 2002). "Surprise! Duck defense dominates". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
67. Moseley, Rob (January 2, 2002). "Smith steals spot in Fiesta record books". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
68. Rodman, Bob (January 2, 2001). "Top-dog debate rages on". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
69. Rodman, Bob (January 2, 2001). "Buffs can't catch up with Parker". The Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon.
70. ^ "2014 Oregon Football Almanac by University of Oregon Athletics – Issuu". issuu.com.
71. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 31, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
72. Something speacial

• 2001 Pacific-10 Conference football season
• Oregon Ducks football seasons
• Pac-12 Conference football champion seasons
• Fiesta Bowl champion seasons
• 2001 in sports in Oregon