Thursday October 4, 2001

Joey 'Heisman' is leading the charge for the Ducks

In two-plus seasons as the Oregon starting quarterback, Joey Harrington accumulated an impressive resume.

The senior signal-caller, a viable Heisman Trophy candidate this year, propelled the Ducks to national recognition during the past two seasons.

He led Oregon to a 35-30 against Texas in the Holiday Bowl last season. During that game, he became the first player to run for, pass for and catch a touchdown in Holiday Bowl history.

"He could be considered a throwback to the days when student-athletes played the game for the pure love of the college experience," said UO head coach Mike Bellotti.

If anything separates Harrington from other quarterbacks around the nation, it's his ability to come from behind to win football games.

The senior accomplished this feat eight times in his career, the first was against Arizona in 1999.

"Joey Harrington has been called the 'comeback kid,' and I have to agree with that," UA head coach John Mackovic said. "I have great admiration and respect for him. He doesn't quit. He has the poise, confidence, courage and toughness to stand in the pocket and deliver the ball."

In 1999, he entered a game in the third quarter because Oregon quarterback A.J. Feeley was struggling.

Harrington orchestrated a three-minute, 55-yard touchdown drive to tie the game. Then, with only a few minutes remaining, Harrington ran for a first down that enabled the Ducks to kick the game-winning field goal, sealing a 44-41 victory in Tucson.

"Joey's not the fastest or strongest quarterback to ever play the game," Bellotti said. "He's the guy who wants the football when the game is on the line. He's the guy that not only makes plays but raises the level of play of the people around him."

Since the game against the Wildcats, the Ducks have won 18 of 20 games with Harrington as the starter.

This season, Oregon (4-0 overall, 1-0 Pacific 10 Conference) ranks No. 8 in the nation. Harrington has completed 59 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns this year.

"No lead is safe with these guys," UA senior strong safety Brandon Nash said. "Whether they are down or ahead, they can always make something happen. You just always got to be able to contain him."

The hype for Harrington hasn't just been heard in Eugene, Ore., it's been displayed all over the nation.

There has never been a Heisman campaign like the one the Ducks are conducting.

Oregon boosters paid for a $250,000, 100-foot billboard outside Madison Square Garden in New York City, touting Harrington as "Joey Heisman."

The latest promotional ventures - including three-minute Harrington action videos that have been mailed to 900 media representatives and potential Heisman voters - cost another $250,000.

They also established a website, http://www.joeyharrington.net, extolling the virtues of the Ducks' play-caller.

But Harrington is not the only story on this team.

Oregon tailback Maurice Morris, while putting up lesser numbers than in the past, is still a threat to break a long run. Morris' speed allows Harrington to use a lot of play-action passes, giving him more time in the pocket.

"Maurice Morris is not getting all of the yards because opposing defenses have stacked the deck to take him out of play," Mackovic said. "He is just waiting to break loose, and he is a great all-purpose back."

Morris averages 84 yards per game and has two touchdowns this season.

UA sophomore linebacker Joe Siofele said Arizona is likely to go with the same strategy used by other teams this season.

"Our defense was designed to stop the run," Siofele said. "We are definitely going to take out the running game."

Harrington relies on his favorite target - arguably the best tight end in college football - senior Justin Peelle.

Peelle has caught five of Harrington's eight touchdown passes this season.

"Justin Peelle is the best tight end in college football," Mackovic said. "Nobody runs routes better than he does, and you don't want to try to cover him one-on-one."

Last week, UA cornerbacks struggled to cover Washington State wide receivers Mike Bush and Nakoa McElrath, who are 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-2, respectively.

This week they'll have to deal less with the size of the Oregon wide receivers than with the speed. OU juniors Jason Willis and Kevin Howry are 6-foot-1 and 5-foot-11, respectively.

"They are good at running routes, but they are not tall as the receivers we played against last weekend," UA cornerback Michael Jolivette said. "They don't weigh as much, so they are pretty light, so we can put a hand on him. Our receivers are more physical than they are."

The Oregon cornerbacks have a challenge of their own covering the UA wide receivers.

The Ducks' corners - senior Rashad Bauman and senior Steve Smith - are arguably the two best in the conference, if not the nation.

"Oregon also has the top cornerback tandem in the conference, and the safeties do a nice job of helping in the coverages," Mackovic said. "They are very active up front, and the linebackers are real blitzers."

Despite stars at other positions, this Oregon team goes where Harrington takes them.

Even if the Wildcats are ahead in the fourth quarter, the game isn't over. With Harrington on the field, anything can happen.