Half: 8/16, 118 yards and 2 TDs Two dropped passes...one particular rolling left, throwing right, another rolling right, throwing right. Nice showing. I'm most impressed with his pocket presence. He has an excellent feel for the game, tends to lock on a bit but is able to check off and def knows when to tuck and run. Freshman!!
Yes, sir. Now, I'm wondering what we have in Mariota - if the rumor is true that Marcus was pushing Bryan for #2. Nuts.
Seemed like Chip was trying to air it out in the second quarter to see what Bennett can do. Only (lol) something like 37 yards rushing in that quarter.
Bennett has a better arm and better legs than Thomas. I think he should take over the starting position. He made several outstanding throws and is a helluva lot better scrambbler than Thomas.
^^^ I am just as excited about Bennett as the next person. But lets look at who he played against this whole game before getting too far out of hand.
Thomas has a lot more wins under his belt and this was CU. But, lets say the Oregon offense was having difficulty getting the run and pass game going against, say, a physical defense, like say, Stanford or a larger OOC team... Bennett brings an added rushing threat and quickness that Thomas just doesn't have.
I was much more impressed by Bennett today than from the ASU game. His zone read's were exceptional and after a breakdown from fishduck that I saw of last weeks game, he explained how Bennett is actually better at running the zone read than Thomas. He sucks in the defender a second longer by moving with the running back, much like Masoli did, and with his speed he can easily get to the edge against most lineman and linebackers. I'm still not quite sold on his passing ability but he showed me more improvement today, than in previous games. He showed me that he has a really strong arm. Those two sideline ropes to Paulsen and Tuinei were incredible. I don't think Thomas could have made those passes. Not only that he was on the run each time and didn't even have his feet set properly. I remember reading his scouting report and how he seemed to have an "elastic" arm and would get incredible velocity without getting his feet set. Well now, I believe it. Matt Prehm, from DT, said he was able to throw lasers in practice, but struggled with a lot of the touch passes. This rang true especially on a lot of the bombs he overthrew, but he did show amazing touch by hanging that one over the linebacker to Paulsen for the TD. I again realize he is a RS freshman(so no reason to point that out) and will continue to improve. I hope so and today's game gave me a more optimistic outlook for Bennett, even though it was against Colorado.
FR? Did someone say FR? I thought it was pretty cool when Thomas said that Bennett has a stronger arm - or can throw farther - or whatever he mumbled. So, Bennett is quicker, a better runner, possibly more aggressive AND has a stronger arm. Wow. Great for him to get some big time experience. He'll be one of the greats and should delivery a lot of W's.
the coaches have known for a while that Bennett is superior physically to Thomas. Heck I heard Chip say that last year further claiming BB could dunk from a half step inside the FT line. But Thomas is a pretty decent athlete too with a good arm + touch. He's been clutch in big games willing to stand in the pocket and take a shot. They may feel he's better between the ears and isn't that the most important aspect of being a QB? I'm excited that BB showed well and got some experience as you're always a play away from having to put in the backup. But Colorado looked really bad and I'm pretty sure Thomas would have sliced them up as well. The WRs were getting separation like they haven't all year and the Buffs pass rush was feeble. Saturday was a great opportunity to shine. STOMP
I watched the game at a sports bar in Lincoln City (thank, wifey!). His accuracy was disappointing. But that will improve.
I wasn't disappointed because I wasn't sure what to expect. He had a few passes that were beautiful, and a few that were way off. Either way, not bad for a rs freshman.
Disappointed with accuracy? What were your expectations? He's played in 4 games, has a near 150 QB rating, 53% comp, 4 TD with 0 ints and avg's 9.3 yards per run. He had a few errant throws, which everyone expected. He delivered some wild sideline passes while scrambling that even practice rats weren't expecting. I was hoping for 50% completion and no turnovers and a win. So, I was impressed. 38 attempts with 0 int's is what impresses me the most. I'm trying to recall last time Oregon started a RS FR QB who delivered a conference road game win and didn't turn the ball over. Can you recall one? Graziani?
The really nice thing is that he has two years to improve and get the system down pat. His arm is certainly live and he has good speed. His throws will get better. What I'd like to see is Chip getting him into blow out games sooner so he gets more real game experience.
