One Quarterback Works Just Fine

EUGENE, Ore. — For the first time all season, Oregon had just one quarterback. And Jason Maas made the most of his chance.

The junior, who had been sharing time with Akili Smith all season, passed for a career-high 369 yards and three touchdowns Saturday as Oregon snapped a three-game losing streak with a 31-13 victory over Utah.

“It was fun to be out there for a whole game,” Maas said. “That was a little bit better. You can get into a groove and the game’s on your shoulders.”

Blake Spence caught six passes for 214 yards, including a 39-yarder for a touchdown, the most receiving yards ever by an Oregon tight end and fourth on the Ducks’ single-game receiving list.

He would have broken the mark for most yards in a game--234, set by Derrick Deadwiler against California in 1993--but he couldn’t quite catch a pass on his fingertips in the fourth quarter.

The Ducks thought the tight end would be open a lot against the Utes, and they were right. A.J. Jelks, who plays as a second tight end in some offensive sets, caught two passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Spence had nine catches for three touchdowns earlier this season against Fresno State, giving him 15 catches for 341 yards and four scores against two Western Athletic Conference opponents this season.

“It was a good time. I like it when the tight end gets the ball a lot,” Spence said. “Me and A.J. had a great game. Maas was just finding us. It was similar to the Fresno State game. I don’t know if it’s a WAC thing or what.”

Maas completed 20 of 36 passes without an interception. His passing yardage ranks 10th on the Ducks’ single-game list and his 389 yards in total offense was eighth-best in school history.

Oregon (4-3, 1-3) finished its nonconference scheduled 3-0. Utah now is 3-4.

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NEXT FOR USC

WHO: Oregon

WHERE: Coliseum

WHEN: Saturday, 7:15 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports West

RADIO: KLSX-FM (97.1)