Ducks' starter 'the best choice'

In one day, Duck nation will finally get what it has been asking for.

The departure of former Heisman hopeful Jeremiah Masoli left the No. 11 Oregon Ducks without a starting quarterback at the end of a phenomenal season. Then, one week ago, second-year head coach Chip Kelly named sophomore Darron Thomas the Ducks starter, a move Oregon fans have been hoping to see even before Masoli’s absence. Thomas edged senior Nate Costa in the quarterback competition.

“We sat down with the staff,” Kelly said. “Had a long discussion about it, and we just feel for where we are offensively, and what we’re going to do, that he’s the best choice.”

Since his inaugural collegiate debut in 2008, fans have fawned over the 6-foot-3, 212-pound signal caller, especially for his efforts against Boise State last season. The Ducks trailed by 24 points going into the fourth quarter. Then Thomas’ 210-yard, three-touchdown performance over the final 15 minutes left most spectators in awe, even if it came up just short as the Broncos escaped Autzen Stadium with a 37-32 victory.

Now two years later, Thomas will get his first opportunity as the starter having won the job.

Kelly let Thomas and Costa battle for the starting spot during spring drills in May and continued the competition into fall camp this August.
“I’m just going out being aggressive, like I always play,” Thomas said about his his first start. “And just do what I got to do to be the quarterback.”

In 2009, Costa was a proven backup, helping the Ducks to a crucial 24-10 conference win over UCLA. But three major knee surgeries may also have played a variable role in Kelly’s final decision, though Costa seemed as mobile as ever this offseason.

Thomas has spent the entire game week working with the first team offense, while Costa returned to the second team for yet another season.
“You only can pick one.” Kelly said. “If I could pick two I would’ve picked two. And it’s a tough thing because I care so much about Nate. I know what Nate means to this program.”

Both players received plenty of support from their teammates, many of whom would have been content with either candidate taking home the job.
“Darron’s a good dude,” wide receiver Daryle Hawkins said. “I’ve caught passes from both of them, and I can honestly say that no matter who they picked, it was going to be a great decision. I have confidence in both of them, so I don’t think it really mattered who was out there.”
Thomas looks to be a perfect candidate to run the complex zone-read offense that Kelly has nearly perfected over the years.

Coming out of high school in Houston, Texas, Thomas was one of the highest ranked quarterbacks in the country after an All-American senior season. He completed nearly 60 percent of his passes, throwing for 2,576 yards and 11 scores, while rushing for another 900 yards on the ground.

But Thomas said he understands the work is just beginning.
“I just came out trying to show my leadership and that I can do it,” he said. “That’s what the coaches wanted to see and so I gave it to them. It’s just the beginning. I haven’t did nothing yet. This is just one fall camp. Now it’s on to games and leading the team through games.”