The Heisman buzz is growing around
Dennis Dixon.
For good reason: Dixon has completed 138 of 199 passes for 1,728 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has thrown just three interceptions.
He has an efficiency rating of 165.81, fourth in the nation.
He can run, too, with 416 yards and seven touchdowns this season. As a result, Dixon is averaging 308.2 yards in total offense, 11th-best nationally.
Dixon has thrown a touchdown pass and run for a score in each of Oregon's games this season, which has been marked by a bond he with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and his embrace of the team's speedy spread-option offense.
CBS's sportsline.com had Dixon ranked third in the Heisman watch, behind Florida quarterback
Tim Tebow and Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson.
The 6-foot-5 senior was ranked No. 4 by MSNBC.com and was on espn.com's Experts Poll.
Dixon was also added to the Maxwell Award watch list for college player of the year, joining Oregon tailback Jonathan Stewart.
------
DON'T FORGET J-STEW:(at) Tailback Jonathan Stewart is also grabbing attention after his big game against Washington last weekend.
Stewart had 31 carries for a career-high 251 yards and two touchdowns. His rushing yards were the second-most in Oregon history and the most in the Pac-10 this season.
With his catches and a kickoff return, Stewart had a total of 305 all-purpose yards in Oregon's 55-34 victory over the Huskies.
Stewart earned Pac-10 offensive player of the week honors with the effort.
Overall, the 5-11, 230-pound junior is averaging 134.29 rushing yards and is ranked sixth nationally.
"He's improved a lot from last year," said Oregon offensive tackle
Geoff Schwartz. "He's using his eyes a lot better, and the one thing he's doing is avoiding contact when it's not needed. He's able to run out of bounds and duck his head a little bit. He's not taking the beating he used to take, and that's keeping him fresh and healthy."