Uniform reveals typically take place later in the week, but this week is special, Oregon’s first visit to the Big House since a shocking 39-7 upset in 2007. In that one the Ducks and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly used big plays and Dennis Dixon’s marvelous sleight-of-hand to baffle, bamboozle and boat race the Wolverines in their own hallowed building.
Dixon threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns, connecting on scoring strikes of 85 yards to Brian Paysinger, 61 yards to Derrick Jones, 46 yards to Jaison Williams. He also ran for 76 yards, pulling off both a Statue of Liberty play and a fake Statue of Liberty, masterfully hiding the ball from the Michigan defense and the television cameras as he strolled into the end zone. Backfield mate Jonathan Stewart powered his way to 111 yards on 15 carries.
So it’s only appropriate that Dixon and Stewart introduce the new generation of the Nike-designed white and silver warp-speed look. In ’07 it was their dazzling combination of speed and execution that demolished their blueblood opponents, a debut that stunned college football traditionalists and turned the Top 25 upside down.