Leading Off

Duck and Cover

Using every available limb, Oregon cornerback Jackie Bates (8) broke up a pass intended for Stanford receiver Evan Moore last Saturday in Eugene. Dennis Dixon (inset) completed 21 of 30 passes for 236 yards in the Ducks' 48--10 victory, which marked the debut of yet another Oregon uniform at the forefront of football fashion.

A Pitch in Time?

Pressure from the UCLA defense--a common occurrence on Saturday in Pasadena--forced Utah quarterback Brett Ratliff to try to pitch his way out of a jam. His counterpart, Ben Olson (inset), applied heat of his own, connecting on 25 of 33 throws for 318 yards and three touchdowns to win his first game as the Bruins' starter, 31--10.

Bee in His Bonnet

Georgia Tech linebacker Philip Wheeler delivered a high, hard one to Notre Dame tight end John Carlson (four catches, 36 yards) on Saturday in Atlanta. The Yellowjackets took the ultimate fall, though, as Brady Quinn (inset) rallied the Irish to a 14--10 victory, rushing for one touchdown and completing 23 of 38 passes for 246 yards.

• For more Leading Off pictures, go to SI.com/photos.

TWO PHOTOS

Photographs by Robert Beck

TWO PHOTOS

Photographs by John W. McDonough

PHOTO

Photograph by Bob Rosato

PHOTO

DAMIAN STROHMEYER