20 Dec 10 Darron Thomas: Why He Is The Shining Star of The Oregon Ducks

Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesThe very first possession ended with an interception. Oregon had roared downfield and appeared ready to score when Darron Thomas dropped back, fired...and suddenly he was racing downfield, trying to catch a defender.It wasn't what anyone had hoped to see from Oregon's new starting quarterback. It was what many had half-expected, though, and the collective thought was:Uh-oh.This was against New Mexico in the season opener. Oregon eventually won 72-0, and it turned out th e Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jerseyquarterback hadn't misread the defense—an offensive lineman had missed a block, allowing a defender to intercept the screen pass.But we point out the moment because as the Ducks prepare for the season finale Saturday at Oregon State, they're 11-0 with the inside track to the BCS Championship, and their sophomore quarterback is the biggest reason why."Uh-oh" long ago became "Oh, my."Let's backtrack a bit. Last January, when everyone did their very early preseason rankings, Oregon was a chic top 10 pick. The Ducks were Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey coming off a Pac-10 title and a loss in the Rose Bowl to Ohio State, but they were bringing back almost everybody for 2010, including a playmaking quarterback.Steve Dykes/Getty ImagesThen Jeremiah Masoli ran into some trouble, and suddenly even the most optimistic fans figured it was time to turn down expectations a notch, or maybe two.Thomas and Nate Costa would compete to replace Masoli. Regardless of who won the job, the thinking was Oregon would be good. But the concern was how much an inexperienced quarterback would limit a very talented offense."We don't have too many question marks," Costa said last summer. "Quarterback is one of those."As another wet winter settles in, though, quarterback isn't a question mark, but Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey an exclamation point. A third-year sophomore, Thomas is the best quarterback Chip Kelly has had in four years at Oregon (two as offensive coordinator, two as head coach).Better than Masoli. Better than Dennis Dixon in 2007, when the Ducks last made a serious run at the BCS title.Sophomore running back LaMichael James isa Heisman Trophy candidate, and the rest of the roster is filled with talent and speed.But Thomas is the biggest reason Oregon is one step away from making its first appearance in a BCS Championship game.