Quack Fix: DAT on defense and basketball hangs on against Portland

Here's your Tuesday fix. Enjoy!

• The big story this week is Oregon's defense, which has seen many reserves pressed into action due to injury. Moseley notes that in the second-half of the Cal game, 10 of the original 22 on the defensive two-deep from week one were unavailable.
• It was announced on Monday that Avery Patterson suffered an ACL tear in his left knee in the first half on Saturday and will miss the rest of the season. A tough blow to Patterson who has filled in admirably for John Boyett this season. Here's wishing a Patterson a full and speedy recovery.
• During the Cal game, I joked to Jared that maybe we should consider playing Marqise Lee on defense, too. Well, now there are rumors that De'Anythony Thomas might be called upon to player cornerback against Stanford. Another option for a (presumably) temporary switch to defense would be Keanon Lowe who, like Thomas, also has prep experience on defense.
• The men's basketball team moved to 2-0 on the season with an 80-69 victory against Portland State. The Ducks were hot in the first half and opened up a 51-33 halftime lead that the Vikings were never able to get back below nine points in the second half. Dominic Artis led all scorers with 16 points.
• The South Division representative will be decided this weekend in LA. Bob Clark also wonders if the Utah can compete in the Pac-12 as it has yet to beat a conference opponent with a winning record since it joined.
• Ashton Eaton was named the winner of the 2012 Jesse Owens Award for the top male athlete in track & field. Eaton's year included setting world records in the heptathlon and decathlon and winning an Olympic gold.
• In helping the volleyball team sweep the Arizona schools this weekend, Liz Brenner was named the conference's offensive player of the week. Next, the Ducks head north to take on the Washington schools.