EUGENE, Ore. - Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli was practicing again in shells -- not full pads -- during the bye week.
Masoli practiced on a limited basis last week then did not dress at UCLA last weekend. Nate Costa started in his place, and the No. 13 Ducks defeated the Bruins 24-10.
Masoli injured his right knee in Oregon's 52-6 victory over Washington State on Oct. 3. At first it did not appear serious.
But Masoli missed two days of practice last week, then practiced in shells while Costa played with the first team in preparation for UCLA.
Costa, who had missed the past two seasons because of knee injuries, made his first career start and went 9-of-17 for four yards with a touchdown. He ended up with minus-18 yards rushing.
Masoli, a more mobile quarterback, was just coming into his own when he was injured. In victories over California and Washington State, Masoli completed 35 of 43 passes for four touchdowns and no interceptions. He has also rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown over the span.
Eschewing the NFL-type practice of calling players probable our doubtful, Oregon coach Chip Kelly lists his injured players in just two ways: day-to-day or out.
Masoli was day-to-day. The Ducks have a bye week before visiting Washington on Oct. 24. Then they host No. 6 USC on Halloween.
Masoli had an MRI on his knee last week, but results were not released.
BARNER'S BIG DAY: Oregon redshirt freshman Kenjon Barner received Pac-10 player of the week honors.
Barner returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in the No. 13 Ducks' 24-10 victory at UCLA.
"It always feels good to get loose. My team opened up holes and I was able to make some cuts. Fortunately I was able to score," he said. "It was just a great victory for our team. We were a little slow in the first half but we picked it up in the second and looked like normal Oregon."
Numerous Pac-10 players have had 100 yard kickoff returns, but Barner was the first in the league since 2006.
Barner's kickoff return was the second longest in school history. Woodley Lewis had the longest at 102, back in 1942 when the NCAA counted end zone yardage.
EXTRA POINTS: The Ducks are the only team in the Pacific-10 without a conference loss. They are 3-0 in the league for the first time since 2001. ... Oregon has won five straight games since its season-opening loss at Boise State. The Ducks haven't won as many consecutive games since 2005, when they won seven straight... The Ducks have won six straight conference games, dating back to last season. ... LaMichael James rushed for 152 yards against UCLA, matching his own school record for a freshman. ... Chip Kelly's five-game winning streak is the most by a first-year head coach at Oregon since Jim Aiken won six straight to end the 1947 season.
