Oregon adds to pain for Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti posed for a picture on the block M in the middle of the field at Michigan Stadium, a scoreboard looming in the background.

“Make sure you get the score in there,” Bellotti said.

Oregon 39, Michigan 7. Another embarrassment for the Wolverines. Another opponent celebrating at the Big House.

A week after being stunned by Appalachian State, the Wolverines were handed their worst beating since before Bo Schembechler worked the sideline.

Dennis Dixon accounted for 368 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, helping the Ducks build a 25-point lead at halftime and cruise to an easy victory.

“It’s a good win because I think there were some questions about how Michigan was going to bounce back, and whether we would be competitive,” Bellotti said. “I think our players took that to heart.”

The Ducks (2-0) beat Houston handily in their opener, then were even more dominant against a once-proud program that boasts the most wins and best winning percentage in college football.

Michigan (0-2) has opened a season with two straight losses at home for the first time since 1959 and has dropped four straight games for the first time in four decades.

Unlike the stunning loss to the second-tier Mountaineers, the Wolverines didn’t even keep it close against Oregon.

The 32-point setback was Michigan’s worst since losing 50-14 at Ohio State in 1968, the season before Schembechler’s coaching debut in Ann Arbor.

“We have good kids and they’re hurting,” Wolverines Coach Lloyd Carr said. “If losing doesn’t make you hurt, you shouldn’t be at Michigan.”

The Wolverines haven’t won a game since Schembechler died the day before the Ohio State game last year.

“We’ll be all right,” said Michigan’s Mike Hart, who ran for 127 yards. “I’m not worried about it. We’ll bounce back.”

In fact, Hart predicted the Wolverines won’t be winless after hosting Notre Dame.

“I guarantee we win next week,” Hart said.

Michigan was confident after losing to Appalachian State too, and experiencing an unprecedented fall in the Associated Press poll from No. 5 to being unranked.

The talk rang hollow.

Dixon led the way with his arm and feet, throwing for 292 yards and tying a career high with three passing touchdowns -- to three receivers -- and running for 76 yards and a score. He connected perfectly on 85-, 61- and 46-yard touchdown passes.