Best Oregon football players: Modern-era Mount Rushmore

If you want to talk about where it all started for Oregon football in terms of taking off around the turn of the century, look no further than quarterback Joey Harrington. He led the Ducks to the Fiesta Bowl and a victory over Colorado in that game in 2001, giving the Ducks a No. 2 overall ranking, which ultimately put everything into motion in Eugene.

Make no mistake, Harrington was also exceptionally productive throughout his college career. He got his first taste of action in the 1999 season as he played in eight games and threw for 1,180 yards, 10 scores and three picks along with four rushing touchdowns. That was enough to earn him the starting job in the 2000 season and he proved that to be the right decision.

Harrington threw for 2,967 yards, 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his first full season as the starter. He followed that up with his best and final season with Oregon, throwing for 2,764 yards, 27 touchdowns and six interceptions (he rushed for seven touchdowns in each of his final two years) while leading the Ducks to unprecedented success.

For his career, Harrington still ranks sixth in career passing yards at Oregon along with ranking seventh in career passing touchdowns third in total offensive touchdowns. But for as good as his numbers were, what he started with the program in terms of success is the true reason he makes it onto the Mount Rushmore.