EUGENE, Ore. - Quarterback Nate Costa will be the new face of the No. 21-ranked Oregon football team, but when he takes a glance around the huddle this fall, there will be a whole lot that looks familiar.

Costa is expected to be named the starter soon, having won the position during a camp battle with fellow sophomore and 2007 Sun Bowl hero Justin Roper and a trio of newcomers.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder from Hilmer, Calif., went into the first day of camp as the No. 1 quarterback and never lost that standing through the first 22 practices -- despite coach Mike Bellotti's proclamation that the depth chart would change daily based on performance.

"I'm chomping at the bit already. I can't wait to get out there," said Costa, who should get his first start at Autzen Stadium on Aug. 30 against Pac-10 Conference rival Washington.

Costa underwent reconstructive knee surgery last season after tearing ligaments in his right knee during an October practice. He is now in charge of directing what was the Pac-10's most potent offensive attack in 2007.

Led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Dennis Dixon at quarterback, 1,700-yard rusher Jonathan Stewart in the backfield and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly's potent spread-offense schemes, the Ducks averaged 38.2 points and 467.5 yards a game en route to a 9-4 record last fall and a 56-21 bowl win against South Florida.

"I'm really excited," Costa said. "I think the spread offense gives quarterbacks the opportunity to make big plays all the time. And coach Kelly has so much stuff going on inside that brain of his. He comes into the meetings every day with a big smile on his face because he came up with something new."

Despite the loss of both Dixon and Stewart, Oregon returns six starters on offense, including one of the nation's top centers in Max Unger, as well as receiver Jaison Williams and tailback Jeremiah Johnson. Johnson is coming back from a knee surgery that cost him the final six games of 2007.

Williams, a 6-5, 240-pound senior, has had a standout camp, an encouraging sign for the Ducks, who will be breaking in a pair of new starters in the receiving corps.

Despite accumulating 123 catches for 1,828 yards and 14 touchdowns the past two seasons, Williams has been plagued by drops during his career.

But he spent part of the offseason working with vision specialists at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, where he learned exercises that, among other things, help him track the ball in the air.

"I can't explain what it is that I see him doing better, I just know he is catching more balls," Costa said. "I expect great things from him this year."

In the backfield, Johnson is expected to be the primary runner after three years of splitting carries with Stewart. In 27 career games, the senior from Los Angeles has 1,135 yards and 17 touchdowns on just 46 carries. He also has 28 receptions for 228 yards and one touchdown.

Johnson's backup was expected to be LeGarrette Blount, a 6-2, 229-pound junior college transfer who was one of the top-ranked JC recruits in the nation.

"LeGarrette is a power runner," Bellotti said. "He can break a lot of tackles and run north to south. Jeremiah is ... a jitterbug in terms of his skill. They will complement each other. I see them protecting each other and pushing each other."

Defense has not traditionally been the Ducks' strength, but that could change this season.

Oregon returns seven starters on defense, including end Nick Reed, who led the Pac-10 in 2007 with 12 sacks and 22.5 tackles for a loss of yardage.

Also back are three starters in the secondary who are all on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe award, given annually to the nation's top defensive back.

Hard-hitting senior Patrick Chung is regarded as one of the nation's top safeties. He led the Ducks and was third in the conference last season with 117 tackles.

Junior cornerback Jairus Byrd led the Pac-10 with seven interceptions last season, while fellow junior cornerback Walter Thurmond III recorded five interceptions and was tied for the league lead with 18 passes broken up.

"They are all tough, athletic and playmakers," Bellotti said.

The Ducks were picked by sports journalists to finish third in the Pac-10, behind projected champion USC and Arizona State. They enter the season ranked No. 21.

Their nonconference schedule features games at Purdue and home against Boise State, while their Pac-10 slate will include road games against the Trojans, Sun Devils, Cal and Oregon State.