'Quick Six' takes the long road.

Byline: Curtis Anderson The Register-Guard

Two years ago, Anthony Alridge, an all-purpose back who goes by the nickname of `Quick Six,' made his first career start for the Houston football team in its season opener against Oregon.

By the end of the first quarter, the 5-foot-9, 175-pound Alridge already had added his first career catch, and his first career touchdown, a 62-yard reception that gave the Cougars a shortlived 21-14 lead.

So why not launch his campaign to be the nation's leader in all-purpose yards this season in Saturday's rematch with the Ducks?

`I look forward to playing Oregon again,' said Alridge, a senior, who set a school record and led all Division 1-A rushers with an average of 10.1 yards per carry last year with 959 yards in 95 attempts.

`I remember I was just playing (in that first game). I didn't know what was going on because I didn't know how to read coverages. But now, I'm a lot more experienced and I know what the defense is doing.'

Alridge lined up as a wideout in that first meeting with the Ducks.

However, he made a seamless transition to running back midway through last season, a move that gave the Cougars (10-4 overall, 7-1 league) a much-needed offensive boost as they closed out the season with six consecutive wins, locked up the Conference USA title, and a berth in the Liberty Bowl.

Alridge, one of 35 players named to the `watch list' for the 2007 Walter Camp player of the year award, had no problems making the switch. He was a star running back in high school in Denton, Texas.

`When Anthony came up here, we had a full stable of running backs, so we put him at wide receiver because it was the quickest way to get him on the field,' Houston head coach Art Briles said.

`He ended up being a really good receiver, but we went through a mini-slump last year, and we needed a spark, and we knew Anthony would be a good running back. It turned out to be a good move for him and us.'

Alridge, the Cougars' No. 1 kickoff returner, made the most of his touches.

Besides the eye-popping stat of more than 10 yards per carry, he averaged 103.9 yards rushing over the final seven games of the season, finishing the year as the team leader with 131.1 all-purpose yards per game.

His highlight reel featured a career-high 225 yards on 13 attempts against SMU, twice breaking loose for 77-yard touchdown runs, and an 87-yard TD scamper against Tulane, the third-longest run from scrimmage in school history.

Alridge, a second-team all-Conference USA pick in 2006, is ticketed for full-time duty at running back and kickoff returns this season, plus occasional stints at wideout. With his carries projected to double in Houston's wide-open spread attack, he sees no reason why he can't contend for the nation's all-purpose yardage title.

`That's my goal,' Alridge said. `I love the ball in my hands and I want to lead the nation in all-purpose yards. I want at least 2,700 yards, if not more. Coach told me he had 2,500 yards in his mind, so I always want to up the ante.'

The burning question for Houston is who will be the quarterback?

Four-year starter Kevin Kolb has moved on to the NFL as the Philadelphia Eagles' second-round draft pick after setting every school passing and total offense record during his tenure at Houston.

Alridge has confidence in both of the candidates to replace Kolb - sophomore Blake Joseph and redshirt freshman Case Keenum.

`I'm very comfortable with both of them,' he said. `With our quick-strike offense, whoever the quarterback is going to be, they should have a lot of fun ... they just have to put the ball in the right hands, try not to make too many mistakes and manage the game.'

Houston has made a remarkable turnaround under Briles.

The Cougars were winless (0-11) as recently as 2001, and dating back to 1976, only five other teams in Division I-A history have been able to rebound from zero wins to a league championship.

UO head coach Mike Bellotti is well aware of Houston's multiple offensive threats.

`(Alridge) is a great running back,' Bellotti said. `He can catch and run the ball with power and quickness. He reads plays well and hits the hole well. Their offense is so deceptive, you never know when he's going to carry the ball ... as an offensive coach, it's fun to watch, but not much fun as a defensive coach.'